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{{Short description|Adult contemporary radio station in Kansas City}}
⚫ {{Infobox Radio Station |
{{For|the ICAO code listing|Grand Marais/Cook County Airport}}
image = ]|
⚫ {{Infobox radio station
⚫ name = KCKC|
city = ]| | logo = KC 102.1 KCKC logo.png
| logo_size = 200px
⚫ area = ]|
⚫ | name = KCKC
branding = |
| city = ]
slogan = |
| country = US
⚫ airdate = 1961 (as WDAF-FM)|
⚫ | area = ]
frequency = 102.1 ] {{HD Radio}}|
| branding = ''KC 102.1''
format = ] |
erp = 100,000 ]s| | frequency = 102.1 ]
⚫ | airdate = ] (as WDAF-FM)
haat = 341 meters|
class = C0| | format = ]
| erp = 100,000 ]s
⚫ facility_id = 11279|
| haat = {{convert|341|m|sp=us}}
⚫ callsign_meaning = '''K'''ansas '''C'''ity (x2)|
| class = C0
⚫ former_callsigns = WDAF-FM (1961-1974)<br>KYYS (1974-1998)<br>KOZN (1998-1999)<br>KSRC (1999-2006)|
⚫ | facility_id = 11279
owner = Wilks Broadcasting|
| licensing_authority = ]
webcast = |
⚫ | callsign_meaning = Kansas City repeated
⚫ website = |
⚫ | former_callsigns = {{ubl|WDAF-FM (1961–1974)|KYYS (1974–1998)|KOZN (1998–1999)|KSRC (1999–2006)}}
| owner = Steel City Media
| licensee = MGTF Media Company, LLC
| sister_stations = ], ], ]
| webcast = {{listenlive|http://listen.streamon.fm/kckc}}
⚫ | website = {{URL|http://www.kc1021.com}}
}} }}

'''KCKC''' is a radio station based in ] that operates at 102.1&nbsp;MHz with an ERP of 100&nbsp;kW. The station is licensed to and operated by ]. Its transmitter is located in ]. The station is currently stunting. '''KCKC''' (102.1 ]) is an ] ] based in ], that operates with an ERP of 100&nbsp;kW. It is licensed to and operated by Steel City Media. The studios are at Westport Center in Midtown Kansas City and the transmitter is in ].


==History== ==History==
===Early years; WDAF-FM=== ===Early years===
The station first signed on in 1948 as a simulcast for ]. Cook Paint and Varnish Company owned the station. Transcontinent TV signed on '''WDAF-FM''' on March 5, 1961, as a simulcast partner to the AM station (now ] and owned by ]). WDAF-FM was an NBC affiliate, with 36,000 watts of power. Taft Broadcasting took over in 1964. The first station on the frequency, WHB-FM, signed on in 1948 as a simulcast for ]. Cook Paint and Varnish Company owned the station. This would only last for about two years, as FM radio was still in its infancy. The company turned in the license in 1950.


Transcontinent Television signed on WDAF-FM on March 5, 1961, as a simulcast partner to the similarly-called ]. WDAF-FM was an NBC affiliate, with 36,000 watts of power. ] purchased the WDAF stations in 1964.
⚫ In 1967, WDAF-FM flipped to Top 40. The new format aired in afternoons and nights, while maintaining a simulcast with the AM station in the morning and midday. The FM started a ] format on January 15, 1968, referring to themselves as "Popular 102". The station upgraded to 100,000 watts on New Year's Day, 1971. Also that year, WDAF-FM flipped to ], the first time an FM station in Kansas City has attempted at the format. It began with ]'s syndicated "History of Rock and Roll". Drake didn't actually call it oldies; they referred to the automated programming as "Vintage Top 40". WDAF-FM returned to Top 40 just 4 months later in May 1971. By 1974, WDAF-FM was leaning middle of the road again, and completely automated.


⚫ In 1967, WDAF-FM departed from the AM simulcast in afternoons and evenings with a top 40 format. The FM then moved to ] on January 15, 1968, referring to themselves as "Popular 102". The station upgraded to 100,000 watts on New Year's Day, 1971. Also that year, WDAF-FM flipped to ], the first time an FM station in Kansas City has attempted at the format. It began with ]'s syndicated "History of Rock and Roll". Drake didn't actually call it oldies; they referred to the automated programming as "Vintage Top 40". WDAF-FM returned to Top 40 just 4 months later in May 1971. By 1974, WDAF-FM was leaning middle of the road again, and completely automated.
⚫ ===KYYS===
⚫ On July 1, 1974, one of Kansas City's legendary radio stations signed on, when WDAF-FM flipped to ], branded as "KY 102", and changed call letters to '''KYYS''' (the "KY" in the slogan refers to the first and last letters in "Kansas City"). The first song on "KY" was "]" by ]. KYYS became the most successful AOR station in Kansas City, hitting #1 in the ratings in 1979 when acts like ], ], ], ], ] and ] were popular, along with legendary personality Max Floyd's anti-disco speeches under the name "The Rock and Roll Army". KYYS expanded and contracted the playlist over the years as the music dictated, sometimes leaning heavy on gold material, and sometimes being more adventurous with new music, but for many years, the station went without meaningful competition. Many of the personalities spent a long time at the station, including a couple who were on the air the day the format started in 1974, and the day it ended in 1997. Great American Broadcasting (later ]) bought the station in 1987.


⚫ ===KY 102===
⚫ KYYS, for a time, competed with ], ] or ] (all located at 106.5 FM, now the current incarnation of ]). However, in April 1992, when ] flipped from ] to ] as KQRC, this began the end of KY's long dominance in the ratings, as that station took away many listeners with new hard and modern rock that KYYS generally ignored. When the station finally started playing acts such as ] and ], it was too late, and their ratings never recovered. The station also tended to ignore playing ] and similar heavy metal bands. By 1997, KYYS leaned very heavily on new music, playing as much of it as they could. However, this could not prevent the inevitable from happening.
⚫ On July 1, 1974, one of Kansas City's legendary radio stations signed on, when WDAF-FM flipped to ], branded as "KY 102", and changed call sign to KYYS (the "KY" in the slogan refers to the first and last sign in "Kansas City"). The first (and ultimately, last) song on "KY 102" was "]" by ]. KYYS became the most successful AOR station in Kansas City, hitting #1 in the ratings in 1979 when acts like ], ], ], ], ] and ] were popular, along with legendary personality Max Floyd's anti-disco speeches under the name "The Rock and Roll Army." KYYS expanded and contracted the playlist over the years as the music dictated, sometimes leaning heavily on gold material, and sometimes being more adventurous with new music. For many years, the station went without meaningful competition. Many of the personalities spent a long time at the station, including Max Floyd, who was on the air the day the format started in 1974, and the day it ended in 1997. Great American Broadcasting (later ]) bought the station in 1987.


⚫ KYYS, for a time, competed with ], ] or ] (all located on 106.5 FM, now the current incarnation of ]). In April 1992, ] flipped from ] to ] as KQRC. This began the end of KY's long dominance in the ratings, as KQRC took away many listeners with new hard and modern rock that KYYS generally ignored. When KY finally started playing acts such as ] and ], it was too late, and their ratings never recovered. The station also tended to avoid playing ] and similar heavy metal bands. By 1997, KYYS leaned very heavily on new music, playing as much of it as they could from artists like ], ], ], and ].
===Death of KY; debut of The Zone===
In late 1996, after the passage of the sweeping ], Citicasters was merged with ]. The same day the merger took place, the station was sold off to American Radio Systems. On September 19, 1997, at Midnight, after playing "Too Many People" (KY's first song), KYYS flipped to the popular format at the time, ], branded as "102.1 The Zone." The first song on "The Zone" was "]" by ]. KYYS' staff barely had a chance to set up the final hour of music and to say goodbye to listeners. (In fact, the official goodbye came a couple weeks after the format change, when KYYS staff members held a midday interview simulcast on KQRC and ] (then owned by the same company.) On January 16, 1998, the station's call letters changed to '''KOZN'''. The station's ratings plummeted even further, as the station's playlist sounded exactly like sister station ], which airs a ] format that, at the time, leaned heavily on ]. In addition, KYYS was revived on former AC station ] about a month after 102.1's flip, this time as a ] station featuring many of KY's earlier personalities.


⚫ ===The Zone===
⚫ American Radio Systems would merge with ] in 1998. Infinity became ] in December 2005.
In September 1996, after the passage of the sweeping ], Citicasters merged with ].<ref>"Radio deal gets antitrust approval", ''The Kansas City Star'', August 6, 1996.</ref><ref>"Ownership change OK'd for two KC radio stations", ''The Kansas City Star'', September 24, 1996.</ref><ref>Brian McTavish, "Two KC stations to be sold", ''The Kansas City Star'', October 10, 1996.</ref> In June 1997, KYYS was sold off to ], and then to ]/] in September (their AM sister station, WDAF, would be sold to Entercom in October).<ref>Brian McTavish, "Firm vies for bigger KC role", ''The Kansas City Star'', June 20, 1997.</ref><ref>Hearne Christopher, Jr. and Randolph Heaster, "Radio stations to be acquired", ''The Kansas City Star'', July 19, 1997.</ref> On September 19, 1997, at 12:01{{nbsp}}a.m., KYYS flipped to ], branded as "102.1 The Zone".<ref> {{dead link|date=August 2023}}</ref><ref>Brian McTavish and Aaron Barnhart, "KYYS says goodbye to old radio format", ''The Kansas City Star'', September 20, 1997.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0jZ2_xm_Ac|title=KY102 farewell on 101 the FOX|access-date=August 29, 2023|via=www.youtube.com}}</ref> The first song on "The Zone" was "]" by ]. KYYS' staff barely had a chance to set up the final hour of music and to say goodbye to listeners; in addition, the airstaff was let go barely an hour before the change. (In fact, the official goodbye came a week after the format change, when KYYS staff members held a midday interview simulcast on KQRC and ], which were then owned by the same company).<ref>Hearne Christopher, Jr., "Last hurrah", ''The Kansas City Star'', September 23, 1997.</ref><ref>Brian McTavish, "The Rock and The Fox graciously let KY say goodbye", ''The Kansas City Star'', September 26, 1997.</ref> On January 16, 1998, the station's call sign changed to KOZN. The station's ratings plummeted even further, as the station's playlist sounded quite similar to sister station ], which airs a ] format that, at the time, leaned heavily on ]. In addition, KYYS was revived on former adult contemporary station ] about a month after 102.1's flip, this time as a ] station featuring many of KY's earlier personalities. (Since June 2020, ] in ] has broadcast a classic rock format using the "KY 102" branding).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/188757/heritage-ky102-brand-comes-to-st-joseph-mo/ | title=Heritage KY102 Brand Comes to St. Joseph MO | date=June 16, 2020}}</ref>

⚫ In June 1998, CBS split off the radio division under the revived ] name, which would be renamed ] in December 2005.


===Star 102=== ===Star 102===
On January 4, 1999, at 5{{nbsp}}p.m., after playing "]" by ], KOZN began ] with ocean sounds, as well as liners redirecting listeners to KMXV, and to listen at 9&nbsp;a.m. the following day for something new on 102.1. At the promised time, KOZN flipped to ], branded as "Star 102”, under new Program Director Jon Zellner (who continued to program KMXV). The first song on "Star" was "]" by ].<ref>"Round and round KC radio stations' formats", ''The Kansas City Star'', January 6, 1999.</ref><ref>"KC radio scene left with...no alternatives; Ratings weren't high enough to support teen-friendly formats", ''The Kansas City Star'', February 5, 1999.</ref> On February 1, KOZN changed their call sign to KSRC. "Star" primarily competed with ]'s ] and ]. The station also aired ] during the holiday season to compete with KUDL, a tradition that began in November 1999. (A few times, the two stations would flip to Christmas music within hours of each other, and on occasion, KSRC/KCKC would be the first station to go all-Christmas in the United States). It would only take a year for KSRC to beat KUDL in the ratings. Zellner left the station in 2004. In 2005, KSRC changed to a more upbeat image, dropping most soft-sounding music, with ]'s syndicated "Intelligence For Your Life" added to the evening schedule in the later part of the year.
]
On January 4, 1999, at Midnight, after playing "]" by ], the station began ] with ocean sounds, as well as liners redirecting listeners to KMXV. At 9 AM on January 5, KOZN flipped to ], branded as "Star 102". The first song on "Star" was "]" by ]. On February 1, KOZN changed their call letters to '''KSRC'''. "Star" competed with ] and ], both of which were sister stations. The station also aired ] during the holiday season to compete with KUDL. (A few times, the two stations would flip to Christmas music within hours of each other.) In 2005, KSRC changed to a more upbeat image, dropping most soft-sounding music. Despite the new upbeat image, KSRC added ]'s syndicated "Intelligence For Your Life" for nights in September 2005; it lasted a few months. On January 24, 2006, the station changed call letters to '''KCKC''', in what was reportedly a near format flip to ]'s FM Talk format as "]". CBS aborted the format flip after the ratings of other Free FM stations tanked. In late 2006, ] bought the station due to CBS wanting to concentrate on major media markets. John Tesh's show soon returned to nights, and eventually replays from the previous night aired in the afternoons.


On January 24, 2006, the station changed its call sign to KCKC as CBS anticipated success with its post-] formatted ] stations under the "]" branding and intended to convert KCKC to the same format. The plan was quickly nixed as Free FM became one of the most notorious format flops of the 2000s, and the station retained its format, though Tesh's show was temporarily set aside as CBS Radio figured out what to do with the station.<ref>Christopher Hearne, Jr., "By George alert", ''The Kansas City Star'', February 12, 2006.</ref> In November 2006, CBS sold the station to Wilks Broadcasting to focus on larger markets. John Tesh's show soon returned to nights, and eventually, replays from the previous night aired in afternoons.
⚫ While popular for many years, both KUDL and KCKC began to decline in the Arbitron ratings after the introduction of the ] in early 2009. KUDL, though, usually had the upper hand compared to KCKC, most likely due to that station's heritage in the market, as they have been in the format since 1977. In addition, most AC stations across the country were declining in ratings, as they have struggled to gain a younger audience.


⚫ While popular for many years, both KUDL and KCKC began to decline in the Arbitron ratings after the introduction of the ] in early 2009. KUDL, though, usually had the upper hand compared to KCKC, most likely due to that station's heritage in the market, as they had been in the format since 1977. In addition, most adult contemporary stations across the country were declining in ratings during this time period, due to challenges while attempting to attract a younger audience.
⚫ ===Alice 102===
⚫ During the station's annual Christmas music run on December 22, 2010, the station began airing promotions announcing "a new sound coming" on January 3, 2011. In addition, the station's website displayed a countdown clock to the announcement, which would take place that day at Noon. At that time, after playing "]" by ], the station flipped to ], branded as "Alice 102." The first song on "Alice" was "]" by ]. When the new format debuted, the station had a precise gold lean to it, mostly concentrating on rock music from the 1980s, and a wide library. As the year progressed, with several music festivals hosted in the city throughout the year (especially the popular "Kanrocksas" festival at ]), the station added more current music. The station currently competes with Entercom's ] ], ]'s ]er ], and non-commercial AAA-formatted ]. Since the debut of "Alice", the station's ratings have hung around in 2 share range (#15-16) of the market.


===Alice 102===
On January 27, 2014, Wilks registered the domain "KC1021.com", possibly signaling another format change or altering for the first time in three years. Three days later, Wilks registered "Alt102.com." <ref>http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/87479/wilks-planning-kc-change/</ref> On February 4, at 6 PM, after playing "]" by ], the station began ] with a countdown to a new format to debut the following morning at 10.
⚫ During the station's annual Christmas music run on December 22, 2010, KCKC began promoting "a new sound coming" on January 3, 2011. In addition, the station's website displayed a countdown clock to the announcement, which would take place that day at Noon. At that time, after playing "]" by ], KCKC flipped to ], branded as "Alice 102". The first song on "Alice" was "]" by ]<ref>"Alice and Jack and KC radio history", ''The Kansas City Star'', January 10, 2011.</ref><ref></ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://formatchange.com/star-102-1-becomes-alice-102/|title=Star 102.1 Becomes Alice 102|date=January 3, 2011|access-date=August 29, 2023}}</ref> Initially, the format had a precise gold lean to it, mostly concentrating on rock music from the 1980s, and a wide library, with less of a focus on personalities. As the year progressed, with several music festivals hosted in the city throughout the year (especially the popular "Kanrocksas" festival at ]), the station added more current music. "Alice" competed with Entercom's ] ], ]'s ]er ], and non-commercial AAA-formatted ]. During the station’s tenure as “Alice", KCKC's ratings would hang around the 2.5 share range (#15-16) of the market.

==Current On-Air Staff==
The current KCKC staff are:<ref name="Staff"></ref>
*Darren Wilhite
*Bryan Truta
*Thom McGhinty (also program director)
*Nikki Vivas
*Paul Chandler


===KC 102.1===
; Specialty shows<ref name="Staff"/>
On January 27, 2014, Wilks registered the domain "KC1021.com", possibly signaling another format change or altering for the second time in three years. Three days later, Wilks registered "Alt102.com." On February 4, at 6{{nbsp}}p.m., after playing ]'s "]", KCKC began stunting with a countdown to 3&nbsp;p.m. the following afternoon, when the station flipped back to ], branded as "KC 102.1". The first song on "KC" was "]" by ].<ref>Tim Engle, "Radio station Alice 102 switches to 'upbeat' format", ''The Kansas City Star'', February 5, 2014.</ref><ref></ref><ref></ref> When the station relaunched its AC format, it featured the "More Music, More Variety, More Fun" slogan, as well as an emphasis on ], including "Totally ‘80s Weekends" airing every weekend. The station also began to air all-Christmas music again, replacing sister station ], who continued the tradition after the demise of "Star 102" three years prior.
*Acoustic Storm-Sundays 7 AM-10 AM


On June 12, 2014, Wilks announced that it would sell its Kansas City cluster (including KCKC) to ]-based Steel City Media.<ref> from RadioInsight (June 12, 2014)</ref> The sale was approved on September 26, 2014, and was consummated on September 30. Shortly after the sale was approved, KCKC dropped the all-80s weekends, and began including more currents/recurrents in their playlist. In addition, KCKC changed their slogan to "Today's Best Variety." Since then, KCKC has broadened their library to include hits from the ] to the present day.
===Former Air Staff===
*Shorty (mornings: 2011-2012)
*Jul (evenings: 2011)
*] (evenings: 2011)


==References== ==References==
Line 68: Line 65:


==External links== ==External links==
*{{Official website|http://kc1021.com}}
*
*{{FM station data|KCKC}} {{FM station data|11279|KCKC}}


{{Kansas City Radio}} {{Kansas City Radio}}
{{Adult Contemporary Radio Stations in Missouri}}


{{coord|39.091|N|94.472|W|type:landmark_region:US_source:FCC|display=title}} {{coord|39.091|N|94.472|W|type:landmark_region:US_source:FCC|display=title}}


] ]
] ]
]
] ]
]

Latest revision as of 07:10, 1 December 2024

Adult contemporary radio station in Kansas City For the ICAO code listing, see Grand Marais/Cook County Airport.
KCKC
Broadcast areaKansas City, Missouri
Frequency102.1 MHz
BrandingKC 102.1
Programming
FormatAdult contemporary
Ownership
Owner
  • Steel City Media
  • (MGTF Media Company, LLC)
Sister stationsKBEQ-FM, KFKF-FM, KMXV
History
First air date1961 (as WDAF-FM)
Former call signs
  • WDAF-FM (1961–1974)
  • KYYS (1974–1998)
  • KOZN (1998–1999)
  • KSRC (1999–2006)
Call sign meaningKansas City repeated
Technical information
Licensing authorityFCC
Facility ID11279
ClassC0
ERP100,000 watts
HAAT341 meters (1,119 ft)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen live
Websitewww.kc1021.com

KCKC (102.1 FM) is an adult contemporary radio station based in Kansas City, Missouri, that operates with an ERP of 100 kW. It is licensed to and operated by Steel City Media. The studios are at Westport Center in Midtown Kansas City and the transmitter is in Independence, Missouri.

History

Early years

The first station on the frequency, WHB-FM, signed on in 1948 as a simulcast for WHB. Cook Paint and Varnish Company owned the station. This would only last for about two years, as FM radio was still in its infancy. The company turned in the license in 1950.

Transcontinent Television signed on WDAF-FM on March 5, 1961, as a simulcast partner to the similarly-called 610 AM. WDAF-FM was an NBC affiliate, with 36,000 watts of power. Taft Broadcasting purchased the WDAF stations in 1964.

In 1967, WDAF-FM departed from the AM simulcast in afternoons and evenings with a top 40 format. The FM then moved to middle of the road on January 15, 1968, referring to themselves as "Popular 102". The station upgraded to 100,000 watts on New Year's Day, 1971. Also that year, WDAF-FM flipped to oldies, the first time an FM station in Kansas City has attempted at the format. It began with Drake-Chenault's syndicated "History of Rock and Roll". Drake didn't actually call it oldies; they referred to the automated programming as "Vintage Top 40". WDAF-FM returned to Top 40 just 4 months later in May 1971. By 1974, WDAF-FM was leaning middle of the road again, and completely automated.

KY 102

On July 1, 1974, one of Kansas City's legendary radio stations signed on, when WDAF-FM flipped to album-oriented rock, branded as "KY 102", and changed call sign to KYYS (the "KY" in the slogan refers to the first and last sign in "Kansas City"). The first (and ultimately, last) song on "KY 102" was "Too Many People" by Paul McCartney. KYYS became the most successful AOR station in Kansas City, hitting #1 in the ratings in 1979 when acts like Bad Company, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Bob Seger, KISS and Journey were popular, along with legendary personality Max Floyd's anti-disco speeches under the name "The Rock and Roll Army." KYYS expanded and contracted the playlist over the years as the music dictated, sometimes leaning heavily on gold material, and sometimes being more adventurous with new music. For many years, the station went without meaningful competition. Many of the personalities spent a long time at the station, including Max Floyd, who was on the air the day the format started in 1974, and the day it ended in 1997. Great American Broadcasting (later Citicasters) bought the station in 1987.

KYYS, for a time, competed with KSAS, KKCI or KXXR (all located on 106.5 FM, now the current incarnation of WDAF-FM). In April 1992, KRVK flipped from adult contemporary to active rock as KQRC. This began the end of KY's long dominance in the ratings, as KQRC took away many listeners with new hard and modern rock that KYYS generally ignored. When KY finally started playing acts such as Pearl Jam and Red Hot Chili Peppers, it was too late, and their ratings never recovered. The station also tended to avoid playing Metallica and similar heavy metal bands. By 1997, KYYS leaned very heavily on new music, playing as much of it as they could from artists like Dave Matthews Band, The Wallflowers, Sheryl Crow, and Collective Soul.

The Zone

In September 1996, after the passage of the sweeping Telecommunications Act of 1996, Citicasters merged with Jacor Communications. In June 1997, KYYS was sold off to American Radio Systems, and then to Westinghouse/CBS in September (their AM sister station, WDAF, would be sold to Entercom in October). On September 19, 1997, at 12:01 a.m., KYYS flipped to modern adult contemporary, branded as "102.1 The Zone". The first song on "The Zone" was "A Change Would Do You Good" by Sheryl Crow. KYYS' staff barely had a chance to set up the final hour of music and to say goodbye to listeners; in addition, the airstaff was let go barely an hour before the change. (In fact, the official goodbye came a week after the format change, when KYYS staff members held a midday interview simulcast on KQRC and KCFX, which were then owned by the same company). On January 16, 1998, the station's call sign changed to KOZN. The station's ratings plummeted even further, as the station's playlist sounded quite similar to sister station KMXV, which airs a Top 40/CHR format that, at the time, leaned heavily on modern rock. In addition, KYYS was revived on former adult contemporary station KLTH about a month after 102.1's flip, this time as a classic rock station featuring many of KY's earlier personalities. (Since June 2020, KYSJ in St. Joseph has broadcast a classic rock format using the "KY 102" branding).

In June 1998, CBS split off the radio division under the revived Infinity Broadcasting name, which would be renamed CBS Radio in December 2005.

Star 102

On January 4, 1999, at 5 p.m., after playing "Ants Marching" by Dave Matthews Band, KOZN began stunting with ocean sounds, as well as liners redirecting listeners to KMXV, and to listen at 9 a.m. the following day for something new on 102.1. At the promised time, KOZN flipped to adult contemporary, branded as "Star 102”, under new Program Director Jon Zellner (who continued to program KMXV). The first song on "Star" was "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" by Starship. On February 1, KOZN changed their call sign to KSRC. "Star" primarily competed with Entercom's KUDL and KCIY. The station also aired Christmas music during the holiday season to compete with KUDL, a tradition that began in November 1999. (A few times, the two stations would flip to Christmas music within hours of each other, and on occasion, KSRC/KCKC would be the first station to go all-Christmas in the United States). It would only take a year for KSRC to beat KUDL in the ratings. Zellner left the station in 2004. In 2005, KSRC changed to a more upbeat image, dropping most soft-sounding music, with John Tesh's syndicated "Intelligence For Your Life" added to the evening schedule in the later part of the year.

On January 24, 2006, the station changed its call sign to KCKC as CBS anticipated success with its post-Howard Stern formatted hot talk stations under the "Free FM" branding and intended to convert KCKC to the same format. The plan was quickly nixed as Free FM became one of the most notorious format flops of the 2000s, and the station retained its format, though Tesh's show was temporarily set aside as CBS Radio figured out what to do with the station. In November 2006, CBS sold the station to Wilks Broadcasting to focus on larger markets. John Tesh's show soon returned to nights, and eventually, replays from the previous night aired in afternoons.

While popular for many years, both KUDL and KCKC began to decline in the Arbitron ratings after the introduction of the Portable People Meter in early 2009. KUDL, though, usually had the upper hand compared to KCKC, most likely due to that station's heritage in the market, as they had been in the format since 1977. In addition, most adult contemporary stations across the country were declining in ratings during this time period, due to challenges while attempting to attract a younger audience.

Alice 102

During the station's annual Christmas music run on December 22, 2010, KCKC began promoting "a new sound coming" on January 3, 2011. In addition, the station's website displayed a countdown clock to the announcement, which would take place that day at Noon. At that time, after playing "Same Old Lang Syne" by Dan Fogelberg, KCKC flipped to AAA, branded as "Alice 102". The first song on "Alice" was "The One I Love" by R.E.M. Initially, the format had a precise gold lean to it, mostly concentrating on rock music from the 1980s, and a wide library, with less of a focus on personalities. As the year progressed, with several music festivals hosted in the city throughout the year (especially the popular "Kanrocksas" festival at Kansas Speedway), the station added more current music. "Alice" competed with Entercom's modern rock KRBZ, Cumulus Media's classic rocker KCFX, and non-commercial AAA-formatted KTBG. During the station’s tenure as “Alice", KCKC's ratings would hang around the 2.5 share range (#15-16) of the market.

KC 102.1

On January 27, 2014, Wilks registered the domain "KC1021.com", possibly signaling another format change or altering for the second time in three years. Three days later, Wilks registered "Alt102.com." On February 4, at 6 p.m., after playing Semisonic's "Closing Time", KCKC began stunting with a countdown to 3 p.m. the following afternoon, when the station flipped back to adult contemporary, branded as "KC 102.1". The first song on "KC" was "Get The Party Started" by P!nk. When the station relaunched its AC format, it featured the "More Music, More Variety, More Fun" slogan, as well as an emphasis on songs from the 1980s, including "Totally ‘80s Weekends" airing every weekend. The station also began to air all-Christmas music again, replacing sister station KFKF, who continued the tradition after the demise of "Star 102" three years prior.

On June 12, 2014, Wilks announced that it would sell its Kansas City cluster (including KCKC) to Pittsburgh-based Steel City Media. The sale was approved on September 26, 2014, and was consummated on September 30. Shortly after the sale was approved, KCKC dropped the all-80s weekends, and began including more currents/recurrents in their playlist. In addition, KCKC changed their slogan to "Today's Best Variety." Since then, KCKC has broadened their library to include hits from the 1970s to the present day.

References

  1. "Facility Technical Data for KCKC". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. "Radio deal gets antitrust approval", The Kansas City Star, August 6, 1996.
  3. "Ownership change OK'd for two KC radio stations", The Kansas City Star, September 24, 1996.
  4. Brian McTavish, "Two KC stations to be sold", The Kansas City Star, October 10, 1996.
  5. Brian McTavish, "Firm vies for bigger KC role", The Kansas City Star, June 20, 1997.
  6. Hearne Christopher, Jr. and Randolph Heaster, "Radio stations to be acquired", The Kansas City Star, July 19, 1997.
  7. American Radio History
  8. Brian McTavish and Aaron Barnhart, "KYYS says goodbye to old radio format", The Kansas City Star, September 20, 1997.
  9. "KY102 farewell on 101 the FOX". Retrieved August 29, 2023 – via www.youtube.com.
  10. Hearne Christopher, Jr., "Last hurrah", The Kansas City Star, September 23, 1997.
  11. Brian McTavish, "The Rock and The Fox graciously let KY say goodbye", The Kansas City Star, September 26, 1997.
  12. "Heritage KY102 Brand Comes to St. Joseph MO". June 16, 2020.
  13. "Round and round KC radio stations' formats", The Kansas City Star, January 6, 1999.
  14. "KC radio scene left with...no alternatives; Ratings weren't high enough to support teen-friendly formats", The Kansas City Star, February 5, 1999.
  15. Christopher Hearne, Jr., "By George alert", The Kansas City Star, February 12, 2006.
  16. "Alice and Jack and KC radio history", The Kansas City Star, January 10, 2011.
  17. A New Sound Coming to Star 102 Kansas City
  18. "Star 102.1 Becomes Alice 102". January 3, 2011. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  19. Tim Engle, "Radio station Alice 102 switches to 'upbeat' format", The Kansas City Star, February 5, 2014.
  20. Wilks Launches KC102.1 Kansas City
  21. KCKC Becomes KC102.1
  22. "Steel City Media Acquires Wilks' Kansas City" from RadioInsight (June 12, 2014)

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