KQDS-FM

KQDS-FM
City Duluth, Minnesota
Broadcast area Duluth-Superior
Branding 95 KQDS
Slogan The Northlands' #1 Radio Station
Frequency 94.9 MHz
Repeater(s) 106.3 WMFG-FM (Hibbing)
First air date April 1, 1976 (1976-04-01)[1]
Format Classic rock
ERP 100,000 watts
HAAT 258 m (846 ft)
Class C1
Facility ID 65660
Callsign meaning K Quality Duluth-Superior
(modeled after KQRS-FM in Minneapolis)
Former callsigns KAOH-FM (1976–1980)
KQDS-FM (1980–1981)
KQDS (1981–1988)
Owner Duey E. Wright
(Midwest Communications, Inc.)
Sister stations KDAL, KDAL-FM, KDKE, KTCO, WDSM, WDUL
Webcast Listen Live
Website 95kqds.com

KQDS-FM (94.9 FM, "95 KQDS") is a classic rock music formatted radio station located in Duluth, Minnesota. Established in 1976 as KAOH-FM, the station is owned by Midwest Communications, and follows a format similar to that of the well-known KQRS-FM in the Twin Cities.

The studios are located in downtown Duluth, along with KDAL, KDAL-FM, KDKE, KTCO, WDSM, and WDUL.

KQDS-FM is simulcast on WMFG-FM (106.3) in Hibbing. Prior to Midwest selling the stations, KQDS-FM was also simulcast on WXXZ (95.3 FM, now WVVE) in Grand Marais and KAOD (106.7 FM, now KZJZ) in Babbitt. KQ 95's main competitor is Townsquare Media's WEBC (560 AM/106.5 FM).

KQDS-FM is probably best known for "The KQ Morning Show" which for the last decade has been rated first among adults 25-54 and Men 25-54. The show's longtime host, Bill Jones left the station, the broadcast industry and the city of Duluth December 15, 2009. Jones' Co-host, Jason Manning has returned to KQ with a "revamped" morning show with new co-host Frank Befera. In 2011, Befera was let go and the Morning Show switched to its current line-up of Jason Manning and longtime afternoon DJ Scott Savage.

History

The station signed on April 1, 1976 as KAOH-FM, a country music station.[2] In 1980, the station became KQDS-FM, a progressive rock station. The original on-air staff included Stu Taran, Big G Walters, Annie Steamer, Dan Culhane, Jonathon Hanley, Tony Jasmin, Bruce MacGregor, Marty Essen, and Lisa Barr. The general manager was Mark Alan. On August 1, 1981, the station boosted its power to 100,000 watts and became a classic rock station.[3]

On August 24, 2016, Midwest Communications announced that it was purchasing KQDS-FM, WXXZ, and KAOD from Red Rock Radio in a deal that also included sister stations WEVE-FM in Eveleth and KGPZ in Coleraine, as well as translators W221AU, W252AN, and W288AI;[4] the sale was completed on December 31, 2016, at a purchase price of $5.625 million.[5]

Effective September 22, 2017, Midwest sold KQDS-FM's simulcast partners WXXZ and KAOD, along with translator W288AI, to Aurora Broadcasting L.L.C.

References

  1. ↑ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1999 (PDF). 1999. p. D-234. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  2. ↑ Broadcasting Yearbook 1977 (PDF). 1977. p. C-110. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  3. ↑ "KQDS FM History Timeline". 95 KQDS. Archived from the original on December 19, 2016. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  4. ↑ Krueger, Andrew (August 24, 2016). "KQDS-FM, four other Northland radio stations sold to new owner". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Consummation Notice". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. January 4, 2017. Retrieved April 20, 2017.

Coordinates: 46°47′38″N 92°07′05″W / 46.794°N 92.118°W / 46.794; -92.118


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