 | |
| Broadcast area | Fresno metropolitan area |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 104.1MHz |
| Branding | New Rock 104.1 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Alternative Rock |
| Affiliations | Compass Media Networks |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| KJFX,KJWL,KWDO | |
| History | |
First air date | September 1992; 32 years ago (1992-09) (as KFCL) |
Former call signs | KFCL (1992–1994) |
Call sign meaning | Fresno Radio |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 29051 |
| Class | B |
| ERP | 17,000watts |
| HAAT | 260 meters (850 ft) |
| Translator(s) | 100.3 W262DK (Fresno) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen live |
| Website | newrock1041.fm |
KFRR (104.1FM) is acommercialradio stationlicensed toWoodlake, California, and broadcasting to theFresno metropolitan area. It airs analternative rockformat and is owned by John Ostlund and Fat Dawgs Broadcasting, LLC. The studios and offices are at One Putt Broadcasting in Downtown Fresno, across from the historicWarnors Theater.
KFRR is aClass B FM station. It has aneffective radiated power (ERP) of 17,000watts. Thetransmitter is inHartland, California, at Eshom Point, about 20 miles (32 km) east of Fresno.[2] The station is also heard onFM translatorK262DK at 100.3 MHz in Fresno.[3]
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KFRRsigned on the air in September 1992; 32 years ago (1992-09).[4] The originalcall sign was KFCL, as Fresno's first commercialclassical music station. But it was difficult for the station to find advertisers for the classical music format. Two years later, it flipped toadult contemporary music with a change of call letters to KFRR. It used the slogan, "K104-In-A-Row" (where the station plays four songs in a row without commercial interruptions).
To generate publicity, KFRR gave away plastic "credit card style" cards which were branded with a unique number. The station would call out for a numbered card, and if those listeners phoned in within 10 minutes, they'd receive a cash prize. If nobody called in, the cash prize amount would increase until someone won it. This was known as the "Cash Call Jackpot". The jackpot always started at $104.01 when it was reset, tying in with the station's spot on the FM dial. KFRR's main competitor at this time was KTHT Mix 102.7 (nowcountry stationKHGE).
In 1995, KFRR's format was changed tomodern rock, branded as "New Rock 104". The station slogan was "This Is Not For You". KFRR was the first alternative station in Fresno afterKKDJ "105.9 The Edge" ended its modern rock sound. KFRR played much of the New Wave 1980s hits (labeled as "Retro-Flashbacks"), as well as current and recent modern rock titles. Key artists includedNirvana,Smashing Pumpkins,Jewel andCounting Crows.
KFRR had no competition in the modern rock format untilKVSR "Star 101" debuted withmodern adult contemporary. While it played many of the same artists as KFRR, it was pop-leaning, whereas KFRR took a more rock approach. Shortly afterwards, the competition increased again when 96.7KALZ debuted as "Alice 102.7" to go up against KVSR as a modern adult contemporary station.
In 1995, KFRR began airing anationally syndicated morning program to its line up.The Bob & Tom Show, based inIndianapolis, was heard in mornings on KFRR. The show was not successful in the ratings.[citation needed]The Bob & Tom Show was mostly heard onclassic rock station, aimed at middle aged listeners.[according to whom?]
In October 1995, Rob Frazier (aka Robnokshus) took over the morning show with Andy as his co-host. Meanwhile,The Bob & Tom Show was moved to classic rocksister station 95.7KJFX, where it continues to be heard.
TheRobnokshus Show lasted less than a year. On April 29, 1996, the station announced it was bringingThe Howard Stern Show to Fresno mornings. Stern held a press conference which aired on the station. It featured a heated battle between Stern and TV news reporter Michael Golden. Stern became angry because he believed Golden was insulting co-hostRobin Quivers. Stern got so furious, he ended that press conference early.[citation needed]
In August 1999, KFRR made some noticeable changes to the playlist, adopting a harder-edged rock style. It began playing rock "hits" over lesser known songs. It deleted more pop-leaning artists that were heard on rival stations KVSR and KTHT, such as theGoo Goo Dolls,Verve Pipe andThe Dave Matthews Band. Instead, KFRR opted to play more songs that were heard onactive rock stations.
On April 20, 2001, KFRR droppedThe Howard Stern Show. It began carryingTheKevin and Bean Show fromLos Angeles. The station also dropped its moniker "New Rock 104", replacing its slogan to "The Valley's Alternative".
On January 3, 2005, Wilks Broadcasting announced it was purchasing KFRR,KJFX, andKTSX from Mondosphere Broadcasting.
On January 3, 2006,Kevin & Bean was replaced withTheAdam Carolla Show. That program was created when Howard Stern ended his terrestrial radio show and went toSirius Satellite Radio. Carolla's show was offered in syndication to mostly West Coast rock andhot talk stations.
Signaling yet another shift in format, on Monday, September 10, 2007, KFRR changed its slogan to "104.1, It Just Rocks." The station began featuring more 1980s and 90s mainstream rock.
On February 19, 2009,Westwood One, the company that syndicated Adam Carolla, announced that his show would be cancelled as of February 20, 2009. KFRR continued to broadcast "Best of" recorded editions of the Adam Carolla Show. An online and telephone poll was conducted by KFRR to determine what would be played on the station on weekday mornings replacing Carolla. On April 20, 2009, KFRR announced it would again be broadcasting theKevin and Bean Show fromKROQ-FM in Los Angeles, starting with theKevin & Bean Rewind. Live broadcasts ofKevin & Bean started on May 4, 2009.
On October 13, 2010,Clear Channel Communications-owned KRZR 103.7 dropped its active rock format. It flipped to the company's new 90s-focused "Gen-X Rhythmic" format, switching its call letters toKFBT. With no active rock competition, KFRR began to focus on a broader rock sound. It again dropped the syndicatedKevin & Bean Morning Show. It filled the morning hours with more music. As KFRR remainedalternative rock withNielsen BDS,Mediabase moved it to theactive rock panel. KFRR has since reverted toMediabase'salternative rock panel as ofMarch 2012.
On December 10, 2010, KFFR debutedThe Morning After, a local morning show featuring Skippy, who was a fixture on KRZR afternoons before the format change. That show was later replaced withThe Rev hosting wake-ups on the station.
On Tuesday, November 25, 2014, KFRR and sister stationsKJFX andKJZN were purchased by One Putt from Wilks Broadcasting for $6.6 million. On January 30, 2015, the purchase was consummated.
36°38′13″N118°56′38″W / 36.637°N 118.944°W /36.637; -118.944