KBZN-FM "97.9 The Breeze" Capitol Broadcasting

[seattlefollower]

Well, KBZN has made a big shift. Yes they're playing "smooth vocals" but when I look at yes.com and see that current popular artists are in their top 20 most played over the week... egad! This is apparently what the major smooth jazz consulting firm/programmer suggested for them: "Sound more like KOSY or FM 100 used to."
www.broadcastarchitecture.com/products_consulting.html

No wonder Kelly Monson thought it was time to move on.

JamesAnderson must be quaking in his boots. I guess the last toss at B/EZ music in SLC is gone.

Smooth "jazz" has been changing nationwide, with record labels dropping artists and stations moving more into vocal music - but I really think mirroring something like Seattle's KWJZ may have been a better move!

Arbitron recently allowed smooth "jazz" to be re-labeled smooth A.C. if the stations wished. I have a feeling we will see that soon for KBZN.

[CAwasinNJ]

The Breeze has tried that before. It didn't work, but FM100 & KOSY have gone a little more toward Hot AC since then. Maybe this time it will.

If that doesn't work, maybe they could flip it to KLO-FM and extend the reach of the station further south.

[henry]

I think Smooth Jazz is in limbo right now. It's not pushing any "hits," which challenges it's format. I mean, Classic Rock doesn't push anything new onto the scene either, but lately the format is getting older and older.

As far as I've seen in the breakdown, they do quite well 50+, but that's a real dinosaur to sell. They are only "okay" at best in the other demos.

The change is more an issue of saleability than ratings, IMHO.

[Timmy]

Flip predictions? When? To what?

[Terry]

Sept 2, 2008 6:57:46 GMT -6 Timmy said:

Flip predictions? When? To what?

KLO simulcast. But it'll take 'em a year to decide that it's a good idea.

[dxstuboy]

Sept 2, 2008 10:07:22 GMT -6 Terry said:

Sept 2, 2008 6:57:46 GMT -6 Timmy said:

Flip predictions? When? To what?

KLO simulcast. But it'll take 'em a year to decide that it's a good idea.

I'd like to see that. Either that or KNRS on FM. Could it compete with KSL-FM? As I've said before, I'd love to hear C2C on FM for once.

[CAwasinNJ]

Rumors were flying around when version 1 of The River was sinking that 105.7 would become KNRS-FM. They never did.

I don't see Capitol running a competing talk station on their FM, but KLO on FM might work out better. It would be cheaper than running a second service, but how much?

[Timmy]

I still think CC would do better with KNRS-FM than ANOTHER country station. Wonder if they would consider changing it this year??

[CAwasinNJ]

This year is probably too early. Formats need time to establish themselves. Even so, 105.7 is showing the best numbers they've had for years, IIRC. They even beat The Eagle in 12+, but that's not really a fair comparison for a few reasons. There's room to hope.