Vanguard Radio Center launched “The Eighties Channel” on 1100 KRKE Peralta/93.7 K229CL Albuquerque NM at noon today.
The station is featuring consultant K.M. Richards’ syndicated format that was previously heard in the market on the former 1550/94.5 KRKE in 2014-15. That station was also owned by Don Davis’ Vanguard Radio. iHeartMedia also ran an all-80’s format on 104.7 KABQ-FM from 2016 until its sale in 2021.
The new “Eighties Channel” on KRKE will feature an hourly “Forgotten 45s” feature as well as a Saturday night New Wave/Classic Alternative show hosted by former KROQ Los Angeles personality Freddy Snakeskin.
K.M. Richards Programming Services’ signature format The Eighties ChannelTM re- launched in Albuquerque on KRKE and its translator K229CL at noon (MDT) on October 14. This marks a return to the market where it had a successful test run in 2014-15, with the same station group, Vanguard Media LLC, that had partnered with Richards originally.
“93-7 KRKE is benefitting from significant retooling and refining of The Eighties ChannelTM since we were last heard in The Duke City,” said K.M. Richards, who created and programs the format. “It’s great to be working with Don Davis at Vanguard again and we are both confident that we’ll be even more successful than before.”
In an on-air announcement which is playing hourly during the relaunch weekend, Davis says that “since The Eighties ChannelTM left the air on September 27, 2015, I have continued to believe that there was – and still is – a need for a station that plays nothing but the best music from the 1980s … the decade with the most memorable hits of music history. Now, I’ve asked K.M. to bring back what we did back then … even better than ever.”
The Eighties ChannelTM is now offered as a turnkey format, with music, imaging and automation logs provided to affiliate stations on a barter basis. This, says Richards, allows stations in any size market to benefit from the resurgence in popularity of that decade’s music without the expense of a paid consultant or music service. “Much to our surprise, it appeals to 25-49 year olds in huge numbers – when questioned, the younger listeners say ‘the 80s is when all the good music came out!’ – and it’s great to be able to program to that saleable demographic.”
For his part, Davis says “it’s a considerable relief to be able to only worry about the advertising and other local content and not have to deal with the day-to-day music programming decisions. All the ‘homework’ is done for us and we know that KRKE’s listeners are getting the absolute best consensus favorites.”
As part of the deal with Vanguard, KRKE will carry the format’s hourly “Forgotten 45s” feature, as well as a Saturday night block of classic New Wave and Modern Rock songs hosted by legendary KROQ air talent Freddy Snakeskin. Both features are designed for 100% local sponsorship.
Stations interested in The Eighties ChannelTM can reach Richards at 818.479.9742 or via the KMRichards.com website. Davis can be reached at Vanguard’s office, 505.899.5029.
Original Report 10/12: Don Davis’ Vanguard Radio Center has launched 1100 KRKE Peralta/93.7 K229CL Albuquerque NM and is currently stunting with a ten minute loop of remixed clips of 1980s songs ahead of a new format launch on Friday, October 14 at 12pm.
Davis purchased the CP for a then new CP on 1120 AM in July 2020 for $25,000. After a few modifications to the CP as well as the move of what is now 1080 KEMR Moriarty from 1090 in Milan NM, the AM signed-on in February simulcasting KEMR with 1kW daytime. The 93.7 translator previously rebroadcasted Rock of Talk LLC’s Conservative Talk 1600 KIVA Albuquerque.
The new format on KRKE/K229CL will join a Vanguard operation that includes Dance “96.7 Pirate Radio” KSFE Grants, Hip Hop “101.3 The Hustle” KYLZ Albuquerque, Regional Mexican “La Mexicana” 106.3 KXOT Los Lunas/95.9 K240EC Santa Fe, Smooth Jazz “103.7 The Oasis” 1510 KOAZ Isleta/103.7 K279BP Albuquerque, and Full Service AC “East Mountain Radio” 1080 KEMR/102.1 K271DC Moriarty,
