Update 1:05pm: The change took place at 10:00am local time.
In explaining the loss of 102.9 to the KJR audience, the station wrote, “Sports Radio KJR is Seattle’s Sports Radio Station. Our strong local sports talk brand can touch our loyal listeners on 950am, I Heart Radio, SportsRadioKJR.com and on now on KJR-FM HD-2. Sports Radio KJR will no longer be heard on 102.9FM, now EXCLUSIVELY on 950AM. This is a business decision that will allow Sports Radio 950 KJR to continue to grow, while also adding an exciting new station to our family.”
The first hour of 102.9 Now consisted of:
Lady Gaga – Poker Face.
Jason Mraz – I’m Yours
Justin Timberlake – Mirrors
Pink – Try
Goo Goo Dolls – Iris
Taylor Swift – I Knew You Were Trouble
Maroon 5 – Daylight
Lumineers – Ho Hey
Carly Rae Jepsen – Call Me Maybe
Kings Of Leon – Sex On Fire
Sara Bareilles – Brave
One Direction – What Makes You Beautiful
Colbie Caillat – Bubbly
Gym Class Heroes / Adam Levine – Stereo Hearts
Ed Sheeran – Lego House
Original Report 9:40 EDT: Clear Channel will flip 102.9 KNBQ Centralia, WA from a simulcast of Sports 950 KJR Seattle to Adult CHR “102.9 Now“.
Branded as “Hit Music For The Northwest“, the station is launching with the usual 10,000 songs in a row. It has applied for new KYNW call letters.
KNBQ’s 70kW signal rimshots the Seattle market from the Olympic Peninsula. It places a city-grade signal over Tacoma, but is not a factor from downtown Seattle on northward. The combined 950 and 102.9 signals for KJR’s Sports format registered a 1.6 share in May placing it behind Bonneville’s “710 ESPN” KIRO’s 2.9.
Compare it to how CC is running KIIS/KBIG and the identical frequencies and brands of KHKS and KDMX Dallas.
KYNW is still a rimshot covering only part of the market but likely CC will be looking to use the new station to prop up KBKS by pulling listeners from KPLZ, Click 98.9, and Movin 92.5.
I drove around the northside of the metro yesterday, and I was surprised how good the reception of this station is. It did quite well, and it actually didn’t experience ANY fading!
*northside, meaning Lynnwood-Edmonds-Mount Lake Terrace-Lake Forest Park