KSJN
Encyclopedia
KSJN is the flagship
station of Minnesota Public Radio
's classical music network, serving the Twin Cities region. Prior to 1991, 99.5 was known as WLOL, best known as a top-rated CHR
station during the 1980s.
in Collegeville, near St. Cloud
, built and began operating the first station in the network, KSJR-FM
(90.1 FM), in January 1967
. By 1968, however, it was obvious that there weren't enough listeners in the immediate St. Cloud area for the station to be viable. KSJN nearly tripled its power in hopes of reaching the Twin Cities, but even then it only provided grade B coverage of Minneapolis and completely missed St. Paul. To solve this problem, St. John's signed on KSJN as a full-time repeater of KSJR-FM at 91.1 FM. The fledgling organization was initially known as Saint John's University Broadcasting, then as Minnesota Educational Radio, and finally as Minnesota Public Radio.
In 1969
and 1970
, MPR assisted in the formation of National Public Radio and was a founding member of the organization. Four years later, in 1974
, the network began live broadcasting of Garrison Keillor
's A Prairie Home Companion
, one of the best-known programs on American public radio.
MPR established a dedicated news
/talk
service in 1980
, when it purchased WLOL (1330 AM) and changed its calls to KSJN-AM. In 1989, the AM station changed its calls to KNOW
, a callsign used by an AM station in Austin, Texas
for 50 years.
when AM station WMIN
started broadcasting on the new FM band. WMIN-FM was sold in 1956
to the owners of WLOL, becoming WLOL-FM, which remained until being sold to MPR in 1991
.
The history of the WLOL call letters is intertwined with many other area stations. WLOL was first used in 1940
by 1300 AM and was a part of the Mutual Broadcasting System
. The station moved up to 1330 in March, 1941 as required by the North American Radio Broadcasting Agreement (NARBA) under which most American, Canadian and Mexican AM radio stations changed frequencies.
For many years, WLOL-FM had a variety of formats. The original classical music format gave way to easy listening
in 1973
, then later soft rock
as "FM100". The AM station was sold to MPR in 1980
. The owner held on to WLOL-FM, and in 1981
, the station dumped soft rock and became "Musicradio 99½ WLOL", the only Twin Cities FM station at the time playing Top 40 music. The new WLOL became a massive success, eventually achieving a 10-share in the Arbitron
ratings.
The station was purchased by Emmis Broadcasting in 1983
. New competition arrived later that year when longtime AM Top 40 station KDWB
returned to their co-owned FM frequency after several years playing album oriented rock. WLOL and KDWB would go on to have a bitter rivalry throughout the 1980s, with WLOL dominating the format in the Twin Cities for the next five years.
By the late 1980s, the tables were turned. Some listeners felt WLOL had grown stale, while KDWB suddenly became the hip new CHR station. From that point on, KDWB jumped ahead of a slumping WLOL, and would, from that point on, be the dominant CHR station in the market. Playing catch-up, WLOL started tweaking the programming and airstaff, shook up its longtime morning show, and finally, in May 1990 teased a format change. Suddenly, WLOL became a Rhythmic Top 40 station. Labeling themselves as "Today's Best Music", the new "99.5 WLOL" hired a new airstaff and rejuvenated themselves in the minds of many local listeners.
, Emmis Broadcasting fell on financially tough times due to their purchase of baseball
's Seattle Mariners
. They started selling off some of their most successful stations, including WFAN
in New York and KXXX
in San Francisco.
In 1991, Emmis found a buyer for WLOL. The shocking news was that the buyer was MPR, who desired to use it as the new location for KSJN while moving its NPR news and talk station, KNOW, from 1330 AM. After years of trying to purchase another FM station in the market, MPR agreed to buy the station for $12.5 million. This meant that WLOL would be no more. Pop music fans in the Twin Cities were furious as WLOL slowly counted down to their last day, February 26, 1991. WLOL signed off just after 6PM, and the next morning, 99.5 became the new home of KSJN, and 91.1 was now KNOW-FM.
MPR had tried for more than a decade to buy a second FM frequency in the Twin Cities as part of its goal to offer dedicated news/talk and classical services across its network. The previous purchase of 1330 AM was a fallback plan for MPR, which had tried to buy KBEM-FM 88.5 a year earlier to allow a split into two separate talk and classical music networks.
, while it was WLOL-FM, the station participated in "quadcast" (quadraphonic stereo) experiments with an earlier incarnation of itself, when the KSJN call sign was used for 91.1 FM in the Twin Cities. In June 2005, KSJN became the first MPR station to broadcast regularly with the digital HD Radio system, and likely the fifth station in the state to use it. The station's main transmitter is located on the KMSP-TV tower in Shoreview, Minnesota, with backup facilities atop the IDS Center in downtown Minneapolis.
, or those who saw the movie, A Prairie Home Companion (film)
, will recall a rare piece of radio studio hardware. Usually on the stage backdrop, a big round KSJN AM & FM clock graces the set.
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
station of Minnesota Public Radio
Minnesota Public Radio
Minnesota Public Radio , is the flagship National Public Radio member network for the state of Minnesota. With its three services, News & Information, Classical Music and The Current, MPR operates a 42-station regional radio network in the upper Midwest serving over 8 million people...
's classical music network, serving the Twin Cities region. Prior to 1991, 99.5 was known as WLOL, best known as a top-rated 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...
station during the 1980s.
KSJN intellectual unit
Saint John's UniversityCollege of Saint Benedict/Saint John's University
The College of Saint Benedict , for women, and Saint John's University , for men, are partnered liberal arts colleges respectively located in St. Joseph and Collegeville, Minnesota, USA. Students attend classes and activities together, and have access to the resources of both campuses...
in Collegeville, near St. Cloud
St. Cloud, Minnesota
St. Cloud is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and the largest population center in the state's central region. The population was 65,842 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Stearns County...
, built and began operating the first station in the network, KSJR-FM
KSJR-FM
KSJR-FM is a radio station licensed to Collegeville, Minnesota, and serving the St. Cloud area. The station is owned by Minnesota Public Radio , and airs MPR's "Classical Music Network", originating from KSJN in Minneapolis/St. Paul....
(90.1 FM), in January 1967
1967 in radio
The year 1967 saw a number of significant happenings in radio broadcasting history.-Events:*Fall: St. Louis radio station KSHE flips from female-oriented rock to progressive rock, becoming the first progressive rock radio station in the US....
. By 1968, however, it was obvious that there weren't enough listeners in the immediate St. Cloud area for the station to be viable. KSJN nearly tripled its power in hopes of reaching the Twin Cities, but even then it only provided grade B coverage of Minneapolis and completely missed St. Paul. To solve this problem, St. John's signed on KSJN as a full-time repeater of KSJR-FM at 91.1 FM. The fledgling organization was initially known as Saint John's University Broadcasting, then as Minnesota Educational Radio, and finally as Minnesota Public Radio.
In 1969
1969 in radio
Significant events in radio broadcasting in the year 1969 included the debuts of two documentaries on rock and roll.-Events:*21–23 February: The History of Rock and Roll, a comprehensive 48-part documentary, debuts on KHJ in Los Angeles...
and 1970
1970 in radio
The year 1970 in radio saw the debut of a nationally sydicated music countdown show and the incorporation of NPR.-Events:* April — KKDA in Dallas, Texas returns to rhythm and blues format....
, MPR assisted in the formation of National Public Radio and was a founding member of the organization. Four years later, in 1974
1974 in radio
The year 1974 in radio involved some significant events.-Debuts:*January 6 - CBS Radio Mystery Theater debuts and is broadcast on 218 stations.* February 19 - BRMB begins broadcasting to the Birmingham area...
, the network began live broadcasting of Garrison Keillor
Garrison Keillor
Gary Edward "Garrison" Keillor is an American author, storyteller, humorist, and radio personality. He is known as host of the Minnesota Public Radio show A Prairie Home Companion Gary Edward "Garrison" Keillor (born August 7, 1942) is an American author, storyteller, humorist, and radio...
's A Prairie Home Companion
A Prairie Home Companion
A Prairie Home Companion is a live radio variety show created and hosted by Garrison Keillor. The show runs on Saturdays from 5 to 7 p.m. Central Time, and usually originates from the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul, Minnesota, although it is frequently taken on the road...
, one of the best-known programs on American public radio.
MPR established a dedicated news
News Radio
News Radio can refer to:* NewsRadio, the NBC sitcom which aired from 1995–1999.* News radio, the all-news or news/talk radio format....
/talk
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
service in 1980
1980 in radio
The year 1980 in radio involved some significant events.-Events:* 20 March - The pirate radio station Radio Caroline sinks.* 29 October - President Carter on a visit to Pittsburgh gives a nationally broadcast campaign interview to KDKA-AM of that city....
, when it purchased WLOL (1330 AM) and changed its calls to KSJN-AM. In 1989, the AM station changed its calls to KNOW
KNOW
KNOW-FM is the flagship radio station of Minnesota Public Radio's "news and information" network, primarily broadcasting a talk radio format to the Minneapolis-St. Paul market...
, a callsign used by an AM station in Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
for 50 years.
99.5 FM history
The 99.5 frequency dates to 19451945 in radio
The year 1945 saw a number of significant happenings in radio broadcasting history.-Events:*25 February – The CBC's International Service begins regular broadcasts in English and French from Canada....
when AM station WMIN
KMNV
KMNV is a radio station in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota that airs a Spanish-language music and entertainment format.-History:The station began as WMIN in the summer of 1936, when Saint Paul furniture retailer Edward Hoffman began broadcasting at 1370 kHz...
started broadcasting on the new FM band. WMIN-FM was sold in 1956
1956 in radio
The year 1956 saw a number of significant happenings in radio broadcasting history.-Events:*February 13 - NBC and Westinghouse Broadcasting consummate a station ownership trade which saw NBC attaining owned-and-operated AM and TV stations in Philadelphia , and Westinghouse receiving NBC's AM, FM...
to the owners of WLOL, becoming WLOL-FM, which remained until being sold to MPR in 1991
1991 in radio
The year 1991 in radio involved some significant events.-Events:* January 18 - Brian Beirne became one of the few celebrities from radio to get a "star" on the Hollywood Walk of Fame....
.
The history of the WLOL call letters is intertwined with many other area stations. WLOL was first used in 1940
1940 in radio
The year 1940 saw a number of significant events in radio broadcasting history.-Events:*5 January: FM radio is demonstrated for the FCC for the first time.*26 May: Fireside chat: On National Defense...
by 1300 AM and was a part of the Mutual Broadcasting System
Mutual Broadcasting System
The Mutual Broadcasting System was an American radio network, in operation from 1934 to 1999. In the golden age of U.S. radio drama, MBS was best known as the original network home of The Lone Ranger and The Adventures of Superman and as the long-time radio residence of The Shadow...
. The station moved up to 1330 in March, 1941 as required by the North American Radio Broadcasting Agreement (NARBA) under which most American, Canadian and Mexican AM radio stations changed frequencies.
For many years, WLOL-FM had a variety of formats. The original classical music format gave way to easy listening
Easy listening
Easy listening is a broad style of popular music and radio format that emerged in the 1950s, evolving out of big band music, and related to MOR music as played on many AM radio stations. It encompasses the exotica, beautiful music, light music, lounge music, ambient music, and space age pop genres...
in 1973
1973 in radio
The year 1973 saw a number of significant events in radio broadcasting.-Events:*15 October – Dutch public-broadcasting station Hilversum 3 begins round-the-clock transmission....
, then later soft rock
Soft rock
Soft rock is a style of music which uses the techniques of rock music to compose a softer, more toned-down sound. Soft rock songs generally tend to focus on themes like love, everyday life and relationships. The genre tends to make heavy use of acoustic guitars, pianos, synthesizers and sometimes...
as "FM100". The AM station was sold to MPR in 1980
1980 in radio
The year 1980 in radio involved some significant events.-Events:* 20 March - The pirate radio station Radio Caroline sinks.* 29 October - President Carter on a visit to Pittsburgh gives a nationally broadcast campaign interview to KDKA-AM of that city....
. The owner held on to WLOL-FM, and in 1981
1981 in radio
The year 1981 in radio involved some significant events.-Debuts:* September 22 - WCAU-FM in Philadelphia debuts a new Hot Hits format called "98 Now!" which sweeps the local ratings and inspires parent company CBS to look at converting its other FM stations to similar formats.* October — "The...
, the station dumped soft rock and became "Musicradio 99½ WLOL", the only Twin Cities FM station at the time playing Top 40 music. The new WLOL became a massive success, eventually achieving a 10-share in the Arbitron
Arbitron
Arbitron is a consumer research company in the United States that collects listener data on radio audiences. It was founded as American Research Bureau by Jim Seiler in 1949 and became national by merging with L.A. based Coffin, Cooper and Clay in the early 1950s...
ratings.
The station was purchased by Emmis Broadcasting in 1983
1983 in radio
The year 1983 in radio involved some significant events.-Events:*August 2 - WHTZ in New York City debuts, soon becoming one of the most influential CHR stations in the US...
. New competition arrived later that year when longtime AM Top 40 station KDWB
KDWB
KDWB-FM is an American commercial radio station broadcasting in the Twin Cities region of Minnesota, the radio format was known for over fifty years as a major contemporary hit radio Top 40 pop music outlet. Its transmitter is located in Shoreview, Minnesota. It broadcasts in 5.1 cinema-quality...
returned to their co-owned FM frequency after several years playing album oriented rock. WLOL and KDWB would go on to have a bitter rivalry throughout the 1980s, with WLOL dominating the format in the Twin Cities for the next five years.
By the late 1980s, the tables were turned. Some listeners felt WLOL had grown stale, while KDWB suddenly became the hip new CHR station. From that point on, KDWB jumped ahead of a slumping WLOL, and would, from that point on, be the dominant CHR station in the market. Playing catch-up, WLOL started tweaking the programming and airstaff, shook up its longtime morning show, and finally, in May 1990 teased a format change. Suddenly, WLOL became a Rhythmic Top 40 station. Labeling themselves as "Today's Best Music", the new "99.5 WLOL" hired a new airstaff and rejuvenated themselves in the minds of many local listeners.
KSJN and KNOW relocation
By 19901990 in radio
The year 1990 in radio involved some significant events.-Events:*KJJO in Minneapolis, Minnesota transitions from active rock to alternative rock.*KBLN in Dallas, Texas becomes KXEB.*Daytimer KKDA in Dallas, Texas begins nighttime broadcasting....
, Emmis Broadcasting fell on financially tough times due to their purchase of baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
's Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
. They started selling off some of their most successful stations, including WFAN
WFAN
WFAN , also known as "Sports Radio 66" or "The FAN", is a radio station in New York City. The station broadcasts on a clear channel and is owned by CBS Radio...
in New York and KXXX
KMVQ-FM
KMVQ-FM is a broadcast radio station in San Francisco, California in the United States. The station, known as "99-7 Now", broadcasts a Top 40 format with a Rhythmic lean....
in San Francisco.
In 1991, Emmis found a buyer for WLOL. The shocking news was that the buyer was MPR, who desired to use it as the new location for KSJN while moving its NPR news and talk station, KNOW, from 1330 AM. After years of trying to purchase another FM station in the market, MPR agreed to buy the station for $12.5 million. This meant that WLOL would be no more. Pop music fans in the Twin Cities were furious as WLOL slowly counted down to their last day, February 26, 1991. WLOL signed off just after 6PM, and the next morning, 99.5 became the new home of KSJN, and 91.1 was now KNOW-FM.
MPR had tried for more than a decade to buy a second FM frequency in the Twin Cities as part of its goal to offer dedicated news/talk and classical services across its network. The previous purchase of 1330 AM was a fallback plan for MPR, which had tried to buy KBEM-FM 88.5 a year earlier to allow a split into two separate talk and classical music networks.
Technical aspects of 99.5
In 19711971 in radio
The year 1971 in radio involved some significant events.-Events:*2 January: A ban on radio and television cigarette advertisements goes into effect in the United States.*14 February: All of ABC Radio's FM stations change call letters, all on the same day:...
, while it was WLOL-FM, the station participated in "quadcast" (quadraphonic stereo) experiments with an earlier incarnation of itself, when the KSJN call sign was used for 91.1 FM in the Twin Cities. In June 2005, KSJN became the first MPR station to broadcast regularly with the digital HD Radio system, and likely the fifth station in the state to use it. The station's main transmitter is located on the KMSP-TV tower in Shoreview, Minnesota, with backup facilities atop the IDS Center in downtown Minneapolis.
A Prairie Home Companion
Anyone seeing the live radio broadcasts at the Fitzgerald TheaterFitzgerald Theater
The Fitzgerald Theater is the oldest existing stage venue in the city of Saint Paul, Minnesota, and the home of American Public Media's A Prairie Home Companion. It was one of many theaters built by the Shubert Theatre Corporation, and was initially named the Sam S. Shubert Theater...
, or those who saw the movie, A Prairie Home Companion (film)
A Prairie Home Companion (film)
A Prairie Home Companion is a 2006 ensemble comedy elegy directed by Robert Altman, and was his final film, released just five months before his death...
, will recall a rare piece of radio studio hardware. Usually on the stage backdrop, a big round KSJN AM & FM clock graces the set.
External links
- Minnesota Public Radio
- MPR: KNOW 91.1/KSJN 99.5/KCMP 89.3 Minneapolis/St. Paul
- 99.5 WLOL-FM, primarily relating to the "Hitradio" format prior to KSJNWLOL (FM)WLOL-FM was the call sign used primarily for a station at 99.5 FM, serving the Twin Cities region. Throughout the 1980s, WLOL was most known as a top-rated CHR station....
- 99½ WLOL Minneapolis/St. Paul tribute page
- A recollection by Jim Stokes, an announcer during WLOL-FM's classical music phase