KBZN, KYMV switch formats in shake-up

There hasn't been a shake-up on the Salt Lake radio for quite a while. But that changed late last week when two stations — FM-97.9 and FM-100.7 — decided independently to switch formats.

KBZN radio (FM-97.9) moved to a "today's best music" format, excluding hard rock and rap.

Meanwhile, KYMV (FM-100.7) switched to a top 40 format from its rhythmic adult contemporary style.

KBZN had been playing adult contemporary tunes since last spring.

Prior to that, it played "smooth jazz" and was known as "the Breeze."

However, the station has been struggling in the ratings and decided to air more positive, feel-good music.

"Exciting," "researched" and "local" were the three words that Dan Jessop, the station's general manager, used to describe the new format.

KBZN is now squarely competing against KBEE (FM-98.7), KJMY ("MY 99.5") and KSFI ("FM-100").

In addition to the format change, KYMV has discontinued its "makes you feel good" slogan. The format change means the station will be going head-to-head against KZHT (FM-97.1).

Some analysts believe stations are gearing up for when the Salt Lake market puts the Portable People Meter in place as early as this fall to gauge radio-listening habits.

If so, more radio changes could be coming later this summer.

RADIO AND RECORDS GONE — Nielsen Business Media, which operated R&R magazine and RadioandRecords.com, decided last week to consolidate those two assets into Billboard magazine and Billboard.biz.

At least for now, it looks like the radio presence of R&R has been watered down.

RADIO HAPPENINGS — KSL will sponsor a "Family Fair" June 20, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. at The Gateway. Proceeds will benefit the Utah Foster Care Foundation.

KRSP has its "103 Days of Summer" event under way. A Ford F-150 and a motorcycle are the event's grand prizes. Go to www.1035thearrow.com for more details.

A recent survey by "Radio Heard Here," a partnership with the Radio Advertising Bureau and others, revealed that 76 percent of those surveyed across the country still enjoy discovering new songs on the radio, and 97 percent are still glad to have radio as an option for news, music and entertainment. Go to www.radioheardhere.com for the complete survey.

E-MAIL: lynn@desnews.com