Seattle Radio: PBB Flips KZIZ To Smooth Jazz

Last Friday, Chris H. Bennett, Chairman of Kris Bennett Broadcasting (KBB), announced a a format change for KZIZ 1560 AM (licensed to Pacific, WA), “I’m proud to announce that we have acquired the exclusive rights to the Smooth Jazz format, and will be the officially licensed Pacific Northwest affiliate for the Smooth Jazz Network effective May 1, 2013,” Bennett told seattlemedium.com.

“We are thrilled to bring the smooth jazz network to the Seattle area once again,” says Smooth Jazz Network president Allen Kepler. “Our history in the market goes back to the mid-90’s, and even very recently we have continued to hear the outcry from former supporters of the format.”

According to Bennett, the Smooth Jazz format consistently ranked in the top ten for radio listeners in this market for over 5 years.

“We hope to fill a void in the marketplace and provide this huge under-served audience in the Seattle/Tacoma/Everett metro area with our Jazzy “Z” KZIZ radio station and internet streaming,” said Bennett. “It certainly allows KBB, Inc. to diversify and market the various formats to include this particular listening audience.”

In order to make room for the Smooth Jazz format, KBB will implement the following changes: The Gospel format currently on 1560 AM KZIZ will move to 1420 AM KRIZ. The Blues format on 1420 will be cut back to accommodate gospel format. The talk shows – Community Potpourri, Rev. Al Sharpton, and GameTime Sports – heard on 1620 MA KYIZ will not be affected as the 1620 lineup will remain the same.

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