Friday, January 26, 2007

KBLR Becomes 'Country 97.3 FM' On Feb. 1

KBLR (97.3 FM) will debut a new country music format Feb. 1, according to General Manager Del Meyer.

"We'll play popular country songs from the 80s and 90s, along with some classic country mixed in," Meyer said.

KBLR, which is owned by NRG Media, becomes the third country format station serving the Omaha metropolitan area, joining Clear Channel-owned stations KHUS "Legendary American Country" (93.3 FM) and KXKT "The Kat" (103.7 FM).

Previously, KBLR was home to urban format "Hot 97.3 FM." But a change was necessary after Connisseur Media filed a permit to "construct" a new radio station on 107.7 FM, which NRG Media operated as its translator station for KBLR. In late December, NRG pulled the plug on its "BOB FM" format on 106.9 FM and rebranded the station as KOPR "Power 106.9, Omaha's Hottest Jamz," featuring a rhythmic contemporary format.

Meyer said J.D. Gibbs will be the station's leading on-air personality. Local news will be delivered by Jessica Meistrell and Chris Walz will serve as operations manager.

Gibbs previously hosted a morning show on the former "KOIL Country" (1020 AM) in Omaha and was operations manager for the same station when it was KKSC "The Source."

Meyer said the station will operate out of the current home of NRG Media-owned stations KFMT (105.5 FM) and KHUB (1340 AM) in Fremont. However, KBLR's license is issued for the city of Blair.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad NRG decided that eastern Nebraska needs another country station - WE DON"T HAVE ENOUGH...cough cough. Especially since their "KOIL Country" couldn't outdraw Radio Disney. That's a signal reaching nowhere!

Remember Tom Becka's motto:
"We're NOT a Hick State" so quit with all of these country stations already!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like they may be positioning as an "east central Nebraksa" station rather than directly competing for an audience inside Omaha's city limits.

Maybe Blair will get its local radio station back? Imagine... advertisements for Blair businesses...what a concept.

Anonymous said...

I wonder how much of the day will have live DJs. I fear the temptation to automate with one of Waitt's satellite feeds will be too great to avoid.

Anonymous said...

Since Waitt Radio Networks just let a bunch of talented airstaffers go, I would doubt very seriously 97.3 will be live at all. Just another crapola automated jukebox, courtesy of the corporate suits.

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately, we ARE a hick state....thus another country station. You will note I didn't use the words "country" and "music" in the same sentence.

Omababe said...

>Just another crapola automated
>jukebox, courtesy of the corporate
>suits.

Ya know, if people wouldn't listen to those automated jukeboxes, they would disappear overnight. Unfortunately, today's audience doesn't seem to appreciate live local talent. :(

Anonymous said...

I dont mind but I wish 93.3 would carry something else and now they may be forced to.