KTWV
Encyclopedia
KTWV is a commercial radio station
located in Los Angeles
, California
, broadcasting to the Los Angeles, Orange County
, Riverside
–San Bernardino
and Ventura County
areas on 94.7 FM
. KTWV airs a hybrid Smooth AC radio format branded as "94.7 The Wave". It is currently broadcasting Christmas music.
station owned by Metromedia
. Prior to KMET, the station was called KLAC-FM. The station's ratings were high until the early 1980s when it lost ground to the competition. Many observers believe the station's ratings struggles were in large part caused by embracing the advice of New York
music consultants and abandoning its identity as the "Soundtrack for Southern California." Specifically, it abandoned the spontaneity of having disc jockeys pick the music to be played on the air. Together with reduced advertising budgets, this resulted in significant ratings drops.
Metromedia sold its TV stations in 1986 and restructured and became known as Metropolitan Broadcasting. By the end of 1986, the rock format on KMET had very low ratings and as a result, the format would end on February 14, 1987.
The station changed to a New Age Music/Soft Rock/Contemporary Jazz format with the nickname "The Wave," with initial focus primarily on non-vocal new age music
. During the Wave's new age music period, management told the station employees to refer to The Wave as a "mood service" rather than a "radio station". For the first 19th months there were no live Disc Jockeys, instead "vignettes" done by actors, reflecting everyday occurrences. Ratings were weak and John Sebastian was hired as the new Program Director. On September 19th, 1988 live jocks were back. John hired Don Burns, Talaya Trigueros, Keri Tombazian, Amy Hiatt and China Smith.
Over the years, the station moved to more of a Smooth jazz
sound. Today, the station is still called "The Wave" and plays a mix of smooth jazz, soft R&B hits, AC songs, and some softer rock hits.
The Wave is often regarded as the first NAC station in the United States. But some media writers disagree, preferring to award that title to KLRS (Colors) in Santa Cruz, CA. KLRS went on the air one month after The Wave, but was the first station in North America to play a true New Age music format, continuing to do so until its demise in 1990.
The era of The Wave has the distinction of being the only time legendary disc jockey J.J. Jackson has ever worked at the station. Jackson was a veteran of then-rival rock station KLOS
(while The Wave was still rocker KMET) for ten years, before becoming one of the original "VJ's" (video jockeys) on MTV
when the channel debuted in 1981. Jackson was a DJ for a brief time at The Wave in 2004.
KTWV is currently owned by CBS Radio
and located in the largest market with a Smooth Jazz station, thanks to the recent demises of WQCD in New York City
and WNUA
in Chicago (although the format returned to the Chicago airwaves via a new station at 87.7 FM/Channel 6, WLFM-LP
"87.7 The L"). It is also the last CBS Radio-owned Smooth Jazz-formatted radio station still in operation (WSJT
in the Tampa Bay Area
was the other, but it flipped on August 31st). However, the station has eliminated the term "Smooth Jazz" from its on-air positioning and added more Urban AC and soft-rock vocals and instrumental covers to its music mix (see below).
When competitor Citadel Broadcasting
switched WJZW Smooth Jazz format to oldies, CBS Radio began running ads promoting KTWV's streaming audio on CBS owned stations in the area such as WJFK-FM
. There is a Canadian radio station that is named after KTWV's format see CIWV-FM
. It is also called 94.7 the Wave.
, made immediate changes to KTWV's format, increasing the amount of R&B and soft-pop vocals in the station's playlist and reducing the number of smooth jazz instrumentals played (with most of the remaining instrumentals being cover versions of pop hits). In addition, all references to the term "smooth jazz" have been eliminated from the station's web site and on-air positioning, as the station has been reformatted to become a direct competitor to Kaye's former station, KOST.
As of May 28, 2010, longtime on-air personality Don Burns is no longer heard afternoons every weekday. His show had been voice-tracked, the station says Burns will be replaced with a new and local host.
KTWV's morning program, "The Wave Morning Show with Pat & Kim", is hosted by Pat Prescott and Kim Amidon. Kim, a former morning DJ at adult contemporary station KOST, replaced departing host and musician Brian McKnight
as of the summer of 2010. (In turn, McKnight's predecessor on The Wave's morning show was saxophonist Dave Koz
, who has a successful syndicated radio show of his own). Prescott has co-hosted the morning program since 2001.
As of September 15, 2010, KTWV launched "Wave Classics", an HD Radio
format featuring older smooth jazz instrumentals no longer heard on the main station, on its digital HD2 sub-channel. As a result, the FM simulcast of sister station KNX
was moved from HD2 to HD3, ending the Los Angeles simulcast of another sister station, country-formatted KFRG in Riverside, California
.
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...
located in 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...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, broadcasting to the Los Angeles, Orange County
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
, Riverside
Riverside, California
Riverside is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, and the county seat of the eponymous county. Named for its location beside the Santa Ana River, it is the largest city in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area of Southern California, 4th largest inland California...
–San Bernardino
San Bernardino, California
San Bernardino is a city located in the Riverside-San Bernardino metropolitan area , and serves as the county seat of San Bernardino County, California, United States...
and Ventura County
Ventura County, California
Ventura County is a county in the southern part of the U.S. state of California. It is located on California's Pacific coast. It is often referred to as the Gold Coast, and has a reputation of being one of the safest populated places and one of the most affluent places in the country...
areas on 94.7 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"...
. KTWV airs a hybrid Smooth AC radio format branded as "94.7 The Wave". It is currently broadcasting Christmas music.
History
From the late 1960s until 1987, the 94.7 frequency was home of KMET, a very popular album-oriented rockAlbum-oriented rock
Album-oriented rock is an American FM radio format focusing on album tracks by rock artists.-Music played:Most radio formats are based on a select, tight rotation of hit singles...
station owned by Metromedia
Metromedia
Metromedia was a media company that owned radio and television stations in the United States from 1956 to 1986 and owned Orion Pictures from 1986-1997.- Overview :...
. Prior to KMET, the station was called KLAC-FM. The station's ratings were high until the early 1980s when it lost ground to the competition. Many observers believe the station's ratings struggles were in large part caused by embracing the advice of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
music consultants and abandoning its identity as the "Soundtrack for Southern California." Specifically, it abandoned the spontaneity of having disc jockeys pick the music to be played on the air. Together with reduced advertising budgets, this resulted in significant ratings drops.
Metromedia sold its TV stations in 1986 and restructured and became known as Metropolitan Broadcasting. By the end of 1986, the rock format on KMET had very low ratings and as a result, the format would end on February 14, 1987.
The station changed to a New Age Music/Soft Rock/Contemporary Jazz format with the nickname "The Wave," with initial focus primarily on non-vocal new age music
New Age music
New Age music is music of various styles intended to create artistic inspiration, relaxation, and optimism. It is used by listeners for yoga, massage, meditation, and reading as a method of stress management or to create a peaceful atmosphere in their home or other environments, and is often...
. During the Wave's new age music period, management told the station employees to refer to The Wave as a "mood service" rather than a "radio station". For the first 19th months there were no live Disc Jockeys, instead "vignettes" done by actors, reflecting everyday occurrences. Ratings were weak and John Sebastian was hired as the new Program Director. On September 19th, 1988 live jocks were back. John hired Don Burns, Talaya Trigueros, Keri Tombazian, Amy Hiatt and China Smith.
Over the years, the station moved to more of a Smooth jazz
Smooth jazz
Smooth jazz is a genre of music that grew out of jazz fusion and is influenced by R&B, funk, rock, and pop music styles ....
sound. Today, the station is still called "The Wave" and plays a mix of smooth jazz, soft R&B hits, AC songs, and some softer rock hits.
The Wave is often regarded as the first NAC station in the United States. But some media writers disagree, preferring to award that title to KLRS (Colors) in Santa Cruz, CA. KLRS went on the air one month after The Wave, but was the first station in North America to play a true New Age music format, continuing to do so until its demise in 1990.
The era of The Wave has the distinction of being the only time legendary disc jockey J.J. Jackson has ever worked at the station. Jackson was a veteran of then-rival rock station KLOS
KLOS
KLOS is an FM rock music radio station based in Los Angeles, California, that debuted in 1969. The station is owned by Cumulus Media. It is home to the nationally broadcast Mark & Brian radio show, and Off The Record host Uncle Joe Benson.-History:...
(while The Wave was still rocker KMET) for ten years, before becoming one of the original "VJ's" (video jockeys) on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
when the channel debuted in 1981. Jackson was a DJ for a brief time at The Wave in 2004.
KTWV is currently owned by CBS Radio
CBS Radio
CBS Radio, Inc., formerly known as Infinity Broadcasting Corporation, is one of the largest owners and operators of radio stations in the United States, third behind main rival Clear Channel Communications and Cumulus Media. CBS Radio owns around 130 radio stations across the country...
and located in the largest market with a Smooth Jazz station, thanks to the recent demises of WQCD in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and WNUA
WNUA
WNUA is a Spanish Pop radio station located in Chicago, Illinois, owned and operated by Clear Channel Communications and branded as Mega 95.5.-History:...
in Chicago (although the format returned to the Chicago airwaves via a new station at 87.7 FM/Channel 6, WLFM-LP
WLFM-LP
WLFM-LP is a local, low-power television station on channel 6 serving the Chicago area, licensed to Rochelle, Illinois even though its signal doesn't reach its city of license. It was previously affiliated with MTV Tr3s before being used to transmit a smooth jazz radio format, taking advantage of...
"87.7 The L"). It is also the last CBS Radio-owned Smooth Jazz-formatted radio station still in operation (WSJT
WSJT
WSJT is a Tampa Bay area radio station that broadcasts Hot AC, more specifically, Adult CHR on 98.7 FM. The station, owned by CBS Radio, is licensed in Holmes Beach, Florida, with studios in St. Petersburg and transmitting facilities in Seminole...
in the Tampa Bay Area
Tampa Bay Area
The Tampa Bay Area is the region of west central Florida adjacent to Tampa Bay. Definitions of the region vary. It is often considered equivalent to the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater Metropolitan Statistical Area defined by the United States Census Bureau. The Census Bureau currently...
was the other, but it flipped on August 31st). However, the station has eliminated the term "Smooth Jazz" from its on-air positioning and added more Urban AC and soft-rock vocals and instrumental covers to its music mix (see below).
When competitor Citadel Broadcasting
Citadel Broadcasting
Citadel Broadcasting Corporation was a Las Vegas, Nevada-based broadcast holding company. Citadel owned 243 radio stations across the United States and was the third-largest radio station owner in the country...
switched WJZW Smooth Jazz format to oldies, CBS Radio began running ads promoting KTWV's streaming audio on CBS owned stations in the area such as WJFK-FM
WJFK-FM
WJFK-FM, known on-air as 106.7 The Fan, is a sports radio-formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Manassas, Virginia, serving the metro Washington DC area...
. There is a Canadian radio station that is named after KTWV's format see CIWV-FM
CIWV-FM
CHKX-FM is a Canadian radio station, broadcasting at 94.7 FM from Hamilton, Ontario and licensed to "Hamilton/Burlington." The station airs a country music format branded as KX 94.7...
. It is also called 94.7 the Wave.
Recent Changes
In February 2010, veteran Los Angeles programmer Jhani Kaye, who also programs Classic Hits-formatted sister station KRTH, took over programming of KTWV from the departed Paul Goldstein. Kaye, who previously programmed crosstown mainstream AC competitor KOSTKOST
KOST is a radio station licensed to Los Angeles, California, with an adult contemporary musical format. It is one of three adult contemporary formatted radio station in the Los Angeles/Orange County area, the others being sister station KBIG and CBS-owned KTWV...
, made immediate changes to KTWV's format, increasing the amount of R&B and soft-pop vocals in the station's playlist and reducing the number of smooth jazz instrumentals played (with most of the remaining instrumentals being cover versions of pop hits). In addition, all references to the term "smooth jazz" have been eliminated from the station's web site and on-air positioning, as the station has been reformatted to become a direct competitor to Kaye's former station, KOST.
As of May 28, 2010, longtime on-air personality Don Burns is no longer heard afternoons every weekday. His show had been voice-tracked, the station says Burns will be replaced with a new and local host.
KTWV's morning program, "The Wave Morning Show with Pat & Kim", is hosted by Pat Prescott and Kim Amidon. Kim, a former morning DJ at adult contemporary station KOST, replaced departing host and musician Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, producer, and R&B/Pop musician. He is a multi-instrumentalist who plays nine instruments: piano, guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussions, trombone, tuba, flugelhorn and trumpet....
as of the summer of 2010. (In turn, McKnight's predecessor on The Wave's morning show was saxophonist Dave Koz
Dave Koz
Dave Koz is an American smooth jazz saxophonist.- Life and career :Dave Koz was born on March 27, 1963 in Encino, California....
, who has a successful syndicated radio show of his own). Prescott has co-hosted the morning program since 2001.
As of September 15, 2010, KTWV launched "Wave Classics", an HD Radio
HD 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...
format featuring older smooth jazz instrumentals no longer heard on the main station, on its digital HD2 sub-channel. As a result, the FM simulcast of sister station KNX
KNX (AM)
KNX is an all-news radio station in Los Angeles, California, USA. The station operates on a clear channel and is owned by CBS Radio. KNX broadcasts from facilities shared with sister stations KFWB, KCBS-FM, KTWV, and KAMP on Los Angeles' Miracle Mile...
was moved from HD2 to HD3, ending the Los Angeles simulcast of another sister station, country-formatted KFRG in Riverside, California
Riverside, California
Riverside is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, and the county seat of the eponymous county. Named for its location beside the Santa Ana River, it is the largest city in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area of Southern California, 4th largest inland California...
.