KQKZ


KQKZ is a commercial radio station that is licensed to serve the community of Bakersfield, California. It is owned by Lotus Communications. Its studios are located in southwest Bakersfield, while its transmitter is located northeast of the city. It is a Rhythmic CHR station branded Q92.1, with its logo being patterned after Visalia sister station KSEQ.

History

The station received its construction permit in 1985, and signed on as KIWI in 1987. In 1999, Lotus Communications acquired the station. The sale was consummated on August 24 of that year. For much of its existence before 2003, it played classical music.
On January 21, 2003, the station changed its call sign to KPSL-FM. Over the years, the station would become a latin music station with the Concierto branding.
On September 8, 2011, KPSL-FM swapped callsigns and formats with KVMX. With the format swap, it became a classic hits station branded as "The New 92-1 Max-FM".
On May 6, 2013, KVMX flipped to country, branded as "KiX 92.1". During this time, KVMX would carry syndicated programming from Premiere Networks, including a country countdown show. This format would last for slightly over 3 years.
On July 1, 2016, KVMX broke away from country programming and began simulcasting KCHJ 1010 AM, with its "El Gallito" branding and Ranchera format. Lotus also changed the callsign to KCHJ-FM.
On July 5, 2019, It was reported that the station will return to being an English language radio station. In the report, a launch date of July 15 was stated, with the planned on air branding Q92.1. On July 11, Lotus confirmed the rumors, and formally announced the format change to Rhythmic CHR, with the launch date later being pushed back to July 22, in order to allow more time to construct its social media and web pages. As part of the upcoming format change, the station's callsign became KQKZ on July 15. KQKZ officially flipped to the new format at 6:00am on July 22, with its present Q92.1 branding, patterned after KSEQ. KQKZ also uses KSEQ's on air personalities in key dayparts, but is still expected to air Bakersfield advertisements, news, traffic and weather.

Competition

As of July 2019, KQKZ competes with 5 other CHR stations in the San Joaquin Valley. Its chief rivals are rhythmic stations KISV and KBDS. Mainstream outlets KLLY and KKXX-FM also compete with KQKZ in the area. It also has indirect comeptition with Tulare-based KBOS-FM in areas near the Kern-Tulare county line.

Former programming

From 2016 to 2019, this station simulcast KCHJ and aired its programming.
Until July 1, 2016, the weekday programming on this station featured the syndicated Bobby Bones Show on mornings, Anne Kelly on mid days. Rachel Legan was on afternoons. Weekends also featured "The Bobby Bones Country Top 30 Countdown on Sunday Morning." Kix Brooks "American Country Countdown" was on Sunday evenings
Notable former airstaff on Max FM and Kix include: