KCKC

Infobox Radio Station


name = KCKC-FM
airdate = January 1999
frequency = 102.1 MHz
city = Kansas City, Missouri
area = Kansas City, Missouri
format = Adult Contemporary (Dec-Oct)
Christmas music (Nov-Dec)
owner = Wilks Broadcasting
erp = 100,000 watts
haat = 341 meters
branding = Star 102
slogan = "Kansas City's Lite Rock"
class = C0| facility_id = 11279
webcast = [http://star102.com/player/ Listen Live]
website = [http://www.star102.com/ www.star102.com]
callsign_meaning = Kansas City (x2)
former_callsigns = KSRC (1999-2006)|

KCKC is an adult contemporary station based in Kansas City, Missouri that operates at 102.1 MHz with an ERP of 100 kW. Despite the Star branding, the station is not owned by The Kansas City Star, but rather Wilks Broadcasting (formerly owned by CBS Radio). Its transmitter is located in Independence, Missouri.

The 102.1 frequency was first used in 1948 by Cook Paint and Varnish Company, then the owners of WHB. The frequency went dead in 1950, but was picked up in 1961 by WDAF. The simulcast of their AM frequency continued until 1974, when the channel's most famous occupant debuted.

In 1974, under the call letters KYYS, KY102 became Kansas City's prominent album oriented rock station, winning fans away from the pop powerhouses KBEQ and WHB. However, KYYS shied away from heavy-metal and punk bands, sticking with bands backed by major record labels. By 1997, most of its fans has switched to KQRC, resulting in its sudden dismissal in favor of "The Zone", a modern adult contemporary format. One month later, KYYS would return on 99.7 FM, replacing another adult contemporary format. "The Zone" was dumped in 1999 in favor of "Star 102".

CBS Radio sold its Kansas City cluster to Wilks Broadcasting in 2006. Upon taking over KCKC, Wilks made many cost-cutting changes, including the dismissal of night host and production director Mike O'Brien.

In September 2007, KCKC changed positioning statements from "Kansas City's Best Music" to "Kansas City's Lite Rock."

Christmas music format

Star 102, called KSRC-FM until 2006, says they are one of the first stations in the United States to play nothing but Christmas music in the Christmas and holiday season, doing so since 1999, and annually competing with crosstown rival KUDL (as well as Salt Lake City-based KOSY-FM, among others) for the title of first commercial non-stunting station to flip over to Christmas music. KCKC won the battle by a matter of hours in 2007, playing Christmas tunes on October 31.

External links

* [http://www.star102.com KCKC-FM's Web site]