As we first reported last week, Cumulus moved Alternative “102.5 The Underground” K273BZ/KCMO-HD2 Kansas City to the full powered 105.1 KCJK as “X105.1” at 7:30 this morning.
That move will send Variety Hits “105.1 Jack-FM” in reverse to 102.5. KCJK had been tied for 13th in the Kansas City market with a 3.6 share, while the Alternative format, which launched last November held a 0.8 share.
“X105.1” is debuting with the typical 10,000 songs in a row commercial free and gives a full-powered competitor to Entercom’s “96.5 The Buzz” KRBZ. KRBZ currently ranks sixth in the Kansas City market with a 4.6 share. This also returns the “X” branding to the market where it was previously used on 107.3 from 1997 through 1999 under the KCCX and KNRX call letters.
Cumulus Media announces that it will move its JACK FM (KCJK-FM) radio station from 105.1 on the FM dial to its new position at 102.5 today at 7:30 AM. A popular station in Kansas City for 12 years, JACK FM will continue “Playing What We Want” in its Adult Hits format as 102.5 JACK FM. As JACK FM moves to its new home at 102.5, Cumulus will simultaneously launch its Alternative station, formerly at 102.5, on the new broadcast home at 105.1—with a new name, X 105.1, Kansas City’s Alternative. The Alternative station originally debuted on 102.5 in November, 2015, as 102.5 The Underground.
Donna Baker, Regional Vice President/Market Manager for Cumulus Media-Kansas City, said: “Cumulus Media-Kansas City’s seven-station cluster has experienced explosive growth, up 19.7% since last year in total audience (6+ M-Su 6a-12a). All other Kansas City radio groups’ audience shares have declined over the same period. 1.2 million people tune in to a Cumulus Media-Kansas City station every week, making ours the largest radio audience in Kansas City. Against this backdrop, and working with focus, optimism, responsibility, collaboration and empowerment, our team discovered an even greater opportunity for our group of seven tremendous radio stations and the Chiefs Radio Network to serve Kansas City listeners.”
Lance Tidwell, Operations Manager for Cumulus Media-Kansas City, said: “With JACK FM broadcasting from its new home at 102.5 and the simultaneous launch of X 105.1, Kansas City’s Alternative, we are positioned to continue our stations’ incredible growth trajectory. We will kick off the summer with continuous music, concert tickets and cash to celebrate the new home of Kansas City’s Alternative at 105.1. We couldn’t be more excited and our listeners will love what they hear!”
