Cumulus Media has initiated an attack on iHeartMedia’s market leading “94 Rock” KZRR Albuquerque with the launch of “94.5 The Pit” 1050 KTBL Los Ranchos/94.5 K233CG Sandia.

KTBL had been airing a syndicated Conservative Talk lineup, while the translator served as the FM side of News/Talk 770 KKOB until its addition of the former 96.3 KBZU as KKOB-FM last month.

Positioned as “Albuquerque’s New Choice For Rock”, the new format debuted at 7am this morning with Metallica “Master of Puppets”, Jimmy Eat World “The Middle”, and Volbeat “Die To Live”.

KZRR led the Albuquerque market in the December 2019 Nielsen Audio ratings with a 5.8 share.

CUMULUS MEDIA announces that it has launched a new Rock station in Albuquerque, NM, today. 94.5 The Pit/KTBL, Albuquerque’s New Choice for Rock, went live at 9:00am ET with its first cut, Metallica’s “Master of Puppets”. Concurrently, the station debuted its new website at: http://www.945thepit.com. KTBL was previously programmed as Talk Business Life. With the change in format, KTBL now also broadcasts on the 94.5 translator formerly used by News Radio KKOB.

Jeff Berry, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Albuquerque, said: “We are thrilled to provide ABQ and the surrounding areas with an exciting new Rock station. The Pit will provide fans with current Rock artists like Shinedown and Disturbed, laced with 90’s and 2000’s mega bands such as Metallica and Foo Fighters. It will be a game changer for ABQ rock fanatics and our clients.”

Kris Abrams, FM Operations Manager, Cumulus Albuquerque, said: “There are a lot of great radio stations in Albuquerque. But radio listeners have been vocal that there is a need for a station that not only plays iconic Rock songs but also mixes that with a lot of new music discovery. 94.5 The Pit does exactly that.”