After more than three days of airing a continuous mechanized countdown, Salt Lake radio station KISN (FM-97.1) started its new format Tuesday morning — adult top-40 music.
The station is now nicknamed "KISS-FM" and will play continuous music (plus plenty of self-promotion ads) for another week before its DJs premiere and regular commercials begin. "We want to fully establish the music before we have live DJs," said Stuart Stanek, Salt Lake vice president and general manager of Clear Channel, which owns FM-97.1.
The station is planning to keep its morning show with "Rockett" and Erica Hansen, plus its afternoon DJ Brian Foxx. Otherwise, it will have some new DJs. The morning show could also be renamed.
The new format is based on local research of what listeners wanted in a station. Stanek said the format is without rap and hard-rock music, and is geared for adults 25-44, with a special emphasis on women, ages 25-34.
Even though Clear Channel uses the registered name "KISS-FM" at many other stations across the country, Stanek said the Salt Lake staff went to the corporate managers with the idea of basing the music to be played strictly on local research. "We think it sounds pretty cool," he said, explaining that most Clear Channel "KISS" stations are targeted for a younger audience than the one here.
The KISN call letters remain the same, but Stanek believes the new format will take the station's ratings back to its heyday of 10 years ago. He said too many Salt Lake stations play 1980s music now, and that's a major difference in the new format vs. its former " '80s and more" style.
"Get This Party Started" by Pink was the new station's opening song. "Unbelievable," by EMF followed. The station had suspended its former format to begin its countdown toward the new style.
KISN has had a ratings decline in recent years and last summer ranked 20th among the age 12-plus audience with a 2.2 percent audience share and 13th among listeners ages 25-54, with a 3.0 percent share. Its morning team, "Rockett and Erica," was recently ranked seventh-most-popular among young adult listeners.
MORE RADIO NEWS — One lucky winner and a guest will enjoy a trip for two to San Diego and Super Bowl XXXVII, compliments of Simmons Media Group radio station, KZNS (AM-1280). For a chance to win, listeners must tune into "The Sports Zone" weekdays and be the 100th caller at 8:10 a.m. or 5:10 p.m. to qualify for the final drawing. On Jan. 23, Craig Bolerjack and Gordon Monson will announce the winner of the Sports Zone Super Bowl Flyaway to Super Bowl XXXVII during their regular show at 5:10 p.m.
CORRECTION — KARB-FM is not from Tremonton as erroneously reported here. It is actually a station from Price at FM-98.3 that has newly been included in Arbitron's latest diaries.
E-MAIL: lynn@desnews.com