Emmis Classic Hits “K-Hits 96.3” KIHT St. Louis is a thing of the past as the station flipped to CHR “Now 96.3” at 5:00am this morning with new KNOU call letters on the way.
The station is launching with a full airstaff in place. Curt Copeland, formerly of iHeartMedia’s crosstown CHR “Z107.7” KSLZ will host mornings. Todd Newton, best known for his hosting on E! as well as multiple television game shows will return to his hometown for middays. Newton began his career in St. Louis radio as ‘Rikk Idol’ before making the jump to television. His last regular radio job was at CBS’ “Blink 102.7” WNEW New York in the early 2000’s. Christine Pawlak will host afternoons dropping her former “Electra” moniker that she used at “Q101” Chicago and “Y100” Philadelphia. Nina Blanco joins from 101.5 WCIL-FM Carbondale for nights. Blanco had also been hosting weekends at Emmis Alternative “105.7 The Point” KPNT. Tommy Mattern, PD of KPNT will add those duties for “Now 96.3“.
KIHT was eighth in the St. Louis market with a 4.9 share in the Holiday 2014 Nielsen Audio PPM ratings. Its new direct format competitor KSLZ was tied for fourth with a 5.7 share.
ksradiogeek 
jimh 
troygud1 
Eric Jon Magnuson
Didn’t expect this…what happened? Not enough $?
Don’t bother with a call letter change…
Hmmm….a station with a 4.9 hires a whole new air-staff and changes formats to complete for and grab a slice of KSLZ’s 5.7 share(since they aren’t likely to maintain many of their former audience). Doesn’t seem like that much gain is gonna happen in sales with such a small ratings difference,
All about demographics. Emmis can still target 35-64 through 94.7 KSHE and 97.1 KFTK. This gives the cluster an 18-34 and 25-54 station targeted towards females to pair with 105.7 The Point targeting males in those demos.
Was Todd Newton suppose to replace Bob Barker on “The Price Is Right” before Drew Carey took over? I can’t stand Drew, and Drew should have been the right choice to replace Craig Ferguson on “The Late Late Show” on CBS.
The station is also promoting 60 minutes of commercial-free music–followed by nine minutes’ worth of spots. (See http://www.stltoday.com/lifestyles/columns/joe-holleman/stl-radio-now-has-new-top-station-now/article_a1340955-1f61-5b47-9590-a4b0e8de1139.html.)