KKRG
Encyclopedia
KKRG is a radio station
in Albuquerque, New Mexico
, currently owned by Univision Radio
. It currently broadcasts as a Latin Pop
format branded as "La Kalle" (The Street) as of May 28, 2010. The format features pop and reggaeton
hits in spanish as well as current popular American hits in english. The stations' presentation is mostly in spanish.
101.3 first signed on in September 1994 as KRZN a station playing New age music
and Smooth Jazz
branded as "The Horizon". In 1996 it was acquired by Simmons Media Group
and would shift to focus only on Smooth Jazz. In Spring 1997, Simmons moved KRZN to the stronger 105.1 FM signal which would make the format available in Santa Fe and other surrounding areas. However the format was dropped in April 1999 in favor of Top 40 music.
In May 1997 101.3 became KEZF a Soft Adult Contemporary music format branded as "Easy 101.3" which attempted to challenge KMGA
99.5. The format was dropped after about a year.
In Summer 1998 101.3 changed again to a Rock
music format branded as "K-Rock" with slogan: "The Rock of New Mexico". The call letters would later change to KRQS. The format on this station was very similar to KZRR
"94 Rock" and often imitated features on that station such as the "All 80's weekends". The Bob and Tom Show was added in morning drive in early 1999, it was the first time that program had aired in Albuquerque. In 2000 it had rebranded as "The Bone" and shifted to a more modern focused Active Rock
format towards the end of its run at the end of the year.
On Christmas Day 2000, Simmons had revived the Smooth Jazz format and "The Horizon" brand on 101.3. In November 2001, it had again moved back to 105.1 FM along with the KRQS call sign (later changed to KAJZ a year later).
In December 2001, 101.3 became "The Range" with a Classic Country
music format to attract former listeners of KTBL "K-Bull" 103.3 FM which had changed to Adult Alternative earlier that year. The new call letters were KKRG. In Fall 2002 Simmons had sold its five FM stations to Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation (HBC) and the format was dropped to make way for Spanish-language programming. The "Range" was revived again in April 2004 on 105.1 after the Smooth Jazz format was moved to 101.7. It was dropped again in March 2006.
In November 2002 HBC launched a new Regional Mexican
music format called "La Jefa" with new call letters KJFA. HBC became Univision Radio
in 2003. For the first few years KJFA was not as competitive with then top Spanish station KLVO "Radio Lobo" but at the end of 2006 Univision moved KJFA to 105.1 FM and made changes in programming including adding the Piolin morning program which has helped make "La Jefa" the top Spanish-language station in the market today.
After KJFA moved, 101.3 broadcasted a Mexican Oldies
format used in many markets as "Recuerdo". Recuerdo was originally heard in Albuquerque on 105.1 FM in March 2006, but in December 2006 Univision switched frequencies with KJFA
which had been on 101.3 for four years moving KJFA's Regional Mexican format to the stronger 105.1 frequency and Recuerdo to 101.3. The KKRG call letters had also moved back to 101.3.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
, currently owned by Univision Radio
Univision Radio
Univision Radio is the radio division of media giant Univision Communications, Inc., which also ownsthe Univision television network. The company was formerly known as Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation. It is the eighth largest radio company in the United States, and the largest Hispanic radio...
. It currently broadcasts as a Latin Pop
Latin pop
Latin pop generally refers to pop music that has what may be perceived a Latin American influence...
format branded as "La Kalle" (The Street) as of May 28, 2010. The format features pop and reggaeton
Reggaeton
Reggaeton is a form of Puerto Rican and Latin American urban and Caribbean music. After its mainstream exposure in 2004, it spread to North American, European and Asian audiences. Reggaeton originated in Puerto Rico but is also has roots from Reggae en Español from Panama and Puerto Rico and...
hits in spanish as well as current popular American hits in english. The stations' presentation is mostly in spanish.
History
This station was granted an original construction permit in October 1990 under call sign KWQK.101.3 first signed on in September 1994 as KRZN a station playing New age music
New Age music
New Age music is music of various styles intended to create artistic inspiration, relaxation, and optimism. It is used by listeners for yoga, massage, meditation, and reading as a method of stress management or to create a peaceful atmosphere in their home or other environments, and is often...
and Smooth Jazz
Smooth jazz
Smooth jazz is a genre of music that grew out of jazz fusion and is influenced by R&B, funk, rock, and pop music styles ....
branded as "The Horizon". In 1996 it was acquired by Simmons Media Group
Simmons Media Group
The Simmons Media Group is a media company based in the United States. The company owns AM and FM radio stations, as well as outdoor advertising, a travel agency and an interactive agency.-Creation:...
and would shift to focus only on Smooth Jazz. In Spring 1997, Simmons moved KRZN to the stronger 105.1 FM signal which would make the format available in Santa Fe and other surrounding areas. However the format was dropped in April 1999 in favor of Top 40 music.
In May 1997 101.3 became KEZF a Soft Adult Contemporary music format branded as "Easy 101.3" which attempted to challenge KMGA
KMGA
KMGA is a radio station licensed to serve Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. The station is owned by Cumulus Media.-Programming:KMGA broadcasts an adult contemporary music format to the greater Albuquerque/Santa Fe, New Mexico, area for 11 months of the year. KMGA plays Christmas music between...
99.5. The format was dropped after about a year.
In Summer 1998 101.3 changed again to a Rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
music format branded as "K-Rock" with slogan: "The Rock of New Mexico". The call letters would later change to KRQS. The format on this station was very similar to KZRR
KZRR
KZRR is a commercial radio station located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, broadcasting to the Albuquerque-Santa Fe, New Mexico, area. KZRR airs a mainstream rock music format.-External links:*...
"94 Rock" and often imitated features on that station such as the "All 80's weekends". The Bob and Tom Show was added in morning drive in early 1999, it was the first time that program had aired in Albuquerque. In 2000 it had rebranded as "The Bone" and shifted to a more modern focused Active Rock
Active rock
Active rock is a radio format used by many commercial radio stations across the United States and Canada. Active rock plays contemporary rock artists with a mix of songs common in the classic rock radio format.-Format background:...
format towards the end of its run at the end of the year.
On Christmas Day 2000, Simmons had revived the Smooth Jazz format and "The Horizon" brand on 101.3. In November 2001, it had again moved back to 105.1 FM along with the KRQS call sign (later changed to KAJZ a year later).
In December 2001, 101.3 became "The Range" with a Classic Country
Classic country
Classic country is a music radio format that specializes in playing mainstream country hits from past decades.This genre generally follows one of two formats: those specializing in hits from the 1920s through the early 1970s, and focus primarily on innovators and artists from country music's Golden...
music format to attract former listeners of KTBL "K-Bull" 103.3 FM which had changed to Adult Alternative earlier that year. The new call letters were KKRG. In Fall 2002 Simmons had sold its five FM stations to Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation (HBC) and the format was dropped to make way for Spanish-language programming. The "Range" was revived again in April 2004 on 105.1 after the Smooth Jazz format was moved to 101.7. It was dropped again in March 2006.
In November 2002 HBC launched a new Regional Mexican
Regional Mexican
Regional Mexican is a radio format for music radio, typically defined to include Banda, Ranchera, Mariachi and Norteña. It is the most popular radio format targeting Hispanic Americans in the United States....
music format called "La Jefa" with new call letters KJFA. HBC became Univision Radio
Univision Radio
Univision Radio is the radio division of media giant Univision Communications, Inc., which also ownsthe Univision television network. The company was formerly known as Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation. It is the eighth largest radio company in the United States, and the largest Hispanic radio...
in 2003. For the first few years KJFA was not as competitive with then top Spanish station KLVO "Radio Lobo" but at the end of 2006 Univision moved KJFA to 105.1 FM and made changes in programming including adding the Piolin morning program which has helped make "La Jefa" the top Spanish-language station in the market today.
After KJFA moved, 101.3 broadcasted a Mexican Oldies
Oldies
Oldies is a term commonly used to describe a radio format that concentrates on music from a period of about 15 to 55 years before the present day....
format used in many markets as "Recuerdo". Recuerdo was originally heard in Albuquerque on 105.1 FM in March 2006, but in December 2006 Univision switched frequencies with KJFA
KJFA
KJFA is a radio station licensed to Santa Fe, New Mexico, covering the Albuquerque area and northern New Mexico. It is owned by Univision Radio and broadcasts a Regional Mexican format as "La Jefa" ....
which had been on 101.3 for four years moving KJFA's Regional Mexican format to the stronger 105.1 frequency and Recuerdo to 101.3. The KKRG call letters had also moved back to 101.3.