Wine Down Media has completed its programming shifts with the launch of Spanish Variety “Mega Mix 1440/96.9” on the former Talk KVON/K245DK Napa.
The station is featuring a broad mix of currents and gold across genres with artists including Vicente Fernandez, Maluma, Juan Gabriel, Shakira, Banda El Recodo, Marc Antonio Solis, and Selena. Gabriela Fernandez, who had been hosting mornings on sister AAA “99.3 The Vine” KVYN St. Helena moves over to the new brand, while former KVON morning host Barry Martin took her spot. Nicolas de Luna, who had been hosting a Spanish talk show in afternoons on KVON remains in that timeslot.
Original Report 12/14: Wine Down Media will flip Talk/Sports 1440 KVON/96.9 K245DK Napa CA to an undisclosed Spanish language format on Monday, January 3.
KVON currently features blocks of local shows mixed with Fox Sports Radio programming. A Spanish Talk show hosted by Nicolas de Luna currently airs in afternoons from 3-7 on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays as well as Sunday mornings. de Luna and current AAA “99.3 The Vine” KVYN St. Helena morning host Gabriela Fernandez will be heard on the new format.
Some elements from KVON will move over to KVYN. A “reinvented” version of KVON’s “Wine Country Live” morning show hosted by Barry Martin will take over mornings on The Vine. Station alum Jamie Miller will return to contribute features to the show, which is described as “a variety show covering community stories, trending topics, and features”.
KVON sportscaster Ira Smith will also shift to KVYN for daily sports reports and local high school play-by-play on Fridays.
Wine Down Media, the flagship company of Napa Valley’s radio stations, KVON & KVYN, announced that there will be programming changes effective January 3, 2022 on both stations. KVON will expand Spanish programming to reach the growing Hispanic population in Napa County and surrounding areas. KVON’s “Wine Country Live” Morning Show with Barry Martin will be reinvented and relocated to KVYN as a variety show covering community stories, trending topics, and features with KVYN and KVON alum, Jamie Miller.
“I am thrilled that KVON will be filling the void and providing an around-the-clock station for our Spanish-speakers,” said Julissa Marcencia, Wine Down Media’s Chief Visionary. “The KVON & KVYN changes reflect our commitment and priority to invest in programming to engage audiences and meet listeners on the platforms they use while maximizing our clients’ reach.”
KVON’s new format will feature Wine Down Media’s trusted bilingual voices, Gabriela Fernandez and Nicolas de Luna. Listeners can listen to the new format on 1440 AM by streaming on kvon.com or using the Smart Speaker command “Play K V O N.”
Nate Campbell, KVYN Music & Program Director said, “It’s exciting that the ‘Wine Country Live’ show is moving to KVYN with morning fun and useful information. We are happy to welcome Jamie back to KVYN and feel fortunate that we will have two strong radio veterans waking up the Napa Valley with laughs and wits.” Listeners anywhere can listen to this dynamic duo on KVYN 99.3 FM by streaming on kvyn.com or using the Smart Speaker command “Play K V Y N.”
Sports legend and institution, Ira C. Smith, will also be coming on to KVYN with weekday sports reports and community-favorite play-by-play coverage of local sports on Friday nights.
