KVMX
Encyclopedia
KXJM is a commercial broadcast radio station
located in the Portland, Oregon
area and broadcasts at 107.5 FM. The transmitter is located in Portland's
west hills
; the studio is in downtown Portland
, and the license location is in Banks, Oregon
. They are the second station in Portland to use the call letters, which they acquired from its former home at 95.5, which is now KBFF. It is currently under ownership of Clear Channel Communications
.
Christian music format. In 1992 it became "Spirit FM 107.5" with the stated goal of playing Christian hit music 24/7, a first for the Portland market.
On October 1, 1996, the station changed ownership to American Radio Systems, which would later be bought out by Infinity Broadcasting, and then, CBS Radio
. The Christian format would be moved to AM 800, while 107.5 would have a new format. After stunting with all metal rock music for 24 hours as "107.5 The End", the station flipped to Modern AC and call letters to KBBT - The Beat at 107 dot 5, which was formerly on AM 970 (now KUFO). The station specialized in newer music, but by 1999, the station mixed in 1980's hits as well. On June 9, 2000, most of the on-air staff was fired, with exception of Cort Webber (of Cort and Fatboy fame) and Troy Daniels, and the station flipped to Mix 107.5 with a full blown '80s hits format and the KVMX call letters. In 2006, it shifted to a "Rock Hits" format focusing mostly on rock music from the 1980s, and picked up Bob Rivers
' syndicated morning show, which was based out of Seattle's KZOK-FM
.
format as "MOViN 107.5". The "MOViN'"
brand had previously been picked up by KQMV
/Seattle
, KMVN
/Los Angeles
, KYMV
/Salt Lake City
, KFRC
/San Francisco
, KMVK/Dallas
(Who, by the way, also had the same logo as KVMX due to both stations being at 107.5) and WMVN/St. Louis
.
It should also be noted that KVMX's PD, Lisa Adams (who would continue in the same position after KVMX's transition to Rhythmic Top 40 in May 2008), was KQMV's first PD the day it launched their "MOViN'" format in May 2006, and had been formally a DJ with KBBT.
announced that it would change the format of KXJM, "Jammin' 95.5", the market's first Rhythmic Contemporary
station, to all sports on May 12, 2008 as "95.5 The Game." The shift almost left Portland without a hip-hop-based station, and possibly without a home for "The Playhouse
".
But that would all change eight days later, when KVMX dropped the "MOViN'" format and became the all-new "JAMMiN' 107.5," Portland's newest Rhythmic Contemporary outlet. The transition began May 9, 2008, at 6 PM, when CBS Radio acquired the Rhythmic format, the website and the intellectual properties, including the popular morning show "The Playhouse" and the KXJM call letters, from Rose City. While they were making the changes, both KVMX and KXJM simulcasted via KXJM's web stream. When the transition was completed on May 12, 2008 at 10 AM (Pacific Time), the 107.5 frequency become the "new" "JAMMiN' 107-5" KXJM, "Portland's Hits & Hip-Hop" and the original KXJM became KXL-FM "95.5 The Game". "The Playhouse" simulcasted their show on both KVMX and KXJM on May 12, then kicked off Jammin' 107-5's new lineup on May 13, 2008. On May 27, 2008, the KVMX to KXJM call letter change was approved by the FCC
, while the original KXJM chose the new calls KXTG for their station (the sports format would move to 750 AM and 95.5 would become KBFF in May 2011).
While Portlanders have embraced the switch, there has been some criticism from others about the current KXJM's presentation, especially in the area of its music content and airstaff, which was a factor in the demise of its predecessor at 95.5 in their final years. The station was usually in the middle of the Arbitron ratings overall, although it was still favored well with its core audience of young adults and teens.
In December 2008, CBS Radio traded KXJM and KLTH
to Clear Channel Communications
in a five station exchange deal for Clear Channel's Houston outlets KLOL and KHMX. The deal was completed on April 1, 2009. KXJM currently co-exists with longtime rival Top 40 Mainstream station KKRZ
, who Clear Channel had operated prior to the transaction. Both stations continue to co-exist.
In December 2009, The Playhouse was dropped from the KXJM lineup. After this period, ratings for the station started to plummet.
" by Timbaland
, KXJM relaunched its Rhythmic CHR format as "WiLD 107.5" and adopted the slogan "Portland's Party Hits." Although they kept the KXJM calls intact, its logo is patterned after its sister station in San Francisco, KYLD. KXJM's first song as "WiLD 107.5" was "La La La
" by LMFAO
. The changes reflected the station's shift away from what had been a Hip-Hop/R&B-leaning direction to a more broader Rhythmic approach that includes Dance-pop
tracks, a move that has taken place at other Rhythmic outlets in the United States. All mix shows and syndicated shows except for Baka Boyz' Hip Hop Master Mix and Slow Jams with R. Dub were temporarily removed for a few weeks, but were later restored. The station also added Friday and Saturday Night live mixshow broadcasts from 9PM to 12 Midnight, along with a nightly mix from 9 to 10PM Monday through Thursday. Interestingly, the change from "JAMMiN'" to "WiLD" has paid off for KXJM, even with sister station KKRZ in the mix, as evidenced in its first Arbitron PPMs for September 2010, where its strength is among 18-34s. In the June 2011 PPMs, KXJM posted its best numbers among ratings and cumes in nearly four years since its move from the 95.5 signal (and giving the 107.5 signal its best success with this format), overtaking KKRZ as the most listened-to Top 40 outlet in Portland.
format, branded as "Rhythmix", with the same format as "MOViN" that was on this same frequency before its flip to Rhythmic Top 40 in May 2008.
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 the Portland, Oregon
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...
area and broadcasts at 107.5 FM. The transmitter is located in Portland's
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...
west hills
Tualatin Mountains
The Tualatin Mountains are a range of hills on the western border of Multnomah County, Oregon, United States...
; the studio is in downtown Portland
Downtown Portland
Downtown Portland, the city center of Portland, Oregon, United States, is located on the west bank of the Willamette River. It is in the northeastern corner of the southwest section of the city and is where most of the city's high-rise buildings are found....
, and the license location is in Banks, Oregon
Banks, Oregon
Banks is a city in Washington County, Oregon, United States. The population was 1,777 at the 2010 census. The community was named for settler Robert Banks and his father, John Banks.-Geography:...
. They are the second station in Portland to use the call letters, which they acquired from its former home at 95.5, which is now KBFF. It is currently under ownership of 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...
.
1990s
This station debuted on March 8, 1991 as KDBX broadcasting the K-LOVEK-LOVE
K-LOVE is a Contemporary Christian music radio programming service in the United States operated by the Educational Media Foundation. As of January 2011, K-LOVE's programming is carried on over 440 FM stations and translators in 45 states. K-LOVE claims an audience of 250,000 people each week via...
Christian music format. In 1992 it became "Spirit FM 107.5" with the stated goal of playing Christian hit music 24/7, a first for the Portland market.
On October 1, 1996, the station changed ownership to American Radio Systems, which would later be bought out by Infinity Broadcasting, and then, 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...
. The Christian format would be moved to AM 800, while 107.5 would have a new format. After stunting with all metal rock music for 24 hours as "107.5 The End", the station flipped to Modern AC and call letters to KBBT - The Beat at 107 dot 5, which was formerly on AM 970 (now KUFO). The station specialized in newer music, but by 1999, the station mixed in 1980's hits as well. On June 9, 2000, most of the on-air staff was fired, with exception of Cort Webber (of Cort and Fatboy fame) and Troy Daniels, and the station flipped to Mix 107.5 with a full blown '80s hits format and the KVMX call letters. In 2006, it shifted to a "Rock Hits" format focusing mostly on rock music from the 1980s, and picked up 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....
' syndicated morning show, which was based out of Seattle's 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...
.
Movin 107.5
On October 5, 2006, at 10 AM, immediately after Rivers' show, KVMX changed their format to a Rhythmic Hot ACRhythmic Adult Contemporary
Rhythmic adult contemporary is a format used on stations in the United States and Canada. It usually gears toward an older audience, ages 25 to 54. Stations using this format play disco from the 1970s and early 1980s, dance/pop music, adult-friendly hip hop/old school tracks, R&B, dance/freestyle...
format as "MOViN 107.5". The "MOViN'"
Movin' (brand)
"Movin'" is a brand name used for a variety of rhythmic AC and top 40 radio stations in numerous broadcast markets in the United States...
brand had previously been picked up by KQMV
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...
/Seattle
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...
, KMVN
KMVN-FM
KXOS is a Spanish AC station serving Los Angeles and the surrounding area. The station is owned by Emmis Communications and operated by Radio Centro, which owns several stations in Mexico....
/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...
, KYMV
KYMV
KYMV, "Rewind 100.7", is a 1980s-based contemporary radio station serving the Salt Lake Valley. The Simmons Media outlet broadcasts at 100.7 MHz with an ERP of 88Kw and is currently licensed to Woodruff, Utah...
/Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197...
, KFRC
KMVQ-FM
KMVQ-FM is a broadcast radio station in San Francisco, California in the United States. The station, known as "99-7 Now", broadcasts a Top 40 format with a Rhythmic lean....
/San Francisco
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
, KMVK/Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
(Who, by the way, also had the same logo as KVMX due to both stations being at 107.5) and WMVN/St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
.
It should also be noted that KVMX's PD, Lisa Adams (who would continue in the same position after KVMX's transition to Rhythmic Top 40 in May 2008), was KQMV's first PD the day it launched their "MOViN'" format in May 2006, and had been formally a DJ with KBBT.
JAMMiN' 107-5
On May 1, 2008, Rose City Radio CorporationRose City Radio Corporation
Rose City Radio Corporation was the owner of two radio stations in Portland, Oregon, NewsRadio 750 KXL and KXTG-FM 95.5 The Game, until those stations were sold to Alpha Broadcasting. Rose City also owns the Radio Northwest Network which airs programming on KXL to 17 affiliates throughout Oregon...
announced that it would change the format of KXJM, "Jammin' 95.5", the market's first 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...
station, to all sports on May 12, 2008 as "95.5 The Game." The shift almost left Portland without a hip-hop-based station, and possibly without a home for "The Playhouse
The Playhouse (radio show)
The Playhouse was a Portland, Oregon-based syndicated morning drive time radio show which debuted on February 12, 2000. It originally aired weekday mornings between 5-10am on then-flagship radio station KXJM , with the last four hours of the show being broadcast live online with fully produced...
".
But that would all change eight days later, when KVMX dropped the "MOViN'" format and became the all-new "JAMMiN' 107.5," Portland's newest Rhythmic Contemporary outlet. The transition began May 9, 2008, at 6 PM, when CBS Radio acquired the Rhythmic format, the website and the intellectual properties, including the popular morning show "The Playhouse" and the KXJM call letters, from Rose City. While they were making the changes, both KVMX and KXJM simulcasted via KXJM's web stream. When the transition was completed on May 12, 2008 at 10 AM (Pacific Time), the 107.5 frequency become the "new" "JAMMiN' 107-5" KXJM, "Portland's Hits & Hip-Hop" and the original KXJM became KXL-FM "95.5 The Game". "The Playhouse" simulcasted their show on both KVMX and KXJM on May 12, then kicked off Jammin' 107-5's new lineup on May 13, 2008. On May 27, 2008, the KVMX to KXJM call letter change was approved by the 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...
, while the original KXJM chose the new calls KXTG for their station (the sports format would move to 750 AM and 95.5 would become KBFF in May 2011).
While Portlanders have embraced the switch, there has been some criticism from others about the current KXJM's presentation, especially in the area of its music content and airstaff, which was a factor in the demise of its predecessor at 95.5 in their final years. The station was usually in the middle of the Arbitron ratings overall, although it was still favored well with its core audience of young adults and teens.
In December 2008, CBS Radio traded KXJM and KLTH
KLTH
KLTH is an Oldies/Classic Hits formatted radio station located in the Portland, Oregon, area and broadcasts at 106.7 FM. KLTH's studios are located in downtown Portland and its transmitter is located in Portland's west hills...
to 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...
in a five station exchange deal for Clear Channel's Houston outlets KLOL and KHMX. The deal was completed on April 1, 2009. KXJM currently co-exists with longtime rival Top 40 Mainstream station KKRZ
KKRZ
KKRZ is a commercial broadcast radio station in Portland, Oregon, also known as Z-100, broadcasts CHR music.-History:What is now KKRZ first signed on May, 7, 1946 as KGW-FM on 95.3 MHz and moved to 100.3 MHz on September 22, 1947...
, who Clear Channel had operated prior to the transaction. Both stations continue to co-exist.
In December 2009, The Playhouse was dropped from the KXJM lineup. After this period, ratings for the station started to plummet.
WiLD 107.5
On March 15, 2010, at 10 AM, after playing "Carry OutCarry Out
"Carry Out" is the third single from Timbaland's third album Shock Value II. The song was co-written by and features Justin Timberlake. Timbaland has said this is his favorite track on the album. "Carry Out" was also Timbaland's entrance music on the December 28 edition of WWE Raw, when Timbaland...
" by Timbaland
Timbaland
Timothy Zachery Mosley , better known by his stage name Timbaland, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper....
, KXJM relaunched its Rhythmic CHR format as "WiLD 107.5" and adopted the slogan "Portland's Party Hits." Although they kept the KXJM calls intact, its logo is patterned after its sister station in San Francisco, KYLD. KXJM's first song as "WiLD 107.5" was "La La La
La La La (LMFAO song)
"La La La" is a song performed by American electro recording duo LMFAO. It was released as the second single from the album Party Rock and first sent to airplay on September 8, 2009....
" by LMFAO
LMFAO (group)
LMFAO is an American electro pop duo consisting of rappers, producers, dancers, and DJs Redfoo and SkyBlu . The group formed in 2006 in Los Angeles, California. Redfoo is SkyBlu's uncle. Redfoo is also the son of music mogul Berry Gordy, SkyBlu a grandson...
. The changes reflected the station's shift away from what had been a Hip-Hop/R&B-leaning direction to a more broader Rhythmic approach that includes Dance-pop
Dance-pop
Dance-pop is dance-oriented pop music that originated in the early 1980s. Developing from post-disco, it is generally up-tempo music intended for clubs with the intention of being danceable or merely dancey...
tracks, a move that has taken place at other Rhythmic outlets in the United States. All mix shows and syndicated shows except for Baka Boyz' Hip Hop Master Mix and Slow Jams with R. Dub were temporarily removed for a few weeks, but were later restored. The station also added Friday and Saturday Night live mixshow broadcasts from 9PM to 12 Midnight, along with a nightly mix from 9 to 10PM Monday through Thursday. Interestingly, the change from "JAMMiN'" to "WiLD" has paid off for KXJM, even with sister station KKRZ in the mix, as evidenced in its first Arbitron PPMs for September 2010, where its strength is among 18-34s. In the June 2011 PPMs, KXJM posted its best numbers among ratings and cumes in nearly four years since its move from the 95.5 signal (and giving the 107.5 signal its best success with this format), overtaking KKRZ as the most listened-to Top 40 outlet in Portland.
KXJM-HD2
On June 3, 2010 KXJM-HD2 signed on with a rhythmic adult contemporaryRhythmic Adult Contemporary
Rhythmic adult contemporary is a format used on stations in the United States and Canada. It usually gears toward an older audience, ages 25 to 54. Stations using this format play disco from the 1970s and early 1980s, dance/pop music, adult-friendly hip hop/old school tracks, R&B, dance/freestyle...
format, branded as "Rhythmix", with the same format as "MOViN" that was on this same frequency before its flip to Rhythmic Top 40 in May 2008.