KEZE
MHz | |
Branding | Hot 96.9 |
---|---|
Programming | |
Format | Rhythmic contemporary |
Affiliations | United Stations Radio Networks |
Ownership | |
Owner |
|
KHTQ, KXLX, KXLY, KXLY-FM, KXLY-TV, KXMN-LD, KVNI, KZZU-FM | |
History | |
First air date | December 25, 1992 | (as KSPO)
Former call signs | KSPO (1992–1996) |
Call sign meaning | "Easy" (former format of 105.7 FM) |
Technical information | |
Facility ID | 41119 |
Class | C2 |
ERP | 8,200 watts |
HAAT | 365 meters (1,198 ft) |
Links | |
Webcast | Listen Live |
Website | hot969.com |
KEZE (96.9
The studios and offices are on West Boone Avenue in Spokane.
KEZE history
KSPO
On December 25, 1992, the station
On March 4, 1996, KSPO moved to 106.5 FM, clearing 96.9 for KEZE to take over the frequency. KSPO is now the flagship station for the "American Christian Network".
Easy listening and rock
The KEZE call sign started out in 1979 at 105.7 MHz, using the identification "KEZE, E-Z listening". It initially aired beautiful music.[3]
In 1979, KEZE-FM was acquired by Kaye-Smith Enterprises.[4] Kaye-Smith already owned Top 40 station KJRB, so the FM was flipped to a format that would also bring in young listeners, album-oriented rock. KEZE called itself "Rock 106 – Spokane's Best Rock". In 1989, KJRB and KEZE were acquired by Apollo Broadcasting.[5] Under Apollo, KEZE leaned more toward active rock, with plenty of harder-edged rock acts on its playlist. Some of the core artists included Led Zeppelin, Night Ranger, The Rolling Stones, Ozzy Osbourne, and Def Leppard.
With the emergence of
KEZE moves to 96.9
The rock format and KEZE call letters moved to 96.9 FM on March 4, 1996.[7] As the public appeal of guitar-based alternative waned in the mid-1990s, KEZE attempted a "back to our roots" campaign as a classic rock station in 1996. In March 1999, KEZE flipped to an all-1980s hits format, known as "Star @ 96-9."[8][9]
In 2003, KEZE began adding some 1990's music. By the next year, it evolved to an
Rhythmic hits
On October 12, 2005, the station flipped to
During this time, KEZE was known as "Wired 96.9" with the slogan "Blazin' All of Today's Hottest New Music That Makes You Move." It was the Spokane affiliate for the Portland based morning show The Playhouse. Though "Wired" was a generally successful station, ratings began to decline in early 2008.
Switch to country
On November 20, 2008, KEZE began stunting with Christmas music, leaving Spokane without a rhythmic top 40 station and led to speculation the station would flip formats.[12]
On December 25, 2008, KEZE flipped to
"K102 Country". Shortly after the flip, KEZE's ratings improved, despite the four-way competition.On May 15, 2009, Coyote Country added The Jay and Kevin Show in morning drive time. Jay and Kevin had previously aired on KDRK for 11 years. Jay and Kevin were joined by Sean "Slim" Widmer, formerly of Spokane's Sports Show, as their producer.
Adult alternative
On January 1, 2010, KEZE and KXLY-FM swapped formats, with the country format moving to 99.9 FM, while KXLY-FM's modestly successful AAA format as "River" branding moved to KEZE. On November 12, 2010, the station flipped to all-Christmas, making it the second time in the station's history that 96.9 has switched to Christmas music. The AAA format returned after the holidays.[14] However, after the temporary holiday music phase, it was obvious that the Morgan Murphy/Spokane management had not found a successful formula for bringing the station decent ratings.
Return to rhythmic
On April 20, 2011, station management announced that KEZE would return to a rhythmic top 40 format.[15] It had already set up Facebook and Twitter accounts ahead of the switch, which revealed the station's new logo and moniker.[16]
On May 4, 2011, at 3:05 p.m., "The River"
References
- ^ "Contact". February 24, 2015.
- ^ "KEZE-FM 96.9 MHz – Spokane, WA". radio-locator.com.
- ^ "Broadcasting Yearbook 1977 page C-227" (PDF).
- ^ "Broadcasting Yearbook 1982 page C-257" (PDF).
- ^ "Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1992 page A-377" (PDF).
- ^ "KEZE Takes a Gamble on Adult Radio". The Spokesman-Review, (Spokane, WA). October 22, 1995, Jim Kershner Staff writer
- ^ KEZE Format Returns, But at a New Location on the Dial". The Soijesman-Review Soijabem WAs, Jim Kershner
- ^ http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1999/RR-1999-03-26.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ "STAR @ 96.9 Playing One After Another", The Spokesman Review, April 4, 1999, Jim Kershner
- ^ The Spokesman-Review, Entertainment Calendar column, October 15, 2005
- ^ http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2005/RR-2005-10-21.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ "Wired 96-9 in Spokane goes All-Christmas | RadioDiscussions".
- ^ "Wired 96.9 Goes Country".
- ^ "Spokane's River 96.9 Goes All Christmas..what will their new format be??? | RadioDiscussions".
- ^ "KEZE To Flip Formats" from All Access (April 20, 2011)
- ^ "Spokane’s River Gets Hot" from Radioinsight (May 2, 2011)
External links
- KEZE in the FCC FM station database
- KEZE in Nielsen Audio's FM station database