KFOO-FM

Radio station in Opportunity, Washington
  • Opportunity, Washington
Broadcast areaSpokane, WashingtonFrequency96.1 MHz (HD Radio)BrandingAlt 96.1ProgrammingFormatAlternative rockAffiliations
  • Compass Media Networks
  • Premiere Networks
OwnershipOwner
  • iHeartMedia
  • (iHM Licenses, LLC)
Sister stations
KCDA, KISC, KKZX, KZFS, KQNTHistory
First air date
April 1, 1961 (1961-04-01) (as KZUN-FM)
Former call signs
  • KZUN-FM (1961–1982)
  • KKPL (1982–1985)
  • KKPL-FM (1985–1992)
  • KNFR (1992–2001)
  • KIXZ-FM (2001–2013)
  • KPXR-FM (2013–2014)
  • KIIX-FM (2014–2018)
Call sign meaning
Foo FightersTechnical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCCFacility ID60422ClassCERP60,000 wattsHAAT744 meters (2,441 ft)Links
Public license information
  • Public file
  • LMS
WebcastListen live (via iHeartRadio)Websitealt961.iheart.com

KFOO-FM (96.1 MHz, "Alt 96.1") is an alternative rock radio station serving the Spokane area of Washington, United States. It broadcasts with an ERP of 60,000 watts and is licensed to Opportunity, Washington. It is owned by iHeartMedia.

History

The station signed on the air in 1961 as KZUN-FM. It would later become KKPL in 1982 broadcasting an adult contemporary format, known as "96 Apple FM".[2] By the mid-1980s, the station had a mixed flavor of adult contemporary and Top 40 formats, known as "K-96.1" and "LITE 96".[3]

By the 1990s, LITE 96 was competing in a crowded field for adult contemporary music between KISC and Classy 99.9. In 1992, the station flipped to country music as KNFR, under such brands as K-Frog and Kicks, and later KIXZ-FM "Kix 96" in 2001.

On March 24, 2012, the station flipped to a Top 40/CHR format as Hits 96.1, with an entirely-syndicated lineup of shows. Listeners were unhappy with the sudden drop of the country music format.[4] On September 20, 2013, the station rebranded as Power 96.1, with no change in format.[5] The station changed its calls to KPXR-FM. On May 8, 2014, KPXR-FM returned to country and the "Kix" brand as Kix 96.1. At the same time, the call letters were changed to KIIX-FM. It was due to rating and listener dissatisfaction with the pop format.[6][7]

On March 2, 2018, KIIX-FM moved its programming and branding to sister KZFS, and began running promos redirecting listeners to the new frequency. The station re-launched as alternative rock Alt 96.1 on March 5. The station changed its call letters to KFOO-FM (which, like its previous usage in Tacoma, is in reference to the Seattle-based alternative band Foo Fighters).[8]

Notable former staff

  • Jeremy McComb (2003-2004). Currently a country singer, best known for his hit singles "Wagon Wheel", "This Town Needs A Bar", and "Cold One".

References

  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for KFOO-FM". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ "1983 96 Apple FM Spokane". Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
  3. ^ "1991 LITE 96 Spokane Commercial". Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
  4. ^ "Clear Channel Brings Hits To Spokane". RadioInsight. 2012-03-26. Retrieved 2018-03-02.
  5. ^ "Hits 96.1 Spokane Rebrands With Power". RadioInsight. 2013-09-20. Retrieved 2018-03-02.
  6. ^ "Call Sign History". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  7. ^ "Power Spokane Returns To Country". RadioInsight. 2014-05-08. Retrieved 2018-03-02.
  8. ^ "iHeartMedia Performs Double Flip In Spokane". RadioInsight. 2018-03-02. Retrieved 2018-03-02.

External links

  • Official website
  • KFOO in the FCC FM station database
  • KFOO in Nielsen Audio's FM station database
  • v
  • t
  • e
Radio stations in Spokane, Washington, metropolitan area
This area also includes Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
By AM frequency
By FM frequency
LPFM
Translators
NOAA Weather Radio
frequencyDigital radio
by frequency & subchannelBy call signDefunct
Radio stations in the Idaho Panhandle
Coeur d'Alene
Lewiston
Moscow
Other nearby regions
Kalispell
Tri-Cities / Walla Walla
Wenatchee
See also
List of radio stations in Idaho
List of radio stations in Washington
  • v
  • t
  • e
Modern rock radio stations in the state of Washington
By frequency
By callsign
By city
See also
adult contemporary
classic hits
college
country
news/talk
NPR
oldies
religious
rock
sports
top 40
urban
other radio stations in Washington
See also
active rock
classic rock
mainstream rock
modern rock
  • v
  • t
  • e
iHeartMedia
Corporate officers
  • Bob Pittman (Chairman/CEO)
Board of directors
AM radio stations
FM radio stations
Radio networks
Miscellaneous

47°34′12″N 117°04′59″W / 47.570°N 117.083°W / 47.570; -117.083