KBZT

KBZT (94.9

KBZT broadcasts in HD Radio; it carries two additional formats on digital subchannels, including the reggae-formatted Bob Radio, and an all-comedy channel.

History

MOR (1960-1978)

94.9 FM began as KLRO-FM in 1960 with a middle-of-the-road format.

Adult Contemporary/Oldies (1978-1987)

On September 14, 1978, KLRO-FM flipped to gold-based

In 1987, after the station was sold to Sandusky Radio, the station adopted new call letters KWLT, flipped to soft rock, and changed monikers to "K-Lite 95", before changing again to "Y95" and the KKYY calls in 1989. As KWLT, the station launched the local careers of morning show hosts, Jeff Elliot and Jerry St. James, better known as Jeff and Jer (most recently on KYXY).

In 1991, Jeff and Jer moved to rival B100, with KKYY changing its name to "Mix 94.9", adopted new call letters KRMX, and added more gold based music.

KWLT is now a classic rock station in Crossett, Arkansas; KKYY is now a classic country station in Whiting, Iowa; and KRMX is a country music station serving the Waco, Texas radio market.

Oldies (1992-2000)

The station reverted to back to oldies, again as "K-Best 95" on January 16, 1992, though with the call letters KBZS.^[2] (The KBZT call letters and "K-Best" logo were featured on a station in Palm Springs, where it was briefly the number one station in that market. The call letters reverted to San Diego in 1994 after the Palm Springs station changed format to Spanish; as of 2003, the KBZS calls are assigned to a mainstream rock station in Wichita Falls, Texas.)

In the mid-1990s, Sandusky sold the station to Anaheim Broadcasting, which in turn sold 94.9 to

On November 11, 2002, KBZT flipped to alternative rock, branded as "FM 94/9".^[4] In 2006, Lincoln Financial Media bought KBZT and all the others that were owned by J-P, including KIFM and KSON.^[5] In April 2006, the

In 2007, FM 94/9 was one of at least five stations in the San Diego market playing modern rock music. However, on its website, FM 94/9 strived to be different from other radio stations by playing diverse music, broadcasting locally produced music and using a live and local airstaff.

During the

In January 2010, "The Mikey Show" moved from KIOZ to KBZT. This program had been controversial while in syndication and was taken off air in March 2012 as a result.

In June 2012, "Brunch with Bob and Friends" ended an eight-year run at the station, moving to KOPA.

On October 19, 2015, Chris Cantore became co-host of the morning show with Steve Woods. Cantore had previously hosted mornings at

In September 2020, Entercom (now Audacy) made many changes to its alternative stations, including KBZT, in order to cut costs amid the COVID-19 pandemic. All local hosts besides afternoon DJ Jeremy Pritchard were dismissed and replaced with out-of-town hosts. The station's specialty programs (like "Local 94/9" and "Legends of Alternative") also ended at this time.

HD Radio

KBZT carries its alternative rock format on the standard analog and HD1 channels.

On their HD2 sub-channel, KBZT carried a reggae format as "Bob Radio", which is named after Bob Marley.

On September 17, 2014, KBZT launched a Dance/EDM format, branded as "Glow", on its HD3 sub-channel. The station stream was also available online as well.^[20]

In October 2021, the "Glow" format was dropped and replaced with the all-comedy format that formerly aired on KWFN-HD3.

In 2023, "Bob Radio" was dropped.

References

External links

• Official website
• KBZT in the FCC FM station database
• KBZT in Nielsen Audio's FM station database