KQKZ

KQKZ (92.1 FM "Q92.1") is a commercial radio station that is licensed to serve the community of Bakersfield, California. It is owned by Lotus Communications.[1] Its studios are located in southwest Bakersfield, while its transmitter is located northeast of the city. It is a Rhythmic CHR station branded Q92.1 (pronounced Q ninety-two-one), with its logo being patterned after Visalia sister station KSEQ.

"KCHJ-FM" redirects here, For the AM station holding the callsign, see KCHJ
For the Visalia, California radio station, see KSEQ.
KQKZ
CityBakersfield, California
Broadcast areaSouthwest Kern County
Frequency92.1 MHz
BrandingQ92.1
Slogan"Today's Best Music"
Programming
Language(s)English
FormatRhythmic CHR
Ownership
OwnerLotus Communications
(Lotus Bakersfield Corp.)
Sister stationsKCHJ, KIWI, KPSL-FM, KWAC
History
First air date1987 (as KIWI)
Former call signsKIWI (1985-2003)
KPSL-FM (2003-2011)
KVMX (2011-2016)
KCHJ-FM (2016-2019)
Call sign meaningQ92.1 BaKerZfield
(station branding)
Technical information
Facility ID35108
ClassA
ERP4,200 watts
HAAT121 meters
Transmitter coordinates35°29′11.00″N 118°53′21.00″W
Links
WebsiteQ921radio.com

History

Early Years

The station received its construction permit in 1985, and signed on as KIWI in 1987.[2] In 1999, Lotus Communications acquired the station. The sale was consummated on August 24 of that year. For much of its existence before 2003, it played classical music.

On January 21, 2003, the station changed its call sign to KPSL-FM.[3] Over the years, the station would become a latin music station with the Concierto branding.

On September 8, 2011, KPSL-FM swapped callsigns and formats with KVMX. With the format swap, it became a classic hits station branded as "The New 92-1 Max-FM".[4]

On May 6, 2013, KVMX flipped to country, branded as "KiX 92.1".[5] During this time, KVMX would carry syndicated programming from Premiere Networks, including a country countdown show. This format would last for slightly over 3 years.

Simulcast of KCHJ

On July 1, 2016, KVMX broke away from country programming and began simulcasting KCHJ 1010 AM, with its "El Gallito" branding and Ranchera format. Lotus also changed the callsign to KCHJ-FM.[6]

Rhythmic CHR era

On July 5, 2019, It was reported that the station will return to being an English language radio station. In the report, a launch date of July 15 was stated, with the planned on air branding Q92.1.[7] On July 11, Lotus confirmed the rumors, and formally announced the format change to Rhythmic CHR, with the launch date later being pushed back to July 22, in order to allow more time to construct its social media and web pages. As part of the upcoming format change, the station's callsign became KQKZ on July 15. KQKZ officially flipped to the new format at 6:00am on July 22, with its present Q92.1 branding, patterned after KSEQ. KQKZ also uses KSEQ's on air personalities in key dayparts, but is still expected to air Bakersfield advertisements, news, traffic and weather.

Mid-summer 2020 computer glitch

On August 5, 2020, during the midday program, KQKZ suffered an external glitch, that resulted in the station playing classic hits for approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. Normal programming was restored at 1:00pm that day.[8] Media watchdogs had suggested possible plans for the station to drop the format after 13 months during the affected period; KQKZ had a mere 0.1 share in the June 2020 Nielsen Audio ratings.

Competition

As of July 2019, KQKZ competes with 5 other CHR stations in the San Joaquin Valley. Its chief rivals are rhythmic stations KISV and KBDS. Mainstream outlets KLLY and KKXX-FM also compete with KQKZ in the area. It also has indirect comeptition with Tulare-based KBOS-FM in areas near the Kern-Tulare county line.

Former programming

From 2016 to 2019, this station simulcast KCHJ and aired its programming.

Until July 1, 2016, the weekday programming on this station featured the syndicated Bobby Bones Show on mornings, Anne Kelly on mid days. Rachel Legan was on afternoons. Weekends also featured "The Bobby Bones Country Top 30 Countdown on Sunday Morning." Kix Brooks "American Country Countdown" was on Sunday evenings

Notable former airstaff on Max FM and Kix include:

  • Melanie Ruthridge was on mornings (Max) and mid-afternoons and afternoons (Kix) until September 11, 2015.
  • Kris Winston was program director and was on mornings (Max) and afternoons (Kix) until August 2015.
  • Doug Deroo was on afternoons (Max) until April 15, 2011.
  • Gregg Stepp was Program Director and hosted the morning show (Max) from November 1, 2008 until January 12, 2010.
gollark: You want arrow keys and backspace and such, no?
gollark: It does arrow key handling.
gollark: No, I mean readline, the library.
gollark: Is this for an interactive REPL? Why no readline?
gollark: Or https://stackoverflow.com/questions/31276059/efficient-trimming-of-a-string

References
  1. "KQKZ Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  2. "Query the REC California FM Station database for KQKZ". REC Networks. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
  3. "KQKZ Call Sign History". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  4. Bakersfield Frequency Swap Coming RadioInsight - August 16, 2011
  5. KVMX Bakersfield Goes Country RadioInsight - May 6, 2013
  6. Kix Country Gives Way to El Gallito in Bakersfield RadioInsight - July 7, 2016
  7. Venta, Lance (5 July 2019). "Q92.1 To Launch In Bakersfield". Radio Insight. Retrieved 6 July 2019.
  8. Venta, Lance (5 August 2020). "Q92.1 Bakersfield Drops Rhythmic CHR (And Then Goes Back)". Radio Insight. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
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