KDRF

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

KDRF-FM (103.3 MHz) is a radio station in Albuquerque, NM. It is owned by Citadel Communications and has an Adult Hits format as "Ed FM" and uses the slogan "playing stuff we like". KDRF was originally launched at the end of 2004 as "Fred FM" but in March 2005 XM Satellite Radio claimed the name "Fred" to be a trademark of their classic alternative station. The name was then shortened to "Ed" to avoid fighting a costly legal battle. The station has no DJs and has a wide playlist of Top 40 hits from the early '70s to the present. KDRF is also streamed online.

In April 2007 eD-FM enlisted Tom Dickson of Blendtec to do a Will It Blend? version to promote the station. The three 30-second commercials show different styles of music CDs being blended, showcasing the station's variety format (of course... It Blends!). The commercials [1] aired on all Albuquerque TV stations over a 4 week period. The commercials returned in Fall 2007 after the first campaign saw improved ratings for the station.

[edit] History

Early History

The 103.3 frequency signed on in 1987 as KIDI-FM with a Spanish-language music format. By 1992 it would switch to a country music format as KASY-FM "Y-103/Cat Country" to challenge KRST. In 1996 the FCC had approved a measure that allowed for a single company to own up to eight radio stations in a single market. Both KRST and KASY would be acquired by Citadel at that time and by fall of that year KRST would keep the hot country format and 103.3 would become "K-Bull" KTBL-FM which would play classic country. This gave Citadel complete dominance over the popular country music radio market in Albuquerque until 2000 when Clear Channel launched KBQI-FM "Big I 107.9". Citadel had then moved to challenge Clear Channels' hold on rock radio in Albuquerque.

103.3 The Zone

Logo for KTZO-FM, once a popular alternative rock radio station in Albuquerque

In early 2001 103.3 would drop its classic country format and would be replaced with "The Zone" as KTZO-FM which originally had an adult alternative music format playing in 20 song sets as a "quality rock" station. The Zone was designed to challenge Clear Channels' KPEK-FM "The Peak" which was playing mostly "softer" alternative bands at the time but still played a great deal of pop songs targeted at a mostly female audience. Like its eventual successor, KTZO would attempt to run without DJs until fall of 2001 when it had added an airstaff which would include former KTEG morning host Micheal Moxey in morning drive. Other personalities included Don Kelly, Leah Black, Scott Souhrada, and later Forrest, Brian and Kit Missile. The format shifted to modern rock in early 2003 adding hard rock acts like System of a Down but also keeping bands like Coldplay from its old format and also playing 90s alternative bands like Green Day and Bush as well as modern bands like The White Stripes and later Modest Mouse and The Killers which were not heard on other local stations. It also held an annual "battle of the bands" competition for local bands. The winner would receive regular airplay on the station. Soular gained a local fanbase after winning the first competition in 2002. Feels Like Sunday and Hollis Wake would win later contests. Although the format drew decent arbitron ratings, it was axed at the end of 2004 in favor of the adult hits format which was gaining popularity across the country.

[edit] External links

• eD-FM website
• KDRF article
• 103.3 The Zone debut
• Query the FCC's FM station database for KDRF
• Radio Locator information on KDRF
• Query Arbitron's FM station database for KDRF