Previous Format: Rhythmic AC “Movin 93.9” KMVN
New Format: Spanish AC “Exitos 93.9” KXOS
Date & Time Of Change: April 15, 2009 at 12:00am
More Info: RadioInsight, Wikipedia

There was no one reason that led to the demise of FM Talk on 97.1 KLSX Los Angeles after 13 years. The departure of Howard Stern to Sirius in 2005 led to the national “Free-FM” experiment bringing in a restructuring that brought in Adam Carolla. The PPM ratings system changed the way stations recorded listeners. But it was commercial radio’s attempt to save money that eventually led to the demise of the format.

At 5:00pm on February 20, 2009 KLSX gave way to “Amp Radio”, a CHR presentation that had been airing on the HD2 signal of sister 93.1 KCBS-FM. Unlike most format changes in recent years, the staff of KLSX was given notice ahead of time and allowed to do farewell shows on their way out.

Previous Format: Urban AC “V100″ KRBV
New Format: AAA “100.3 The Sound” KSWD
Date & Time Of Change: April 8, 2008 at 10:00am
More Info: RadioInsight, Wikipedia

Previous Format: Rhythmic AC
New Format: Hot AC
Date & Time Of Change: September 8, 2007 at 10:00am
More Info: RadioInsight, Wikipedia

Previous Format: Dance CHR “103.1 KDL”
New Format: Alternative “Indie 103″
Date & Time Of Change: December 21, 2003
More Info: Wikipedia

Previous Format: Urban “92.3 The Beat” KKBT
New Format: Rhythmic Oldies “Mega 92.3” KCMG
Date & Time Of Change: June 30, 2000 at 6:00pm
More Info: Wikipedia

In the fall of 1999, the two largest radio station operators in the country, Clear Channel Communications and AMFM Inc., shocked the world by announcing they would merge. However, in order to get under the government-mandated market ownership limits, some stations were required to be spun-off. One of the full powered FMs in Los Angeles had to go. KKBT was the station chosen; it was sold off to Radio One. However, Clear Channel wanted to keep the best possible signals and gave Radio One the less desirable 100.3. Leading up to the frequency swap, rumors swirled about whether either station’s format would survive the move to the new frequencies. Much speculation led to 92.3 going Active Rock, possibly with the KMET calls. When the switch was made, the formats did come along for the ride. However, soon thereafter, KKBT released their morning team of Dre and Ed Lover plus afternoon drivers The Baka Boys.

Related Changes: Mega 100.3 Becomes 100.3 The Beat

Previous Format: Rhythmic Oldies “Mega 100.3” KCMG
New Format: Urban “100.3 The Beat” KKBT
Date & Time Of Change: June 30, 2000 at 6:00pm
More Info: Wikipedia

In the fall of 1999, the two largest radio station operators in the country, Clear Channel Communications and AMFM Inc., shocked the world by announcing they would merge. However, in order to get under the government-mandated market ownership limits, some stations were required to be spun-off. One of the full powered FMs in Los Angeles had to go. KKBT was the station chosen; it was sold off to Radio One. However, Clear Channel wanted to keep the best possible signals and gave Radio One the less desirable 100.3. Leading up to the frequency swap, rumors swirled about whether either station’s format would survive the move to the new frequencies. Much speculation led to 92.3 going Active Rock, possibly with the KMET calls. When the switch was made, the formats did come along for the ride. However, soon thereafter, KKBT released their morning team of Dre and Ed Lover plus afternoon drivers The Baka Boys.

Related Changes: 92.3 The Beat Becomes Mega 92.3

After “Groove 103.1″ flipped back to Dance, the station’s ratings began to improve, albeit slightly. It eventually peaked at a 0.9 share 12+, which (tied with one of the previous formats on the 103.1 duo) represents the highest ratings ever achieved by the two 103.1 FMs. Apparently, this success got the attention of Jacor (now Clear Channel), owner of CHR/Pop KIIS-FM. In September 1998, Jacor purchased KACD and KBCD from Ken Roberts. Shortly thereafter, on October 12, 1998, Jacor switched “Groove 103.1″ to a simulcast of KIIS-FM, and eventually debuted a AAA format under the name “Channel 103.1″.

One side note: in an article which appeared on laradio.com, KIIS-FM General Manager Roy Laughin admitted that Jacor bought Groove 103.1 and changed the format so that it KIIS-FM’s ratings would improve, due to the loss of a competitor.

Following the first-place-in-its-first book debut of New York’s Dance CHR WKTU (February 1996), it didn’t come as a surprise that a few stations across the country tried to clone the format in their own markets. KIBB (B-100) was one such station, and just like every other clone during that period, it failed miserably. KIBB began as a Rhythmic AC in the Fall of 1996, emphasizing 70′s and 80′s Dance/R&B selections and positioning itself with the slogan “LA’s Hot FM.” Several months later, Viacom sold the station to Chancellor (which became AMFM). During the Spring of 1997, Chancellor tried to improve the station by making it more current-intensive and modifying the station’s slogan to “The Rhythm of L.A.”, among other changes, but the ratings didn’t improve. By the Fall, rumors of KIBB’s demise surfaced. On November 19, 1997, Chancellor debuted the Rhythmic Oldies format on KIBB — the calls eventually changed to KCMG to match the new moniker: “Mega 100″. This format would adopt the nickname “Jammin’ Oldies” as it was copied to markets all over the country.

In June 1996, KACD-FM (Santa Monica) and KBCD-FM (Newport Beach) switched from a Mainstream AC format to a Underground Dance format known as “Groove Radio”. While Groove Radio was unique, it was perhaps too unique for conventional radio. It never made any sort of dent in the ratings. During the summer of 1997, Groove Radio creator Swedish Egil was fired. The station remained in the Dance arena, but it became more mainstream (better suited for radio) — but not so mainstream that it could truly be considered “cheesy”. The name also changed to “Groove 103.1″, mainly because Egil owned the rights to the “Groove Radio” name.

Then, on September 18, 1997, the format changed to an ordinary traditional Rhythmic CHR, yet the name remained “Groove 103.1″. The station was flooded with negative feedback. One week later, the format switched back to dance…click below to listen