KIOI
Encyclopedia
KIOI FM
("Star 101.3") is a radio station
licensed
to San Francisco, California
. The Clear Channel Communications
-owned station programs a Hot Adult Contemporary format.
station licensed to Atherton, California
, broadcasting at a mere 1500 watts from a transmitter on Kings Mountain in the Santa Cruz Mountains
. The station soon put an emphasis on high audio quality, in contrast to other FM stations that did not take advantage of FM broadcasting capabilities.
During the day, KPEN played mostly orchestral pop music, switched to a lighter blend of background "dinner music" in the early evening, then classical music
after 8 PM. Eventually Gabbert and Gielow hosted an evening program called "Excursions in Sound," which showcased high fidelity recordings and took advantage of the high quality broadcast signal.
Two years after KPEN's successful debut, the transmitter was moved to San Bruno Mountain
and power increased to 35,000 watts. Then, on August 14, 1964, power was further increased to 125,000 watts, making it the most powerful signal west of the Mississippi River
(it was grandfathered in at that power level by the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC), which capped stations in that part of the country at 50,000 watts).
KPEN became the first station west of the Mississippi to broadcast in multiplex stereo, officially beginning August 10, 1961, after a series of field tests. KPEN's technological achievements were recognized by the Electronic Industry Association, the FCC, and President John F. Kennedy
. "Excursions in Sound" was renamed "Excursions in Stereo"; hosted by James Gabbert, the show focused on recordings that made good use of stereo. Gabbert also had a Sunday afternoon show "Anything Goes" that played music, sound effects, and almost anything that dramatically demonstrated the stereo effect.
In the 1960s the station moved studios from Atherton to San Francisco, first in a south-of-Market location, then to Nob Hill in a luxurious penthouse atop 1001 California Street at the corner of Mason Street. With this move, the "PEN" in KPEN changed from representing PENinsula to representing PENthouse. (The same penthouse was later the home of Randolph Hearst, father of kidnapped Patty Hearst.)
By the mid-1960s KPEN 101.3 MHz played primarily orchestral and light vocal performances of pop songs and standards, in competition with similar FM station KFOG 104.5 MHz (owned by Kaiser Broadcasting).
stations KMPX
and KSAN
. Gabbert aggressively began promoting the station via outdoor advertising, which was a first for the market. "K-101" is likely the first station in the country to develop what is now called the adult contemporary format.
During the 1970s, Gabbert developed another lasting technological achievement as K-101 became the first station in the country to develop circular polarization
, which was a key element to FM reception in automobiles, which previously was difficult.
In September 1980, Gabbert sold K-101 to Charter Communications for $12.5 million, then the highest price paid for an FM station. He then purchased KEMO-TV (Channel 20) in San Francisco, changing the call letters to KTZO ("TV 20"). Gabbert later returned to local radio when he purchased KHIT-FM, KOFY (1050 AM) and KDIA (1310 AM). K-101 was profitable, however, various management tweaked the format to compete with market leader, KOIT-FM at various times, leaning softer-AC, yet at times, would lean towards the full Hot AC format.
) as well as Portland and Seattle. Star 101.3 was programmed by KCNL Program Director, Gary Schoenwetter, who brought San Francisco legend and former KITS-FM jock, Steve Masters for Afternoon Drive. Though the station performed well for a while with its 80s format, management decided to take the station back to the Hot AC format and abandoned the 80s format in 2002, while letting go Schoenwetter, Masters, and other on-air talent. Star 101.3 transitioned to the Hot AC format once more in January of 2002.
Throughout the changes, local morning host Don Bleu has remained consistent and more importantly, a ratings success through various co-hosts Renee Brinkley (1998-2002), Uzette Salazar (2002-2006), April Sommers (2006-2010) and Traci Jenz (2010-Present). Bleu is a Minnesota native formerly of KYUU
in San Francisco and KDWB
in Minneapolis. Popular show segments during Bleu's morning show include Bleuper calls (prank calls to unsuspecting listeners), The Daily Dish (entertainment gossip), and the Bleu Room, an in-studio lounge session that featured acts including Dido
, Natasha Bedingfield
, Matchbox Twenty
and others performing acoustic versions of their hits.
Since June 30, 2008, afternoon drive has been hosted by the nationally syndicated On-Air with Ryan Seacrest
program with cut-aways to local traffic by Dina Lawrence. Also in the line-up is the Hot Adult Contemporary version of American Top 40
with Ryan Seacrest
, which airs on Sunday mornings. Due to cost-cutting measures, Bleu is the only live host on KIOI-FM(Star 101.3), yet continues to be a ratings success.
world with an HD-2 channel. The channel was originally an All '80s music format, reflecting back to the days when the station used to air '80s hits upon rebranding itself as Star 101.3 from K-101. The music featured the best songs from the 1980s from acts like The Police
, Prince, Michael Jackson
, Madonna
, Cindy Lauper, and more. In 2007, Star 101.3's HD-2 channel was reformatted to "Pride Radio," music for the LGBT audience.
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"...
("Star 101.3") is a radio station
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...
licensed
City of license
A city of license or community of license, in American and Canadian broadcasting, is the community that a radio station or television station is officially licensed to serve by that country's broadcast regulator....
to San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
. The Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008...
-owned station programs a Hot Adult Contemporary format.
KPEN
Originally founded as KLX-FM by the Oakland Tribune newspaper, the station was sold in 1957 to James Gabbert, a Stanford University engineering major, fellow student Gary M. Gielow, and realtor John S. Wickett. The three relaunched the station as KPEN on October 27, 1957. At the time, KPEN was a PENinsulaSan Francisco Peninsula
The San Francisco Peninsula is a peninsula in the San Francisco Bay Area that separates the San Francisco Bay from the Pacific Ocean. On its northern tip is the City and County of San Francisco. Its southern base is in Santa Clara County, including the cities of Palo Alto, Los Altos, and Mountain...
station licensed to Atherton, California
Atherton, California
Atherton is an incorporated town in San Mateo County, California, United States. Its population was 6,914 at the 2010 census. In September 2010, Forbes magazine placed Atherton's zip code of 94027 at #2 on its annual list of America's most expensive zip codes, with a median home price of $4,010,200...
, broadcasting at a mere 1500 watts from a transmitter on Kings Mountain in the Santa Cruz Mountains
Santa Cruz Mountains
The Santa Cruz Mountains, part of the Pacific Coast Ranges, are a mountain range in central California, United States. They form a ridge along the San Francisco Peninsula, south of San Francisco, separating the Pacific Ocean from San Francisco Bay and the Santa Clara Valley, and continuing south,...
. The station soon put an emphasis on high audio quality, in contrast to other FM stations that did not take advantage of FM broadcasting capabilities.
During the day, KPEN played mostly orchestral pop music, switched to a lighter blend of background "dinner music" in the early evening, then classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
after 8 PM. Eventually Gabbert and Gielow hosted an evening program called "Excursions in Sound," which showcased high fidelity recordings and took advantage of the high quality broadcast signal.
Two years after KPEN's successful debut, the transmitter was moved to San Bruno Mountain
San Bruno Mountain
San Bruno Mountain in northern San Mateo County, California is the northernmost part of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Most of the mountain lies within the San Bruno Mountain State Park, a unique open-space island in the midst of the San Francisco Peninsula's urbanization. Next to the state park is the...
and power increased to 35,000 watts. Then, on August 14, 1964, power was further increased to 125,000 watts, making it the most powerful signal west of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
(it was grandfathered in at that power level by the Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
(FCC), which capped stations in that part of the country at 50,000 watts).
KPEN became the first station west of the Mississippi to broadcast in multiplex stereo, officially beginning August 10, 1961, after a series of field tests. KPEN's technological achievements were recognized by the Electronic Industry Association, the FCC, and President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
. "Excursions in Sound" was renamed "Excursions in Stereo"; hosted by James Gabbert, the show focused on recordings that made good use of stereo. Gabbert also had a Sunday afternoon show "Anything Goes" that played music, sound effects, and almost anything that dramatically demonstrated the stereo effect.
In the 1960s the station moved studios from Atherton to San Francisco, first in a south-of-Market location, then to Nob Hill in a luxurious penthouse atop 1001 California Street at the corner of Mason Street. With this move, the "PEN" in KPEN changed from representing PENinsula to representing PENthouse. (The same penthouse was later the home of Randolph Hearst, father of kidnapped Patty Hearst.)
By the mid-1960s KPEN 101.3 MHz played primarily orchestral and light vocal performances of pop songs and standards, in competition with similar FM station KFOG 104.5 MHz (owned by Kaiser Broadcasting).
K-101
On December 1, 1968, KPEN changed its call letters to KIOI ("K-101"), considered an innovative matching of call letters to dial position. Eventually the station added pop and rock music to its MOR playlist, to compete with upstart freeform rockFreeform (radio format)
Freeform, or freeform radio, is a radio station programming format in which the disc jockey is given total control over what music to play, regardless of music genre or commercial interests. Freeform radio stands in contrast to most commercial radio stations, in which DJs have little or no...
stations KMPX
KMPX (defunct)
KMPX was a San Francisco FM radio station which was best known in the late 1960s as the birthplace of America's freeform progressive rock format .-History:...
and KSAN
KSAN-FM
KSAN is a commercial radio station licensed to San Mateo, California, with its transmitter located on San Bruno Mountain. It broadcasts to the San Francisco Bay Area...
. Gabbert aggressively began promoting the station via outdoor advertising, which was a first for the market. "K-101" is likely the first station in the country to develop what is now called the adult contemporary format.
During the 1970s, Gabbert developed another lasting technological achievement as K-101 became the first station in the country to develop circular polarization
Circular polarization
In electrodynamics, circular polarization of an electromagnetic wave is a polarization in which the electric field of the passing wave does not change strength but only changes direction in a rotary type manner....
, which was a key element to FM reception in automobiles, which previously was difficult.
In September 1980, Gabbert sold K-101 to Charter Communications for $12.5 million, then the highest price paid for an FM station. He then purchased KEMO-TV (Channel 20) in San Francisco, changing the call letters to KTZO ("TV 20"). Gabbert later returned to local radio when he purchased KHIT-FM, KOFY (1050 AM) and KDIA (1310 AM). K-101 was profitable, however, various management tweaked the format to compete with market leader, KOIT-FM at various times, leaning softer-AC, yet at times, would lean towards the full Hot AC format.
Star 101.3
During the late 90s K-101 was flanked by Soft-AC KOIT and the emerging CHR KZQZ (Z95.7) and suffered in the ratings. The re-emergence of the CHR format by core artists, Backstreet Boys, N-Sync, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera forced K-101 to a Hot AC format and re-branded itself as "The New K-101." The station remained competitive, however, clearly suffered an identity crisis as the ratings did not improve with the Hot AC approach. In 2000, the station rebranded itself as "Star 101.3" and debuted an exclusive 80s format that had been successful in other markets, especially in San Jose on sister station (Channel 104.9-KCNLKCNL
KCNL is a radio station in San Jose, California and serves the San Francisco Bay Area. It is owned by The Principle Broadcasting Network San Jose, LLC and airs a Mexican Oldies format....
) as well as Portland and Seattle. Star 101.3 was programmed by KCNL Program Director, Gary Schoenwetter, who brought San Francisco legend and former KITS-FM jock, Steve Masters for Afternoon Drive. Though the station performed well for a while with its 80s format, management decided to take the station back to the Hot AC format and abandoned the 80s format in 2002, while letting go Schoenwetter, Masters, and other on-air talent. Star 101.3 transitioned to the Hot AC format once more in January of 2002.
Throughout the changes, local morning host Don Bleu has remained consistent and more importantly, a ratings success through various co-hosts Renee Brinkley (1998-2002), Uzette Salazar (2002-2006), April Sommers (2006-2010) and Traci Jenz (2010-Present). Bleu is a Minnesota native formerly of KYUU
KYUU
KYUU may refer to:* KSMM , a radio station licensed to Liberal, Kansas, United States, which used the call sign KYUU from October 1988 to February 2008...
in San Francisco and KDWB
KDWB
KDWB-FM is an American commercial radio station broadcasting in the Twin Cities region of Minnesota, the radio format was known for over fifty years as a major contemporary hit radio Top 40 pop music outlet. Its transmitter is located in Shoreview, Minnesota. It broadcasts in 5.1 cinema-quality...
in Minneapolis. Popular show segments during Bleu's morning show include Bleuper calls (prank calls to unsuspecting listeners), The Daily Dish (entertainment gossip), and the Bleu Room, an in-studio lounge session that featured acts including Dido
Dido (singer)
Dido Florian Cloud de Bounevialle O'Malley Armstrong , known as Dido, is an English singer-songwriter.Dido shot to worldwide success with her debut album, No Angel...
, Natasha Bedingfield
Natasha Bedingfield
Natasha Anne Bedingfield is a British pop singer and songwriter. Bedingfield debuted in the 1990s as a member of the Christian dance/electronic group The DNA Algorithm with her siblings Daniel Bedingfield and Nikola Rachelle...
, Matchbox Twenty
Matchbox Twenty
Matchbox Twenty is an American rock band, formed in Orlando, Florida in 1995...
and others performing acoustic versions of their hits.
Since June 30, 2008, afternoon drive has been hosted by the nationally syndicated On-Air with Ryan Seacrest
On Air with Ryan Seacrest (radio)
On Air with Ryan Seacrest is the name of an American syndicated radio program hosted by Ryan Seacrest. As of 2010, the daily morning radio show airs on Los Angeles top 40 station KIIS-FM and was launched at the same time as the television show with the same name, although Seacrest had hosted a...
program with cut-aways to local traffic by Dina Lawrence. Also in the line-up is the Hot Adult Contemporary version of American Top 40
American Top 40
American Top 40 is an internationally syndicated, independent radio program created by Casey Kasem, Don Bustany, Tom Rounds and Ron Jacobs. Originally a production of Watermark Inc...
with Ryan Seacrest
Ryan Seacrest
Ryan John Seacrest is an American radio personality, television host, network producer and voice actor. He is the host of On Air with Ryan Seacrest, a nationally syndicated Top 40 radio show that airs on KIIS-FM in Los Angeles and throughout the United States and Canada on Premiere Radio Networks,...
, which airs on Sunday mornings. Due to cost-cutting measures, Bleu is the only live host on KIOI-FM(Star 101.3), yet continues to be a ratings success.
Star 101.3 HD
On January 19, 2006, Star 101.3 entered the HD RadioHD Radio
HD Radio, which originally stood for "Hybrid Digital", is the trademark for iBiquity's in-band on-channel digital radio technology used by AM and FM radio stations to transmit audio and data via a digital signal in conjunction with their analog signals...
world with an HD-2 channel. The channel was originally an All '80s music format, reflecting back to the days when the station used to air '80s hits upon rebranding itself as Star 101.3 from K-101. The music featured the best songs from the 1980s from acts like The Police
The Police
The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the vast majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting , Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland...
, Prince, Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
, Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
, Cindy Lauper, and more. In 2007, Star 101.3's HD-2 channel was reformatted to "Pride Radio," music for the LGBT audience.