Seattle Radio: iHM Realigns Station Formats

iHeartMedia/Seattle has announced a realingment at several of its stations' programming to provide "an enriched listening experience", while also retaining each station's core listener base.  Effective immediately:

• Top40 KBKS 106.1 FM will become a HOT AC station with the new slogan "More Music, More Variety." The highly rated hugely popular morning show with Bender and Molly will continue to broadcast weekday mornings.
• Rhythmic/HipHop KUBE 93.3 FM will evolve into Top40  POWER 93.3 FM "Seattle's New Hit Music," and will kick off playing 10,000 songs commercial free. Anchoring POWER's new talent line up will be Carla Marie & Anthony, recognized from the Elvis Duran Show, with a fresh new morning show.
• The popular brand KUBE will find a new frequency home on 104.9 FM (which was The Brew 104.9 FM) and become dedicated to Rhythmic programming as "Tacoma's New Home for Hits & Hip Hop." KUBE 104.9 FM will also continue to feature Supa Sam on weekday mornings and Tiffany in afternoon drive.
• Last week prior to today's announcement, KYNW's HOT AC listeners were transitioned to KBKS and it will become ALT 102.9 FM, "Seattle/Tacoma's Rock Alternative," playing Alternative Rock music programming. The ALT station will also welcome back popular Seattle on air personality Harms during the afternoon drive.

According to the company,  the new programming shifts will better serve its listeners and advertisers by aligning its programming and complementing the significant growth enjoyed by KJR 950 AM and KJr 95.7 The JET in 2015.

"We have identified a clear path forward that retains these stations' core listeners, while also attracting new ones.  These programming changes will build on the strengths of each brand and what differentiates them from one another," said Kent Haehl, Market President, iHeartMedia Seattle.

"These changes aren't traditional format changes; this is a pivot strategy to enable these brands to resonate quickly with both listeners and advertisers."

"This is a revolution for the Seattle market, and the success we've had with listeners to The Jet (KJR-FM) validates our strategy," said Andrew Jeffries, EVPP of the West Division,

iHeartMedia."Realigning our programming content, and boasting an influx of great talent under the leadership of radio veteran Rich Davis, we are bringing a fresh new approach to Seattle listening that will drive results."

"It's no secret that Seattle is a competitive market and these changes align our brands in a way that capitalizes on each stations strengths and gives us the best opportunity to win while providing a fresh new experience for our audience, "said Rich Davis, Senior Vice President of Programming, iHeartMedia Seattle.

"Our talent, including new Power 93.3 morning team Carla Marie and Anthony ,Alt. 102.9's Harms, along with 106.1's Bender and Molly and KUBE 104.9's DJ Supa Sam make this lineup not just a big win for our stations, but for our listeners in Seattle too."

Departing personnel:  tKUBE PD/afternoon host Eric Powers, KUBE APD/MD and KBKS middayer Karen Wild and KBKS MD/Afternoon host Eric Tyler.