 | |
| Broadcast area | Spokane metropolitan area |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 98.1MHz (HD Radio) |
| Branding | Kiss 98.1 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Adult contemporary |
| Subchannels | HD2:CountryKix 99.3 |
| Affiliations | Premiere Networks |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| KCDA,KFOO-FM,KKZX,KQNT,KZFS | |
| History | |
First air date | February 16, 1961; 64 years ago (1961-02-16) (as KHQ-FM) |
Former call signs | KHQ-FM (1961–1985) |
Call sign meaning | Sounds like "Kiss" |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 60419 |
| Class | C |
| ERP | |
| HAAT | 619 meters (2,031 ft) |
| Translator(s) | 99.3 K257FX (Spokane, relays HD2) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast |
|
| Website | |
KISC (98.1FM) is acommercialradio station inSpokane, Washington. It is owned byiHeartMedia and airs anadult contemporaryradio format, switching toChristmas music for much of November and December. The station has localDJs during the day and carries thesyndicated "Delilah" show in the evening fromPremiere Networks, an iHeartsubsidiary. The station calls itself "KISS 98.1", using alogo trademarked by iHeart, mostly associated withTop 40 stations that also call themselves "KISS-FM".
KISC'sradio studios and offices are on East Sprague Avenue in Spokane.[2] Itstransmitter is in off South Krell Ridge Lane in Spokane, onKrell Hill, also known as "Tower Mountain".[3] KISC broadcasts in theHD Radio format. Its HD2digital subchannel playscountry music as "KIX 99.3" feedingFM translatorK257FX at 99.3 MHz.
On February 16, 1961, the station firstsigned on as KHQ-FM.[4] It was the FM counterpart to KHQ (590 AM, nowKQNT). The two radio stations, andKHQ-TV, were owned byThe Spokesman-Review, a daily newspaper in Spokane. At first, KHQ-FMsimulcast the AM station, but it soon switched to anautomatedbeautiful music format.
In the early 1970s, KHQ-FM flipped to aTop 40 format.[5] At first, the contemporary version of KHQ-FM was also largely automated, but over time, DJs were added. In the 1970s, most radios were still not able to receive FM signals, and Spokane already had two popular Top 40 stations,KJRB (790 AM) and KREM (970 AM, nowKTTO). At first, KHQ-FM was not much of a factor in the ratings, but as more listeners acquired FM radios, the station's ratings improved. Eventually, the AM stations switched to other formats.
In 1985, KHQ Incorporated decided to keep its TV station but sold off the radio stations to Lilac City Broadcasting.[6] In those days,call signs could not be shared if the different stations were not co-owned. KHQ-TV kept its call letters, while the radio stations switched. The AM station became KLSN and the FM station became KISC, known as "Kiss-FM 98".[7][8][9][10] In 1984, formeralbum rock station KREM-FM became Top 40-formattedKZZU, and the stations were locked in a battle as Spokane's two big Top 40 outlets on FM.
Ashard rock andrap music began to dominate theTop 40 charts, KISC shifted toAdult Top 40 and eventually to an upbeat adult contemporary format. KISC aired a popular locally based "Love Notes" request show like theDelilah love songs program they air today. In the 1990s, KISC would take potshots atKXLY-FM, which had made the transition fromeasy listening tosoft adult contemporary, as KISC accused KXLY-FM of playing too much "soft sleepy music". When KXLY-FM flipped toadult alternative and then tocountry music, KISC became Spokane's only mainstream adult contemporary station.
In March 2020, KISC's HD2 sub-channel dropped "UP! 98.1 HD2" and adopted the country format ofKZFS and the "Kix 99.3" branding (the frequency being in reference to FM translator 99.3 K257FX, with KISC-HD2 now being the primary relay station for it). Subsequently, KZFS began simulcasting on new translator 101.5 K268DL and flipped toclassic hip hop.[11]
In 1996, KISC and AM 590, then called KAQQ, were bought by Triathlon Broadcasting. In 1999, ownership was passed to AMFM Broadcasting.[12] One year later, AMFM was acquired byClear Channel Communications, the forerunner to current owner iHeartMedia.
47°34′52″N117°17′49″W / 47.581°N 117.297°W /47.581; -117.297