# What's with Phoenix radio stations? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 13, 2002, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-phoenix-radio-stations/132104 "2002-10-13T16:25:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wfq1513](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/779978/32.png) [@wfq1513](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wfq1513)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2002, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-phoenix-radio-stations/132104/1 "2002-10-13T16:25:41Z")
I live in Phoenix and can’t seem to find a decent radio station. The irony is, I live in the 6th largest city in the country and enjoy listening to the most popular music. In southern CA I tuned to KBIG, KSYR, or KBBY. My only options here in AZ is an 80’s station, a “booty music” station, adult (slow) contemporary, or an alternative (loud/obnoxious) station. Radio-locator ([www.radio-locator.com](http://www.radio-locator.com)) has classified my preference as “Hot Adult Contemporary.” So what gives? There seems to be a profit potential here… why hasn’t anyone filled the need? ---
**Author:** ![Legomancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@Legomancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legomancer)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2002, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-phoenix-radio-stations/132104/2 "2002-10-13T16:35:19Z")
Wow. Sounds like you’re the only person in America complaining because he CAN’T get a Clear Channel station. It’s only a matter of time. I’d trade you ours for your 80s station if I could. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2002, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-phoenix-radio-stations/132104/3 "2002-10-13T16:43:57Z")
When I was living there 1980-1985 I listened to 93 KDKB and 98 KUPD, both of which were rock/pop stations. I suppose they’ve changed formats, perhaps several times, since then. ---
**Author:** ![Fibonacci](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df788c/32.png) [@Fibonacci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fibonacci)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2002, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-phoenix-radio-stations/132104/4 "2002-10-14T13:47:29Z")
Phoenix is the 15th largest market in the US. You can find a list of stations with formats in your market ranked by ratings [here](http://www.radioandrecords.com/Subscribers/ratings/ratmain.asp?mkt=pho). ---
**Author:** ![Winnowill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/4491bb/32.png) [@Winnowill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winnowill)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2002, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-phoenix-radio-stations/132104/5 "2002-10-14T21:30:53Z")
Lessee… 101.5 - the Zone. Infinity Broadcasting. Semi-alternative, Howard Stern in the AM. 104.7 - KISS - Clear Channel. I have no idea - it used to be a good station…now, I’ve deprogrammed it from my presets. 96.9 - The Mix. Another Clear Channel. 70s, 80s, 90s, and current music. I used to listen to this one. Mark Goodman (ex of MTV) in the mornings for two hours - voicetracked. Good afternoon DJ, though (assuming he’s still there). 94.5 - KOOL. Infinity again. Oldies. This one is the only one I ever listen to any more. 97.9 - KUPD. I forget who owns 'em. “Arizona’s Real Rock” - metal and stuff. Holmberg in the morning is pretty funny. I’ve forgotten the others. You’re right, though. Phoenix radio sucks. ---
**Author:** ![Parrothead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/59ef9b/32.png) [@Parrothead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Parrothead)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2002, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-phoenix-radio-stations/132104/6 "2002-10-15T16:02:10Z")
**Winnowill** wrote: \> KISS Dallas has a KISS, as well, I have no idea of the actual call letters \> The Mix Dallas has a Mix, too. \> KOOL Got me on that one, but we have several similar. \> “Arizona’s Real Rock” We have “Texas’ Best Rock” Is radio exactly the same EVERYWHERE? Wait, don’t answer that… of course it is. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2002, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-phoenix-radio-stations/132104/7 "2002-10-15T16:39:48Z")
I always listened to KUPD. In Tucson I listened to KLPX (I think? 96 something… it’s been a while) ---
**Author:** ![Winnowill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/4491bb/32.png) [@Winnowill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winnowill)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2002, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-phoenix-radio-stations/132104/8 "2002-10-15T17:00:18Z")
Well, anywhere Clear Channel has a presence, there will be a KISS station and a Mix station. Those two are their bread and butter. (Phoenix’ KISS station is actually KZZP, the Mix is KMXP.) Every market has an oldies station, though they’re rarely identical. The one in Phoenix is actually the highest-rated station in the Valley. A couple of others… 93.9 KDKB is Classic Rock. There’s The Edge, but I don’t know what its frequency is any more - it switched recently. 99.9 KEZ is Lite Rock. 102.5 KYOT is Smooth Jazz. There are two major country stations: KNIX and…I’ve forgotten. Somewhere out there is a dance station. 92.5 (I think) is The Party - Hip Hop. ---
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2002, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-phoenix-radio-stations/132104/9 "2002-10-15T17:16:14Z")
Try living in Tallahassee. The radio stations are mostly country and gospel or classical, with only one or two “rock/R&B” stations and no Top 40 stations as far as I can find. I’m from further south, so I’m used to having at least 5 stations that have either Top 40 mixed with rap/alternative or at least something more listenable on a regular basis [IMO, don’t get upset if your opinions differ] than country. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2002, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-phoenix-radio-stations/132104/10 "2002-10-15T17:25:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Winnowill \* > \*\*97.9 - KUPD. I forget who owns 'em. “Arizona’s Real Rock” - metal and stuff. Holmberg in the morning is pretty funny. > \*\* KUPD is still rock over 20 years later! Finally, some good news. It won’t affect me in any way way, but it’s still good news.