KKND

Infobox Radio Station


name = KKND
airdate = 1992
frequency = 102.9 (MHz)
HD Radio
102.9 HD-2 for Regional Mexican
city = Belle Chase, Louisiana
area = New Orleans metropolitan area
format = Rhythmic Contemporary
owner = Citadel Broadcasting Corporation
sister_stations = KXOS, WDVW, WMTI
erp = 4,700 watts
haat = 184 meters
branding = "Power 102.9"
slogan = "Non-Stop Hip-Hop"
class = C3
facility_id = 12157
former_callsigns = KMEZ (09/27/91-05/29/08)
KNOK (10/18/89-09/27/91)
webcast = [http://citadelcc-kknd-fm.wm.llnwd.net/citadelcc_KKND_FM Listen Live]
website = [http://www.power1029.com/ www.power1029.com]
callsign_meaning = The End which was a slogan for it's dial position on the station the callsign used to be on which is now KXOS

KKND is an Rhythmic Contemporary outlet serving the New Orleans area. The Citadel Broadcasting Corporation station is licensed to Belle Chase, Louisiana and broadcasts its format at 102.9 MHz with an ERP of 4.7kW.

History

The station, whose original calls were KMEZ, started off with a Gold-based Urban AC format and was known on-air as "Big Eazy 102.9", only to later reimaged it as "Old School 102.9" in a effort to capitialize on the growing interest in the Rhythmic/Urban Oldies format. By 2004 it modified its format by adding Adult R&B product to its playlist and reimaged itself again as "102.9, Old School & Today's R&B" to reflect the changes -- and compete with WYLD-FM and hip hop station WQUE. despite being a Urban AC, KMEZ, who, during the fall of 2007, became the flagship station of the New Orleans Hornets of the National Basketball Association.

On May 20, 2008, KXOS (then known as KKND) began simulcasting sister station KKND (then known as KMEZ), who in turn dropped their struggling Country format. The simulcast also marked KKND's move to the 106.7 frequency. This station received the callsign of KKND from KXOS on May 29, 2008, who changed their callsign to KMEZ,ending the KXOS callsigns run.

On July 1, 2008, Citadel officially chose Rhythmic Contemporary as the new format for the 102.9 frequency by unveiling the all-new "Power 102.9." [ [http://www.radioandrecords.com/RRWebSite/Search.aspx?search=KKND From R&R] ] The station's logo and Hip-Hop direction is loosely based on KPWR/Los Angeles and is expected to challenge WQUE, who has dominated the R&B/Hip-Hop scene in New Orleans for nearly two decades and has yet to be defeated. Two days later on July 3rd at exactly 10:29 AM (CDT), Power 102.9 made its debut by signing on with Lil' Wayne featuring Static Major's "Lollipop" [ [http://www.radio-info.com/smf/index.php/topic,103130.0.html From Radio-Info Louisiana Board] ] . The station had since been running jockless with 10,000 songs [ [http://news.radio-online.com/cgi-bin/$rol.exe/headline_id=n18138 From Radio-Online (July 3, 2008)] ] . However, with the approach of Hurricane Gustav, the station is currently simulcasting the audio of WDSU-TV (Channel 6) since 4:30pm on August 30 [The playlist on the station's website showed no songs played since 4:20pm on that day] , as are all of Citadel's New Orleans FM signals.

This station however received a notice from its current transmitter site owner that it must leave by September 1 2008 and is believed to be one of the reasons behind the move of KKND to KXOS. [cite web|url=http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101236606&formid=301&fac_num=12157|title= KKND application to move to a new location|source=Federal Communications Commission (Media Bureau)] It is unknown if this move will still occur on that date with Gustav's approach.

Former logos

References

External links

* [http://www.power1029.com 102.9's website]
*FMQ|KKND
*FML|KKND
*FMARB|KKND