KENZ (FM)

KENZ (94.9 FM, "Power 94.9 / 101.9") is a top 40/CHR radio station broadcasting to the Salt Lake City and Provo-Orem metropolitan areas. The station is licensed to Provo. It is owned and operated by Cumulus Media.[1][2] The station's studios are located in South Salt Lake (behind the I-15/I-80 interchange) and its transmitter site is located on Lake Mountain.

KENZ
CityProvo, Utah
Broadcast areaProvo, Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
BrandingPower 94.9 / 101.9
SloganUtah's New Hit Music
Frequency94.9 MHz
First air date1981 (as KLRZ)
FormatTop 40 (CHR) (Simulcast on KHTB)
ERP48,000 watts
HAAT853 meters (atop Lake Mountain)
ClassC
Facility ID6545
Transmitter coordinates40°16′58″N 111°56′11″W
Former call signsKLRZ (1981-1986)
KBNG (1986-1987)
KTOU (1987-1989)
KZHT (1989-2004)
KPHT (1/6/2004-1/16/2004)
KMXU (1/16/2004-1/27/2004)
KHTB (2004-2015)
OwnerCumulus Media
(Radio License Holding CBC, LLC)
Sister stationsKBEE, KBER, KHTB, KKAT, KUBL-FM
WebcastListen Live
Websitepowerslc.com

History

The station and frequency was previously owned and operated by Millcreek Broadcasting. In early summer 2008, the station was acquired by Citadel Broadcasting. Millcreek Broadcasting moved The Blaze to a new frequency, KZZQ 97.5 FM (Coalville) and KAUU 105.1 FM (Manti). As a result of the purchase of 94.9, Citadel divested KKAT-FM to Wasatch Radio, LLC as Trustee due to ownership limitations. Citadel did not acquire the intellectual property rights to maintain the former station slogan "The Blaze", and this resulted in the previous name "94.9 Z-ROCK" (which was previously "94.9 ROCKS").

KENZ's radio tower, located atop Lake Mountain.

1980s

Starting in 1981, the station was known as KLRZ. While with those call letters, the station carried an adult contemporary format, which later flipped to CHR as KBNG. As KTOU ("The Touch") the station carried a new age format. The format lasted a few years before the station became “Hot 94-9” KZHT, and the format changed to Rhythmic Top 40 with a hybrid mix of Dance and Modern tracks.[3][4]

KZHT era

The station, as Top 40 “94-9 ZHT” was popular among youth along the Wasatch Front.[5] KZHT moved up the dial to 97.1 FM in December 2003 taking over KISN-FM and maintained the Top 40 format. The former KZHT became KHTB with a Rock format branded as “94-9 The Blaze" the following month on January 14, 2004.[6] The reason for the move was primarily based on signal. The 94.9 transmitter is located on Lake Mountain south of Salt Lake, and west of Provo, while 97.1's transmitter is located on Farnsworth Peak.

Citadel acquisition and format changes

The station was quite popular through most of its run and then in August 2008, Citadel acquired the frequency and "The Blaze" moved to 97.5 which was then the defunct KOAY. KHTB then became known as 94.9 Z-Rock, an active rock station going up against KXRK. Sister station KBER moved to classic rock at the same time. Citadel merged with Cumulus Media on September 16, 2011.[7]

On September 2, 2013, KHTB shifted to an alternative rock format, branded as "ALT 94.9".[8]

On September 4, 2015, 94.9 began simulcasting on KENZ as part of a format transfer.[9] 94.9 and 101.9 simulcasted for the weekend, while directing listeners to the latter frequency. On September 8, 2015, at 5 PM, KHTB ended the simulcast with KENZ and switched to a classic hip hop format, branded as "94.9 The Vibe".[10] On September 23, 2015, KHTB and KENZ swapped call letters.

On January 25, 2017, at 4 p.m., KENZ flipped to Top 40/CHR, branded as "Power 94.9". The flip brings the format back to the 94.9 frequency for the first time in 13 years.[11]

Previous logos

References
  1. "KENZ Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  2. "KHTB Station Information Profile". Arbitron.
  3. Salt Lake Broadcasting History
  4. "KENZ Call Sign History". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  5. Deseret News February 21, 2003
  6. http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-01-23.pdf
  7. "Cumulus now owns Citadel Broadcasting". Atlanta Business Journal. September 16, 2011. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
  8. Z-Rock Salt Lake City Flips to Alt 94.9 Radioinsight - September 2, 2013
  9. Alt 94.9 Salt Lake City Begins Simulcasting On 101.9 KENZ
  10. 94.9 The Vibe Brings Classic Hip Hop to Salt Lake City Radioinsight - September 8, 2015
  11. Cumulus Launches CHR Power 94.9 Salt Lake City Radioinsight - January 25, 2017
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