WKZF

Last updated
WKZF
Broadcast area Peoria metropolitan area
Frequency 102.3 MHz
BrandingKZ102.3
Programming
Format Rhythmic AC
Affiliations Premiere Networks
Ownership
Owner
WIRL, WMBD (AM), WPBG, WSWT, WXCL
History
First air date
1976;48 years ago (1976) (as WTAZ)
Former call signs
WTAZ (1976–1999)
WFXF (1999–2000)
WDQX (2000–2014)
WNGY (2014–2019)
Call sign meaning
We're KZ 102.3 FM!
Technical information [1]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 43877
Class A
ERP 4,100 watts
HAAT 121.9 meters (400 ft)
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen live
Website www.kz1023.com

WKZF (102.3 FM is a commercial radio station licensed to Morton, Illinois, and serving the Peoria metropolitan area. It broadcasts a rhythmic AC radio format and is owned by Midwest Communications, Inc. The radio studios and offices on the 12th floor of The Civic Center Plaza Building in Downtown Peoria.

Contents

History

The station came on the air in 1976 as WTAZ, [2] broadcasting an oldies format with NBC features[ citation needed ] from a studio and transmitter 2.75 miles (4.43 km) northeast of Morton on Washington Road in Tazewell County (hence WTAZ). [2] Roy Demanes (the owner of the Ramada Inn, a bank, and a pharmacy in Peoria, as well as an extensive pre-need burial program) worked with Penny Press Publisher (and former WEEK-TV anchorman) Bud Carter to put the station on the air.[ citation needed ]

As of the late 1970s, the two were partners in the newspaper previously mentioned (a Peoria-based issues and entertainment oriented publication) and the radio station. Demanes exchanged his ownership in the paper for Carter's interest in the paper, then died of a heart attack a short time later.[ citation needed ]

The paper was purchased by another suburban weekly (the Observer), and Carter relocated to Atlanta where he now is Senior Chairman for the Atlanta operation of an international organization for CEOs (Vistage International).[ citation needed ]

Through most of the 1980s and 1990s, WTAZ had a talk format featuring personalities such as G. Gordon Liddy, Rush Limbaugh, Dr. Laura, and Art Bell. On June 14, 1999, those shows and call letters were moved to 1350 AM, and 102.3 became WFXF-FM, broadcasting Howard Stern in the morning, and classic rock. [3] [4] In October 2000, Stern was dropped, and WFXF-FM began playing classic hits. [5] [6] The following year, the station was sold to AAA Entertainment, which signed on WZIM (then WDQZ) in the Bloomington-Normal market at 99.5 MHz. As part of the sale, 102.3 changed its format and began simulcasting a classic rock format with the Bloomington-Normal signal known as "The Eagle" and changed call letters to WDQX. AAA hired the high-profile WJBC morning show of Scott Robbins and Nancy Thiel to do mornings on the new station.[ citation needed ]

In late 2005, WDQX was sold, along with WXCL, to JMP, a subsidiary of Triad Broadcasting. WDQX kept a classic rock format, but was rebranded as "Max FM", and the music was tweaked to include more hard rock. [7] Effective May 1, 2013, Triad sold WPBG and 29 other stations to L&L Broadcasting for $21 million. [8] L&L would merge with Alpha Media in April 2014. [9]

On October 15, 2014, WDQX owners Alpha Media announced 102.3 would flip to CHR as "Energy 102.3" at 9 a.m. the following day. The last song on "Max FM" was "Happy Trails" by Van Halen, while the first song on Energy was "Break Free" by Ariana Grande. On October 24, WDQX changed its call letters to WNGY to go with the "Energy" branding. [10] [11] "Energy" never fared well in the Nielsen ratings for the Peoria market, barely ever getting above a 2.0 share in its nearly 2-year existence (the last being a 2.1 share in the Spring 2016 books). [12]

"Energy" would continue until September 16, 2016 at 5 p.m., when, after playing "Treat You Better" by Shawn Mendes, WNGY flipped to classic hip hop, branded as "G102.3". The first song on "G" was "Hypnotize" by The Notorious B.I.G. [12] [13]

On February 4, 2019, Alpha Media announced that it would sell its Peoria cluster to Midwest Communications for $21.6 million. [14] The sale closed on April 30, 2019.

On December 9, 2019, at 10 a.m., WNGY began stunting with a loop of David Bowie's "Changes". At noon, the station flipped to rhythmic classic hits as "KZ102.3" (with the WKZF call letters taking effect the same day), thus bringing back the "KZ" branding that was last used at sister WPBG from 1977 to 1994 when it was WKZW (its early incarnation was Rock-leaning Top 40 before shifting to Mainstream Top 40 in the early 1980s until its flip to Adult Top 40 in April 1994). [15]

Previous logos

Energy1023 2014 logo.png WNGY G102.3 logo.png WKZF KZ 102.3 logo.png

Related Research Articles

KLXB is a non-commercial radio station that is licensed to Bermuda Dunes, California and broadcasts to the Palm Springs radio market in the Coachella Valley. The station is owned by Educational Media Foundation and airs that company's contemporary Christian radio format known as "K-Love". KLXB is also heard on a translator station, K247CL (97.3 MHz) in Indio, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WNBL (FM)</span> Radio station in South Bristol, New York

WNBL is a commercial FM radio station licensed to South Bristol, New York, and serving the Rochester metropolitan area. It is owned by iHeartMedia and airs an 80's hits radio format, known as Big 107.3. WNBL is a Class A station, operating at 650 watts. WNBL's transmitter is in South Bristol, New York, near the Bristol Mountain Ski Resort. The studios and offices are on Chestnut Street in Rochester, at Five Star Bank Plaza.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WXCL</span> Radio station in Pekin, Illinois

WXCL is a commercial radio station licensed to Pekin, Illinois and serving the Peoria metropolitan area. It broadcasts a country radio format and is owned by Midwest Communications, Inc. WXCL is one of two outlets in Peoria playing Country music, along with 97.3 WFYR.

WIRL is a radio station broadcasting a conservative talk format. Licensed to Peoria, Illinois, United States, the station serves the Peoria area and broadcasts in AM stereo. The station is currently owned by Midwest Communications, Inc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WGBJ</span> Radio station in Indiana, United States

WGBJ is a commercial radio station licensed to Auburn, Indiana, and serving the Fort Wayne metropolitan area. It is owned by Sarkes Tarzian and it broadcasts an alternative rock radio format, known as "Alt 99.5 & 102.3". The studios and offices are on West Berry Street in Fort Wayne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WZPW</span> Radio station in Peoria, Illinois

WZPW is a radio station in Central Illinois with a rhythmic top 40 music format, licensed to Peoria, Illinois and broadcasting with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 19,200 watts. The station is owned by Cumulus Media, which purchased the station from Townsquare Media.

WPPY is a commercial radio station licensed to Starview, Pennsylvania, and serving the York and Harrisburg radio markets. It airs an adult contemporary radio format, switching to Christmas music for much of November and December. It is owned by Forever Media.

KKWA is a listener-supported radio station licensed to West Linn, Oregon, and broadcasting to the Portland metropolitan area. KKWA airs a contemporary worship music format branded as "Worship 24/7". It is provided by the WAY-FM Network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WPIA</span> Radio station in Eureka–Peoria, Illinois

WPIA is a commercial radio station licensed to Eureka, Illinois, and serving the Peoria metropolitan area. The station broadcasts a Top 40 (CHR) radio format. The station is owned and operated by Advanced Media Partners, LLC, and is known as 98.5 KISS FM.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WMBD (AM)</span> Radio station in Peoria, Illinois

WMBD is a commercial AM radio station. It is the oldest station in the Peoria, Illinois, area. It broadcasts a news/talk format and is owned by Duke Wright with the license held by Midwest Communications, Inc. The radio studios and offices are on Fulton Street in Peoria. The WMBD transmitter site is located on County Road 2100 East in Groveland Township, Illinois. The station is powered at 5,000 watts, with a directional signal. By day, a two-tower array is used, switching to a four-tower array at night to avoid causing interference with other stations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WPBG</span> Radio station in Peoria, Illinois

WPBG (93.3 FM) is a radio station with a classic hits format, and is licensed for Peoria, Illinois. The station was formerly known as 93.3 WMBD-FM, as well as KZ-93 (WKZW) through 1994, "Mix 93.3" prior to its conversion to oldies/classic hits. The station is owned by Midwest Communications, Inc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WSWT</span> Radio station in Illinois, United States

WSWT is a commercial radio station broadcasting an adult contemporary radio format, switching to Christmas music for much of November and December. It is licensed to Peoria, Illinois, and is owned by Midwest Communications, Inc. The radio studios and offices are on Fulton Street in Peoria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WGHL</span> Radio station in Shepherdsville, Kentucky

WGHL is a commercial FM radio station licensed to Shepherdsville, Kentucky, and broadcasting to the Louisville metropolitan area. It airs an alternative rock radio format and it is owned by Alpha Media. It carries the nationally syndicated Woody Show in morning drive time from KYSR Los Angeles. WGHL's studios are on Shelbyville Road in Downtown Louisville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KARS-FM</span> Radio station in Laramie, Wyoming

KARS-FM is a commercial radio station licensed for Laramie, Wyoming and broadcasting to the Cheyenne, Wyoming and Fort Collins-Greeley, Colorado areas. KARS-FM airs a Rhythmic Top 40 music format branded as "Power 102.9". The station is currently owned by a divestiture trust of Townsquare Media.

WZIM is a commercial radio station licensed to Lexington, Illinois, and serving the Bloomington-Normal radio market. The station is owned and operated by Pilot Media, and calls itself "Magic 99.5." It broadcasts an adult contemporary radio format, but for much of November and December, it switches to Christmas music.

KTFM is a commercial radio station licensed to Floresville, Texas, and serving Greater San Antonio. It broadcasts a sports radio format and is owned by Alpha Media. On weekdays it has local personalities hosting sports shows, with ESPN Radio heard nights and weekends. The studios are on Eisenhauer Road in San Antonio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KVWE (FM)</span> Radio station in Amarillo, Texas

KVWE is an FM radio station broadcasting a sports format. Licensed to Amarillo, Texas, United States, it serves the Amarillo area. The station is owned by Alpha Media. Its studios are located on Olsen Boulevard near Western Avenue in southwest Amarillo, and its transmitter is located near Farm to Market Road 1719 and Loop 335 in northwest Amarillo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WKVT-FM</span> Radio station in Vermont, United States

WKVT-FM is a radio station licensed to serve Brattleboro, Vermont. The station is owned by Saga Communications and licensed to Saga Communications of New England, LLC; it operates as part of Saga's Monadnock Broadcasting Group. It airs a classic hits music format.

KYTC is a FM radio station that broadcasts a classic hits music format. Licensed to Northwood, Iowa, U.S., it serves northern Iowa and southern Minnesota. The station is currently owned by Alpha Media, through licensee Alpha 3E Licensee LLC. KYTC's studios are located on Yorktown Pike in eastern Mason City, and its transmitter is located on 500th Street, about a mile south of the Iowa-Minnesota state line in Worth County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WXYK (FM)</span> Radio station in Pascagoula, Mississippi

WXYK is a commercial FM radio station licensed to Pascagoula, Mississippi and serving the Biloxi - Gulfport - Pascagoula radio market. The station has a top 40 (CHR) radio format and is owned by Telesouth Communications Inc. The studios and offices are on Three Rivers Road in Gulfport. WXYK carries The Kidd Kraddick Morning Show and American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest, syndicated from Premiere Networks.

References

  1. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for WKZF". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. 1 2 "WTAZ" (PDF). History Cards. Washington, D.C.: Federal Communications Commission . Retrieved 2019-12-16.
  3. ↑ "Radio stations' formats changed; Kelly Communications moves talk radio to AM, 102.3 now classic rock". Peoria Journal Star . June 15, 1999.
  4. ↑ "Radio changes". Peoria Journal Star . June 15, 1999.
  5. ↑ "Eagles give Howard Stern the boot on WFXF-FM; new owner says shock jock may, or may not, return". Peoria Journal Star . October 4, 2000.
  6. ↑ "Trio rocks Peoria airwaves -- new formats play '80s hits, classic jams and 'Top 40'". Peoria Journal Star . October 13, 2000.
  7. ↑ "Additions strengthen JMP radio". Peoria Journal Star . December 4, 2005.
  8. ↑ "Larry Wilson Acquires Triad Broadcasting". RadioInsight. 2012-11-30. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
  9. ↑ "Alpha and L&L To Merge; Acquire Main Line Broadcasting". RadioInsight. 2014-04-17. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
  10. ↑ ""Energy" Launching in Peoria". RadioInsight. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
  11. ↑ ""Energy 102.3" Debuts". Format Change Archive. 2014-10-16. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
  12. 1 2 "Another Day, Another G as Classic Hip Hop Plays in Peoria". RadioInsight. September 16, 2016. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
  13. ↑ "WNGY Becomes G102.3". Format Change Archive. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
  14. ↑ "Midwest Communications Acquires Alpha Media's Peoria Stations". RadioInsight. 6 February 2019. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
  15. ↑ "G102.3 Peoria Gives Way To Retro Hits KZ102.3". RadioInsight. December 9, 2019. Retrieved 2019-12-16.

40°43′23″N89°30′40″W / 40.723°N 89.511°W / 40.723; -89.511

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.