KKEG-FM Dials Up, ‘Ticket’ Set for Air
by June 15, 2009 12:00 am 111 views
Cumulus Broadcasting Inc. switched its station line up in Northwest Arkansas the week of June 8.
Effective June 11, classic rock formatted KKEG-FM, 92.1 “The Keg” changed frequency to 98.3, bumping KQSM-FM, “Sam 98,” which was a country format.
An ESPN-formatted station, “The Ticket” filled the 92.1 frequency with 24-hour sports as of June 12.
The Keg will get a boost in power that should give the station more market coverage.
“The Keg” has already undergone some program formatting changes, said C. J. Jones, vice president and market manager for Cumulus. The modifications should broadened the station’s appeal to the 25-54 demographic, and be more appealing to female listeners. Previously the station had more appeal to the 18-39 male demo, which was too narrow, he said.
The station has been lagging in ratings recent years.
It ranked No. 9 in the fall Arbitron Inc. ratings, with a 3.9 average percent share of listeners, compared to format competitor KIGL-FM, 93.3 “The Eagle,” operated by Clear Channel Communications Inc., which had a 6 percent share.
KQSM-FM performance has been even worse. It was No. 14 in the market with fall 2008 ratings of 2.4 percent share.