American General Media has flipped Hot AC 101.5 KGFM Bakersfield to Variety Hits “101.5 Big-FM” at noon today.
Positioning as “We Play Everything”, the move brings Variety Hits back to the market for the first time since Buck Owens Broadcasting flipped “97.3 Jack-FM” KRJK to Country in 2016. KGFM has been the heritage AC in the Bakersfield market as it gradually evolved from Beautiful Music to Easy Listening to AC. The station then shifted to Hot AC in the past few years. The move leaves iHeartMedia’s “Sunny 105.3” KBFP-FM as the only AC in the market while giving more breathing space to AGM CHR “Hits 93.1” KKXX.
The new format launched with AC/DC “You Shook Me All Night Long”, Cars “You Might Think”, Walk The Moon “Shut Up And Dance”, Corey Hart “Sunglasses At Night”, and Wild Cherry “Play That Funky Music”.
KGFM ranked seventh in the Bakersfield market with a 3.4 share in the January 2021 Nielsen Audio ratings.
