| Broadcast area | Spokane metropolitan area |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 1280kHz |
| Branding | Hooptown 101.5 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Classic hip hop |
| Affiliations | Premiere Networks |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| KCDA,KFOO-FM,KISC,KKZX,KQNT | |
| History | |
First air date | 1965 (1965) (as KUDY) |
Former call signs | KUDY (1964–2002) KAQQ (2002–2005) KPTQ (2005–2013) |
Call sign meaning | Fox Sports (previous affiliation) |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 53149 |
| Class | D |
| Power | 5,000watts day 125 watts night 250 watts (FM translator) |
Transmitter coordinates | 47°36′27″N117°21′40″W / 47.60750°N 117.36111°W /47.60750; -117.36111 |
| Translator(s) | 101.5 K268DL (Spokane) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen live (viaiHeartRadio) |
| Website | hooptown1015.iheart.com |
KZFS (1280AM, "Hooptown 101.5") is acommercialradio station inSpokane, Washington. It broadcasts aclassic hip hopradio format and is owned byiHeartMedia, Inc. Its branding originates from its 250wattFM translatorK268DL at 101.5MHz.[2]
By day, KZFS's AM signal is powered at 5,000 watts. But to protect other stations on1280 AM, it reduces power at night to only 125 watts. It uses adirectional antenna at all times. Thetransmitter is on South Palouse Highway in Southeast Spokane.[3]
The station was firstsigned on in 1965. It usedKUDY as itscall sign and it broadcast aChristian talk and teaching format until 2002. That year, the station swapped signals withKQNT (590 AM); the 1280 AM frequency took on the latter'sadult standards format asKAQQ.
In 2005, the station changed its call sign toKPTQ and flipped to aprogressive talk format.[4] KPTQ served as the Spokane affiliate ofAir America Radio until Air America went off the air in January 2010. On March 26, 2012, the station switched toclassic country after sisterKIXZ switched toTop 40.[5]
On April 11, 2013, KPTQ flipped tosports talk as anetwork affiliate ofFox Sports Radio, changing its call letters toKZFS.[6] On April 10, 2015, KZFS adopted acontemporary Christian music format, branded "Up 99.3" (relayed on translator K257FX, 99.3 FM).[7] In March 2018, KZFS flipped tocountry as "Kix 99.3", inheriting the format and branding ofKIIX-FM (which switched tomodern rock on March 5).[8] The previous Christian format was moved toKISC-HD2 and rebranded as "UP! 98.1 HD2".
In March 2020, KZFS flipped toClassic hip hop, branded as "Hooptown 101.5", and began simulcasting on translator K268DL (101.5 FM). Subsequently, the simulcast of the country format (which remains on K257FX) was moved toKISC's HD2 subchannel. The Hooptown branding is derived from Spokane's unofficial nickname of "Hooptown USA", referring to the success of the city's college and high school basketball teams.[9]