KKAT-FM adopts Christian format

The local radio scene has been fairly calm of late, but that all changed last week when KKAT, FM-107.5, switched from the "County Legends" format to the "K-Love" Christian format.

KKAT-FM, which had been controlled by a private trust called Wasatch Trust, made the switch on March 24.

Citadel Broadcasting used to own the station, but in 2008, a series of events forced the company to give the station up in order to comply with Federal Communications Commission rules. So Citadel put the station in the private trust.

"K-Love" is operated by the Educational Media Foundation of Rocklin, Calif., and dozens of stations across the country carry the format.

NEWEST RATINGS — Arbitron has released its February "PPM" ratings for the Salt Lake area, and KSL remains No. 1, with an 8.5 percent audience share.

Rounding out the top 10 are: 2. KSFI (6.5); 3. KODJ (5.1); 4. KUBL (5.0); 5. KXRK (4.9); 6. KUDD (4.7); 7. KJMY (4.6); 8. KNRS-FM (3.9); 9. KOSY (3.8); 10. KZHT (3.7).

FIVE DECADES ON THE AIR — KBYU (FM-89.1) is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2010 with some special programming.

Although the station technically originated in 1946 as KBYU (AM-860) on the BYU campus, it wasn't until May 9, 1960, that the station began operations as an FM station. (It was named KBRG-FM for 10 days until the FCC assigned the KBYU call letters on May 19, 1960, though it wasn't until Nov. 9, 1960, that today's KBYU programming kicked in).

KBYU is planning three 50th anniversary concerts from the de Jong concert hall:

April 7, p.m. – Synthesis, "Jazzing the Classics and Thirdstream Jazz," directed by Ray Smith. (Airing on Classical 89 and BYU-TV).

April 8, 8 p.m. – BYU Wind Symphony, Don Peterson, conductor, and Don Blackinton, guest conductor. (Airing on Classical 89 and BYU-TV).

April 10, 8 p.m. – BYU Philharmonic, conducted by Kory Katseanes, featuring Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 and Triple Concerto for Violin, Cello and Piano (played on a Stradivarius violin and cello.) (Airing on Classical 89 and KBYU-TV Eleven).

Tickets are $8-$11 and are available at 801-422-4322 and online at www.byuarts.com.

April 4-Sept. 26 — Although not anniversary-related, KBYU will also air performances from the "2009 Eccles Organ Festival," presented at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City. Hear the broadcasts Sundays at 8:45pm, April 4-Sept. 26.

TWENTY YEARS AGO IN SALT LAKE RADIO — KKDS, kids' radio, planned a "weather-proof" indoor Easter Egg hunt. … KQOL ("KOOL, FM-106.5") begins a new "hybrid contemporary country-music format." … KRSP-FM and its DJs, "Dean and Roger," visit six area schools in its "Salute to Schools Week" event.

e-mail: lynn@desnews.com