Cumulus Media flipped Classic Hip-Hop “98.3 The Vibe” KWQW Boone/Des Moines IA to CHR at midnight.
Retaining its previous branding, the format shift places the station in direct format competition with iHeartMedia’s “107.5 Kiss-FM” KKDM. KKDM currently ranks second in the Des Moines market with a 7.0 share just behind Cumulus’ market leading Country “97.3 Nash-FM” KHKI’s 7.2 share. Saga Communications CHR “Hits 99.9” K260AM/KIOA-HD2 does not show up in the ratings.
The first five songs on the new “98.3 The Vibe” were:
- The Weeknd – Save Your Tears
- Justin Bieber – Hold On
- Chris Brown ft. Young Thug – Go Crazy
- Doja Cat ft. Sza – Kiss Me More
- BTS – Dynamite
CUMULUS MEDIA announces that Des Moines radio station KWQW-FM launched today as The New 98.3 The Vibe. The Mainstream Contemporary Hit Radio station is a customized hit music station that matches the young Des Moines market’s lifestyle with today’s biggest hits. KWQW-FM was previously programmed as a Classic Hip Hop station.
Jack Taddeo, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Des Moines, said: “Following market research, we saw a need for a Contemporary Hit Radio station that delivers continuous music and is focused on, and customized for, Des Moines. This move more properly positions KWQW in that lane and becomes accretive to our local radio group which includes Country combo NASH FM 97.3/KHKI-FM and 92.5 KJJY, and Classic Rock 95 KGGO, as well as Sports Talk 1700 The Champ/KBGG.”
Chad Taylor, Operations Manager, Cumulus Des Moines and Program Director, KWQW-FM, added: “The New 98.3 The Vibe plays today’s hit music by artists including Dua Lipa, Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars and Maroon Five. We’re looking forward to hitting the streets, having fun and bringing our own Summer Vibe to Des Moines! We could not have done this without the support of Cumulus VP/Programming Operations, Greg Frey and VP/Contemporary Formats, Louie Diaz!”
