W227BF
W227BF (93.3 FM, "Alt 93.3") is a translator broadcasting the alternative format of the HD2 subcarrier of iHeartMedia's KQQL. Licensed to Shoreview, Minnesota, it serves the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area inside the I-494/I-694 beltway. The station is currently owned by iHeartMedia. All the offices and studios are located in St. Louis Park and the transmitter is atop the IDS Center in downtown Minneapolis.
 | |
| City | Shoreview, Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Minneapolis-St. Paul |
| Branding | ALT 93.3 |
| Slogan | Twin Cities Alternative |
| Frequency | 93.3 MHz |
| Repeater(s) | KQQL 107.9-HD2 |
| First air date | June 13, 2014 |
| Format | Commercial; Alternative |
| ERP | 99 watts |
| HAAT | 229 m (751 ft) |
| Class | D |
| Facility ID | 140133 |
| Call sign meaning | (serially assigned) |
| Owner | iHeartMedia (Capstar TX, LLC) |
| Sister stations | K244FE, K273BH, KDWB-FM, KEEY-FM, KFXN-FM, KQQL, KTCZ-FM, KTLK |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | https://alt933.iheart.com/ |
History
On April 25, 2006, Clear Channel announced that KQQL's HD2 subchannel will carry a format focusing on hit music from the 1980s. The HD2 station, called Kool 1-0-80s, showcased every song to ever hit the Top 40 in the 1980s.
During summer 2011, the HD2 subchannel changed programming to a simulcast of AM radio station KFXN ('The Score'). On September 8, 2011, the "Score" sports format began airing exclusively on KQQL-HD2 as their former signal (690 AM) was flipped to Asian programming.
In August 2012, the HD2 subchannel was changed back to Kool 1-0-80s, now iHeartRadio's "My 80s", with the same 1980s hits format it had before.
On May 23, 2014, KQQL-HD2 changed their format to urban adult contemporary and began simulcasting on FM translator W227BF (93.3 FM), licensed to Shoreview.[1] Soon after, it started stunting with several types of music, changing every few days.
On June 13, 2014, KQQL-HD2 changed their format to modern rock, branded as "ALT 93.3".[1] The station competes against locally owned KQGO "GO 96.3" as well as Minnesota Public Radio's non-commercial adult album alternative KCMP "89.3 The Current."
KQQL's Kool 1-0-80s format eventually moved to KQQL's HD3 channel, in addition to translator W244CS/96.7 in the Southeast metro.[2] On June 12, 2015 KQQL-HD3 and W244CS changed their format to an LGBT-oriented dance format, branded as "96.7 Pride Radio."
On April 18, 2018, the St. Paul Saints announced that ALT 93.3 FM would be their new radio home for the 2018 season. [3]
Effective May 30, 2019, Educational Media Foundation sold W227BF and five other translators to IHeartMedia in exchange for WEKL, WSFF, WSNZ, and WLRX.
References
External links
- Alt 93.3
- Query the FCC's FM station database for KQQL
- Radio-Locator information on KQQL
- Query Nielsen Audio's FM station database for KQQL