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KKGQ

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Coordinates:38°01′12″N97°23′06″W/ 38.020°N 97.385°W/38.020; -97.385
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
KKGQ
Broadcast areaWichita, Kansas
Frequency92.3MHz
BrandingESPN Wichita 92.3
Programming
FormatSports
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
  • Chad Boeger
  • (Pinnacle Media, LLC)
OperatorUnion Broadcasting
WHB,KCTE,WHBE (AM),WHBE-FM,WLCL
History
First air date
1959(as KJRG-FM at 92.1)[1]
Former call signs
KJRG-FM (1959–1976)
KOEZ (1976–2000)
KMXW (2000–2007)
KFTI–FM (2007–2014)
Former frequencies
92.1 MHz (1959–1963)
Technical information[2]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID35020
ClassC1
ERP95,000watts
HAAT195 meters (640 ft)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen live
Websitewww.espnwichita.com

KKGQ(92.3 FM) is an American 95 kWradio stationoperating inWichita,and licensed toNewton, Kansas.KKGQ airs asports talkformat, branded as "ESPN Wichita 92.3." KKGQ's studios are located on McLean Boulevard (next toRiverfront Stadium) in Wichita, and their transmitter is located on Cow Palace Road on the south side of Newton.

History

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Easy listening years

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What is now KKGQ started as KJRG-FM in 1959.[1][3]It was a sister station to Newton-licensedKJRGand had its studios there; both stations were owned by George Basil Anderson. After spending its first four years at 92.1 FM, KJRG-FM relocated to its current frequency in 1963.[3]For four decades, the station aired abeautiful music/easy listeningformat.[4]In 1976, KJRG-FM changed its call sign to KOEZ.[3]The station was consistently in the top 10 of the Wichita market's radio ratings from the early 1980s through the 1990s.[5]

KMXW/KFTI-FM

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After being purchased byJournal Broadcast Groupin December 1999 and focused its audience to Wichita (as well as moving studios there), on January 15, 2000, they flipped to anadult contemporaryformat as "Mix 92.3" and would later evolve toadult top 40.[6][7][4]The station would change its call sign to KMXW on October 27, 2000.[8]The ratings quickly dropped.[5]The station was the Wichita affiliate of theDallas-based morning showKidd Kraddick in the Morning(which moved toKFBZin December 2005). In the fall of 2002, the station flipped to "92.3 the Zone" with an automatedmodern AC/modern rockformat. One year later, the station would revert tohot ACas "The New 92.3". On September 10, 2004, KMXW flipped to a gold-basedrhythmic adult contemporaryformat as "Magic 92.3".[9]None of these attempts garnered any ratings success. On January 16, 2007, KMXW flipped toclassic countryas "Classic Country 92.3". The call sign was changed to KFTI-FM.[10][8]Almost instantly, the station jumped back into the top 10 in the ratings.

Sale to Envision, 'Q92'

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On July 30, 2014, it was announced that theE. W. Scripps Companywould acquire Journal Communications in an all-stock transaction. The combined firm would retain their broadcast properties and spin off their print assets as Journal Media Group.[11]KFTI-FM, their sister radio stations in the Wichita area, and two TV stations were not included in the merger; in September, Journal filed to transfer these stations to the Journal/Scripps Divestiture Trust (with Kiel Media Group as trustee). With the merger, the grandfathered ownership clause that Journal had was voided, forcing a sale of one of the Journal stations to satisfy ownership limits.[12][13]

On October 10, 2014, Journal announced that KFTI-FM would be sold to Wichita-basedEnvision,a non-profitblindadvocacy group, under their newly formed broadcasting division, for a price of $1.55 million.[14][15]Journal also announced that the format and KFTI call sign will be moved back to1070 AMafter a4+1⁄2-year absence; at midnight on October 22, KLIO droppedESPN Deportesfor a simulcast of KFTI-FM. The simulcast continued until the approval of the sale on December 12, 2014. Envision applied to change KFTI-FM's call sign to KKGQ upon the closing of the sale.[16]Although Envision is anon-profit organization,the station would continue to operate with a commercial license. In addition, Envision registered several website domains with "Q" in the address, including Q92TheBeat.com, Q92TheBeat.net and Q92TheBeat.org, as well as anonymous domains for Q92Wichita.com, Q923Wichita.com, 923QFM.com and 923TheQ.com that were registered when the sale was announced (Q92Wichita.com would be picked as the official domain).[17]

At midnight on December 13, 2014, the station, now under the KKGQ call sign, broke from the simulcast, and beganstuntingwith music fromblind musicians,as well as construction sound effects and greeting messages from Envision employees. At 6 a.m. on the 15th, the station shifted its stunting toChristmas music,now using the moniker "Santa Q92". At 6 a.m. on December 26, the stunting shifted towards playing a wide variety of music from multiple genres (while leaving hints of a possible contemporary music direction based on the stunting), now utilizing the station's intended moniker "Q92". At a press conference on December 30, Envision announced that Brett Harris and Tracy Cassidy (formerly ofKRBB) would host mornings on the station beginning January 5.[18][19]

At midnight on January 1, 2015, KKGQ began airing a six-hour program ofsmooth jazzmusic titledThe Oasis,which aired in overnights for a brief period. (The "Oasis" name is based ona former Wichita station of the same name). At 6 a.m., the station officially flipped back torhythmic AC,branded as "Q92 The Beat", and used the slogan "The Best Mix 90s to Now".[20]The second go-around with the format had a playlist focused on pop and rhythmic hits from the 1990s to the current day (as well as some current pop-rock songs for balance) instead of the 1970s and 1980s focus its "Magic" predecessor had. Over the course of 2015, the station added morehot ACmaterial to the playlist, with the complete shift to the format completed on October 1 (most of the rhythmic AC material had been moved to the evening hours), though the station did retain a rhythmic lean overall.

By February 2017, KKGQ changed its slogan to "Today's Best Mix & Throwbacks", dropped much of the rhythmic component of their playlist, and dropped the "Beat" portion of their slogan, rebranding as just "Q92".

Sale to Rocking M, 'Kansas Country'

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On April 5, 2017, Envision announced that they would merge their broadcasting division withManhattan, Kansas-based Rocking M Media, who were also in the process of acquiringKIBBandKVWFfromConnoisseur Media.As part of the deal, Rocking M would relocate KIBB/KVWF's studios into KKGQ's space on North Main Street in downtown Wichita, as well as integrate Envision's education programs for the visually impaired into its operations in all of their Central and Western Kansas stations. Rocking M took over KKGQ via alocal marketing agreementon April 10, with the sale officially completed on September 22 at a price of $2.5 million.[21][22]In addition, Harris and Cassidy would be let go from the station on April 19, and the station rebranded as "Q92.3".[23]

During its tenure as "Q", ratings were in the upper 0s—mid-1 shares of the Wichita market, and often ranked as the lowest rated commercial station in the market. In the spring-2017 ratings period, KKGQ held a 0.7 share of the market, whereas closest competitorKFBZheld a 3.6 share, and mainstream AC rivalKRBBheld a 4.7 share. Because of this, on September 5, 2017, at midnight, after playing "Centuries"byFall Out Boy,KKGQ flipped tocountry,branded as "Kansas Country 92.3". The first song on "Kansas Country" was "Austin"byPat Green.[24]

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On March 29, 2019, Rocking M announced they would sell KKGQ and its five sister stations in the Wichita/Wellington/Winfield area to Allied Media Partners, a local group owned by Matt Baty and Tommy Castor, for $6.2 million. Allied Media Partners would take over the stations via alocal marketing agreementon April 1.[25][26]The FCC approved the sale in late May; however, the sale was not consummated due to Allied Media Partners’ condition that Rocking M would clear all liens and outstanding debt on the stations in order for the sale to be completed. The completion date would be delayed a few more times, with a final scheduled completion date of October 31. On September 23, 2019, Envision, which owns the building that houses the station's studios, would lock the doors, denying staff members access to the station and offices; the non-profit organization claimed that Rocking M was behind in their lease agreement. In response, Rocking M took each station off the air that same day.[27][28]A week later, Allied Media Partners announced it would cease operations, andlet goall employees, putting the future of the stations in jeopardy.[29][30]KKGQ would occasionally return to the air to broadcastKansas State Wildcatsfootball games as part of the station's agreement withLearfield Sportsto carry the games as the Wichita affiliate.[31]On October 11, Envision filed a lawsuit against Rocking M inHarvey CountyDistrict Court, claiming that Rocking M did not meet a payment schedule related to KKGQ's sale in 2017 and owes the company money (Envision was seeking $1.25 million plus interest, costs and attorneys' fees). It also wanted asheriff's saleof property related to the station and demanded that Rocking M deliver all collateral to Envision.[32]On November 6, Envision filed a second lawsuit against Rocking M inSedgwick CountyDistrict Court for failing to vacate the building that houses their stations' studios, along with leaving behind damaged property and failing to pay rent for parking spaces.[33]In return, Rocking M filed a complaint with the FCC, hoping that the agency would force Envision to allow access back to the stations' studios, as well as to fine the company. In addition, Rocking M had stated that it hoped to still sell KKGQ and its five sister stations.[34][35]

On January 16, 2020, KKGQ returned to the air, this time operating from studios in Wellington, and would retain the country format, airing the syndicated "Brand" format from Envision Radio Networks (not related to the non-profit Envision; has since been renamedSun Broadcast Group,and is now under the ownership of SuiteRadio), subsequently rebranding as "92.3 The Brand".[36][37][38][39]

On August 28, 2020, the Harvey County District Court ruled in favor of Envision, awarding the company $1.2 million plus interest for what it said was Rocking M's breach of contract.[40]

ESPN Wichita

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On April 6, 2021, Rocking M announced it would sell KKGQ toOverland Park-based Pinnacle Media (owned by Chad Boeger, who is the president of Union Broadcasting, owner of Kansas City sports talk stationsWHBandKCTE,as well as three sports stations (WHBE (AM)/FMandWLCL) in theLouisville, Kentucky,market) for $623,000. As part of the deal, Union and Envision will conduct a one day camp for blind and visually impaired youths that includes access and engagement to produce and air radio broadcast shows. Also, Envision will be a "founding partner" of the station until 2024, will air a bi-weekly hour-long show on the station "espousing the Envision mission and all that Envision does", and Pinnacle/Union will review and consider resumes of blind and visually impaired applicants from Envision when applicable. In addition, Union will enter into an advertising agreement with Pinnacle to manage the station. Per the deal, the civil lawsuits between Envision and Rocking M will be jointly dismissed.[41][42]The sale was approved by the FCC on January 4, 2022, and was consummated on February 7.[43][44]

On June 3, 2021, Pinnacle announced that KKGQ would flip tosports talkas "ESPN Wichita 92.3" on June 14 (the flip occurred a day earlier than planned on June 13). KKGQ's current schedule consists of local weekday programs hosted by formerKFHhost Shane Dennis from noon - 2 p.m. and Pat Strathman from 2 p.m.-4 p.m., as well as partial simulcasts of WHB programsNew Day with SSJandThe Program with Soren Petro.ESPN Radioprogramming fills the remainder of the schedule.[45][46]

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References

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  1. ^abBroadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1985,Broadcasting/Cablecasting,1985. p. B-104. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  2. ^"Facility Technical Data for KKGQ".Licensing and Management System.Federal Communications Commission.
  3. ^abc"History Cards for KKGQ",fcc.gov. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  4. ^ab"KOEZ pulls plug on soft music format",Wichita Business Journal.January 16, 2000. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  5. ^abDuncan, James H."Wichita: 12+ Metro Share",An American Radio Trilogy 1975 to 2004.Volume 1: The Markets. Duncan's American Radio. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  6. ^"Journal Broadcast Group adds Newton station to its holdings,The Wichita Eagle,December 2, 1999.
  7. ^Diane Samms Rush, "Easy-listening radio station is gone, owner says",The Wichita Eagle,January 26, 2000.
  8. ^ab"Call Sign History",fcc.gov. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  9. ^"Wichita radio station changes name, music"
  10. ^Carrie Rengers, "Gone country",The Wichita Eagle,January 16, 2007.
  11. ^Glauber, Bill (30 July 2014)."Journal, Scripps deal announced".Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.Retrieved30 July2014.
  12. ^"Application for Consent to Assignment of Broadcast Station Construction Permit or License".CDBS Public Access.Federal Communications Commission.September 2, 2014.RetrievedSeptember 22,2014.
  13. ^"Description of the Proposed Transaction".Federal Communications Commission.September 2, 2014.RetrievedSeptember 22,2014.
  14. ^"Blind Advocacy Group Acquires 92.3 KFTI Wichita"
  15. ^"Envision buys Wichita's KFTI-FM radio station"
  16. ^"Media Bureau Call Sign Actions"(PDF).Federal Communications Commission.November 7, 2014.RetrievedNovember 7,2014.
  17. ^"Envision Sets Plans For 92.3 Wichita"from Radio Insight (December 10, 2014)
  18. ^Carrie Rengers, "Brett Harris, Tracy Cassidy to reunite on new station",The Wichita Eagle,December 31, 2014.
  19. ^"Envision putting its stamp on Wichita's 92.3 FM"
  20. ^"Q92 Wichita Officially Launches As Hot AC"
  21. ^"Rocking M Media to Merge with Envision Broadcast Network"
  22. ^"This station 'envisions' a rocking future"
  23. ^"Brett Harris and Tracy Cassidy lose Q92 morning show"
  24. ^"KKGQ Brings Red Dirt Country to Wichita"
  25. ^"Allied Media Partners Acquires Six in Wichita from Rocking M Media"
  26. ^Carrie Rengers, "Wichita-based group forms to buy 6 area radio stations",The Wichita Eagle,March 30, 2019.
  27. ^Carrie Rengers, "Rocking M Media's six area radio stations off the air",The Wichita Eagle,September 25, 2019.
  28. ^"Wichita Cluster Silenced as Allied Buy Implodes"
  29. ^"Sale Conflict Takes Wichita Cluster Off the Air"
  30. ^"AMP permanently unplugged in Wichita"
  31. ^"One of six Rocking M Media stations that went off the air last week is back"
  32. ^"Lawsuit, FCC complaint follow six Wichita radio stations going off the air"
  33. ^"Rocking M Media faces another lawsuit as its six Wichita-area stations remain off"
  34. ^"Wichita Cluster Off-Air with Purchase of Stations Now in Jeopardy"
  35. ^"FCC Pulled Into Battle Over Rocking M's Silent Wichita FMs"
  36. ^One Wichita-area Rocking M Media station is back on, but what about the others?
  37. ^"Rocking M Media revives two of its Wichita stations"
  38. ^"Three more Wichita Rocking M stations and one very strange twist to the story"
  39. ^"SuiteRadio Broadcast | SuiteRadio".
  40. ^"Envision Broadcast Network prevails in suit against Rocking M Media and Miller family"
  41. ^"KKGQ Sale to Lead to Legal Settlement in Wichita"
  42. ^"Sale of KKGQ Settles Long-Running Legal Dispute in Wichita"
  43. ^"Draft Copy « License Modernization « FCC".
  44. ^"Draft Copy « Licensing and Management System « FCC".
  45. ^"ESPN Wichita 92.3 The Fan To Launch June 14"
  46. ^"After sale, Envision's 92.3-FM will soon be Wichita's all-sports ESPN radio station"
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38°01′12″N97°23′06″W/ 38.020°N 97.385°W/38.020; -97.385

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