KXJM
Encyclopedia
KBFF is an Adult Top 40 radio station
licensed to Portland, Oregon
, USA, and serving the Portland area. The station is currently owned by Alpha Broadcasting.
/easy listening
format (as Stereo 95) beginning in June 1965, which lasted for the next 25 years. Beginning in 1990, the station spent the next 9 years flipping between various degrees of adult contemporary formats, including stints of soft vocals "K95.5" and "Lite 95.5 FM" (1990-1993), Hot AC "Star 95.5" (1993-1994), all-70's "95 KXL" (1994-1996), 70's/80's hits "MusicRadio 95 KXL" (1996), Hot AC "Mix 95.5" (1996-1997) and AAA
"95.5 FM" (1997-1999). This changed on March 26, 1999
, at 5:00 PM, when Paul Allen bought the station and altered its focus to Rhythmic Top 40, becoming KXJM, "Jammin' 95.5", the market's first Rhythmic-based station. Jammin's first song was "Changes" by 2Pac.
Jammin' enjoyed ratings success for 9 years. While never reaching number one in the Arbitron
ratings, it was still favored among teen and young adult listeners, beating out Mainstream Top 40 KKRZ
in several books. On February 12, 2000, The Playhouse
made its debut and was, for a few times, Portland's most listened to morning show because of its edgy content, hosts and heavy listener interaction. The station made a commitment to playing Hip Hop and R&B music that has never been heard in the area by having special features, such as a local music show, countdowns, mix shows, and public service programming with "What's Good in The Hood". Unfortunately, ratings began sliding in 2007, most likely because the station included dance
product in their playlist. However, the biggest change was yet to come in May 2008.
), and as a result, would leave Portland listeners with only two choices: Top 40 Mainstream KKRZ
, whose playlist include many hip-hop songs, and KVMX
, the market's Rhythmic Adult Contemporary
station.
) became the new home for the Playhouse on May 13, 2008.
On May 27, 2008
the original KXJM officially chose KXTG as their new call letters to better reflect their format and "The Game" moniker. The station changed hands in May 2009
to Alpha Broadcasting. Despite the station's emphasis on local hosts, ratings were not that great, usually peaking at about a 2.0 share in the Arbitron ratings
cache, with the hint referenced in its moniker as "Today's Modern Mix", indicating a contemporary music format.
On May 25, at 5:00 PM, "Live 95-5" signed on with "Raise Your Glass
" by P!nk
. The station changed its call letters to KBFF and carries a slogan of "Today's Modern Mix for the Modern Woman". The station will compete with Top 40 KKRZ
, Hot AC KRSK
, and Modern Rock
KNRK
, as well as, to a lesser extent, Rhythmic Top 40 KXJM
. As with most upstarts, KBFF launched with a 10,000 songs-in-a-row promotion to attract listeners interest. Interestingly, KRSK responded to its new competitor by also billing its slogan as "Today's Modern Mix" as well, only to revert to a new slogan, "Today's Best Mix", possibly to avoid a cease & desist from Alpha.
Since the format flip, KBFF saw its ratings and fortunes improve instantly, going from a 1.9 in its last book as a Sports outlet in May 2011 to a 3.6 share in the June 2011 book, along with a spike in its audience cumes, topping KRSK for the Adult Top 40 crown.
was KXJM's morning radio show that aired weekdays from 5am-10am. It ran from 2000 to 2008, when it moved over to the "new" KXJM (at 107.5). On March 15, 2008, someone intentionally rammed a car through the front door of the station and sped away. The driver was suspected to be a disgruntled Playhouse
listener and was detained for a mental evaluation later that day. The man, Andy Chung of Vancouver, WA, was arraigned on a variety of charges including first-degree criminal mischief, failure to perform the duties of a driver and reckless endangerment.
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...
licensed to Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, USA, and serving the Portland area. The station is currently owned by Alpha Broadcasting.
Current Lineup
- Mornings 6a-10a: More Music Mornings with CJ & Nikki
- Middays 10a-2p: Revin John
- Afternoons 2p-7p: Stacey Lynn
- Nights 7p-Midnight: Cabana Boy
- VP/Programming: Scott Mahalick
- Program Director: Keola Lui-Kwan
- Music Director: Stacy Lynn
- Imaging Director: "Phat Matt" Ganssle
- Image Voices: Chad Erickson and Jamie Frye
History
KBFF's history can be traced back to its early days as KGMG from 1960 to 1965 and as KXL-FM when it offered a beautiful musicBeautiful music
Beautiful music is a mostly instrumental music format that was prominent in American radio from the 1960s through the 1980s...
/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...
format (as Stereo 95) beginning in June 1965, which lasted for the next 25 years. Beginning in 1990, the station spent the next 9 years flipping between various degrees of adult contemporary formats, including stints of soft vocals "K95.5" and "Lite 95.5 FM" (1990-1993), Hot AC "Star 95.5" (1993-1994), all-70's "95 KXL" (1994-1996), 70's/80's hits "MusicRadio 95 KXL" (1996), Hot AC "Mix 95.5" (1996-1997) and AAA
Adult album alternative
Adult album alternative is a radio format. A spinoff from the album-oriented rock format, its roots trace to the 1960s and 1970s from the earlier freeform and progressive formats....
"95.5 FM" (1997-1999). This changed on March 26, 1999
1999 in radio
The year 1999 in radio involved some significant events.-Events:*January 1 - 102.1 The Zone stopped played at 6AM and 102.1 FM played a stunt of waves and announcement voice over of our newest radio station....
, at 5:00 PM, when Paul Allen bought the station and altered its focus to Rhythmic Top 40, becoming KXJM, "Jammin' 95.5", the market's first Rhythmic-based station. Jammin's first song was "Changes" by 2Pac.
Jammin' enjoyed ratings success for 9 years. While never reaching number one 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, it was still favored among teen and young adult listeners, beating out Mainstream Top 40 KKRZ
KKRZ
KKRZ is a commercial broadcast radio station in Portland, Oregon, also known as Z-100, broadcasts CHR music.-History:What is now KKRZ first signed on May, 7, 1946 as KGW-FM on 95.3 MHz and moved to 100.3 MHz on September 22, 1947...
in several books. On February 12, 2000, The Playhouse
The Playhouse (radio show)
The Playhouse was a Portland, Oregon-based syndicated morning drive time radio show which debuted on February 12, 2000. It originally aired weekday mornings between 5-10am on then-flagship radio station KXJM , with the last four hours of the show being broadcast live online with fully produced...
made its debut and was, for a few times, Portland's most listened to morning show because of its edgy content, hosts and heavy listener interaction. The station made a commitment to playing Hip Hop and R&B music that has never been heard in the area by having special features, such as a local music show, countdowns, mix shows, and public service programming with "What's Good in The Hood". Unfortunately, ratings began sliding in 2007, most likely because the station included dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
product in their playlist. However, the biggest change was yet to come in May 2008.
Format change to The Game
On May 1, 2008, it was announced the station would change formats to all sports on May 12, 2008 as "95.5 The Game" via the stations new website at www.955thegame.com. The shift almost left Portland without a hip-hop-based station (and possibly The PlayhouseThe Playhouse (radio show)
The Playhouse was a Portland, Oregon-based syndicated morning drive time radio show which debuted on February 12, 2000. It originally aired weekday mornings between 5-10am on then-flagship radio station KXJM , with the last four hours of the show being broadcast live online with fully produced...
), and as a result, would leave Portland listeners with only two choices: Top 40 Mainstream KKRZ
KKRZ
KKRZ is a commercial broadcast radio station in Portland, Oregon, also known as Z-100, broadcasts CHR music.-History:What is now KKRZ first signed on May, 7, 1946 as KGW-FM on 95.3 MHz and moved to 100.3 MHz on September 22, 1947...
, whose playlist include many hip-hop songs, and KVMX
KXJM
KBFF is an Adult Top 40 radio station licensed to Portland, Oregon, USA, and serving the Portland area. The station is currently owned by Alpha Broadcasting.-Current Lineup:* Mornings 6a-10a: More Music Mornings with CJ & Nikki...
, the market's Rhythmic Adult Contemporary
Rhythmic Adult Contemporary
Rhythmic adult contemporary is a format used on stations in the United States and Canada. It usually gears toward an older audience, ages 25 to 54. Stations using this format play disco from the 1970s and early 1980s, dance/pop music, adult-friendly hip hop/old school tracks, R&B, dance/freestyle...
station.
"Jammin'" moves to "Movin'"
On May 9, 2008, KVMX officially ditched their Rhythmic AC format and became Portland's new home for Rhythmic Contemporary, with both KXJM and KVMX simulcasting the format during the weekend until KXJM's flip on May 12, 2008 at 9 AM (Pacific Time). KVMX also acquired the KXJM call letters, the website and all intellectual properties from Rose City. In addition, KXJM (formerly KVMXKVMX
KXJM is a commercial broadcast radio station located in the Portland, Oregon area and broadcasts at 107.5 FM. The transmitter is located in Portland's west hills; the studio is in downtown Portland, and the license location is in Banks, Oregon...
) became the new home for the Playhouse on May 13, 2008.
On May 27, 2008
2008 in radio
Several events occurred in radio in 2008.- Events :* January 2: WWFT finished Christmas music stunting, rolling out the red carpet for Adult contemporary music branded as "Warm."...
the original KXJM officially chose KXTG as their new call letters to better reflect their format and "The Game" moniker. The station changed hands in May 2009
2009 in radio
The following events occurred in radio in 2009.- Events :* January 1: Kurdish TV starts broadcasting in Turkey.* January: Michael Smerconish, morning host at talk radio WPHT Philadelphia, begins syndication of his morning show to WHFS in Washington and WOR in New York City.* January 17: Two well...
to Alpha Broadcasting. Despite the station's emphasis on local hosts, ratings were not that great, usually peaking at about a 2.0 share in the Arbitron ratings
Live 95-5
On May 21, 2011, Alpha announced that on Wednesday, May 25, at 5:00 PM, KXTG's sports format would be moving to KXL 750. 95.5 would then launch a new format at the same time. The question of what the format would be began to take on a life of its own when RadioInsight reported that Alpha registered several domains for the station in order to keep people guessing. On May 24, 2011 a logo and website for "Live 95.5" appeared in a GoogleGoogle
Google Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
cache, with the hint referenced in its moniker as "Today's Modern Mix", indicating a contemporary music format.
On May 25, at 5:00 PM, "Live 95-5" signed on with "Raise Your Glass
Raise Your Glass
"Raise Your Glass" is a song by American recording artist and songwriter Pink, released as the lead single of her first compilation album, Greatest Hits... So Far!!!...
" by P!nk
P!nk
Alecia Beth Moore , better known by her stage name Pink , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and actress....
. The station changed its call letters to KBFF and carries a slogan of "Today's Modern Mix for the Modern Woman". The station will compete with Top 40 KKRZ
KKRZ
KKRZ is a commercial broadcast radio station in Portland, Oregon, also known as Z-100, broadcasts CHR music.-History:What is now KKRZ first signed on May, 7, 1946 as KGW-FM on 95.3 MHz and moved to 100.3 MHz on September 22, 1947...
, Hot AC KRSK
KRSK
KRSK is an American broadcast commercial radio station in Molalla, Oregon, broadcasting to the Portland, Oregon area on 105.1 FM, airing an adult top 40 music format branded as "The Buzz", playing current and 2000s hits...
, and Modern Rock
Modern rock
Modern rock is a rock format commonly found on commercial radio; the format consists primarily of the alternative rock genre...
KNRK
KNRK
KNRK is a commercial Modern AC-leaning Alternative rock music radio station in Portland, OR, broadcasting to the Portland, Oregon area on 94.7 FM...
, as well as, to a lesser extent, Rhythmic Top 40 KXJM
KXJM
KBFF is an Adult Top 40 radio station licensed to Portland, Oregon, USA, and serving the Portland area. The station is currently owned by Alpha Broadcasting.-Current Lineup:* Mornings 6a-10a: More Music Mornings with CJ & Nikki...
. As with most upstarts, KBFF launched with a 10,000 songs-in-a-row promotion to attract listeners interest. Interestingly, KRSK responded to its new competitor by also billing its slogan as "Today's Modern Mix" as well, only to revert to a new slogan, "Today's Best Mix", possibly to avoid a cease & desist from Alpha.
Since the format flip, KBFF saw its ratings and fortunes improve instantly, going from a 1.9 in its last book as a Sports outlet in May 2011 to a 3.6 share in the June 2011 book, along with a spike in its audience cumes, topping KRSK for the Adult Top 40 crown.
The Playhouse
The PlayhouseThe Playhouse (radio show)
The Playhouse was a Portland, Oregon-based syndicated morning drive time radio show which debuted on February 12, 2000. It originally aired weekday mornings between 5-10am on then-flagship radio station KXJM , with the last four hours of the show being broadcast live online with fully produced...
was KXJM's morning radio show that aired weekdays from 5am-10am. It ran from 2000 to 2008, when it moved over to the "new" KXJM (at 107.5). On March 15, 2008, someone intentionally rammed a car through the front door of the station and sped away. The driver was suspected to be a disgruntled Playhouse
The Playhouse (radio show)
The Playhouse was a Portland, Oregon-based syndicated morning drive time radio show which debuted on February 12, 2000. It originally aired weekday mornings between 5-10am on then-flagship radio station KXJM , with the last four hours of the show being broadcast live online with fully produced...
listener and was detained for a mental evaluation later that day. The man, Andy Chung of Vancouver, WA, was arraigned on a variety of charges including first-degree criminal mischief, failure to perform the duties of a driver and reckless endangerment.