| SimulcastsKSSK, Honolulu | |
|---|---|
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| Broadcast area | Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Frequency | 92.3MHz (HD Radio) |
| Branding | AM 590 & 92.3 KSSK |
| Programming | |
| Format | Adult contemporary |
| Subchannels | HD2:Country music "iHeartCountry Radio" |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
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| History | |
First air date | December 30, 1976; 49 years ago (1976-12-30) |
Former call signs |
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Call sign meaning | Phonetically similar to "kiss"[1] |
| Technical information[2] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 48775 |
| Class | C |
| ERP | 100,000 watts |
| HAAT | 594 meters (1,949 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 21°23′49″N158°5′58″W / 21.39694°N 158.09944°W /21.39694; -158.09944 |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast |
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| Website | ksskradio |
KSSK-FM (92.3MHz) is anadult contemporary formattedcommercialradio station serving theHonolulumedia market. It is owned byiHeartMedia, Inc. and licensed toWaipahu, Hawaii. Studios are located in theKalihi neighborhood of Honolulu, and the transmitter site is nearAkupu, Hawaii.
KSSK-FM's programming issimulcast withKSSK (AM) inHonolulu, Hawaii. As is the case with many other iHeartMedia adult contemporary stations, KSSK-AM-FM play allChristmas music beginning each year in mid-November, and return to their regular format on December 26. Unlike other stations that broadcast a Christmas format, KSSK also plays Christmas standards featuring local musicians specializing in Hawaiian music. The songHonolulu City Lights byKeola Beamer and his brother Kapono Beamer is a staple on KSSK's Christmas music playlist.
KSSK AM and FM are home to the popular "Perry & the Posse" morning show. The station is heard world-wide on the free iHeartRadio app[3] They are also heard onOceanic Spectrum digital channel 867 for the entire state ofHawaii,[4] via theDishHD satellite TV service inTaiwan,[5] and also USEN's Sound Planet satellite radio service inJapan.[6]
The station uses the slogan "Hawaii's Feel Good Favorites of Yesterday & Today".Nielsen consistently ranks KSSK-AM-FM as Honolulu's most listened-to radio station. A 2022 Inside Radio article named KSSK as the highest-rated AC Radio station in markets 51-100[7] KSSK's formerjingle melody was adapted from that ofWPLJ inNew York City. KSSK-AM-FM used WPLJ's jingle packages untilTM Century created a jingle package for KSSK, known as "Big Time Honolulu." In recent years, KSSK has converted to the KOST AC package from Reelworld.[8]
In 2016, the KSSK Perry & Price morning show evolved to become Perry & the Posse in the wake of Larry Price's retirement. Michael W. Perry hosts the show with a cast that includes Jimmy "Da Geek" Bender, Sweetie Pacarro and Julia Norton-Dennis. Many of the long running features continue including On the Road with Mike Evans, The Real Jimmy Hollywood and the infamous Coconut Wireless News & Comment.
Air personalities throughout the day include Scotty "B" Blaisdell, Curt Williams and John Matthews. KSSK is programmed by iHeartMedia Senior Vice President of Programming Jamie Hyatt since 2007.
KSSK continues to serve the community as the primary civil defense radio station for the state of Hawaii. KSSK helps various causes and has most notably raised millions of dollars for the Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children through their annual Radiothon for Kids[9]
KSSK-FM was originally licensed with the call letters KULA on 92.9 MHz, and made its debut broadcast on December 30, 1976.[10] At the time it was thesister station to KAHU (940 AM, laterKKNE). KULA began as anautomated station playingcontemporary hit radio music provided byTM Programming. Its daily operations were run by one of its only two employees: Kawika Maszak, who programmed the automation computer to play commercial breaks.
In 1979, Heftel Broadcasting purchased KULA, pairing it with KSSK, which Heftel had owned since 1965.[11] The company was owned byCecil Heftel, a Hawaii businessman and one-time congressman. Heftel moved the station's studios to Honolulu and ended the automation, hiring a staff ofDJs. The format later switched tosoft adult contemporary using the slogan "Light Rock, Less Talk". In the late 1980s, KULA moved back to Top 40, becoming KXPW ("Power 92"), under long time Top 40 programmer Jay Stone. KXPW later re-branded to "92X", with initially Dean Stevens, and later, Brad Barrett as program director.
In 1993, New-Tex Communications bought both KSSK and KXPW for $7.5 million, and changed KXPW's call letters to KSSK-FM.[10] At the time, the AM station was the market's #1 rated station, and the new owners wanted to capitalize on that success, especially as music listening was shifting to FM. The station moved back to an adult contemporary format, and began simulcasting part of the day with KSSK, including the top-rated "Perry & Price" morning show. Eventually, the simulcast was expanded to a 24-hour operation.
In 2000, Clear Channel Communications acquired KSSK-AM-FM. In 2014, the company was renamed iHeartMedia, Inc.
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Some notables who have passed through KGMB/KSSK include: