KJCK-FM
Encyclopedia
KJCK-FM is a Top 40 (CHR)
music formatted radio station
owned by Platinum Broadcasting (with a sale pending to Eagle Communications), along with sister stations KJCK
"1420 KJCK The Talk of JC" and KQLA
"Q 103.5". The station is broadcast from Junction City, Kansas
, broadcasting on 97.5 MHz with an ERP of 100,000 kW. The station serves the Junction City
-Manhattan
-Fort Riley
area, as well as some portions of Northern and Central Kansas, and can be heard as far away as Hutchinson, Kansas
and Toronto, Kansas
. It is believed to be that the station may be the most powerful station in Kansas. KJCK is also one of the oldest stations in Kansas. KJCK-FM is currently the most listened to radio station in the market.
. This simulcast continued until the mid 1970s, when the formats split.
The station was known as Power 94.5 through the 1990's and aired a Rhythmic contemporary
format competing against (now sister station) KQLA
"Q 103.5". After that station was acquired by Power 94.5's owners (Platinum Broadcasting) in 1997, the station moved to its current Contemporary hit radio
format, while KQLA
moved to a satellite-fed Hot Adult Contemporary format. The station kept leaning rhythmic during this time. In 2000, the moniker was changed to "The Big Kat 94.5". A year later, the station gained a competitor when KACZ
"Z 96.3" signed on the air with the same Top 40 format.
The station moved from 94.5 to 97.5 sometime in 2003 due to moving the 97.3 frequency to Kansas City
, which cost several other stations across Kansas to change frequencies (Topeka country music
station WIBW-FM
currently occupies the 94.5 frequency), but retained the "The Big Kat" moniker after the move.
On April 1, 2005, the station changed its name to "Power Hits 97-5", which was partially intended as an April Fool's Day joke. The music direction was changed, as it started day-parting by playing more adult-friendly content (which capitalized on current mainstream pop, punk-rock and modern rock
tracks (even leaning towards modern adult contemporary at times), as well as 1990's tracks) during the day and playing harder-edged content (such as Hip hop
and R&B tracks) after 6 PM. This was done to compete against KACZ
, who also had an adult-leaning Top 40 format. A new morning show, Stooks In The Morning, debuted in May 2005. This show targeted people in the 18-34 demographic and was well respected across the area as it discussed edgy content and being very listener interactive.
In August 2007, the station started leaning rhythmic again, as most of the adult-friendly content was removed. This was done due to a new program director being hired, as former PD and morning show host Matt Stooks quit in June. To this day, the station still leans rhythmic, as it avoids some rock-oriented music due to sister station KQLA
playing some of that material.
On October 6, 2011, Platinum Broadcasting announced it was ceasing operations, and that the station, along with its sister stations, will be sold to Hays, Kansas
-based Eagle Communications, pending FCC
approval.
were not able to pick up the station. Stooks In The Morning did a web-only show for part of the week, while on 97.5, it was a clip show. Everyone else took the day off. On Thursday afternoon/evening, the station went back to its original coverage area. Some criticized that the days they were off the air were Justin Carson's last days before moving to KZCH
in Wichita
the following week. Justin's last day was on Friday, March 30 (he returned in August 2008, but left by September 2009).
During the early morning hours of Saturday, May 19, 2007 the secondhand transformer which replaced the original transformer that had caused the fire ceased to function correctly. KJCK-FM again operated at extremely low power until the following Monday afternoon when a new transformer was installed. On January 11, 2008, the station put in a new transmitter which includes the most up to date technology.
"Z 96.3". The other competitor is Salina-based "92.7 The Zoo" (KZUH-FM). That station began airing a satellite-fed format from Dial Global
; they have since moved to a more local presentation.
Other competitors include KZCH
in Wichita, Kansas
, KEKS
in Emporia, Kansas
, and KMXV
and KCHZ
in Kansas City
, which can be heard in different parts of Power Hits' coverage area due to their signals.
Former competitors include KSAL-FM
from Salina, which changed its Top 40 format to Classic Hits in 2004.
Sunday nights from 10 pm to Midnight.
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
music formatted 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...
owned by Platinum Broadcasting (with a sale pending to Eagle Communications), along with sister stations KJCK
KJCK (AM)
KJCK is a radio station broadcasting a News Talk Information format. Licensed to Junction City, Kansas, USA, the station serves the Salina-Manhattan area. The station is currently owned by Platinum Broadcasting Co., Inc. and features programing from ABC Radio , Sporting News Radio and Westwood...
"1420 KJCK The Talk of JC" and KQLA
KQLA
KQLA "Q 103.5" is an AC formatted radio station licensed to Ogden, KS. It broadcasts to the Junction City-Manhattan-Fort Riley area broadcasting on 103.5 mHz with an ERP of 41,000 watts. The station is owned by Platinum Broadcasting, Inc...
"Q 103.5". The station is broadcast from Junction City, Kansas
Junction City, Kansas
Junction City is a city in and the county seat of Geary County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 23,353. Fort Riley, a major U.S. Army post, is nearby...
, broadcasting on 97.5 MHz with an ERP of 100,000 kW. The station serves the Junction City
Junction City, Kansas
Junction City is a city in and the county seat of Geary County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 23,353. Fort Riley, a major U.S. Army post, is nearby...
-Manhattan
Manhattan, Kansas
Manhattan is a city located in the northeastern part of the state of Kansas in the United States, at the junction of the Kansas River and Big Blue River. It is the county seat of Riley County and the city extends into Pottawatomie County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 52,281...
-Fort Riley
Fort Riley
Fort Riley is a United States Army installation located in Northeast Kansas, on the Kansas River, between Junction City and Manhattan. The Fort Riley Military Reservation covers 100,656 acres in Geary and Riley counties and includes two census-designated places: Fort Riley North and Fort...
area, as well as some portions of Northern and Central Kansas, and can be heard as far away as Hutchinson, Kansas
Hutchinson, Kansas
Hutchinson is the largest city in and the county seat of Reno County, Kansas, United States, northwest of Wichita, on the Arkansas River. It has been home to salt mines since 1887, thus its nickname of "Salt City", but locals call it "Hutch"...
and Toronto, Kansas
Toronto, Kansas
Toronto is a city in Woodson County, Kansas, United States, along the Verdigris River. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 281.-Geography:Toronto is located at...
. It is believed to be that the station may be the most powerful station in Kansas. KJCK is also one of the oldest stations in Kansas. KJCK-FM is currently the most listened to radio station in the market.
History
KJCK-FM first went on the air in July 1965 as a simulcast of KJCKKJCK (AM)
KJCK is a radio station broadcasting a News Talk Information format. Licensed to Junction City, Kansas, USA, the station serves the Salina-Manhattan area. The station is currently owned by Platinum Broadcasting Co., Inc. and features programing from ABC Radio , Sporting News Radio and Westwood...
. This simulcast continued until the mid 1970s, when the formats split.
The station was known as Power 94.5 through the 1990's and aired a Rhythmic contemporary
Rhythmic Contemporary
Rhythmic contemporary, also known as rhythmic top 40, rhythmic contemporary hit radio or rhythmic crossover, is a music radio format that includes a mix of EDM, upbeat rhythmic pop, hip-hop and R&B hits. Rhythmic contemporary rarely uses rock music or country music in its airplay, but it may...
format competing against (now sister station) KQLA
KQLA
KQLA "Q 103.5" is an AC formatted radio station licensed to Ogden, KS. It broadcasts to the Junction City-Manhattan-Fort Riley area broadcasting on 103.5 mHz with an ERP of 41,000 watts. The station is owned by Platinum Broadcasting, Inc...
"Q 103.5". After that station was acquired by Power 94.5's owners (Platinum Broadcasting) in 1997, the station moved to its current Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
format, while KQLA
KQLA
KQLA "Q 103.5" is an AC formatted radio station licensed to Ogden, KS. It broadcasts to the Junction City-Manhattan-Fort Riley area broadcasting on 103.5 mHz with an ERP of 41,000 watts. The station is owned by Platinum Broadcasting, Inc...
moved to a satellite-fed Hot Adult Contemporary format. The station kept leaning rhythmic during this time. In 2000, the moniker was changed to "The Big Kat 94.5". A year later, the station gained a competitor when KACZ
KACZ
KACZ is a Top 40 formatted radio station owned by Manhattan Broadcasting Company. The station is broadcast from Manhattan, Kansas, with an ERP of 11,500 kW, with its COL as Riley, Kansas. The station serves the Manhattan-Junction City-Fort Riley area, as well as portions of Northeast Kansas...
"Z 96.3" signed on the air with the same Top 40 format.
The station moved from 94.5 to 97.5 sometime in 2003 due to moving the 97.3 frequency to Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, which cost several other stations across Kansas to change frequencies (Topeka country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
station WIBW-FM
WIBW-FM
WIBW-FM is a country music radio station in Topeka, Kansas. Until 2000, the station was located at 97.3 FM. The station was moved to make way for a new move-in station in Kansas City....
currently occupies the 94.5 frequency), but retained the "The Big Kat" moniker after the move.
On April 1, 2005, the station changed its name to "Power Hits 97-5", which was partially intended as an April Fool's Day joke. The music direction was changed, as it started day-parting by playing more adult-friendly content (which capitalized on current mainstream pop, punk-rock and modern rock
Modern rock
Modern rock is a rock format commonly found on commercial radio; the format consists primarily of the alternative rock genre...
tracks (even leaning towards modern adult contemporary at times), as well as 1990's tracks) during the day and playing harder-edged content (such as Hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
and R&B tracks) after 6 PM. This was done to compete against KACZ
KACZ
KACZ is a Top 40 formatted radio station owned by Manhattan Broadcasting Company. The station is broadcast from Manhattan, Kansas, with an ERP of 11,500 kW, with its COL as Riley, Kansas. The station serves the Manhattan-Junction City-Fort Riley area, as well as portions of Northeast Kansas...
, who also had an adult-leaning Top 40 format. A new morning show, Stooks In The Morning, debuted in May 2005. This show targeted people in the 18-34 demographic and was well respected across the area as it discussed edgy content and being very listener interactive.
In August 2007, the station started leaning rhythmic again, as most of the adult-friendly content was removed. This was done due to a new program director being hired, as former PD and morning show host Matt Stooks quit in June. To this day, the station still leans rhythmic, as it avoids some rock-oriented music due to sister station KQLA
KQLA
KQLA "Q 103.5" is an AC formatted radio station licensed to Ogden, KS. It broadcasts to the Junction City-Manhattan-Fort Riley area broadcasting on 103.5 mHz with an ERP of 41,000 watts. The station is owned by Platinum Broadcasting, Inc...
playing some of that material.
On October 6, 2011, Platinum Broadcasting announced it was ceasing operations, and that the station, along with its sister stations, will be sold to Hays, Kansas
Hays, Kansas
Hays is a city in and the county seat of Ellis County, Kansas, United States. The largest city in northwestern Kansas, it is the economic and cultural center of the region. It is also a college town, home to Fort Hays State University...
-based Eagle Communications, pending FCC
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...
approval.
Transmitter fire
On March 25, 2007, at around 11 pm, KJCK went off the air due to a fire in the transmitter. The transmitter went back on a few hours later, however, the coverage area was reduced down to at least a 6 mile radius. Manhattan residents and some residents in Fort RileyFort Riley
Fort Riley is a United States Army installation located in Northeast Kansas, on the Kansas River, between Junction City and Manhattan. The Fort Riley Military Reservation covers 100,656 acres in Geary and Riley counties and includes two census-designated places: Fort Riley North and Fort...
were not able to pick up the station. Stooks In The Morning did a web-only show for part of the week, while on 97.5, it was a clip show. Everyone else took the day off. On Thursday afternoon/evening, the station went back to its original coverage area. Some criticized that the days they were off the air were Justin Carson's last days before moving to KZCH
KZCH
KZCH "Channel 96.3" is a Mainstream Top 40 station serving the Wichita area. The Clear Channel Communications outlet broadcasts at 96.3 MHz with an ERP of 50 kW and is licensed to Derby, Kansas.-History:...
in Wichita
Wichita, Kansas
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area...
the following week. Justin's last day was on Friday, March 30 (he returned in August 2008, but left by September 2009).
During the early morning hours of Saturday, May 19, 2007 the secondhand transformer which replaced the original transformer that had caused the fire ceased to function correctly. KJCK-FM again operated at extremely low power until the following Monday afternoon when a new transformer was installed. On January 11, 2008, the station put in a new transmitter which includes the most up to date technology.
Competition
Currently, Power Hits only has two competitors, KACZKACZ
KACZ is a Top 40 formatted radio station owned by Manhattan Broadcasting Company. The station is broadcast from Manhattan, Kansas, with an ERP of 11,500 kW, with its COL as Riley, Kansas. The station serves the Manhattan-Junction City-Fort Riley area, as well as portions of Northeast Kansas...
"Z 96.3". The other competitor is Salina-based "92.7 The Zoo" (KZUH-FM). That station began airing a satellite-fed format from Dial Global
Dial Global
Dial Global is a radio syndication company. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Triton Media Group and is a sister company to Townsquare Media, both of which are owned by Oaktree Capital Management....
; they have since moved to a more local presentation.
Other competitors include KZCH
KZCH
KZCH "Channel 96.3" is a Mainstream Top 40 station serving the Wichita area. The Clear Channel Communications outlet broadcasts at 96.3 MHz with an ERP of 50 kW and is licensed to Derby, Kansas.-History:...
in Wichita, Kansas
Wichita, Kansas
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area...
, KEKS
KEKS
KEKS is a radio station broadcasting a CHR format. Licensed to Olpe, Kansas, USA, the station serves the Emporia, Kansas area. The station is currently owned by MyTown Media, LLC.-History:...
in Emporia, Kansas
Emporia, Kansas
Emporia is a city in and the county seat of Lyon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 24,916. Emporia lies between Topeka and Wichita at the intersection of U.S. Route 50 with Interstates 335 and 35 on the Kansas Turnpike...
, and KMXV
KMXV
KMXV Mix 93.3 is a Top 40 station based in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. The Wilks Broadcasting outlet operates at 93.3 MHz with an ERP of 100 kW. Its current slogan is "Kansas City's #1 Hit Music Station"...
and KCHZ
KCHZ
KCHZ , known as "95.7 The Vibe", is a Contemporary Hit Radio radio station serving the Kansas City metropolitan area from Ottawa, Kansas. The Cumulus Broadcasting outlet operates at 95.7 MHz with an ERP of 96 kW. Its transmitter is located near Linwood, Kansas.-History:KCHZ began...
in Kansas City
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
, which can be heard in different parts of Power Hits' coverage area due to their signals.
Former competitors include KSAL-FM
KSAL-FM
KSAL-FM is a radio station broadcasting a Classic Hits music format. Licensed to Salina, Kansas, USA, the station serves the Salina-Manhattan area. The station is currently owned by Mcc Radio, LLC.-External links:...
from Salina, which changed its Top 40 format to Classic Hits in 2004.
Programming
Currently, Power Hits airs the Power Morning Show with Robert & Jenn. The show airs from 6 am to 9 am. Rodney does the midday shift from 9 am to 2 pm. Justin K is doing afternoons from 2 pm to 6 pm. The Power Hour Mix w/ DJ Kirby is on from 5 to 6 pm. Nick does the nightly shift from 6 pm to 11 pm. One hour of DJ-free music airs Monday-Thursday nights from 11 pm to Midnight, while the Weekend Throw-down with Jagger airs Fridays 6 pm to 10 pm. Nudge at Night airs in overnights from Midnight to 5 am. Before the Power Morning Show goes on air, the station airs a dance/remix type show titled "The Power Wake Up Call" from 5 am to 6 am and is also hosted by DJ Kirby. On weekends, the station airs Saturday Night Online Live w/ Romeo Saturdays from 6 pm to 11 pm. Fox All Access is aired Sunday mornings from 6 am to 8 am, Club Kane airs Sunday nights from 6pm to 9pm, and Dawson McAllister LiveDawson McAllister Live
Dawson McAllister Live is a talk radio show hosted by Dawson McAllister where teenagers and young adults talk about problems in life including divorce, depression, cutting, suicide, drug addictions, eating disorders, homosexuality, and family issues...
Sunday nights from 10 pm to Midnight.
Former DJs
- The Force-Man (Gary Zahara)-Overnights (1994)
- Matthew Steele-Overnights (1994-1995)
- Wende Horton-Mid-days (199?-2003)
- J.T-Nights (199?-2003)
- Chad Allen-Mornings with Rodney (1998-2003) (Now at KYEZ, Salina, KS)
- Bradley J-Afternoons (1994-2003), Mornings (2003-2005), Afternoons (2005) (Now working mornings at sister station KQLA)
- Chris Casey- Stooks Co-Host (2005-2006) (Now working in the movie business)
- Chuck Armstrong-Temporary Night Jock (2007) (Now in New York City)
- Matt Stooks-Mornings (2005-2007)
- Cindy Sue-Weekends (late 2007-March 2008) (Fired)
- Morgan-Weekends/Intern (late 2007-April 2008)
- Matt McBain- Nights (2003-2005), Afternoons (2005-June 2007), Mornings (July 2007), Afternoons (September 2007-June 9, 2008), also did Saturday mornings from October, 2007-June 7, 2008 (Quit)
- Erin-Weekends (May 2008), Afternoons (June 2008-August 2008) (Intern)
- Jeri Anne-Weekends and Morning Co-Host (Stooks and PMS), October 28, 2006-October 3, 2008 (Now working at Shawnee County Sheriff's office)
- Russel-Nights and Weekends-September 2008-June 2009
- Justin Carson-Mornings (2005), Nights (2006-2008), Afternoons (March 2009-July 2009), Nights (August 2009-September 2009 via voice-tracking)
- Mary-Nights (November 2008-August 2010) (Intern)
- Kat Kasey-Afternoons (August 2009-January 2011)
- Lee Oxler- Mornings (August 2010-March 2011) (Intern)
Trivia
- Rodney, the midday DJ, is still on the air at the same station since 1998. He has worked all day shifts, starting at nights, before being moved to mornings, and moved to middays in 2005.
- After Matt McBain left the station on June 9, 2008, there are no more DJ's with the name "Matt" in them.
- On April 1, 2010, the station's audio was temporarily replaced by KQLAKQLAKQLA "Q 103.5" is an AC formatted radio station licensed to Ogden, KS. It broadcasts to the Junction City-Manhattan-Fort Riley area broadcasting on 103.5 mHz with an ERP of 41,000 watts. The station is owned by Platinum Broadcasting, Inc...
's as an April Fool's joke.