Update 7/24: KARS and K275AO debuted its “Area 102.9” Alternative format at 12pm today.
Branded as “New Mexico’s Modern Rock” and positioning itself as “All About The Music”, the station is launching with 10,000 songs in a row. The format places KARS in direct competition with Clear Channel’s “104.1 The Edge” KTEG.
We have landed and are beginning the invasion with INXS, the 1st of 10,000 songs in a row at 102.9 fm! http://t.co/BeJczURlXb
— AREA1029 (@AREA1029) July 24, 2013
Original Report 7/12: American General Media is preparing to launch a new station/translator combo in Albuquerque.
840 KARS Belen, NM has completed its move from 860 and relocation to a new tower site. The station will now operate with 1.8kW days and 30 watts night. The station had been programming America’s Radio News Network programming until it went dark in March to prepare for the move.
102.9 K275AO, which had been rebroadcasting American General Media’s Classical 95.5 KHFM, has concurrently completed its upgrade from 10 to 99 watts.
The pair are currently testing simulcasting sister CHR “Z106.3” KDLW but will debut its own format later this month. At that time it appears the station will be branded as “Area 102.9“. Area1029.com was registered by American General Media back in February. Based on the six accounts the station’s Twitter account is following, we’d expect some form of Alternative or 90’s Rock based format. The account is currently following the accounts for Alanis Morrissette, Green Day, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam along with two NASCAR related accounts.
