KQKS

Last updated
KQKS
KS107.5.png
Broadcast area Denver metropolitan area
Frequency 107.5 MHz (HD Radio)
BrandingKS1075
Programming
Language(s) English
Format Rhythmic contemporary
Subchannels
  • HD2: Country "Front Range Country 103.1"
  • HD3: Sports "Mile High Sports Radio"
Ownership
Owner
History
First air date
July 9, 1966 (1966-07-09) (as KLAK-FM at 107.7)
Former call signs
  • KLAK-FM (1966–1970)
  • KJAE (1970–1973)
  • KLAK-FM (1973–1978)
  • KPPL (1978–1984)
  • KRXY-FM (1984–1993)
  • KWMX-FM (1993–1996)
  • KHHT (1996–1997)
Former frequencies
107.7 MHz (1966–1970)
Call sign meaning
"Kiss" (former Kiss FM branding)
Technical information [1]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 35574
Class C
ERP 100,000  watts
HAAT 365 meters (1,198 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
 39°41′46″N105°09′58″W / 39.696°N 105.166°W / 39.696; -105.166
Translator(s)
Links
Public license information
Webcast
Website

KQKS (107.5 FM, KS107.5) is a Rhythmic Top 40 radio station, licensed to Lakewood, Colorado. It is owned by Audacy, Inc. and serves the Denver-Boulder metropolitan area. KQKS features a musical mix of R&B, hip hop and rhythmic pop hits.

Contents

Its studios and offices are located in the Denver Tech Center district, and the transmitter is on Green Mountain in Lakewood. KQKS broadcasts in the HD Radio format.

KQKS history

KLMO-FM

What is now KQKS originally signed on at 104.3 FM in September 1964 as KLMO-FM, the FM counterpart of KLMO (now KRCN). [2]

In December 1986, Western Cities Broadcasting purchased KLMO-FM. The company would move the transmitter site closer to Denver, increase power from 28,000 watts to 58,000 watts, and raise antenna height from 88 feet to 980 feet. The call sign would be switched to KQKS, and the format flipped to Adult Contemporary. At the time, the station was known as "104.3 Kiss FM." [3]

Top 40 KS104

In mid-1987, the branding was shortened to "KS104". On August 1, 1987, amidst heavy competition against three other FM adult contemporary stations in Denver, and with only one Top 40 station in the market, KQKS segued to a Mainstream Top 40 format, again as "KS104." [4] By 1989, KQKS evolved into a Dance-leaning Rhythmic Top 40 outlet. [5] By 1993, the station shifted back to mainstream contemporary hits when it was left as the market's sole surviving Top 40 radio station. The air staff at the time included Mark Speers and Laurie Michaels in mornings, PJ Cruise in middays, Michael Hayes in afternoons, Sweet G in evenings, Ed Atkins in late evenings, JJ Cruze on overnights, and Brandon Scott on swing.

By 1995, KS104 was competing heavily against KWMX and KALC, particularly for the young female audience. As a direct result, KQKS returned to a rhythmic contemporary direction that year. But by 1996, KQKS was struck by a major blow when the entire on-air staff defected across the street to newly minted Rhythmic Contemporary rival KJMN, and began attacking "KS104" on-air and on the streets. The station ran automated without live air staff for the remainder of its time at 104.3.

Move to 107.5 FM

In November 1996, Western Cities sold "KS104" to Jefferson-Pilot Communications (now known as Lincoln National Corporation) for $15 million. [6] Jefferson-Pilot continued to run the station jockless for two more months. On January 8, 1997, Jefferson-Pilot moved KQKS to 107.5 FM and relaunched it as "KS1075", replacing KHHT's low-rated mainstream Top 40 format. KQKS's former home at 104.3 FM switched to Classic Country on January 18. [7] [8] (104.3 is now sports radio KKFN.)

The move boosted KQKS's ratings, resulting in KJMN throwing in the towel on March 30, 1997. Since then, KQKS has faced several competitors. In 2009, Clear Channel Communications flipped KPTT (which had once competed against KQKS as Top 40/CHR KFMD from 2000 to 2005) to Rhythmic Top 40, resulting in KQKS adding more rap to its playlist. While Rap and Hip-hop accounts for over 50% of KS1075's playlist, the station, like most of the other Rhythmic outlets in the United States, has added some Rhythmic Pop/Dance tracks due to changing tastes among its listeners.

Ownership changes

In late 2005, Lincoln Financial Group acquired Jefferson-Pilot, which in turn resulted in Lincoln Financial becoming KQKS' parent company. The firm decided to keep Jefferson-Pilot's broadcasting properties in its portfolio despite offers by other broadcasting groups to buy the stations. On April 3, 2006, KQKS and the other stations began replacing the ownership on-air liners "A Jefferson-Pilot Station" with "A Lincoln Financial Station." In June 2007, Lincoln Financial announced that would put its television and radio stations up for sale. KQKS and its sister stations in Denver were among the properties being shopped around by Lincoln Financial, until the company suspended those plans in 2008.

On December 8, 2014, Entercom announced it would purchase Lincoln Financial Group's entire 15-station lineup in a $106.5 million deal, and would operate the outlets under a local marketing agreement (LMA). On December 22, 2014, Entercom announced that it would retain KQKS and its current format. [9] The FCC approved the deal on June 26, 2015. [10]

107.5 History

Country KLAK-FM

On July 9, 1966, KLAK-FM signed on, originally broadcasting at 107.7 FM. [11] It was owned by Lakewood Broadcasting Service and it simulcast the Country format of its sister station on 1600 AM. In 1970, it relocated to 107.5 FM and became KJAE, switching its format to Top 40. However, this first attempt at contemporary hits would be short lived; the station returned to Country in 1973, and restored the KLAK-FM call sign. In 1978, it changed call letters to KPPL ("K-People"), airing a Beautiful Music/MOR format, followed by a brief stint with a Modern Rock format in 1983, only to shift to adult contemporary.

Top 40 KPPL/CHR Y108

In February 1983, KPPL and AM sister station KLAK were acquired by Malrite Communications, and would become a sister station to Top 40/CHR powerhouse WHTZ (Z100) in New York, which went on the air the same year. In July 1984, 107.5 switched to Top 40/CHR, took the call sign KRXY-FM, and adopted the moniker "Y108 FM". [12] It was the top-rated CHR station in Denver during the mid and late 1980s, competing against KOAQ (Q103) until that station transitioned to an adult contemporary format in 1986, and against KPKE until that station flipped in 1987. KRXY also simulcast at night on 1600 AM as "KRXY-AM" during this time. Program directors were Robin Mitchell, Scott Fischer (interim), John Driscoll, Mark Bolke, and Dom Testa, who took over programming duties in 1991. The music directors were Geina Horton, Todd Cavanah, and Dom Testa. The Y108 morning show was hosted by, in sequence, Chuck Buell and the Denver Morning Zoo (also featuring Geina Horton, Jon Dwayne and Con Schafer), and later in 1986 by Dave Otto (featuring Lee Ann Nye as Iva B. Presley). Afternoon personalities included Beau Matthews, Scott "Scruff" Thrower, and Dom Testa. Evenings featured Bwana Johnny and Michael "Moondoggie" Moon. Don MacLeod was heard on late nights and weekends.

In October 1987, Malrite Communications sold KRXY to Capital Cities/ABC Radio for a reported $10.7 million. [13]

In October 1988 (variously reported as 1987), an 18 year-old armed with a rifle, six cassette tapes of The Smiths and one Morrissey album, drove to the station with the intent of forcing them to play music by the English alternative rock bands. The station's production manager, Greg Fadick, encountered the troubled young man in the parking lot, and later recalled having the barrel of a Remington pointed in his face for a minute or two. The would-be assailant then suddenly turned the rifle around and handed it to him butt-first, and asked him to call the police. "Tell them I need help," he said. [14] "I was gonna hijack it, but I lost my nerve," he told one of the officers. "I was going to make 'em play some tapes, but I couldn't go through with it." Telling police, he picked Y108 "because they're number one." [15] The 2021 film Shoplifters of the World is loosely based on this incident, although in the movie a radio station is actually held at gunpoint and forced to play songs by The Smiths. [16] [17] [18]

KWMX/KHHT

KRXY was overtaken in the ratings by KQKS (then at 104.3 FM) in 1991; by this time, KRXY began to lean toward Adult Top 40, and eventually dropped the "Y108" moniker, becoming "Mix 107.5" with a Hot AC format in June 1991. [19] [20] After Jefferson-Pilot bought the station from ABC in January 1993, its call letters were changed to KWMX-FM on January 20 (concurrently, KRXY (AM) became KWMX; in 1994, the AM station would drop the simulcast with the FM and flip to classic country as KYGO). [21] During the mid-1990s, KWMX would compete against KOSI and KALC. [22] [23] In response, KWMX adjusted its playlist to a Modern Pop/Rock direction that KALC was also embracing at the time by late 1995. In early 1996, the station rebranded slightly to "107.5 The Mix"; however, the move proved unsuccessful for KWMX. [24] In July 1996, KWMX's morning show was let go.

At midnight on August 2, the station began stunting with audio from movies as "America's Radio Movie Channel." At 5 p.m. that day, KWMX officially flipped back to Top 40, and changed its moniker to "K-Hits 107.5." On August 30, 1996, the call letters switched to KHHT to match the "K-Hits 107.5" moniker. [25] [26] However, the new format failed to catch on. [27] On January 8, 1997, after Jefferson-Pilot bought KQKS, the "K-Hits" format was discontinued with KQKS moving its call letters and rhythmic format to 107.5. The call letter change to KQKS officially took place February 21, 1997. [28]

Airstaff

Larry Ulibarri, Kendall B, and Kathie J held down the morning time slot, the longest in the station's history, from 2001 until March 2017 when a contract dispute resulted in their departure from KQKS. Kendall B had already left the station in January 2017 to pursue other opportunities. [29] [30]

Music history

KQKS played a pivotal role in breaking the record "That's What Love Can Do" by the American female group Boy Krazy. The song, produced by Stock Aitken Waterman, was a commercial failure upon its original release in Europe in 1991, but by late 1992, it began receiving airplay on KQKS after one of the staffers heard a remix done by Hot Tracks, breathing new life into it. The record climbed up the charts, becoming a Top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, Top 40 Mainstream and Rhythmic Contemporary charts in 1993. Boy Krazy mentions KQKS in their thank you credits on the single which can be found on their first (and only) 1993 self-titled album.

HD Radio

KQKS's HD2 subchannel airs a country music format, feeding translator station 103.1 K276FK in Denver, known as "Front Range Country 103.1".

On March 12, 2021, KQKS launched a sports format on its HD3 subchannel, branded as "Mile High Sports" (the format was previously heard on KDCO). KQKS-HD3 is simulcast on FM translator K251CV (98.1 FM). [31]

On March 3, 2023, KQKS-HD2/K276FK dropped the comedy format (the station becoming notable at that time for being one of the only remaining radio stations in the United States to carry such a format; the format moved to KQMT-HD2) and flipped to a 1990s-focused classic country format, branded as "Front Range Country 103.1". [32]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KRZZ</span> Regional Mexican radio station in San Francisco

KRZZ is a commercial radio station located in San Francisco, California, broadcasting to the San Francisco Bay Area. KRZZ airs a regional Mexican music format branded as "La Raza". The station's studios are located in San Jose just north of downtown, and the transmitter is located in the San Bruno Mountains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KBZT</span> Alternative rock radio station in San Diego

KBZT is a commercial radio station licensed to San Diego, California. Owned by Audacy, Inc., the station broadcasts an alternative rock format. Its studios are located in San Diego's Stonecrest area, and the transmitter is located in La Jolla.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WKST-FM</span> Radio station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

WKST-FM, which is branded as 96.1 KISS, is a Top 40 (CHR) outlet based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Owned by iHeartMedia, the station broadcasts with an ERP of 44 kW.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WBZZ</span> Radio station in New Kensington–Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

WBZZ is a top 40/CHR station licensed to New Kensington, Pennsylvania, targeting Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and owned by Audacy, Inc. Its transmitter is located in Pittsburgh's Spring Hill district and its studios are located west of downtown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KKFN</span> Sports radio station in Longmont–Denver, Colorado

KKFN is a commercial radio station serving the Denver-Boulder market. Owned and operated by Salt Lake City–based Bonneville International, KKFN airs a sports radio format. The station is licensed to Longmont, Colorado. Its studios are located in Greenwood Village, and the transmitter is in Lakewood on Green Mountain. KKFN runs local sports shows days and evenings, and carries ESPN Radio programming late nights and weekends.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KIMN</span> Hot adult contemporary radio station in Denver

KIMN is a commercial radio station in Denver, Colorado. The station is owned by Stan Kroenke's KSE Radio Ventures and airs a Hot AC radio format. Studios and offices are located on Colorado Boulevard in Glendale, and the transmitter site is on Mount Morrison west of Lakewood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KHMX</span> Hot adult contemporary radio station in Houston

KHMX – branded Mix 96.5 – is a commercial hot adult contemporary radio station in Houston, Texas. It is owned by Audacy, Inc. and serves the Greater Houston metropolitan area. The KHMX studios are located in Houston's Greenway Plaza district, while the station transmitter is located in the Houston suburb of Missouri City. In addition to a standard analog transmission, KHMX broadcasts using HD Radio technology, and is available online via Audacy.

WHHL is an urban contemporary radio station serving the Greater St. Louis area. The station is owned by Audacy, Inc. WHHL broadcasts with an ERP of 50 kW and is licensed to Hazelwood, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. Its transmitter is located in St. Louis, just outside Forest Park, and operates from offices and studios in Downtown St. Louis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KHKS</span> Contemporary hit radio station in Denton–Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas

KHKS is a Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex radio station broadcasting a Top 40 (CHR) format, and calling itself "KISS-FM." It is licensed to Denton, Texas, and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. It is the home of the nationally syndicated Kidd Kraddick Morning Show. The studios are on Dallas Parkway in Farmers Branch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KFKF-FM</span> Country music radio station in Kansas City

KFKF-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to Kansas City, Kansas. It is owned by Steel City Media and airs a country music radio format. The studios and offices are on Pennsylvania Avenue at Westport Center in Midtown Kansas City, Missouri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KMVK</span> Regional Mexican radio station in Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas

KMVK, is a commercial radio station licensed to Fort Worth, Texas and serving the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. The station is owned and operated by Audacy, Inc. KMVK broadcasts in Spanish and airs a radio format featuring Regional Mexican music. The station's studios are located along North Central Expressway in Uptown Dallas and the transmitter site is in Cedar Hill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WDAF-FM</span> Radio station in Liberty, Missouri

WDAF-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to Liberty, Missouri, and serving the Kansas City metropolitan area. Owned by Audacy, Inc., the station airs a country music radio format, branded as "106-5 The Wolf." Studios and offices are located on Squibb Road in Mission, Kansas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KKHH</span> Radio station in Houston, Texas

KKHH is a radio station in Houston, Texas. It is owned by Audacy, Inc. and airs an adult hits radio format. The studios and offices are located in the Greenway Plaza district of Houston.

KJMN is a radio station broadcasting a Spanish adult hits format licensed to Castle Rock, Colorado, United States, serving the Denver-Boulder area. The station is currently owned by Entravision Holdings, LLC. Its studios are located in Denver near Sports Authority Field at Mile High, and the transmitter is west of Castle Rock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KXPK</span> Radio station in Evergreen, Colorado

KXPK is a commercial FM radio station licensed to Evergreen, Colorado, and serving the Denver-Boulder radio market. The station is owned by Entravision and it airs a Regional Mexican radio format. Its studios are located in Denver near Empower Field at Mile High, and the transmitter is on Squaw Mountain in Idaho Springs, Colorado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KKSE (AM)</span> Sports radio station in Parker–Denver, Colorado

KKSE is a commercial radio station licensed to Parker, Colorado, and serving the Denver metropolitan area. The station is owned by Stan Kroenke's KSE Radio Ventures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KMJK</span> Radio station in the Kansas City metropolitan area

KMJK is a Top 40 (CHR) radio station serving the Kansas City metropolitan area. Licensed to North Kansas City, Missouri, the Cumulus Media, Inc. outlet operates with an ERP of 100 kW from a transmitter in Napoleon, Missouri. KMJK's studios are located in Overland Park, Kansas.

KLQB is a Regional Mexican radio station serving the Austin, Texas, area. The Univision Radio outlet broadcasts with an ERP of 48,000 watts and is licensed to Taylor, Texas. Its transmitter is located in Coupland, Texas, and the station has studios along MoPac Expressway in Northwest Austin.

WHAL-FM is a radio station in Memphis, Tennessee broadcasting an urban gospel format. The iHeartMedia, Inc. outlet is licensed to nearby Horn Lake, Mississippi. The station's studios are located in Southeast Memphis, and the transmitter site is in the city's Midtown district.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KSSX</span> Urban contemporary radio station in San Diego

KSSX is a commercial radio station located in San Diego, California, although the station is legally licensed to serve Carlsbad, in nearby North County. The station airs a rhythmic contemporary format, and is one of seven stations in the market owned and operated by iHeartMedia. The station's studios are located in San Diego's Kearny Mesa neighborhood on the northeast side, and the transmitter is atop Mt. Soledad, located in La Jolla.

References

  1. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for KQKS". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ↑ Broadcasting Yearbook 1967 page B-27
  3. ↑ http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1980s/1987/RR-1987-01-09.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  4. ↑ http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1980s/1987/RR-1987-08-07.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  5. ↑ "Mile High Battle: Denver" (PDF). Network 40 (1992-07-10, page 4). Retrieved 2018-02-21.
  6. ↑ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1999 page D-74
  7. ↑ http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1997/RR-1997-01-17.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  8. ↑ http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1997/RR-1997-01-24.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  9. ↑ "Entercom Acquires Lincoln Financial Media" from Radio Insight (December 8, 2014)
  10. ↑ "FCC OKs Lincoln Financial-Entercom Deal" from All Access (June 26, 2015)
  11. ↑ Broadcasting Yearbook 1967 page B-27
  12. ↑ http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1980s/1984/RR-1984-08-03.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  13. ↑ http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1980s/1987/RR-1987-10-16.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  14. ↑ Herrera, Dave (February 27, 2013). "More than a fascinating piece of Smithsology, the '80s radio takeover is a story of redemption". Westword. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  15. ↑ Herrera, Dave (February 25, 2013). "The Smiths '80s radio-station takeover: What really happened according to the police report". Westword. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  16. ↑ Cross, Alan (March 6, 2021). "In 1987, a Smiths fan sought to hijack a Colorado radio station. There's now a movie based on that". A Journal of Musical Things. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  17. ↑ Walsh, Katie (March 25, 2021). "Review: Coming of age to the sounds of the Smiths in 'Shoplifters of the World'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  18. ↑ Wenzel, John (March 29, 2021). "Denver-set movie 'Shoplifters of the World' based on real-life Morrissey, The Smiths lore". TheKnow.DenverPost.com. The Denver Post. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  19. ↑ https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1991/RR-1991-06-07.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  20. ↑ http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1991/BB-1991-06-15.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  21. ↑ http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1993/RR-1993-02-05.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  22. ↑ https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Ratings-Directories/RR-1992-2.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  23. ↑ https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Ratings-Directories/RR-1994-2.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  24. ↑ https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Ratings-Directories/RR-1996-2.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  25. ↑ http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1996/R&R-1996-08-09.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  26. ↑ "Changing formats mean battle on rock 'n' roll front", The Denver Post, August 6, 1996.
  27. ↑ https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Ratings-Directories/R&R-1997-2-Spring-97.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  28. ↑ http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1997/RR-1997-01-17.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  29. ↑ "10 Questions with ... The KS 1075 Morning Show" from All Access (February 3, 2010)
  30. ↑ "KS 107.5 Morning Show With Larry and Kathie Canceled After Contract Dispute" from Westword (March 30, 2017)
  31. ↑ Mile High Sports Returns To Denver Radioinsight - March 12, 2021
  32. ↑ Audacy Launches Front Range Country 103.1 Denver Radioinsight - March 3, 2023
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.