KZIA

KZIA
City of license Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA
Broadcast area Cedar Rapids-Iowa City
Branding Z 102.9
Slogan Today's Hit Music
Frequency 102.9 MHz
(also on HD Radio)
102.9-2 FM Classic rock (HD)
102.9-3 FM KGYM/Sports (HD)
102.9-4 FM KGYM/Sports (HD)
Translator(s) 106.3 K292FZ (Iowa City, relays HD3)
107.5 K298BM (Cedar Rapids, relays HD4)
First air date April 29, 1975 (as KQCR)
Format Top 40 (CHR)
ERP 100,000 watts
HAAT 287 meters
Class C1
Facility ID 35556
Callsign meaning K Z 102.9 IowA
Former callsigns KQCR (1975-1995)
KXMX (1995-1998)
Owner Rob Norton & Elliot Keller
(KZIA, Inc.)
Webcast Listen Live
Website kzia.com

KZIA, known as "Z 102.9", is a radio station based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It has a Top 40 (CHR) format primarily staffed with local personalities, including morning DJ's Scott Schulte and Ric Swann. The station's transmitter is located in Hiawatha, Iowa, and its signal reaches most of eastern Iowa, including Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Waterloo, and some of the western parts of the Quad Cities area.[1]

History

KZIA was originally known as KQCR, which had a top 40 format as "Q103" for many years. In 1994, Rob Norton and Eliot Keller, owners of KRNA radio, purchased KQCR to create the Cedar Rapids market's first radio duopoly. On September 5, 1995, KQCR changed its format to country music and its call letters to KXMX, "Max 102.9". The country format lasted almost three years until Norton and Keller agreed to sell KRNA and KXMX to Texas-based Capstar Broadcasting. While the KRNA sale was successful, Capstar terminated the agreement to buy KXMX.[2] Norton and Keller kept the station, changing the format to top 40 and the call letters to KZIA on June 12, 1998.[3] Today KZIA is the only locally owned commercial FM station in the Cedar Rapids market, as most FM's in the area are owned by either Clear Channel Communications or Cumulus Media.[4]

On May 14, 2003, KZIA became the first Iowa radio station to broadcast in HD Radio.[5] The station also airs a Classic Rock format on HD2 and a sports format on HD3 that is a simulcast of sister station KGYM.

On October 31, 2006, KZIA acquired the former KCRG radio (1600 AM) from Gazette Communications. KZIA renamed the station KGYM and moved its studios from downtown Cedar Rapids to the KZIA studios on the city's southwest side.[6]

HD Radio Digital Channels

The station's HD signal is multiplexed:[7]

Channel Format Name Programming[8]
102.9-1 KZIA-FM Top 40 Main Programming
102.9-2 KZIA HD2 Variety Anarchy Radio
102.9-3 KZIA HD3 Sports KGYM 1600 / ESPN Radio (North Gym)
102.9-4 KZIA HD4 Sports KGYM 1600 / ESPN Radio (South Gym)

References

  1. ↑ RadioLocator.com. "Predicted Coverage Area for KZIA 102.9 FM, Cedar Rapids, IA". Retrieved 2007-02-24.
  2. ↑ Ford, George C (1998-06-09). "KRNA buy OK'd after KXMX deal nixed". The Gazette. p. 8B.
  3. ↑ Federal Communications Commission. "Call Sign History". Retrieved 2007-02-24.
  4. ↑ Stein, Jeff (2004). Making Waves: The People and Places of Iowa Broadcasting. Cedar Rapids, Iowa: WDG Communications. p. 111. ISBN 0-9718323-1-5.
  5. ↑ Stein, 182.
  6. ↑ Kenyon, John (2006-12-18). "Changing the station". Corridor Business Journal.
  7. ↑ http://hdradio.com/station_guides/widget.php?id=58
  8. ↑ RabbitEars TV Query for KZIA

External links

Coordinates: 42°03′25″N 91°41′42″W / 42.057°N 91.695°W / 42.057; -91.695

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