KPTK
Encyclopedia
KPTK is a Progressive talk radio station
based in Seattle, Washington
, broadcasting at 1090 kHz.
Billing itself as "Seattle's Progressive Talk," KPTK broadcasts syndicated progressive/liberal talk programs hosted by personalities such as Ed Schultz
, Mike Malloy
, Randi Rhodes
, Thom Hartmann
, Rachel Maddow
and Stephanie Miller
. KPTK was also the flagship station of Air America Radio
's Ron Reagan Show
. KPTK is also the radio home of the Seattle Storm
.
Since spring 2005, when KPTK received a 1.4 market share on the Arbitron
scale, its ratings remained flat earning a 1.4 market share for January 2010 in the Seattle-Tacoma market.
, founded in 1947 by broadcasting pioneer Dorothy Stimson Bullitt
. KING was known as the "Mighty 10-90," featuring legendary radio personalities such as Frosty Fowler, Ray Court, Mark Wayne and late night talk with Irving Clark's "Clark on King." The station was an NBC Radio network affiliate which had many monitor features and local news, often using KING-TV
anchors. The format of music was MOR, but also mixed in with jazz
, bossa nova
and some swing. When compared to KJR
, KING had a light-hearted and upbeat direction, an opposition to KJR's hip direction, as well as not being as staid as KIRO
. The late '60s personalities defected to KIRO and other markets. Bob and Jim, a duo team was brought in from KREM in Spokane
, but by then, personality Larry Nelson on KOMO (AM)
, and KIRO's news was beginning to gain traction in the market. Later in its life, KING focused on left-leaning political talk during the final years.
During the 1970s, the station flipped to CHR and changed monikers to "Musicradio 11 KING" and competed even more closer with KJR. The line-up at the time included such Seattle radio personalities as Gary Lockwood (who later defected to KJR) and Bruce Murdock, with the Murdock in the Morning show (he would later move to KLSY
and is now heard at KKCW
in Portland
). When KJR unveiled its yellow "Sunshine" window sticker, KING followed with its own red "Sunburst" sticker.
music radio lost young listeners to FM
, KING gave up on Top 40 and flipped to Soft AC, while retaining the "Musicradio 11 KING" moniker. KING's slogan
was "Soft Rock and More". The station's tagline used in advertising was "You grew up with us, now we've grown up for you". This format was parodied on April Fool's Day, 1991 by rock
station KISW. Ratings for KING at this time were low.
. This format did decent in the ratings, though they were never at the level that they were as a Top 40.
The 1090 frequency would be acquired by Bonneville
, and then EZ Communications in 1995. The long-running KING call letters would be dropped for KINF, then KKNG shortly after, followed by KNWX. The station switched formats and call letters with KULL
(who was simulcasting KRPM
) and became an AM simulcast
for one of three country stations that would be acquired by Infinity Broadcasting (which bought the station in 1996) in the mid-90's, which included KMPS
, KRPM (then KCIN, now KBKS), or KYCW (now KJAQ
). 1090 also carried the call letters KMPS-AM, and then KYCW-AM. The simulcasting stopped in 1999 and 1090 flipped to a locally programmed Classic Country
station. The station began broadcasting in AM Stereo in March 2001.
Beginning August 4, 2001, the station ran promos promoting a new format that advised listeners to "listen at their own risk". At 5 AM on Monday, August 6, the station flipped to hot talk as "Extreme Radio 1090" featuring Bob Rivers
' "Twisted Radio" in mornings (who was also simulcasted on KZOK-FM
), Opie & Anthony, Jim Rome
, Ron and Fez
, Don and Mike
, and Phil Hendrie
. The station was also a Sporting News Radio
affiliate. The station's ratings were abyssmal, usually peaking at a 0.4 share. KYCW would return to classic country at 11 PM on May 19, 2002. The station's second version would include the return of personalites previously heard on the first incarnation of the format, including "Tall" Paul Fredericks from 5-9 AM, Mike Preston from 9-noon, PD Becky Brenner from Noon-3 PM, "Buffalo" Phil Harper from 3-7 PM, and Sheldon Smith from 7-Midnight. The station, however, still had low ratings, usually peaking at a 1.3.
On October 25, 2004, at Midnight, the station flipped to its current format and changed call letters to KPTK days later
. The station mostly ran programs from Air America Radio
until its bankruptcy in 2010. The station was the flagship for The Ron Reagan Show
, which is hosted by the former president's son. The station also carries three local lifestyle programs on weekends, as well as Swirl Radio, a LGBT-targeted show on Saturday afternoons, and Community Matters, a public issues show hosted by Lee Callahan on Sunday afternoons.
Starting in 2011, KPTK has been the radio home of the Seattle Storm
.
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...
based in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
, broadcasting at 1090 kHz.
Billing itself as "Seattle's Progressive Talk," KPTK broadcasts syndicated progressive/liberal talk programs hosted by personalities such as Ed Schultz
Ed Schultz
Edward Andrew "Ed" Schultz Is an American television and radio host and a liberal political commentator . He is the host of The Ed Show, a daily news talk program on MSNBC, and The Ed Schultz Show, a talk radio show, nationally syndicated by Dial Global, promising "straight talk."-Early...
, Mike Malloy
Mike Malloy
Michael Dennis Malloy is an American radio broadcaster from Atlanta, Georgia. Previously his show has been carried by WSB Atlanta, WLS Chicago, the I.E. America Radio Network, the Air America Radio network, Nova M Radio and the On Second Thought network. He is now self-syndicated...
, Randi Rhodes
Randi Rhodes
Randi Rhodes is an American progressive talk radio personality, formerly featured on Air America Radio and Nova M Radio and now on Premiere Radio Networks. Her eponymous program, The Randi Rhodes Show, airs live Monday through Friday from 3 pm to 6 pm Eastern Time.-Early life:Rhodes was born in...
, Thom Hartmann
Thom Hartmann
Thom Hartmann is an American radio host, author, former psychotherapist and entrepreneur, and progressive political commentator. His nationally-syndicated radio show, The Thom Hartmann Program, airs in the United States and has 2.75 million listeners a week...
, Rachel Maddow
Rachel Maddow
Rachel Anne Maddow is an American television host and political commentator. Maddow hosts a nightly television show, The Rachel Maddow Show, on MSNBC. Her syndicated talk radio program, The Rachel Maddow Show, aired on Air America Radio...
and Stephanie Miller
Stephanie Miller
Stephanie Catherine Miller is an American comedienne and host of The Stephanie Miller Show, a progressive talk radio program produced in Los Angeles and syndicated nationally by Dial Global. Talkers magazine ranked her as the 24th most important radio talk show host in America for 2010.-Early...
. KPTK was also the flagship station of Air America Radio
Air America Radio
Air America was an American radio network specializing in progressive talk programming...
's Ron Reagan Show
Ron Reagan
Ronald Prescott "Ron" Reagan sometimes known as Ronald Reagan, Jr., is a former talk radio host and chief political analyst for KIRO radio in Seattle until his show was canceled on August 8, 2007...
. KPTK is also the radio home of the Seattle Storm
Seattle Storm
The Seattle Storm is a professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
.
Since spring 2005, when KPTK received a 1.4 market share on the Arbitron
Arbitron
Arbitron is a consumer research company in the United States that collects listener data on radio audiences. It was founded as American Research Bureau by Jim Seiler in 1949 and became national by merging with L.A. based Coffin, Cooper and Clay in the early 1950s...
scale, its ratings remained flat earning a 1.4 market share for January 2010 in the Seattle-Tacoma market.
History
What is now known as KPTK began as KVL, then KEVR sometime in the late 1930's or early 1940's.KING-AM
For several decades, the 1090 kHz frequency was home to KING-AMKing Broadcasting Company
King Broadcasting Company is a Seattle, Washington media conglmerate founded by Dorothy Stimson Bullitt. It began with one AM radio station and later an FM radio station, and grew to include a large group of broadcast television and radio stations, as well as a cable television network.-History:In...
, founded in 1947 by broadcasting pioneer Dorothy Stimson Bullitt
Dorothy Stimson Bullitt
Dorothy Stimson Bullitt was a radio and television pioneer who founded King Broadcasting Company, a major owner of broadcast stations in Seattle, Washington...
. KING was known as the "Mighty 10-90," featuring legendary radio personalities such as Frosty Fowler, Ray Court, Mark Wayne and late night talk with Irving Clark's "Clark on King." The station was an NBC Radio network affiliate which had many monitor features and local news, often using KING-TV
KING-TV
KING-TV, virtual channel 5, is a television station in Seattle, Washington, affiliated with the NBC network. Owned by Belo Corporation, it broadcasts on UHF digital channel 48. Its offices and broadcasting center are located just east of Seattle Center...
anchors. The format of music was MOR, but also mixed in with jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, bossa nova
Bossa nova
Bossa nova is a style of Brazilian music. Bossa nova acquired a large following in the 1960s, initially consisting of young musicians and college students...
and some swing. When compared to KJR
KJR
KJR may refer to:* Knee joint replacement* KJR , a radio station licensed to Seattle, Washington, United States* KJR-FM, a radio station licensed to Seattle, Washington, United States*Kiski Junction Railroad in Pennsylvania, U.S....
, KING had a light-hearted and upbeat direction, an opposition to KJR's hip direction, as well as not being as staid as KIRO
KIRO
KIRO may refer to:* KIRO , a radio station licensed to Seattle, Washington, United States* KIRO-TV, a television station licensed to Seattle, Washington, United States...
. The late '60s personalities defected to KIRO and other markets. Bob and Jim, a duo team was brought in from KREM in Spokane
Spokane
Spokane is a city in the U.S. state of Washington.Spokane may also refer to:*Spokane *Spokane River*Spokane, Missouri*Spokane Valley, Washington*Spokane County, Washington*Spokane-Coeur d'Alene-Paloos War*Spokane * USS Spokane...
, but by then, personality Larry Nelson on KOMO (AM)
KOMO (AM)
KOMO is a radio station based in Seattle, Washington. Its format is primarily news. From 2003 to 2008, it was also the flagship station of the Seattle Mariners Radio Network...
, and KIRO's news was beginning to gain traction in the market. Later in its life, KING focused on left-leaning political talk during the final years.
During the 1970s, the station flipped to CHR and changed monikers to "Musicradio 11 KING" and competed even more closer with KJR. The line-up at the time included such Seattle radio personalities as Gary Lockwood (who later defected to KJR) and Bruce Murdock, with the Murdock in the Morning show (he would later move to KLSY
KQMV
KQMV , known as "Movin' 92.5," is a Rhythmic-leaning CHR radio station serving the Puget Sound area. The Sandusky Radio outlet operates at 92.5 MHz with an ERP of 56.8 kW and its community of license is Bellevue, Washington...
and is now heard at KKCW
KKCW
KKCW is a commercial broadcast radio station licensed to Beaverton, Oregon and serves the greater Portland metropolitan area. The transmitter is located in Portland's west hills. The station's format is adult contemporary music. KKCW airs Christmas music from mid-November through Christmas...
in Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
). When KJR unveiled its yellow "Sunshine" window sticker, KING followed with its own red "Sunburst" sticker.
Soft Rock and More
In 1980, KING experienced a major change. As AMAM broadcasting
AM broadcasting is the process of radio broadcasting using amplitude modulation. AM was the first method of impressing sound on a radio signal and is still widely used today. Commercial and public AM broadcasting is carried out in the medium wave band world wide, and on long wave and short wave...
music radio lost young listeners to 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"...
, KING gave up on Top 40 and flipped to Soft AC, while retaining the "Musicradio 11 KING" moniker. KING's slogan
Slogan
A slogan is a memorable motto or phrase used in a political, commercial, religious and other context as a repetitive expression of an idea or purpose. The word slogan is derived from slogorn which was an Anglicisation of the Scottish Gaelic sluagh-ghairm . Slogans vary from the written and the...
was "Soft Rock and More". The station's tagline used in advertising was "You grew up with us, now we've grown up for you". This format was parodied on April Fool's Day, 1991 by rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
station KISW. Ratings for KING at this time were low.
Talk and Country era
On October 4, 1982, KING adopted a news-talk format, primarily with local personalities, and branded simply as "KING NewsTalk 1090". These included Jim Altoff, Carl Dombek, Jeff Ray, Randy Rowland, Mike and Candace Siegel and Pat CashmanPat Cashman
Pat Cashman is a comedian and television and radio personality based in the Seattle, Washington, area.On TV, he was a regular cast member of the long-running local comedy show Almost Live! as well as the announcer for Bill Nye the Science Guy...
. This format did decent in the ratings, though they were never at the level that they were as a Top 40.
The 1090 frequency would be acquired by Bonneville
Bonneville 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...
, and then EZ Communications in 1995. The long-running KING call letters would be dropped for KINF, then KKNG shortly after, followed by KNWX. The station switched formats and call letters with KULL
KTTH
KTTH is a conservative talk radio station, owned by Bonneville International, broadcasting at 770 kHz in Seattle, Washington.-Programming:...
(who was simulcasting KRPM
KBKS-FM
KBKS-FM , better known as "106.1 KISS FM", is a radio station in the Seattle, Washington area that plays current popular music. The Clear Channel outlet broadcasts at 106.1 MHz with an ERP of 68 kW and is licensed to Tacoma, Washington.-History:KBKS signed on the air in 1959 as KLAY-FM,...
) and became an AM simulcast
Simulcast
Simulcast, shorthand for "simultaneous broadcast", refers to programs or events broadcast across more than one medium, or more than one service on the same medium, at the same time. For example, Absolute Radio is simulcast on both AM and on satellite radio, and the BBC's Prom concerts are often...
for one of three country stations that would be acquired by Infinity Broadcasting (which bought the station in 1996) in the mid-90's, which included KMPS
KMPS
KMPS-FM is a country music station based in Seattle, Washington. The CBS Radio outlet broadcasts at 94.1 MHz with its main transmitter operating at 69 kW effective radiated power and its three auxiliary transmitters operating at 57 kW, 55 kW and 53 kW ERP. All four of its transmitters are located...
, KRPM (then KCIN, now KBKS), or KYCW (now KJAQ
KJAQ
KJAQ is a commercial radio station located in Seattle, Washington. KJAQ airs an adult hits music format branded as "Jack FM".-History:...
). 1090 also carried the call letters KMPS-AM, and then KYCW-AM. The simulcasting stopped in 1999 and 1090 flipped to a locally programmed 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...
station. The station began broadcasting in AM Stereo in March 2001.
Beginning August 4, 2001, the station ran promos promoting a new format that advised listeners to "listen at their own risk". At 5 AM on Monday, August 6, the station flipped to hot talk as "Extreme Radio 1090" featuring Bob Rivers
Bob Rivers
Bob Rivers is a well-known American rock and roll radio on air personality in the Pacific Northwest as well as a prolific producer of parody songs, most famous for his Christmas song parodies....
' "Twisted Radio" in mornings (who was also simulcasted on KZOK-FM
KZOK-FM
KZOK-FM is a commercial radio station located in Seattle, Washington, broadcasting on 102.5 FM. It is owned by CBS Radio and airs a classic rock music format.-History:KZOK signed on in 1964 as KTW-FM and simulcasted KTW-AM...
), Opie & Anthony, Jim Rome
Jim Rome
Jim Rome is an American sports radio talk show host syndicated by Premiere Radio Networks, a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications....
, Ron and Fez
Ron and Fez
The Ron and Fez Show is an American radio talk show hosted by Ron Bennington and Fez "Marie" Whatley.After long popular runs in Tampa, Florida, New York City, and Washington, D.C., Ron and Fez are now heard on Sirius XM Radio's the Opie and Anthony Channel, located on XM channel 105, and Sirius...
, Don and Mike
Don and Mike
The Don and Mike Show was an American nationally syndicated radio talk show hosted by the shock jocks Don Geronimo and Mike O'Meara, which aired from December 1985 through April 2008, when Geronimo retired in order to focus on his personal life. After Geronimo's retirement, the remaining cast...
, and Phil Hendrie
Phil Hendrie
Philip Stephen Hendrie is an American radio personality. He is best known as the host of The Phil Hendrie Show, a comedy talk radio program that is syndicated throughout North America on Talk Radio Network...
. The station was also a Sporting News Radio
Sporting News Radio
Yahoo! Sports Radio, formerly Sporting News Radio is a United States sports radio network that broadcasts sports news, talk, scores, and highlights 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. On August 1, 2011, it was announced the network would change its name to Yahoo! Sports Radio, effective...
affiliate. The station's ratings were abyssmal, usually peaking at a 0.4 share. KYCW would return to classic country at 11 PM on May 19, 2002. The station's second version would include the return of personalites previously heard on the first incarnation of the format, including "Tall" Paul Fredericks from 5-9 AM, Mike Preston from 9-noon, PD Becky Brenner from Noon-3 PM, "Buffalo" Phil Harper from 3-7 PM, and Sheldon Smith from 7-Midnight. The station, however, still had low ratings, usually peaking at a 1.3.
On October 25, 2004, at Midnight, the station flipped to its current format and changed call letters to KPTK days later
. The station mostly ran programs from Air America Radio
Air America Radio
Air America was an American radio network specializing in progressive talk programming...
until its bankruptcy in 2010. The station was the flagship for The Ron Reagan Show
Ron Reagan
Ronald Prescott "Ron" Reagan sometimes known as Ronald Reagan, Jr., is a former talk radio host and chief political analyst for KIRO radio in Seattle until his show was canceled on August 8, 2007...
, which is hosted by the former president's son. The station also carries three local lifestyle programs on weekends, as well as Swirl Radio, a LGBT-targeted show on Saturday afternoons, and Community Matters, a public issues show hosted by Lee Callahan on Sunday afternoons.
Starting in 2011, KPTK has been the radio home of the Seattle Storm
Seattle Storm
The Seattle Storm is a professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association . The team was founded before the 2000 season began...
.
Events
- On June 10, 2006 KPTK sponsored a forum at Seattle Town Hall entitled, Changing the Media, Changing America. Air America RadioAir America RadioAir America was an American radio network specializing in progressive talk programming...
(and now MSNBCMSNBCMSNBC is a cable news channel based in the United States available in the US, Germany , South Africa, the Middle East and Canada...
) host Rachel MaddowRachel MaddowRachel Anne Maddow is an American television host and political commentator. Maddow hosts a nightly television show, The Rachel Maddow Show, on MSNBC. Her syndicated talk radio program, The Rachel Maddow Show, aired on Air America Radio...
moderated the event featuring other panelists Stephanie MillerStephanie MillerStephanie Catherine Miller is an American comedienne and host of The Stephanie Miller Show, a progressive talk radio program produced in Los Angeles and syndicated nationally by Dial Global. Talkers magazine ranked her as the 24th most important radio talk show host in America for 2010.-Early...
, Thom HartmannThom HartmannThom Hartmann is an American radio host, author, former psychotherapist and entrepreneur, and progressive political commentator. His nationally-syndicated radio show, The Thom Hartmann Program, airs in the United States and has 2.75 million listeners a week...
, Mike MalloyMike MalloyMichael Dennis Malloy is an American radio broadcaster from Atlanta, Georgia. Previously his show has been carried by WSB Atlanta, WLS Chicago, the I.E. America Radio Network, the Air America Radio network, Nova M Radio and the On Second Thought network. He is now self-syndicated...
, and Laura FlandersLaura FlandersLaura Flanders is a British-American journalist who presents the current events show GRITtv, broadcast weekdays on Link and Free Speech TV....
. VideoVideoVideo is the technology of electronically capturing, recording, processing, storing, transmitting, and reconstructing a sequence of still images representing scenes in motion.- History :...
of the event as well as an audio podcastPodcastA podcast is a series of digital media files that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication...
can be found at the station's website.