With the closing of the Central Arkansas Radio Group and US Stations swap in Hot Springs AR, four stations have moved to new homes.
US Stations moves Classic Country “104.5 The Bull” KLBL Pearcy to its newly acquired 101.5 Malvern. Classic Rock “101.9 The Rocket” KLXQ Mountain Pine, which had been simulcasting on 96.7 KHTO Hot Springs since August, remains exclusively on that signal. The KLBL and KLXQ call letters moved along to their new frequencies.
On the Central Arkansas Radio Group side, both 101.9 KHRK-FM and 104.5 KHTO-FM are now simulcasting the Classic Hits format that previously aired on 101.5 KHRK (now KLBL). That will be temporary as those stations and Rock “Real Rock 93.5” KYRC Bismarck AR will be transferred to Houston Christian Broadcasters in a sale/donation combo. Houston Christian Broadcasters will pay $175,000 for the stations, but will be gifted $150,000 from the seller as a gift donation.
Original Report 8/11: Following the filing of the station swap in Hot Springs AR between Central Arkansas Radio Group and US Stations, the first formattic show has fallen.
With CHR’s “Hot 96.7” KHTO and 105.9 KLAZ set to become sister stations under US Stations, KHTO blew up its format at 6pm Wednesday and began simulcasting Classic Rock “101.9 The Rocket” KLXQ. Now branding as “101.9 and 96.7 The Rocket“. it is possible the simulcast will be short-lived as KLXQ will be transitioning from US Stations ownership to CARG.
Note: An earlier version of this post incorrectly identified Central Arkansas Radio Group as part of Noalmark Broadcast. We apologize the error and any confusion caused.