KPUL
Encyclopedia
KPUL is a Christian CHR (Top 40)
formatted radio station that broadcasts at 99.5 MHz licensed to Winterset, Iowa
, with studios located in Waukee
. It is notable for being one of a very few independent stations left in the Des Moines market. In 2010, the station announced a move to 101.7 MHz for later in that year and a rebranding to Pulse 101.7.
and CNNfn
, positioning itself as "Des Moines Business Station". The format was never a ratings winner and would only last for a little over a year before being sold.
) and rebranded the station Q99.5 KZZQ, or "The Q". They were the first station to bring CCM to Des Moines, and were quite successful in attracting listeners and receiving support through donations and advertising throughout their first decade.
In 2004, they had competition for the first time as Northwestern College
purchased two local stations, Life 107.1
and Life 96.1 and programmed them with CCM (Christian AC). Although they also suffer from weak signals, Life 107.1
, coupled with Life 96.1 cover much of the market. This was something KZZQ struggles to do with its lower power (6,000 watts) and a transmitter located North of Winterset, Iowa Southwest of Des Moines. Due to increased competition from Life 107,other stations entering the market, and staff turnover, listenership continued to decline and it became apparent a change was required.
in an effort to reach more people through a hybrid format. The new format proved to be a more aggressive change than listeners in the area were ready for, and after a few short months under the new format, Pulse 99.5 adjusted to its current format, a mix of Christian CHR, Rock, and positive, faith-based mainstream hits.
On October 6, 2010, the station announced an "upgrade" involving changing frequencies to 101.7 FM and a rebranding to Pulse 101.7. These upgrades involve other area radio stations and are awaiting FCC action.
"Pulse 99.5" can now be heard at 99.5 FM in Des Moines and south Central Iowa, 95.5 FM in Ames (translator), and online at www.pulse995.com.
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...
formatted radio station that broadcasts at 99.5 MHz licensed to Winterset, Iowa
Winterset, Iowa
Winterset is a city in Madison County, Iowa, United States. The population was 4,768 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Madison County....
, with studios located in Waukee
Waukee, Iowa
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,126 people, 1,927 households, and 1,445 families residing in the city. The population density was 610.9 people per square mile . There were 2,087 housing units at an average density of 248.7 per square mile...
. It is notable for being one of a very few independent stations left in the Des Moines market. In 2010, the station announced a move to 101.7 MHz for later in that year and a rebranding to Pulse 101.7.
Early history
The FCC issued a construction permit for station KTDG on May 7, 1990. The station was not put on the air though until June 1, 1992 as KBBM. The station had no locally produced content and had 24 hour news feeds from CNN Headline NewsCNN Headline News
HLN, formerly known as CNN Headline News and CNN2, is a cable television news channel based in the United States and a spinoff of the cable news television channel, CNN. Initially airing tightly-formatted 30-minute newscasts around the clock, since 2005, the channel has increasingly aired long-form...
and CNNfn
CNNfn
CNNfn was a U.S. cable television news network operated by the CNN subsidiary of the media comglomerate Time Warner from December 29, 1995 and of AOL-Time Warner until December 15, 2004. The network was dedicated to covering financial markets and business news.It was available in a number of...
, positioning itself as "Des Moines Business Station". The format was never a ratings winner and would only last for a little over a year before being sold.
Q99.5 KZZQ
In March 1993 the station was purchased by Positive Impact Media Inc., a non profit group. The station's initial purpose was to rebroadcast the programming of a CCM station in the Quad Cities but within a few months found themselves in need of their own programming due to the failure of the Quad Cities station. Shortly after they changed the format to CCM (Christian CHRChristian CHR
Christian CHR is a radio format that is common in the United States and Australia focusing on playing current and recent music as determined by the Christian Top 40....
) and rebranded the station Q99.5 KZZQ, or "The Q". They were the first station to bring CCM to Des Moines, and were quite successful in attracting listeners and receiving support through donations and advertising throughout their first decade.
In 2004, they had competition for the first time as Northwestern College
Northwestern College
Northwestern College can refer to:*Northwestern College in Bridgeview, Chicago, and Naperville.*Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa.*Northwestern College in Roseville, Minnesota....
purchased two local stations, Life 107.1
KNWI
KNWI, known on-air as Life 107.1, is a radio station in Des Moines, Iowa, that is owned and operated by Northwestern College in Roseville, Minnesota and supported by donations from the local community throughout the year and a once-per-year share-a-thon. The station also simulcasts on KNWM at 96.1...
and Life 96.1 and programmed them with CCM (Christian AC). Although they also suffer from weak signals, Life 107.1
KNWI
KNWI, known on-air as Life 107.1, is a radio station in Des Moines, Iowa, that is owned and operated by Northwestern College in Roseville, Minnesota and supported by donations from the local community throughout the year and a once-per-year share-a-thon. The station also simulcasts on KNWM at 96.1...
, coupled with Life 96.1 cover much of the market. This was something KZZQ struggles to do with its lower power (6,000 watts) and a transmitter located North of Winterset, Iowa Southwest of Des Moines. Due to increased competition from Life 107,other stations entering the market, and staff turnover, listenership continued to decline and it became apparent a change was required.
Pulse 99.5
After several days of stunting in February 2008, the station was re-branded Pulse 99.5. The new format became an experimental mix of CCM and CHR–popContemporary 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...
in an effort to reach more people through a hybrid format. The new format proved to be a more aggressive change than listeners in the area were ready for, and after a few short months under the new format, Pulse 99.5 adjusted to its current format, a mix of Christian CHR, Rock, and positive, faith-based mainstream hits.
On October 6, 2010, the station announced an "upgrade" involving changing frequencies to 101.7 FM and a rebranding to Pulse 101.7. These upgrades involve other area radio stations and are awaiting FCC action.
"Pulse 99.5" can now be heard at 99.5 FM in Des Moines and south Central Iowa, 95.5 FM in Ames (translator), and online at www.pulse995.com.