KZCE
MHz | |
| Branding | 101.1 The Bounce |
|---|---|
| Programming | |
| Format | Classic hip hop |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Sierra H Broadcasting |
| KAJM | |
| History | |
First air date | 1998 (as KESP) |
Former call signs | KESP (1997–2000) KAZL (2000–2002) KNRJ (2002–2021) |
Call sign meaning | AriZona BounCE |
| Technical information | |
| Facility ID | 55425 |
| Class | C |
| ERP | 40,000 watts |
| HAAT | 807 meters (2,648 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 34°13′47″N 112°21′3″W / 34.22972°N 112.35083°W |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | 101bounce |
KZCE (101.1
KZCE has an
History
Loop 101
The first attempt to put a station on the air on 101.1 in
In the late 1990s, KESP
All Commercials
The dismal ratings were followed by a format change at 5 pm on June 18, 2002: KAZL began
His "theory" was that since all the most popular stations played many commercials, a station that played commercials all the time would quickly shoot to the top. The station received many calls asking if this was serious; some called to express their appreciation of the joke, and some believed it pleading and demanding that the classic hits format be returned.
Energy 92.7 and 101.1
Three days later, at 5 pm on June 21, 2002, KAZL switched to
KNRJ's
In May 2004, programming authority had changed, as well as the station's playlist. "Mike O", program director of Internet radio station "Energy 98", took the crown as KNRJ's new program director and afternoon host (while letting go of Greggy D and Randy), and attempted to improve the station with his format he used on "Energy" (which was merged with KNRJ's while Energy 98's website redirected to KNRJ's website). Months later, Pistol Pete left for Los Angeles, and Lysa D. took over mornings with her show titled "The Morning Frenzy". More mixshows and some syndicated radio talent would be featured, including Richard Dalton, Joe Bermudez, DJ Perry (Middays), Victor Dinaire, Roger Sanchez, Justin Dohman, Rod Carrillo, and many more.
In summer 2005, Mike O was let go, and returned to programming "Energy 98". Rod Carrillo took over programming KNRJ, and Beau Duran (who previously worked weekends and evenings under Mike) took over afternoons. But a few months later, Rod also gained control of KAJM and let go of his MD Lysa D (who was on both stations), in addition to Beau Duran, and the station became mostly jockless. The unhosted morning show was titled More Music Mornings, while the unhosted mid-day show was called More Music Mid-Days. However, that didn't help ratings, and it was later decided to bring back Pistol Pete as afternoon host.
On October 31, 2007, KNRJ began
In April 2008, Rod Carrillo was let go, and Beau Duran took over as program director for the remainder of the format. After a few months, the station still struggled in the ratings (mainly due to the constant musical and airstaff adjustments over the years, and the lack of support from management for over two years). Beau Duran was then forced to take the station in a different direction.
The Beat
"Energy" signed off at 5 p.m. on October 31, 2008, with
At exactly the promised time on November 3, 2008, KNRJ switched to
In 2011, Fred Rico was named the new program director of KNRJ. The music director was Ramses Ja. Since these changes have been made, newer hits had found their way onto KNRJ's playlist.
In March 2012, KNRJ completed its signal upgrade and changed its city-of-license to Cordes Lakes. When the old transmitter near Payson went silent, K228XO in Flagstaff, at the same time, stopped simulcasting KNRJ, and began simulcasting KAFF.
In May 2012, KNRJ stopped airing on K224CJ (92.7 FM), as they have now have enough coverage with 101.1.
In November 2012, K257CD (99.3 FM) went silent, and upon resuming broadcast in January 2013, it began simulcasting KFNN. With this, the station rebranded again, this time as "101.1 The Beat"'.
In May 2013, KNRJ was added to Mediabase's Rhythmic panel due to a shift to a current-based presentation, putting it in direct competition with both KZON and KKFR. Despite incorporating more current focused hits, the station overall retained a predominant classic hip hop direction.
By late 2017, KNRJ would complete its evolution to a current-based rhythmic, initially under the moniker of "Hip-Hop and Hits", and then "Arizona's Hip-Hop Station".
The Bounce
On January 20, 2021, KNRJ changed its call letters to KZCE.[4]
On March 31, 2021, the station dropped the "Beat" format and began stunting with a loop of songs by
References
- ^ Radio-Locator.com/KZCE
- ^ ""Loop 101" 101.1 KAZL becomes "Energy 92.7 and 101.1" – Format Change Archive". Retrieved July 20, 2016.
- ^ "Beating The Energy Away in Phoenix". October 21, 2008. Retrieved July 20, 2016.
- ^ Call Sign Changes
- ^ 101.1 The Bounce Debuts in Phoenix
External links
- KZCE in the FCC FM station database
- KZCE in Nielsen Audio's FM station database