KSTZ
Encyclopedia
KSTZ, known as "Star 102.5," is an FM
radio station based in Des Moines, Iowa
. The station plays Hot Adult Contemporary music. KSTZ is part of Saga Communications
' Des Moines Radio Group, along with KPSZ
, KRNT, KAZR, KIOA
, and KLTI-FM
.
. In 1974 the station became KRNQ, "Q-102"; that year, Cowles sold KRNQ and KRNT (AM) to Stauffer Communications of Topeka, Kansas
. The two stations were sold to Saga Communications in August 1988. KRNQ was originally an automated
Top 40 station, but in 1984, the station began using local personalities. By the end of the 1980s, KRNQ was at or near the top of the local Arbitron
ratings.
In 1991, due to Saga's decision to reach older listeners, what was known as Q102 with a contemporary hit radio
format changed to a Hot Adult Contemporary format and was known as "Q102/KRNQ Today's Hits and Yesterday's Favorites". Q102/KRNQ promised to play no rap (even though it was rarely played on the station after Saga's purchase in 1988) or hard rock
, both of which were very much a part of popular music at the time. This format change left Des Moines with no contemporary hit radio
for nine years, until KKDM
's flip from Alternative
to Top 40/CHR in 1999. KRNQ became KSTZ on June 25, 1993. (The KRNQ
call letters are now used for a station in Keokuk, Iowa
.)
When the station reimaged itself to adult contemporary in 1993, the positioning statement the station used was "Superstars of the 70s 80s and 90s" (with the 'STZ' in the call letters forming an abbreviation for 'stars'). The station later switched to "The Best Variety of the 80s, 90s and Today". In 2001, the station began using the current positioning statement of "Today's Best Variety" with a Hot AC format. With KKDM becoming more of a factor since its 1999 debut, KSTZ has adjusted their playlist and adopted a Adult Top 40 direction by adding a limited amount of rhythmic
and rap with artists such Rihanna
and The Black Eyed Peas
to the mix. In addition, KSTZ also has competition with KKDM's sister station KPTL
, who has adjusted their direction from Adult Album Alternative
to Modern AC.
Frequency modulation
In telecommunications and signal processing, frequency modulation conveys information over a carrier wave by varying its instantaneous frequency. This contrasts with amplitude modulation, in which the amplitude of the carrier is varied while its frequency remains constant...
radio station based in Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
. The station plays Hot Adult Contemporary music. KSTZ is part of Saga Communications
Saga Communications
Saga Communications is a broadcasting company that owns and operates stations in 26 markets in the United States. The company, which is based in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, primarily operates radio stations , but it also operates 9 television stations Saga Communications is a broadcasting...
' Des Moines Radio Group, along with KPSZ
KPSZ
KPSZ, "Praise 940", is an Christian radio station serving the Des Moines, Iowa, area. It is located at 940 on the AM dial. The station's studios are located at 1416 Locust Street in Des Moines along with Saga Communications' other Des Moines stations .-The Independent Years: 1948-1957:KIOA signed...
, KRNT, KAZR, KIOA
KIOA
KIOA, "93.3 KIOA," is a classic hits radio station serving the Des Moines, Iowa, area. It is located at 93.3 on the FM dial. The station's studios are located at 1416 Locust Street in Des Moines along with Saga Communications' other Des Moines stations .-KWDM-Part 2:The 93.3 frequency got its...
, and KLTI-FM
KLTI-FM
KLTI-FM is an American radio station broadcasting an adult contemporary music format. Licensed to Ames, Iowa, USA, the station serves the Des Moines area...
.
History
KRNT-FM signed on in 1970 under the ownership of the Cowles family, publishers of the Des Moines RegisterDes Moines Register
The Des Moines Register is the daily morning newspaper of Des Moines, Iowa, in the United States. A separate edition of the Register is sold throughout much of Iowa.-History:...
. In 1974 the station became KRNQ, "Q-102"; that year, Cowles sold KRNQ and KRNT (AM) to Stauffer Communications of Topeka, Kansas
Topeka, Kansas
Topeka |Kansa]]: Tó Pee Kuh) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Shawnee County. It is situated along the Kansas River in the central part of Shawnee County, located in northeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was...
. The two stations were sold to Saga Communications in August 1988. KRNQ was originally an automated
Automation
Automation is the use of control systems and information technologies to reduce the need for human work in the production of goods and services. In the scope of industrialization, automation is a step beyond mechanization...
Top 40 station, but in 1984, the station began using local personalities. By the end of the 1980s, KRNQ was at or near the top of the local 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...
ratings.
In 1991, due to Saga's decision to reach older listeners, what was known as Q102 with a 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 changed to a Hot Adult Contemporary format and was known as "Q102/KRNQ Today's Hits and Yesterday's Favorites". Q102/KRNQ promised to play no rap (even though it was rarely played on the station after Saga's purchase in 1988) or hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
, both of which were very much a part of popular music at the time. This format change left Des Moines with no 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...
for nine years, until KKDM
KKDM
KKDM is a contemporary hit radio station based in Des Moines, Iowa. The station is owned by Clear Channel Communications.-History:KKDM was established by local businessman Rich Eychaner as Midwest Radio, Inc...
's flip from Alternative
Modern rock
Modern rock is a rock format commonly found on commercial radio; the format consists primarily of the alternative rock genre...
to Top 40/CHR in 1999. KRNQ became KSTZ on June 25, 1993. (The KRNQ
KRNQ
KRNQ is an American radio station broadcasting a classic rock format. Licensed to Keokuk, Iowa, USA, the station is currently owned by Volunteer Broadcasting of Illinois, Inc.-External links:*...
call letters are now used for a station in Keokuk, Iowa
Keokuk, Iowa
Keokuk is a city in the southeastern part of the U.S. state of Iowa and one of the county seats of Lee County. The other county seat is Fort Madison. The population was 11,427 at the 2000 census. The city is named after the Sauk Chief Keokuk, who is thought to be buried in Rand Park...
.)
When the station reimaged itself to adult contemporary in 1993, the positioning statement the station used was "Superstars of the 70s 80s and 90s" (with the 'STZ' in the call letters forming an abbreviation for 'stars'). The station later switched to "The Best Variety of the 80s, 90s and Today". In 2001, the station began using the current positioning statement of "Today's Best Variety" with a Hot AC format. With KKDM becoming more of a factor since its 1999 debut, KSTZ has adjusted their playlist and adopted a Adult Top 40 direction by adding a limited amount of rhythmic
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...
and rap with artists such Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
and The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas are an American pop group , formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995. The group includes rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, and singer Fergie. Since the release of their third album Elephunk in 2003, the group has sold an estimated 56 million records worldwide...
to the mix. In addition, KSTZ also has competition with KKDM's sister station KPTL
KPTL
KPTL, "Capital 106.3," is a Modern Adult Contemporary radio station serving the Des Moines, Iowa, area. It is located at 106.3 on the FM dial. The station's studios are located at 2141 Grand Avenue in Des Moines along with Clear Channel Communications' other Des Moines stations .-KANY/KJJY: The...
, who has adjusted their direction from Adult Album Alternative
Adult album alternative
Adult album alternative is a radio format. A spinoff from the album-oriented rock format, its roots trace to the 1960s and 1970s from the earlier freeform and progressive formats....
to Modern AC.
On-air staff and programming
KSTZ's current morning show is the Big Ken & Colleen show with Ken Auge and Colleen Kelly, along with "Producer Kurt" Van Auken. Other current hosts (as of 2010) include Karess Carter, Jimmy Wright, and Luke Matthews.Big Ken & Colleen in the Morning
The Big Ken & Colleen show includes some regular segments that occur each week.- Hollywood Trash - Each morning Colleen gives the listeners "the scoop" on their favorite celebrities.
- The Ladies Room - Each Thursday morning, Colleen asks a question of the female listeners who then call in to discuss it. The premise is that it's just the ladies, no Ken and no Kurt.