KZFM
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| Broadcast area | Corpus Christi, Texas |
|---|---|
| Branding | HOT Z95; Z95, Since 1975 |
| Slogan | "Corpus Christi's Party Station" |
| Frequency | 95.5 (MHz) |
| First air date | 1975 |
| Format | Rhythmic Contemporary |
| ERP | 100,000 Watts |
| Class | C |
| Owner | Malkan Interactive Communications, LLC |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | http://www.hotz95.com |
KZFM (Hot Z95) is a Corpus Christi, Texas, USA-based radio station with a Rhythmic Top 40 musical format. It is owned by Malkan Interactive Communications, LLC and broadcasts at a frequency of 95.5 MHz with an Effective Radiated Power of 100,000 Watts. KZFM was once home to radio personality Glenn Beck. The station's studios and offices are located on Leopard Street just west of downtown Corpus Christi, and its transmitter tower is located south of the city in unincorporated Nueces County.
Contents
History
KZFM has been a Top 40 formatted radio station since 1975, but would evolve into a Rhythmic direction in the mid-to late 1990's. Syndicated talk show host Glenn Beck was the Program Director/Morning Show host from 1983-85. Best-selling author Wynn Wagner was the station's News Director in the mid-1970s. KZFM was voted R&R "Radio Station of the Year" for 5 years in a row during the mid-2000s.
In 2010, while under new management, then Malkan Broadcasting, decided that in an effort to better the company as a whole, would demonstrate a series of changes to its programming operations. This decision resulted in multiple changes to the on-air line ups, including multiple terminations from KZFM, and both of its sister stations, KKBA-FM, and KEYS-AM (now branded as ESPN 1440, with programming from ESPN Radio), which was the hardest hit by the changes due to its lack of authoritative ratings. The changes also brought in multiple, new on-air talents to the radio station. A full talent line up for KZFM can be found at http://www.hotz95.com.
On May 26, 2012, Malkan Interactive Communications suffered a major loss when short time Operations Manager, Rudy "Ramos" Garza (Operations Manager from 2010 to 2012), died due to a major cardiac infarction. He was 38 years old. Garza played an important role in creating the successful infrastructure currently used by both upper and direct management within Malkan Interactive Communications, LLC.
Hot Z95 Today
KZFM-FM currently broadcasts a Rhythmic Top 40 format, with a majority of the music played tending to be R&B and pop music, with Hip hop music given a greater priority.
Gino Flores serves as Program Director, and Music Director for KZFM.
Competition
KZFM has two main competing stations in the greater Corpus Christi area: KKPN (Planet 102.3) with a Mainstream Top 40 musical format, and rival KNDA (102.9 Da Bomb) which is programmed with an Urban Contemporary based musical format.
Syndication
KZFM runs syndicated shows and features five days a week. The most popular being "Slow Jams" hosted by R Dub! on Monday through Thursday nights (10:00 PM-12 Midnight), and Sunday night for "Sunday Night Slow Jams" (08:00 PM-12:00 Midnight). Other popular syndicated features include United Stations Radio Networks' "Carmen Calls", and Envision Networks' "Clarissa Jenkins' Phone Checks. Both syndicated features are aired during weekday mornings.
Bikes For Kids
Every December, Malkan Interactive Communications, LLC hosts a charity event entitled "Bikes For Kids". The basic principle behind the charity is to raise as much money as possible through fundraisers and other events during the year, along with associated clientele. The raised funds are then traded with a local bicycle shop for top-end children's bicycles. The company, including all three of its radio stations has had large success with "Bikes For Kids" since its start in 2009. Immediately following the "Bikes For Kids" event in December, Malkan Interactive Communications immediately begins raising funds for the next year's event.
Get A Life Contest (2011)
In January 2011, KZFM-FM ran a promotion entitled "Get a life". Thousands of Hot Z95 listeners applied, and only 80 were allowed to participate in the contest, which spanned over the first quarter of the year. The motivation behind the promotion was to find "the perfect co-host" for the new morning show, currently hosted by Gino Flores, hence "Gino's Neighborhood". As part of the contest, the winner was to receive a free apartment, cell phone, groceries for a year, and a paid job as part of the number one rated morning show in Corpus Christi, Texas. On March 11, 2011, the final two contestants, Lady D and Erika Navarijo, were both on-air when the decision was made that the winner would be Erika. Since her induction, Erika Navarijo (known simply as "Erika") has become vital to the success of the "Gino's Neighborhood" morning show.
Conflict And Controversy
Discrimination Lawsuit
On November 12, 2014, as a result of trial by jury, Malkan Interactive Communications was found guilty of discrimination against a number of former employees. Under the verdict, Malkan Interactive Communications, LLC allowed former, non-Hispanic, employees to operate against their non-compete agreement while maintaining strict control over certain former employees, of whom are Hispanic. The non-compete clause is signed by all employees upon being accepted by management after an initial interview has been completed. The clause is maintained during, and for six months post-employment. It mandates that the employee, current or former, refrain from obtaining employment with other commercial radio and television broadcast entities within the same operating arena, or the same radio and television broadcast market regulated by the Federal Communications Commission.
On-Air Staff
Weekday Programming
Notable weekday programming includes Gino's Neighborhood with Gino Flores and Erika Navarijo (who also broadcasts on mid-days), the afternoon drive with D.J. Chris Fonseca, followed by nights with Tiffany Lynn. After hours, KZFM runs a syndicated show entitled "Slow Jams" hosted by R dub! from 10 P.M. - 12 Midnight.
Weekend Programming
Notable weekend programming includes multiple remote broadcasts from various night clubs throughout South Texas, "Maximum Juice" with DJ NRJENZ; mixing club, trance, and electronic dance music (E.D.M.) from 2 A.M. - 5 A.M. on Sundays, and "Sunday Night Slow Jams", hosted by R Dub!.
Former On-Air Staff
Notable former on-air staff include:
- Glenn Beck (1983–1985)
- J.D. Gonzalez (1988-1994)
- Ed Ocanas (1989-2010)
- Jim Lago (1987-1996)
- Bart Allison (1994-2009)
- Charlie Maxx (1994-1996)
- Danny Bocanegra (1983–1999) (2004–2008)
- Arlene Madali Cordell (1993-2010)
- Nick Russo (2005-2010)
- Tod Tucker (1983-1989)
- Meryl Fox (1983-1989)
- Al Carson (1983-1986)
External links
- KZFM official website
- Query the FCC's FM station database for KZFM
- Radio-Locator information on KZFM
- Query Nielsen Audio's FM station database for KZFM
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