KBOB-FM
Encyclopedia
KBOB-FM is a commercial radio station
located in DeWitt, Iowa
, broadcasting to the Quad Cities, Iowa area on 104.9 FM
. KBOB-FM airs an active rock
music format branded as "Rock 104.9".
. The station signed on as WGEN, the FM sister station of WGEN-AM (1500 kHz). The station formatted country music, along with community and farm news, local sports and St. Louis Cardinals
baseball.
In 1996, both WGEN-AM and WGEN-FM were sold to Connoisseur Communications, owner of KJOC
, KORB
, WXLP
and KBOB
. For a time, the FM station was a repeater of KJOC's AM signal, while the AM signal was a simulcast of KBOB
(at the time, located at 99.7 FM). By 1997, ownership of the AM and FM frequencies were split, and Connoisseur moved the city of license to DeWitt, Iowa; a new transmitter tower was built near Long Grove
(about 7 miles south of DeWitt), and the studios were moved to Davenport in anticipation of its first new format under the new ownership.
format at 104.9 for about two years, starting in March 1998. However, the station had minimal listenership, primarily due to its small coverage area and competition from the more powerful KMXG-FM
.
KBOB's modern country format, in use since it began in March 1994, remained the same until November 2001, when the station adopted a classic country
format under the slogan "Great Country 105." Although "Great Country 105" had a loyal audience (as it played songs from artists such as George Jones
and Merle Haggard
), the ratings remained low.
In March 2005, the station switched back to a modern country format, dubbing itself "New Country: The River 104.9," but listenership remained near the bottom of the Quad-City market's ratings.
In addition to its music programming, KBOB broadcasts Chicago Bears
football games.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
located in DeWitt, Iowa
DeWitt, Iowa
DeWitt is a city in Clinton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 5,049 at the 2000 census. DeWitt was named after DeWitt Clinton , an early American politician who served as United States Senator and 7th Governor of New York.-Geography:...
, broadcasting to the Quad Cities, Iowa area on 104.9 FM
FM broadcasting
FM broadcasting is a broadcasting technology pioneered by Edwin Howard Armstrong which uses frequency modulation to provide high-fidelity sound over broadcast radio. The term "FM band" describes the "frequency band in which FM is used for broadcasting"...
. KBOB-FM airs an active rock
Active rock
Active rock is a radio format used by many commercial radio stations across the United States and Canada. Active rock plays contemporary rock artists with a mix of songs common in the classic rock radio format.-Format background:...
music format branded as "Rock 104.9".
WGEN-FM
The Quad-Cities allocation for 104.9 MHz dates to 1977, when the city of license was Geneseo, IllinoisGeneseo, Illinois
Geneseo is a city in Henry County, Illinois, United States. The population was 6,586 at the 2010 census, up from 6,571 at the 2000 census. Geneseo is located 20 miles east of The Quad Cities and Geneseo is part of the Quad Cities Metro Area....
. The station signed on as WGEN, the FM sister station of WGEN-AM (1500 kHz). The station formatted country music, along with community and farm news, local sports and St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
baseball.
In 1996, both WGEN-AM and WGEN-FM were sold to Connoisseur Communications, owner of KJOC
KJOC
KJOC is a radio station licensed to Davenport, Iowa, and has an oldies format. The station's frequency is 1170 kHz, and broadcasts at a power of 1 kW...
, KORB
KQCS
KQCS is a radio station licensed to Bettendorf, Iowa, whose format is adult contemporary. The station's frequency is 93.5 MHz, and broadcasts at a power of 6 kW...
, WXLP
WXLP
WXLP is a Quad Cities area commercial Classic Hits radio station, licensed to Moline, Illinois. The station is owned by Cumulus Media, with studios located in Davenport, Iowa ....
and KBOB
KBEA-FM
KBEA-FM is a radio station licensed to Muscatine, Iowa, whose format is Top 40. The station broadcasts at a power of 100 kW....
. For a time, the FM station was a repeater of KJOC's AM signal, while the AM signal was a simulcast of KBOB
KBEA-FM
KBEA-FM is a radio station licensed to Muscatine, Iowa, whose format is Top 40. The station broadcasts at a power of 100 kW....
(at the time, located at 99.7 FM). By 1997, ownership of the AM and FM frequencies were split, and Connoisseur moved the city of license to DeWitt, Iowa; a new transmitter tower was built near Long Grove
Long Grove, Iowa
Long Grove is a city in Scott County, Iowa, United States. The population was 597 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Long Grove is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
(about 7 miles south of DeWitt), and the studios were moved to Davenport in anticipation of its first new format under the new ownership.
Lite 104.9 FM-KQLI (1998-2000)
KQLI employed a soft rockSoft rock
Soft rock is a style of music which uses the techniques of rock music to compose a softer, more toned-down sound. Soft rock songs generally tend to focus on themes like love, everyday life and relationships. The genre tends to make heavy use of acoustic guitars, pianos, synthesizers and sometimes...
format at 104.9 for about two years, starting in March 1998. However, the station had minimal listenership, primarily due to its small coverage area and competition from the more powerful KMXG-FM
KMXG
KMXG is a radio station licensed to Clinton, Iowa, whose format is adult contemporary. The station broadcasts at a power of 100 kW. Its transmitter is located on 225th Street in rural LeClaire in Scott County....
.
The Country era (2000-2007)
In March 2000, when KQLI and sister stations KBOB, WXLP (aka 97X), KORB, and KJOC were sold to Cumulus Broadcasting, plans were already being formulated to revamp several of the company's radio stations, including 104.9 FM. The plan involved scrapping KQLI's soft rock format and moving KBOB's country format from 99.7 FM to 104.9 FM.KBOB's modern country format, in use since it began in March 1994, remained the same until November 2001, when the station adopted a classic country
Classic country
Classic country is a music radio format that specializes in playing mainstream country hits from past decades.This genre generally follows one of two formats: those specializing in hits from the 1920s through the early 1970s, and focus primarily on innovators and artists from country music's Golden...
format under the slogan "Great Country 105." Although "Great Country 105" had a loyal audience (as it played songs from artists such as George Jones
George Jones
George Glenn Jones is an American country music singer known for his long list of hit records, his distinctive voice and phrasing, and his marriage to Tammy Wynette....
and Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard
Merle Ronald Haggard is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies,...
), the ratings remained low.
In March 2005, the station switched back to a modern country format, dubbing itself "New Country: The River 104.9," but listenership remained near the bottom of the Quad-City market's ratings.
ROCK 104.9 (2007-current)
When things were moved around again in 2007, Cumulus' modern rock format, which had been at WXLP for several years, moved to 104.9 FM to create "ROCK 104.9." Included with the switch was 97 Rock's "Dave and Darren in the Morning" radio show. Other on-air personalities include Bill Stage and Sean. The station also broadcasts syndicated shows Hard Drive and The House Of Hair.In addition to its music programming, KBOB broadcasts Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
football games.