After eighteen days of stunting to redirect listeners to sister CHR “Hits 106.1” KBKS-FM, iHeartMedia has flipped 93.3 KUBE Seattle to a simulcast of Sports 950 KJR.
The flip brings KJR back to FM as it previously was heard on 102.9 in from 2011 to 2013. This is the first full-powered FM Sports signal in the market as KJR competes against Bonneville’s just rebranded “Seattle Sports” 710 KIRO. Ahead of the launch, KUBE was inserting sweepers stating there were two days left in the free preview of the KBKS simulcast, but it appears the move was accelerated due to the Seattle Seahawks trading Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos.
Midday hosts Jason Puckett and Jim Moore stated that 950 KJR will debut a new format in about a month.
KJR is the local home of the NHL’s Seattle Kraken. In the January 2022 Nielsen Audio ratings, KJR had a 1.6 share, while KIRO’s had a 2.8 as home of the Seahawks and MLB’s Seattle Mariners.
iHeartMedia Seattle announced today the debut of the new Sports Radio 93.3 KJR FM, Seattle’s Sports Leader, effective immediately.
Sports Radio 93.3 KJR FM will be the only sports station to broadcast on the FM dial in Seattle bringing listeners live and local talent all day long. The station will also simulcast on Sports Radio 950 KJR AM.Sports Radio 93.3 KJR FM will feature heritage talent such as Dave Softy Mahler, Ian Furness, Jason Puckett, Jim Moore, Chuck Powell and former Seattle Mariner, Bucky Jacobsen. In addition, the station will remain the play-by-play rights holder for the University of Washington Huskies, Seattle Kraken, and Seattle Sounders.
“By moving the legendary KJR brand to the FM band, we’re going to be able to grow the next generation of Seattle Sports fans,” said Mark Glynn, Market President for iHeartMedia Seattle. “With the combination of Sports Radio 93.3 KJR FM, Sports Radio 950 KJR AM and the iHeartRadio app, we enhance our sports platform and become the #1 destination for sports and currently the only FM sports platform in Seattle.”
Sports Radio 93.3 KJR FM Full Programming Lineup:
Chuck and Bucky in the Morning 6 – 10 a.m.
Jason Puckett and Jim Moore 10 – 1p.m.
Ian Furness 1 – 3 p.m.
Dave “Softy” Mahler and Dick Fain 3 – 6 p.m.
Original Report 2/19: iHeartMedia has dropped the Hip Hop format on 93.3 KUBE Seattle for the second time.
The station began stunting at midnight with a a CHR playlist and sweepers redirecting listeners to sister “Hits 106.1” KBKS-FM Tacoma/Seattle. The station’s website includes a brief message stating, “We periodically review our programming to ensure that we’re meeting our listeners’ needs and providing them with the best and most relevant content, based on listener feedback. Occasionally this means that we need to make some changes and offer other programming that we believe will resonate with listeners. Listeners can of course continue to enjoy KUBE Seattle’s #1 for Hip Hop at HERE and on the iHeartRadio app.” The Hip Hop programming is also on 93.3 HD2.
No word yet on what format will debut on 93.3 or when. Also unknown right now is the status of the local airstaff including morning hosts Strawberry and Lizette Love, midday host Besa Gordon, and PD/afternoon host Eric Rosado.
iHeartMedia resurrected KUBE in May 2018 after demoting it to rimshot 104.9 from January 2016 to the end of 2017 as part of four station format shuffle.
KUBE registered a 1.4 share in the Holiday 2021 Nielsen Audio ratings.
