KKFR
Encyclopedia
KKFR "Power 98.3" is a Rhythmic Contemporary Hit Radio outlet in the Phoenix, Arizona
, radio market. The station broadcasts at 98.3 MHz on the FM dial with an effective radiated power
of 41 kW. Its COL was Mayer, Arizona
. The station is owned and operated by Riviera Broadcast Group
. Its slogan was "The Valley's #1 Hit Music Station."
Competition-wise, KKFR is one of four Top 40 stations battling for listeners in the Phoenix market, the other three being "Rhythmic Leaning" Top 40s KZZP
and KMVA, and the brand new "Rhythmic Contemporary" KZON
. This marks the first time in many years that Power had significant competition with rival Rhythmic stations in the market.
In 1982, the construction permit for KEZC was issued on 92.3 FM. In 1984, KJJJ-FM, a country music
station, signed on. In 1985, KJJJ-FM flipped from country, and KKFR premiered as a gold-based Top 40 outlet known as "The Fire Station." Over the years they began shifting towards a rhythmic/dance music
mix. They also adopted the "Power 92" moniker in 1988 and patterned their direction on (then-future and now-former sister station) KPWR
/Los Angeles
. They would later modify it to "Power 92.3" in 2000. TV personality Danny Bonaduce worked at KKFR for a few months in 1989-1990 as a morning program co-host.
From 1993 to early 1994, they evolved to a mainstream Top 40 and leaned slightly toward modern rock
(to less of an extent than other Top 40 stations in other markets), but the ratings slipped; and from January to March 1995, the rhythmic and dance music returned to the KKFR playlist.
By 1997, they played less dance songs, leading the transformation into a R&B/Hip-Hop
approach. By the end of the year, the station was no longer Top 40.
Beginning in 2005, they started adding more rhythmic pop
tracks into the playlist.
Chancellor Media (which later became AMFM, Inc.) purchased the station in late 1998 from its longtime owners, but when the company merged with Clear Channel Communications
, they had to divest the station to meet FCC ownership regulations. Emmis Communications
became its owner in 2000.
, which, in turn, announced that the station would become the news station for the market, their AM on 620 absorbing the sports assets of KMVP
; 92.3 would become KTAR-FM. On 12 July, Emmis sold the KKFR intellectual property to Riviera Broadcast Group, which already owned KEDJ
, a modern rock outlet on 103.9 FM licensed to Gilbert for use on another radio station. The station was KKLD Prescott Valley, which moved to Mayer and became the new KKFR on 1 September http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2006/07/10/daily30.html. The Power name was kept, but the frequency portion of the name was adjusted to fit the new location.
On June 22, 2007, KKFR picked up an unlikely competitor when KZON
dropped Talk to go Rhythmic as "101.5 JAMZ". When KZON made the flip it aired attack liners towards KKFR by telling listeners that "The Power's Out," "Where Hip-Hop USED to live," and "100,000 watts of 'Static-Free' Jamz!" However, in a statement made to the Arizona Republic, KKFR's then-PD Bruce St. James had the following to say, "What are they going to do? Play more Hip Hop than us? Really, I think we'll be ok."
St. James, by the way, would end up joining KZON as its new PD in January 2010.
On December 1, 2008, KKFR dropped "Where Hip Hop Lives" in favor of the slogan "The Valley's #1 Hit Music Station" but retained its Rhythmic direction. Ironically KZON adopted the latter slogan in November, a month before KKFR changed theirs. This move gave Phoenix two radio stations with the same format and slogan; KKFR decided to drop the slogan after nearly a year. A similarity happens to rivaling top 40 stations KZZP
and KMVA.
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, radio market. The station broadcasts at 98.3 MHz on the FM dial with an effective radiated power
Effective radiated power
In radio telecommunications, effective radiated power or equivalent radiated power is a standardized theoretical measurement of radio frequency energy using the SI unit watts, and is determined by subtracting system losses and adding system gains...
of 41 kW. Its COL was Mayer, Arizona
Mayer, Arizona
Mayer is a census-designated place in Yavapai County, Arizona, United States. The population was 1,408 at the 2000 census. Mayer includes three sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Mayer Apartments, Mayer Business Block, and Mayer Red Brick Schoolhouse.The 1993-1994 CBS...
. The station is owned and operated by Riviera Broadcast Group
Riviera Broadcast Group
Riviera Broadcast Group is an owner and operator of four radio stations in the Las Vegas, Nevada and Phoenix, Arizona markets. The company was founded in January 2005 by Tim Pohlman, a former executive with CBS Radio, and partner Chris Maguire, who serves as the company's chief financial officer...
. Its slogan was "The Valley's #1 Hit Music Station."
Competition-wise, KKFR is one of four Top 40 stations battling for listeners in the Phoenix market, the other three being "Rhythmic Leaning" Top 40s KZZP
KZZP
KZZP, 104.7 KISS-FM, is a Top 40 radio outlet serving the Phoenix, Arizona area. The Clear Channel Communications station broadcasts at 104.7 MHz with an Effective radiated power of 100 kW and is licensed in Mesa, Arizona. Due to its 100 kW tower located atop South Mountain, the station can...
and KMVA, and the brand new "Rhythmic Contemporary" KZON
KZON
KZON is a commercial radio station located in Phoenix, Arizona, broadcasting on 101.5 FM. KZON airs a Rhythmic CHR format branded as "101.5 Jamz".-Before 101.5:In the 1960s the station signed on the air as KHEP-FM and aired a classical music format...
. This marks the first time in many years that Power had significant competition with rival Rhythmic stations in the market.
92.3 FM
See also KTAR-FMKTAR-FM
KTAR-FM is a radio station broadcasting a News/Talk format. Licensed to Glendale, Arizona, USA, the station serves the Phoenix area and is currently owned by Bonneville Holding Company...
In 1982, the construction permit for KEZC was issued on 92.3 FM. In 1984, KJJJ-FM, a 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, signed on. In 1985, KJJJ-FM flipped from country, and KKFR premiered as a gold-based Top 40 outlet known as "The Fire Station." Over the years they began shifting towards a rhythmic/dance music
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
mix. They also adopted the "Power 92" moniker in 1988 and patterned their direction on (then-future and now-former sister station) KPWR
KPWR
KPWR is a commercial radio station located in Los Angeles, California, broadcasting to the Greater Los Angeles area on an analog signal and in HD Radio...
/Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. They would later modify it to "Power 92.3" in 2000. TV personality Danny Bonaduce worked at KKFR for a few months in 1989-1990 as a morning program co-host.
From 1993 to early 1994, they evolved to a mainstream Top 40 and leaned slightly toward modern rock
Modern rock
Modern rock is a rock format commonly found on commercial radio; the format consists primarily of the alternative rock genre...
(to less of an extent than other Top 40 stations in other markets), but the ratings slipped; and from January to March 1995, the rhythmic and dance music returned to the KKFR playlist.
By 1997, they played less dance songs, leading the transformation into a R&B/Hip-Hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
approach. By the end of the year, the station was no longer Top 40.
Beginning in 2005, they started adding more rhythmic pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
tracks into the playlist.
Chancellor Media (which later became AMFM, Inc.) purchased the station in late 1998 from its longtime owners, but when the company merged with 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...
, they had to divest the station to meet FCC ownership regulations. Emmis Communications
Emmis Communications
Emmis Communications is a media conglomerate based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company owns radio stations and magazines in the United States, Hungary, Slovakia and Bulgaria.-History:...
became its owner in 2000.
Move to 98.3
On 8 May 2006, Emmis sold KKFR to Bonneville InternationalBonneville International
Bonneville International Corporation is a broadcasting company wholly owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through its for-profit arm, Deseret Management Corporation...
, which, in turn, announced that the station would become the news station for the market, their AM on 620 absorbing the sports assets of KMVP
KMVP
KMVP is the callsign for a radio station in Phoenix, Arizona. KMVP is owned by Bonneville International Corporation.-History:The 860 kHz frequency was occupied by several radio stations in Phoenix. The first station signed on the air as early as 1953 with the call letters KIFN. KIFN was Phoenix's...
; 92.3 would become KTAR-FM. On 12 July, Emmis sold the KKFR intellectual property to Riviera Broadcast Group, which already owned KEDJ
KEDJ
KEXX is a commercial radio station located in Phoenix, Arizona, broadcasting to the Phoenix Metropolitan Area on 103.9 FM. KEXX airs a modern rock music format branded as "X 103-9". In July 2009, the station added less commercials and plays deeper tracks rather than just radio hits unlike normal...
, a modern rock outlet on 103.9 FM licensed to Gilbert for use on another radio station. The station was KKLD Prescott Valley, which moved to Mayer and became the new KKFR on 1 September http://phoenix.bizjournals.com/phoenix/stories/2006/07/10/daily30.html. The Power name was kept, but the frequency portion of the name was adjusted to fit the new location.
On June 22, 2007, KKFR picked up an unlikely competitor when KZON
KZON
KZON is a commercial radio station located in Phoenix, Arizona, broadcasting on 101.5 FM. KZON airs a Rhythmic CHR format branded as "101.5 Jamz".-Before 101.5:In the 1960s the station signed on the air as KHEP-FM and aired a classical music format...
dropped Talk to go Rhythmic as "101.5 JAMZ". When KZON made the flip it aired attack liners towards KKFR by telling listeners that "The Power's Out," "Where Hip-Hop USED to live," and "100,000 watts of 'Static-Free' Jamz!" However, in a statement made to the Arizona Republic, KKFR's then-PD Bruce St. James had the following to say, "What are they going to do? Play more Hip Hop than us? Really, I think we'll be ok."
St. James, by the way, would end up joining KZON as its new PD in January 2010.
On December 1, 2008, KKFR dropped "Where Hip Hop Lives" in favor of the slogan "The Valley's #1 Hit Music Station" but retained its Rhythmic direction. Ironically KZON adopted the latter slogan in November, a month before KKFR changed theirs. This move gave Phoenix two radio stations with the same format and slogan; KKFR decided to drop the slogan after nearly a year. A similarity happens to rivaling top 40 stations KZZP
KZZP
KZZP, 104.7 KISS-FM, is a Top 40 radio outlet serving the Phoenix, Arizona area. The Clear Channel Communications station broadcasts at 104.7 MHz with an Effective radiated power of 100 kW and is licensed in Mesa, Arizona. Due to its 100 kW tower located atop South Mountain, the station can...
and KMVA.