Citadel climbs The Peak
By ANDREW WINEKE
THE GAZETTE
KSPZ (92.9 FM) changed formats and call letters Thursday morning, switching to KKPK “The New Peak FM” and adopting an adult contemporary format.
If “Peak FM” sounds familiar, that’s because it was the nickname for the old KRDO (95.1 FM). Pikes Peak Broadcasting sold KRDO to Citadel Broadcasting in July, which re-named it KATC “Cat Country.” Citadel also owns KSPZ/KKPK.
“They will hear a lot of the things they liked about the old Peak, with an influx of some of the best from KSPZ,” said Bobby Irwin, Citadel’s operations manager, speaking of KSPZ’s “greatest hits” format and the Peak’s adult contemporary format.
“There were a lot of people that missed that music position the Peak had,” Irwin said.
If you’re wondering how the station will combine greatest hits with adult contemporary music, Irwin offered a sample music block: Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,” Bon Jovi’s “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” KC and the Sunshine Band’s “Get Down Tonight,” Santana’s “Smooth” and Elton John’s “Crocodile Rock.”
Despite the switch, most of the DJ’s will stay the same, including morning hosts Jim Berry and Tammy Oakland.
The duo launched the new format Thursday morning with a broadcast from atop Pikes Peak to trumpet the station’s new catchphrase, “A Mountain of Favorite Songs.”
posted by AndyW @ 10/05/2006 10:41:00 AM
16 comments
16 Comments:
KSPZ was on a roll with their
recent changes. Why mess with
it??? KDZA out of Pueblo needs
to get a stronger signal into
the Springs to cater to us
true oldies fans.
I don't mind the format changed, but they didn't need to mess with the call letters. The KSPZ call letters are an institution in Colorado Springs. I still hear people talk about the "Z-93 days" even though I'm too young to remember them.
KSPZ was on a roll with their
recent changes. Why mess with
it???
Because their are some people that liked the Old Peak 95.1 FM, plus their were people that just did not care for KVUU (My 99.9)
Citadel wanted to bring in a Country but it was done at the expenice of the old Peak.
KSPZ moved away from the Oldies format last year when it began to add more 80's and 70's titles to its playlist.
Just be glad that KSPZ did not flip to a JACK type of station.
As for KDZA you might just get your wish.
Eventually I think KSPZ will evolve to a pure Hot AC, but I do like what they are doing now...I Really Do. Bwsides sister KKMG is still heavely Rhythmimc.
Notice that KVUU has added more Rhythmic titles as well. Even if that more Gold and Recurrent.
"I don't mind the format changed, but they didn't need to mess with the call letters. The KSPZ call letters are an institution in Colorado Springs."
Agreed BUT most radio stations go by a name these days, and the demise of the KSPZ calls is very minor. On the other hand Clear Channel kept the KVUU calls long after changing the monker to My 99.9.
I do remember Z93 so that you know.
I'm not impressed. I turned on the station and it sounds like oldies with a somewhat dated AC song thrown in every now and then. Right now I think My 99.9 is the best station in town, the old Peak was definitely giving them a run for there money. What I'd really like to see is someone build an AC format similar to Alice 105.9 in Denver. I absolutely love that station. KVUU is close but not quite there.
"I'm not impressed. I turned on the station and it sounds like oldies with a somewhat dated AC song thrown in every now and then. Right now I think My 99.9 is the best station in town, the old Peak was definitely giving them a run for there money."
I agree with the Old Peak giving KVUU a run for the money.
"What I'd really like to see is someone build an AC format similar to Alice 105.9 in Denver. I absolutely love that station. KVUU is close but not quite there."
KVUU used to sound closer to Alice a few years back. Guess what??? People got tired of it.
Even if the mix of Classic CHR and Current Hot AC hits does not work, The NEW Peak can simply drop the 60's, 70's from the playlist. I would not be suprised if the station is still in its evolution phases.
I am very disapointed in the change. I never listened to the old Peak, I do not want to listen to the new one. I loved KSPZ's format of 70's and 80's music. I gave it a shot today and I quickly changed the radio.Oh well, I guess it is now KDZA. I wish we could get KOOL 105 down here. RIP KSPZ.
I don't like the change. I liked the '70's and 80's songs they played. I was a KKLI listener, but when KSPZ (Z-93) started airing more '70's and '80's, I started listening to them more. I didn't care for the old "Peak", and I'm not so sure I'll like the new one. Over the past year, many people were talking "positively" about the format KSPZ was airing. Why change? Guess I'll go back to KKLI, escpecailly on the weekends.
cdI also would like to say,"I am very disapointed in the change. I never listened to the old Peak, I do not want to listen to the new one. I loved KSPZ's format of 70's and 80's music. I gave it a shot today and I quickly changed the radio.Oh well, I guess it is now KDZA. I wish we could get KOOL 105 down here. RIP KSPZ".
Dan Cochell...point well taken!!
But, there's so much that has
happened in the last year in
C/S radio that doesn't make a whole
lot of sense!! Anyone care to
speculate what the next station will be that may be changing format??
KDZA from a voice track station to someone who cares.
Who from KDZA is writing this stuff.
As for the New Peak, there's work to be done, trust me, the programming folks are listening and making notes and tweaking the format.
I'm sorry, KDZA, I don't live in the 50's or 60's KDZA and I don't want voice track.
As for changing branding on the Peak to Cat Country, if it would have been feasible, no changes would have been made. You get one chance to make and keep a listeners attention. Dan, continued Good Luck and Best wishes for what you're trying to do with the news talk format,
good bye old friend z-93! well miss you..no more sax 105.5 .what next in colorado springs and pueblo??all c&w f.m stations. ill just listen on music choice.
"all c&w f.m stations. ill just listen on music choice."
That will never happen but make no mistake Country is popular around here. We are not a hippie town like Boulder.
country is popular because a c didn't grow with it's audience. I've heard the calls, The new Peak is sounding more like KVUU from the 80's. I hope it works
"The new Peak is sounding more like KVUU from the 80's. I hope it works."
I should mechion that Bobby Iwin programed KVUU in the 80's as well. KVUU made waves under his leadership
Now I know why when I tuned to my number one button on my car stereo I do not recognize the songs! Nuts!
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