KCMO-FM
Encyclopedia
KCMO-FM, branded 94-9 KCMO, is a Classic Hits
radio station that serves the Kansas City metropolitan area
. The station, owned by Cumulus Broadcasting, was acquired from Susquehanna Radio in 2006. Its transmitter is located in Independence, Missouri
.
(which had owned KCMO-FM for years) sold both of the KCMO radio stations to Richard Fairbanks, a one-time owner of what is now WXIA-TV
in Atlanta, Georgia
. Fairbanks, in turn, sold both stations in 1985 to Summit Communications Group
, who then sold the stations to the Gannett Company
the following year. In 1989, KCMO-FM struck gold when it introduced Oldies 95 (although they broadcast at 94.9 MHz.) The last of WHB
's listeners flocked from the former AM powerhouse in a matter of months, prompting that station's conversion to farm radio.
In 1993, Gannett sold KCMO-AM/FM to Bonneville International
, the then-owner of KMBZ and KLTH (now KZPT). Four years later, Bonneville sold all four of its Kansas City stations together with three radio stations in Seattle, Washington
to Entercom Communications
. Susquehanna Radio bought both KCMO stations from Entercom in 2000, as Entercom was forced to sell the KCMO stations after its purchase of Sinclair Broadcast Group
's radio stations (KQRC-FM
, KXTR-FM
and KCIY
) left it two stations over the Federal Communications Commission
's single-market ownership limit. Susquehanna subsequently merged with Cumulus Media
in mid-2006.
KCMO-FM enjoyed strong ratings during the 1990s but in 2005 became concerned with appealing to an "older" demographic.
Ratings weren't an issue, as the station was often in the Top 10; KCMO-FM was one of the few stations that appealed to the city's older listeners. The station dropped its "Oldies" moniker in April 2005 and switched to the moniker of Greatest Hits playing only mid 60s to early 80s. As the years passed, it added more 1980s music, and plays fewer 1960s selections.
On February 14, 2011, the station turned on its HD2 signal and launched an all-comedy format branded as "Funny 102.5". It is also broadcasted on 102.5 FM, hence the 102.5 in the moniker.
Classic hits
Classic hits is a radio format which generally includes rock and pop music from 1964 to 1989. The term is sometimes erroneously used as a synonym for the adult hits format, but is more accurately characterized as a contemporary style of the oldies format...
radio station that serves the Kansas City metropolitan area
Kansas City Metropolitan Area
The Kansas City Metropolitan Area is a fifteen-county metropolitan area that is anchored by Kansas City, Missouri and is bisected by the border between the states of Missouri and Kansas. As of the 2010 Census, the metropolitan area has a population of 2,035,334. The metropolitan area is the...
. The station, owned by Cumulus Broadcasting, was acquired from Susquehanna Radio in 2006. Its transmitter is located in Independence, Missouri
Independence, Missouri
Independence is the fourth largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri, and is contained within the counties of Jackson and Clay. It is part of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area...
.
History
One of the first FM stations in Kansas City, KCMO-FM struggled to find a niche in the dense media market. Starting in 1977, KCMO (under various call letters) floated between easy listening, country, and Top-40 formats. In 1983, Meredith CorporationMeredith Corporation
The Meredith Corporation is a media conglomerate based in Des Moines, Iowa, USA. The company has two divisions, National Media and Local Media.-History:...
(which had owned KCMO-FM for years) sold both of the KCMO radio stations to Richard Fairbanks, a one-time owner of what is now WXIA-TV
WXIA-TV
WXIA-TV, virtual channel 11.1 , is the NBC-affiliated television station in Atlanta, Georgia. Popularly known by its 11 Alive moniker, WXIA is owned by the Gannett Company in a duopoly with MyNetworkTV affiliate WATL...
in Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
. Fairbanks, in turn, sold both stations in 1985 to Summit Communications Group
Summit Communications Group
The Summit Communications Group is an Atlanta-based communications company which once owned 16 radio stations around the United States. The company now concentrates on technology and internet services....
, who then sold the stations to the Gannett Company
Gannett Company
Gannett Company, Inc. is a publicly-traded media holding company headquartered in Tysons Corner, Virginia, United States, near McLean. It is the largest U.S. newspaper publisher as measured by total daily circulation. Its assets include the national newspaper USA Today and the weekly USA Weekend...
the following year. In 1989, KCMO-FM struck gold when it introduced Oldies 95 (although they broadcast at 94.9 MHz.) The last of WHB
WHB
WHB is a commercial sports radio station in Kansas City, Missouri, and is known as the first full-time Top 40 station in the country...
's listeners flocked from the former AM powerhouse in a matter of months, prompting that station's conversion to farm radio.
In 1993, Gannett sold KCMO-AM/FM to Bonneville International
Bonneville International
Bonneville International Corporation is a broadcasting company wholly owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through its for-profit arm, Deseret Management Corporation...
, the then-owner of KMBZ and KLTH (now KZPT). Four years later, Bonneville sold all four of its Kansas City stations together with three radio stations in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
to Entercom Communications
Entercom Communications
Entercom Communications Corporation is the fourth-largest broadcasting company in the United States. As of November 2009, Entercom operates 110 radio stations in 23 markets across the United States....
. Susquehanna Radio bought both KCMO stations from Entercom in 2000, as Entercom was forced to sell the KCMO stations after its purchase of Sinclair Broadcast Group
Sinclair Broadcast Group
The Sinclair Broadcast Group is an American telecommunications company that operates the largest number of local television stations in the United States. Headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland, it owns a total of 57 stations across the country in 35 primarily small and medium markets, many of...
's radio stations (KQRC-FM
KQRC-FM
KQRC-FM is a radio station licensed to Leavenworth, Kansas, and serves the Kansas City metropolitan area. The station's morning show, hosted by shock jock Johnny Dare, is regularly ranked atop the local Arbitron ratings...
, KXTR-FM
KRBZ
KRBZ, FM 96.5 in Kansas City, is an Alternative rock station. The station uses the brand name 96-5 The Buzz. It is the Kansas City market's home for the syndicated program Loveline. The station is owned by Entercom Communications, and is based in Mission, Kansas.-History:KRBZ began broadcasting in...
and KCIY
WDAF-FM
WDAF-FM is a country music radio station based in Kansas City, Missouri, in the United States. Its current assignment to Entercom's 100,000 Watt facility licensed to Liberty, Missouri, combines the history of both the frequency and the WDAF call letters.- The Early Days :WDAF was one of the first...
) left it two stations over the Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
's single-market ownership limit. Susquehanna subsequently merged with Cumulus Media
Cumulus Media
Cumulus Media, Inc. is the second largest Owner and Operator of AM and FM radio stations in the United States, behind Clear Channel Communications, operating 570 stations in 150 markets as of September 16, 2011. The company also owns Cumulus Media Networks...
in mid-2006.
KCMO-FM enjoyed strong ratings during the 1990s but in 2005 became concerned with appealing to an "older" demographic.
Ratings weren't an issue, as the station was often in the Top 10; KCMO-FM was one of the few stations that appealed to the city's older listeners. The station dropped its "Oldies" moniker in April 2005 and switched to the moniker of Greatest Hits playing only mid 60s to early 80s. As the years passed, it added more 1980s music, and plays fewer 1960s selections.
On February 14, 2011, the station turned on its HD2 signal and launched an all-comedy format branded as "Funny 102.5". It is also broadcasted on 102.5 FM, hence the 102.5 in the moniker.