Update 9/13: Tyler quietly launched “Now 96.5” on Thursday evening on 96.5 K243BJ and 107.7 KRXO-HD3.
The station is quadrupling the seemingly normal launch prerequisite and launching with 40,000 songs in a row commercial-free, which will take the station through the end of 2013.
Original Report 8/11: As Tyler Media prepares to take on Cumulus for the Sports audience in Oklahoma City, it is also preparing another programming change.
Following the registration of Now965.com it looks as though Tyler is preparing to take on Clear Channel CHR “KJ 103” KJYO. 96.5 is K243BJ, a translator currently relaying “Comedy 1560” KEBC. The translator has recently begun testing its upgrade from 75 to 120 watts, which will give it coverage of all of Oklahoma City proper.
Adding to the intrigue is that Tod Tucker, former PD of “K-Hits 106.9” KHTT Tulsa and “Power 100.1” WPUP Athens, GA recently joined Tyler as a fill-in air talent. Tucker worked at what’s now Clear Channel’s Oklahoma City cluster from 1990 to 1998 including two tours at KJYO.
In the just released Spring 2013 ratings, Tyler Media’s Country “93.3 Jake-FM” KJKE overtook KJYO for the overall 12+ lead in the market. Placing a CHR on the translator could enable Tyler to cut enough listeners from KJYO to allow KJKE to hold on to their current 6.6 to 6.1 share lead.
