8 Best (or Worst) Things This Year In Radio

1. KISN goes 80's. (January)
2. Fever going "Dianna" and Dianna feels the "Power"-D. (April)
3. Star 102.7 finally gets their own jingle package. (July)
4. The breakup of Fisher, Todd, and Erin. (August)
5. Simon and Brady pushed out of KBEE. (November)
6. KDYL dumps talk - becomes Utah's 4th all-sports station. (November)
7. KCPX going alternative (October)
8. Rocket becomes KISN's morning show. (December)


Radio Christmas Wish List:

KALL - Another "Tom Barberi" to air midday, and another "Tom Barberi" to air in the afternoons....
KBEE - Todd and Erin's 6 month no-compete will hurry up.
KCPX - People will love (or not get too offended) their new format.
KIQN - Listeners. And some ad clients would be nice too.
KISN - To finally decide what era of music to stick to. (80's...90's...or Now?)
KKAT - A return to "the good old days" of "9" shares.
KKDS - More retirees.
KNRS - A chance to do SOMETHING better than KSL.
KSFI - "If you're dial is set to us - don't touch it!"
KSL - That Utah may be safe from another news station.
KSOP - Find K-Bull's weak spot.
KUDD - Finally decide on the perfect name for their new "baby" at 107.9.
KZNS - Perfect loyalty from Boulerjack fans.
KZHT - Think of some promo that KIIS and WHTZ haven't done already.

KJQ Actually Alternative?

SIMMONS - Forget all that's been said of "Kicking Country." Today at 3 PM, Simmons kicked off the new "KJQ" with an "oldies" alternative format. They said that it was "like the KJQ of old." Personally, I think Simmons would've done better with the "Kickin' Country."

Welcome, Kickin' Country 100.7

SIMMONS - The KJQ rumors are now confirmed. Say hello to the new "KJQ Kickin' Country" or as the voice over refers to it: "Kick Butt Country." Defiantly older country music (no Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, etc.) Also KVFX's former Salt Lake City booster at 103.1 is now KJQN's booster. VFX fans can still receive 94.5 on 98.3.

Bonneville vs. Clear Channel?

Ruth Todd of Channel 5 KSL has left to go to Channel 4 KTVX. Although this is a TV related story, it does involved two radio broadcasters, Bonneville (who owns KSL-TV and KSL-AM) and Clear Channel (who owns KTVX Channel 4.) Apparently, it wasn't a pleasant parting of the ways for Todd, who supposedly broke her contract to take the job at KTVX.

Rock 99's Morning Show Over

*CORRECTED* CLEAR CHANNEL - As of this morning, Friday, Rock 99's morning show is history. This is according to a tipster. Alan had been moved to KISN, but he was let go with Fisher earlier this month. Mitch is leaving, supposedly to start a new TV morning show, (likely with Channel 4.) and Mick will leave to go to another radio station (maybe in SLC.)

Rock 99's Morning Show Over

*CORRECTED* CLEAR CHANNEL - As of this morning, Friday, Rock 99's morning show is history. This is according to a tipster. Alan had been moved to KISN, but he was let go with Fisher earlier this month. Mitch is leaving, supposedly to start a new TV morning show, (likely with Channel 4.) and Mick will leave to go to another radio station (maybe in SLC.)

KKAT Voice Track Soon?

CLEAR CHANNEL - With the release of the Fall P2 Arbitrons tomorrow, will KKAT fall more? Likely since much of the station's staff has been let go by Clear Channel. The usual trend for Clear Channel, if it falls below a 2.0 - voicetrack. If it keeps getting worse - format change. According to a tipster from another local country music station, KKAT is on Clear Channel's "Keep a close eye on" list. Prediction: We'll likely see voicetracking start during the first quarter of next year. But don't count on it playing "Dixie Chicks Christmas" next year. (Note: KURR "Rock 99" is really close to being on the "keep an eye on" list as well

570 KNRS to Swap Frequencies with 700 Classic Country

CLEAR CHANNEL - According to a Utah Radio Guide tipster, KWLW 700 (Classic Country) will soon become the new home for 570 KNRS (News/Talk) to better compete with KSL 1160 (News/Talk). This change is likely to happen soon, and fast, our tipster informed us. This is probably to create the least amount of down time for both stations.

Todd and Erin Return Date Announced

CITADEL - February 1, 2001. That's the day of Todd and Erin are to join KBEE 98.7 as their new morning show. The date is according to an ad banner and countdown clock on KBEE's website that said "How Long Until The Tape Comes Off - Todd and Erin" with a countdown of 51 days remaining. (See it yourself B98.7) February 1, 2001 would be six months to the day that Todd and Erin left KISN. This all comes after the disappearance of Todd and Erin from KISN in August and the disappearance of Simon and Brady from the Bee in November.

KISN Getting A New Morning Show (and a bit of commentary)

12/10/01 CLEAR CHANNEL - Rocket's the new morning show host. To hear the open of his first "morning show" see the KISN page (uncer Clear Channel)

12/08/01 CLEAR CHANNEL - According to Lynn Arrive of the Deseret News, KISN's will debut a new morning show one December 10th. That's this Monday. The only explanation given by Tom Sly of Clear Channel as to why Fisher and Alan Handy were let go was because "they weren't up to the new format."

Now, let's look at KISN's format. KISN was playing Hot AC. When Clear Channel took over last year they flipped to 80's. Earlier this year KISN started to play early-90's music as well. Then a month or so ago they started adding in a bit of new music as well. So what keeps KISN from not being Hot AC again? Don't Hot AC stations usually go by "the 80's, 90's and today?" KISN doesn't go by the slogan, "the 80's and more" anymore. KISN has been phasing into "80's - 90's - now!" What's the difference? Personally, I think KISN is slowly returning to Hot AC and when Sly said that Fisher wasn't up to the new format, I think really Fisher was sick of having to switch formats. Hot AC - 80's - 80's intense Hot AC - Hot Ac (again?) I wouldn't blame him for wanting to leave.

102.7 Identity Crisis

SIMMONS - As reported by All Access Music Group, Salt Lake Radio.com, and our own editor, KQMB-(Star 102) has altered their rotation of music to include more rhythmic music that is typically identified with CHR/Pop stations, and not Hot AC stations like the Star is. Has Star's role model changed? Has Alice been replaced by another 102.7 as the station's role model?

Martin Davies and Michael Harris Leaving?

INTELLIQUEST - According to Sunday's "Michael Harris Show" on 1010 KIQ, the talk was discussing the rumor of Martin Davies not returning to KIQN due to arguments with other staff members. Mr. Harris also stated that if Davies leaves, he might consider doing the same.

Simon and Brady - On Permanent Vacation

12/03/01 CITADEL - On November 26, 2001 we reported that Simon and Brady of KBEE-FM (B98.7) we're "canned." This has been confirmed by Lynn Arave of the Deseret News who said last Friday, "'Simon and Brady' on KBEE are apparently off the air for good. This may signal the transition before 'Todd and Erin' (formerly of KISN) take over early next year. Rick Dunn is the interim DJ mornings on FM-98.7." Personally, I do believe that we're going to see a "Rick, Todd, and Erin" coming soon.

11/26/01 CITADEL - KBEE's Simon and Brady, a show which has lasted longer than any of the other "Bee"s morning teams, has vanished. Promos for their "Fly Away To New York City Givaway" say "Listen to Rick Dunn (the former night guy) in the Morning", not "Listen to Rick Dunn while Simon and Brady are out of town." Could this be because of 12+ ratings? Could this be part of the Todd and Erin Collard conspiracy?

"Kickin'" Away the Alternative Rumor

12/03/01 SIMMONS - On November 26, 2001 we reported that KJQ is likely going to become a country station. This was confirmed by Lynn Arave of the Deseret News last Friday: "KJQN, a new Wasatch Front station at FM-100.7, will premiere in the next few weeks. However, instead of offering alternative music, as did the original 'KJQ,' rumors suggest the station will be "KJQ Kickin' Country," with a format of old-time country (Patsy Cline, George Jones, etc.)."

11/26/01 SIMMONS - Mixed rumors are coming out of 515 So. 700 East. While we have been hearing for a while that the new KJQN-FM 100.7 (not to be confused with the new KQJS-AM at 1230) is to be Alternative, or triple-A, the new rumor out of Simmons Media Group is that the new "KJQ" is to be country. According to another "Simmons Insider" the new station's moniker is to be "KJQ - Kickin' Country 100.7." We need to ask, wouldn't country make better sense? Simmons already has an alternative, and they don't have a country station. We will just wait and see. According to the tipster, the new "Kickin'" will power up this week, so we'll see which rumor is correct. On a silly note, we must remember that none of this could be true, and really we could have another "dianna" this week

KJQN 100.7 Is On

12/03/01 SIMMONS - KJQ is still simulcasting KQMB - (Star 102)

11/13/01 SIMMONS - The new 100.7 FM is simulcasting KQMB (Star-102.7). The signal was off on Monday, but returned today.

A "Simmons Insider" has informed UTRADIOGUIDE.COM that KQJN (Moniker: "KJQ") will be Alternative geared to either a younger or older audience than X-96's (KXRK 96.3) current format. It is likely that X96 will either skew to a younger or older audience also, to compliment the station. KXRK's PD is also involved. No world yet on the format of KPKK 101.5 - another station that Simmon's Media won in the FCC auction.