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KSTZ, known as "Star 102.5," is an FM radio station based in Des Moines, Iowa. The station plays Adult Top 40 music. KSTZ is part of Saga Communications' Des Moines Radio Group, along with KPSZ, KRNT, KAZR, KIOA, and KLTI.
[edit] History
KRNT-FM signed on in 1970 under the ownership of the Cowles family, publishers of the Des Moines Register. In 1974 the station became KRNQ, "Q-102";[1] that year, Cowles sold KRNQ and KRNT (AM) to Stauffer Communications of Topeka, Kansas. The two stations were sold to Saga Communications in August of 1988. KRNQ was originally an automated Top 40 station, but in 1984, the station began using local personalities. By the end of the 1980s, KRNQ was at or near the top of the local Arbitron ratings. In 1991, due to Saga's decision to reach older listeners, what was known as Q102 with a contemporary hit radio format changed to an adult Top 40 format and was known as "Q102/KRNQ Today's Hits and Yesterday's Favorites". Q102/KRNQ promised to play no rap (even though it was rarely played on the station after Saga's purchase in 1988) or hard rock, both of which were very much a part of popular music at the time. This format change left Des Moines with no contemporary hit radio for several years. KRNQ became KSTZ on June 25, 1993. [2] (The KRNQ call letters are now used for a station in Keokuk, Iowa.) When the station reimaged itself to adult contemporary in 1993, the positioning statement the station used was "Superstars of the 70s 80s and 90s" (with the 'STZ' in the call letters forming an abbreviation for 'stars'). The station later switched to "The Best Variety of the 80s, 90s and Today". In 2001, the station began using the current positioning statement of "Today's Best Variety" with an adult Top 40 format.
[edit] Personalities and Programming
KSTZ's current morning show is the "Big Ken & Colleen" show with Ken Auge and Colleen Kelly, along with "Producer Kurt" Van Auken. Other current personalities (as of August 2007) include Karess Carter, Bobby Knight (not the basketball coach), Jimmy Wright, Marianne Kaye, Luke Matthews, Kate Garner,Ginny Ray, and Nick Ratcliff. The station has shows dedicated to 1980s music on Friday nights and 1970s music on Saturday nights.
[edit] Big Ken & Colleen in the Morning
The Big Ken & Colleen show includes some regular segments that occur each week.
- Hollywood Trash - Each morning Colleen gives the listeners "the scoop" on their favorite celebrities. [3]
- The Ladies Room - Each Thursday morning, Colleen asks a question of the female listeners who then call in to discuss it. The premise is that it's just the ladies, no Ken and no Kurt.[4]
- Smarter Than Colleen - Each day a listener calls in and has to answer five questions related to their "Hollywood Trash" segment. Colleen is sent out of the room while the listener answers. Then Colleen is asked the same five questions. If the listener answers more questions correctly, then the listener is "Smarter Than Colleen." Ties go to Colleen. Every listener that plays wins something, even if they did not beat Colleen.
[edit] The Afternoon Show with Bobby Knight
- Bobby's Buzz - Each weekday at 2:20, 4:20 pm and now 6:20 pm Bobby gives the "Buzz" as to what is happening in the entertainment arena. [5]
- Bobby's Weekend Kickoff - Friday's at 5 pm, Bobby jump starts your weekend with great upbeat songs to get your weekend started! Also listen for chances to win great prizes from concert tickets to free food.
[edit] References
- ^ Des Moines Station Timeline, DesMoinesBroadcasting.com, accessed February 11, 2006
- ^ Federal Communications Commission. KSTZ Call Sign History. Retrieved on 2006-10-15.
- ^ STAR 102.5...Today's Best Variety!
- ^ STAR 102.5...Today's Best Variety!
- ^ STAR 102.5...Today's Best Variety!
[edit] External links
