KISV

Infobox Radio Station
name = KISV


area = Bakersfield, California
branding = "HOT 94.1"
slogan = "The Rhythm Of The Valley"
airdate = 1997
frequency = 94.1 (MHz)
format = Rhythmic Contemporary Hit Radio
erp = 4,500 watts
haat = 406 m
class = B
owner = American General Media
website = [http://www.hot941.com/ www.hot941.com]
callsign_meaning = The KISs of the Valley (Original moniker was "KISS 94.1" until 2002, when it lost the rights to use the "KISS" name in a court case)
sister_stations =KKXX, KEBT, KGFM, KERI, KGEO and KERN
former_callsigns = KLYD (1/3/80-6/4/82)
KQXR (6/4/82-8/9/89)
KERN-FM (8/9/89-10/1/97)

KISV (94.1 FM, "HOT 94.1") is a Rhythmic Top 40 music formatted radio station based in Bakersfield, California. The American General Media outlet broadcasts with an ERP of 4.5 kW.

History

The station was well known in the 1980s as KQXR or Q94 FM. At that time it had a Top 40 format that leaned towards Adult Contemporary. After taking a beating from then-rhythmic KKXX 105.3FM, the call letters were changed in 1988 to KERN-FM (94 Oldies), along with the format. For the next eight years the station supported an Oldies format, specializing in Top 40 music from the years 1955-74. It performed fairly well in the Arbitron ratings.But in 1997 the station was relaunched as "The All New KISS 94.1, The Rhythm Of The Valley". That put them back in a battle with KKXX(Who would respond by switching signals and relaunching themselves as an R&B/Hip-Hop intensive outlet). The two stations would wage war during its seven-year melee. But in the end it would be KISV who would come out on top, beating KKXX in all the Arbitron books.

However in 2001 it got worse. When Clear Channel Communications bought KKXX that year it sent a Cease & Desist order to KISV calling the "KISS" monicker trademarked because they want to use the slogan for KKXX, which by then was called simply "X96.5". A federal judge agreed and February 2002 Clear Channel won the case.

That prompted KISV to change its moniker to "HOT 94.1". But despite the name change they continued to beat KKXX (whch by then was remonikered as "96.5 KISS-FM") up until its last year of existence in 2004. Today they still have competition, but this time its coming from KBDS, who filled the void a month after the final incarnation of KKXX exited.

External links

* [http://www.hot941.com/ Station website]
*FMQ|KISV
*FML|KISV