Update 8/16: “101.9 The End” reached its endpoint for the second time today as Cumulus dropped its format following the station’s morning show. After a couple hours of stunting telling listeners to listen at 12pm “for your new favorite radio station”, KENZ relaunched as “Classic Hits 101.9“.
The new format places the station in competition with Bonneville’s Classic Hits “103.5 The Arrow” and Clear Channel’s duo of “Oldies 94.1” KODJ and “Rock 106.5“.
“Classic Hits 101.9” will pick up the syndicated Bob & Tom show from sister Classic Rock 101.1 KBER, while KBER afternoon hosts Mick & Allen will move their “Freak Show” back to mornings. Sue Kelley, Cumulus Salt Lake City OM will program KENZ replacing Tysen Webb, who will remain in the cluster in a yet to be announced position. End morning host Jimmy Chunga was let go.
The first block of songs included Doobie Brothers “Listen To The Music”, Eagles “Take It Easy”, Fleetwood Mac “Go Your Own Way”, and Billy Joel “My Life”.
KENZ debuted its “End” format on 107.5 in January 1996 and moved to 101.9 in 2005. The station flipped to 90s Hits in April 2010, but returned to its Adult leaning Alternative format at the End brand in December of that year. KENZ registered a 1.5 share in the July 2013 PPM’s.
Original Report 6/20: A consolidation appears to be coming to Cumulus’ Rock stations in Salt Lake City.
Cumulus has registered a number of domains for what is now Active Rock “94.9 Z-Rock” KHTB and Alternative “101.9 The End” KENZ. The domains are: 949SLC.com, Radio949SLC.com, RadioSLC949.com, and ClassicHits1019.com.
With Cumulus also owning Classic Rock 101.1 KBER the purpose looks to relaunch the Alternative format on 94.9 to compete with Simmons Media’s “X96” KXRK, merge Z-Rock and KBER on 101.1, and launch a new Classic Hits on 101.9 to compete with Clear Channel’s “Oldies 94.1” KODJ and Bonneville’s “103.5 The Arrow” KRSP.
In the May PPM monthly, the Cumulus Rock trio lagged behind their competitors. KENZ registered a 1.4 share, KBER was at a 2.4, and KHTB garnered a 2.6. Most of the other Rock stations in the market performed much better. KRSP was tied for fourth in the market with a 5.6, KXRK was at a 4.8, and Clear Channel’s “Rock 106.5” KAAZ was at a 2.0.
In addition to the three Rock stations, Cumulus owns Country “K-Bull 93” 93.3 KUBL, AC “B98.7” KBEE, Conservative Talk “860 The Big Talker” KKAT, and Sports “1320 KFAN” KFNZ in the Salt Lake City/Provo market.
