KESZ
Encyclopedia
KESZ, 99.9KEZ-FM, is an Adult Contemporary outlet based in Phoenix, Arizona
. The Clear Channel Communications
station broadcasts at 99.9 MHz with an ERP of 99 kW.
The station is anchored by the highly-successful "Beth and Bill Show," its Morning Drive Program since approximately 1990 (hosted by Beth McDonald and former KPNX
meteorologist Bill Austin). The show was renamed Beth and Friends after Bill Austin retired in early 2010 due to his battle with cancer. On June 2nd, 2010, Bill Austin (real name William Austin Waggoner) passed away from bladder cancer.
Other KESZ hosts include Kevin Gossett (3pm-7pm), Robin Rock (10am-3pm), and Lori Bradley (evenings). All three also appear on radio stations owned by Clear Channel in other markets. Gossett is based in Phoenix, and also serves as KESZ's Program Director, while Rock is based in Chicago and Bradley in Seattle.
, the station has a tradition of playing "Non-Stop Christmas
Music". Beth and Friends still air as regularly scheduled but the songs they play are strictly Christmas music.
In 2008-2010 the music has started prior to Thanksgiving.
, which is Hot AC and excludes the 70's hits on KESZ. Another competitor is KYOT
, which offers a Rhythmic AC format (although it was a competitor for many years with its Smooth Jazz/Smooth AC format).
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
. The Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008...
station broadcasts at 99.9 MHz with an ERP of 99 kW.
History
KESZ, which signed on the air in 1979 as a Spanish language station, made the evolution to its current format in 1988. In 1999, Clear Channel added the station to its Phoenix cluster.The station is anchored by the highly-successful "Beth and Bill Show," its Morning Drive Program since approximately 1990 (hosted by Beth McDonald and former KPNX
KPNX
KPNX is a full-service television station serving the Phoenix, Arizona television market as the NBC affiliate. Its studios and offices are located in Phoenix and its transmitter is on South Mountain in Phoenix but it is licensed to the suburb of Mesa. It is owned by the Gannett Company which also...
meteorologist Bill Austin). The show was renamed Beth and Friends after Bill Austin retired in early 2010 due to his battle with cancer. On June 2nd, 2010, Bill Austin (real name William Austin Waggoner) passed away from bladder cancer.
Other KESZ hosts include Kevin Gossett (3pm-7pm), Robin Rock (10am-3pm), and Lori Bradley (evenings). All three also appear on radio stations owned by Clear Channel in other markets. Gossett is based in Phoenix, and also serves as KESZ's Program Director, while Rock is based in Chicago and Bradley in Seattle.
Traditions.
Each year after ThanksgivingThanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. In Canada, Thanksgiving falls on the same day as Columbus Day in the...
, the station has a tradition of playing "Non-Stop Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
Music". Beth and Friends still air as regularly scheduled but the songs they play are strictly Christmas music.
In 2008-2010 the music has started prior to Thanksgiving.
Competitors
The station competes with two of its sister stations. One competitor is KMXPKMXP
KMXP is a commercial hot adult contemporary music radio station in Phoenix, Arizona, broadcasting on 96.9 FM.On-air deejays include: Mathew Blades, AJ Frey, Ron Geronimo, Bryan Allen, Amy Kelly, Stephani Young, and Phil Steiner.-KMXP HD2:...
, which is Hot AC and excludes the 70's hits on KESZ. Another competitor is KYOT
KYOT
KYOT-FM is a commercial rhythmic oldies music radio station located in Phoenix, Arizona, broadcasting on 95.5 FMDespite the station's branding, there is no affiliation of any kind with the Phoenix Coyotes, the local National Hockey League team...
, which offers a Rhythmic AC format (although it was a competitor for many years with its Smooth Jazz/Smooth AC format).