KKHQ-FM
Encyclopedia
KKHQ-FM is a radio station
serving Waterloo
, Cedar Falls
, and the surrounding area known as the Cedar Valley
with a Top 40 (CHR)
format. This station broadcasts on FM frequency 92.3 MHz and is under ownership of Cumulus Media
. Aaron Santini has been the station's program director
since its inception in 2003.
-formatted KOEL-FM "92.3 The Hog." This format flip also happened to other stations Cumulus acquired from Connoisseur, like KBEA (Muscatine-Quad Cities, IA), which had been a leading country station as well as KBOB "BOB Country." The country format and KOEL-FM call sign
still live on in Waterloo/Cedar Falls on 98.5 MHz, branded as "K98.5".
Before the flip to CHR
, the only other stations in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls Area that carried the format were distant and somewhat weak signals. You either had to choose from KZIA
Z102.9 from Cedar Rapids, or KWAY-FM
"Y99.3" from Waverly
(which is now a Hot AC station). Although Waverly is considered part of the Waterloo/Cedar Falls DMA, KWAY's signal was not the strongest. At only 4,600 watts, it is considered just another small-town radio station. And while KZIA used a full 100,000 watts, the tower was at least 40–50 miles away, which made it hard to receive over the closer stations.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
serving Waterloo
Waterloo, Iowa
Waterloo is a city in and the county seat of Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census the population decreased by 0.5% to 68,406. Waterloo is part of the Waterloo – Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area, and is the more populous of the two...
, Cedar Falls
Cedar Falls, Iowa
Cedar Falls is a city in Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States, and it is home to one of Iowa's three public universities, the University of Northern Iowa. The population was 39,260 in the 2010 census, an increase from the 36,145 population in the 2000 census...
, and the surrounding area known as the Cedar Valley
Cedar Valley
Cedar Valley may refer to:*Cedar Valley, Oklahoma*Cedar Valley Township, Minnesota*The area around Cedar River *Cedar Valley, Utah, a geographical area in Utah*Cedar Valley, Peterborough County, Ontario, a town...
with a Top 40 (CHR)
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
format. This station broadcasts on FM frequency 92.3 MHz and is under ownership of Cumulus Media
Cumulus Media
Cumulus Media, Inc. is the second largest Owner and Operator of AM and FM radio stations in the United States, behind Clear Channel Communications, operating 570 stations in 150 markets as of September 16, 2011. The company also owns Cumulus Media Networks...
. Aaron Santini has been the station's program director
Program director
In service industries, such as education, a program director or programme director researches, plans, develops and implements one or more of the firm's professional services...
since its inception in 2003.
History
Before the 92.3 frequency was acquired by Cumulus Media from Connoisseur Media in 2000, the station was country musicCountry music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
-formatted KOEL-FM "92.3 The Hog." This format flip also happened to other stations Cumulus acquired from Connoisseur, like KBEA (Muscatine-Quad Cities, IA), which had been a leading country station as well as KBOB "BOB Country." The country format and KOEL-FM call sign
Call sign
In broadcasting and radio communications, a call sign is a unique designation for a transmitting station. In North America they are used as names for broadcasting stations...
still live on in Waterloo/Cedar Falls on 98.5 MHz, branded as "K98.5".
Before the flip to CHR
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
, the only other stations in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls Area that carried the format were distant and somewhat weak signals. You either had to choose from KZIA
KZIA
KZIA, known as "Z 102.9", is a radio station based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It has a Top 40 format primarily staffed with local personalities, including morning DJ's Scott Schulte and Ric Swann...
Z102.9 from Cedar Rapids, or KWAY-FM
KWAY-FM
KWAY-FM is a radio station broadcasting a modern adult contemporary music format. Licensed to Waverly, Iowa, USA, the station serves the Waterloo-Cedar Falls area. The station is currently owned by Ael Suhr Enterprises, Inc. and features programing from CNN Radio....
"Y99.3" from Waverly
Waverly, Iowa
Waverly is a city in Bremer County, Iowa, United States. The population was 9,874 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Bremer County and is part of the Waterloo–Cedar Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area....
(which is now a Hot AC station). Although Waverly is considered part of the Waterloo/Cedar Falls DMA, KWAY's signal was not the strongest. At only 4,600 watts, it is considered just another small-town radio station. And while KZIA used a full 100,000 watts, the tower was at least 40–50 miles away, which made it hard to receive over the closer stations.