KENZ ("The End") expects a 15-20 percent increase in signal coverage now that it has moved to FM-101.9. The station made the switch, from its former FM-107.5 frequency, on Sept. 22.
KPQP ("Pop FM") has ceased to exist, and a new classic-country station will begin soon on FM-107.5, anchored by "Country Joe" Flint, formerly of KSOP. The call letters KKAT will apparently accompany the new station and a new Web site, www.countrylegends1075.com will likely be up and running soon, too.
One problem has been that the recorded chatter by Chunga and Mister on FM-107.5 — to get you to switch to FM-101.9 — has been so entertaining that you may not want to switch your presets yet.
From voice imitations to segments with Country Joe, these promotions are very clever. (These promotions were still airing on FM-107.5 as of Wednesday.)
They may be the best station-transition promotion in at least 21 years for Salt Lake-area radio market.
Still, FM-107.5 is happy to be moving to FM-101.9.
"Clearly, we've been at a signal disadvantage," said Bruce Jones, KENZ program director. "This move will rectify the problem in all of those coverage areas."
The station has been unable to reach areas of Davis and Weber counties — at least 15 percent of the station's potential audience, according to Jones. Parts of Davis County (Farmington, Centerville) and even Cottonwood Heights, Draper and Magna, haven't been able to hear the station well.
The reason for the radio-dial move is simple — FM-101.9 has a superior Farnsworth Peak transmitter in the Oquirrh Mountains, while FM-107.5 transmits from Lake Mountain in Utah County.
KENZ plans to do some special promotions in Weber County to highlight its availability there now, Jones said.
KENZ will turn 10 years old on Jan. 1, making the timing of this move intriguing. "Mr. West," part of the morning show on "The End" with Jimmy Chunga, joked there's no reason for listeners to go past FM-101.9 on the radio dial now.
Jones stressed "The End" is perhaps the best suitable alternative for former fans of "Star 102.7," which disappeared last month.
FM-101.9 has a great legacy, and 10 years ago hosted KKAT, the No. 1 station in the market.
Will KENZ, now more like "The Middle," be able to substantially improve its audience? Will the new FM sister station KKAT succeed? Time will tell.
KUUU CHANGE — Pat Clark, who currently serves as evening host at Millcreek Broadcasting rhythmic-hits outlet U92-Utah's Beat' KUUU, will leave the station on Oct. 7. He said he will join "KISS-FM" in mid-October at Milwaukee.
He has previously worked at WKIE-FM Chicago, Ill., WNDV-AM/FM South Bend, Ind., WQQB-FM Champaign, Ill. and WBVS-FM Joliet, Ill.
KBZN CHANGE — Dan Jessop has left his midday airshift at FM-97.9 to handle programming and administrative duties for KBZN and sister station KLO (AM-1430). This is the first time in 37 years (since 1968) that Jessop hasn't been on the air.
Strangely enough, Kent Norton, who has done weekend weather on KSL-TV for decades, also retired this month. Norton started his broadcast career at KVOG and KCPX and was probably on the air at "K-Pix" when Jessop was there.
KBZN's current weekday lineup is 5-9 a.m., Kelly and Charla; 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Lyle Morris; 2-7 p.m., Rob Riesen; and 7 p.m.-midnight, Michael Kane.
RADIO HAPPENINGS — Paul Coffey has left the KEGA ("The Eagle," FM-101.5) morning show. His whereabouts aren't known yet, but Stubbs, Peggy Ijams and "Gentleman Jim" now comprise the revised, 5-10 a.m., weekday-morning show on the station.
— KZHT (FM-97.1) has some new billboards up, hoping to get former "Star 102.7" listeners to reset their presets to 97.1.
— You can hear LDS General Conference as usual this weekend onKSL (AM-1160), but with the KSL simulcast on FM-102.7, General Conference will be more accessible than ever. KBYU(FM-89.1/89.5) will also air Conference live, as well as some special programming between sessions.
E-mail: lynn@desnews.com