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KIOA
KIOA (93.3 FM) is a commercial radio station in Des Moines, Iowa. It is owned by Saga Communications, operating as part of its Des Moines Media Group, and airs a classic hits radio format. The station's studios are located at 1416 Locust Street along with Saga's other Des Moines stations (KSTZ, KAZR, KOEZ, KRNT and KPSZ). The transmitter is located off 24th Street SE, near 6th Avenue SE, in Altoona.
KIOA broadcasts in the HD Radio hybrid format. Its HD2 subchannel carries a Top 40 (CHR) format branded as "HITS 99.9", which is also heard on 250–watt FM translator station 99.9 K260AM in Des Moines.
The 93.3 frequency got its start on September 18, 1964, as KWDM. George Webber, who was the founder of the original KWDM (1150 AM, later KWKY), brought back his unique programming after having sold the AM station in 1959 to the 3M Corporation. The FM station consisted of block programming of music, including classical, operatic and ethnic music not heard elsewhere in Des Moines. The schedule also included a weekday talk show, "Listen While You Work," hosted by his wife, Edith Dunham Webber, and Drake University and high school sports.
The station had a huge record library of rare classical and operatic albums. KWDM, located at 2401+1⁄2 University Avenue, was never a top performer in the ratings, but it did have a loyal following. Unfortunately, that following was not enough to keep it profitable.
In 1968, George Webber sold KWDM to a local group known as the SEQ Corporation. The studios were moved to the Mike Wilson building at 4111 Hubbell Avenue, on the east side of Des Moines. The format went from talk to rock and roll to country music. A controversial talk show, the "Hawkeye Nightline," with Russ Lavine, aired Monday-Saturday nights, previously heard on KDMI (97.3 FM, now KHKI). On Sunday nights, John Birch Society members Jim and Mary Parker hosted that three-hour slot.
Country disc jockeys included Bob Neel, Jack Myer and Rex Youngs. National news from the ABC FM Network aired 15 minutes after the hour. On April 10, 1969, the station went dark, after the owners of the tower and transmitter site, John and Jean Murphy, shut down the station due to non-payment of rent. A month later, Webber regained control of the station, operating it at reduced hours. In May 1969, the final selection was played, Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" ballet. Although Webber wanted to bring back the fine music format, he lacked the finances and was too far advanced in his years to make a go of it. The 93.3 frequency went dark for two years until 1971.
On April 26, 1971, the 93.3 frequency came back on the air as KYNA, airing a Top 40 format, competing against the well established KIOA (940 AM, later KPSZ).
Although KYNA was programmed well—including the syndicated American Top 40 program with Casey Kasem—and had high-quality DJs, many homes and cars did not have FM radios in the early 1970s. KYNA lasted for only about a year when it was sold to the owners of its Top 40 competition, KIOA.
KIOA
KIOA (93.3 FM) is a commercial radio station in Des Moines, Iowa. It is owned by Saga Communications, operating as part of its Des Moines Media Group, and airs a classic hits radio format. The station's studios are located at 1416 Locust Street along with Saga's other Des Moines stations (KSTZ, KAZR, KOEZ, KRNT and KPSZ). The transmitter is located off 24th Street SE, near 6th Avenue SE, in Altoona.
KIOA broadcasts in the HD Radio hybrid format. Its HD2 subchannel carries a Top 40 (CHR) format branded as "HITS 99.9", which is also heard on 250–watt FM translator station 99.9 K260AM in Des Moines.
The 93.3 frequency got its start on September 18, 1964, as KWDM. George Webber, who was the founder of the original KWDM (1150 AM, later KWKY), brought back his unique programming after having sold the AM station in 1959 to the 3M Corporation. The FM station consisted of block programming of music, including classical, operatic and ethnic music not heard elsewhere in Des Moines. The schedule also included a weekday talk show, "Listen While You Work," hosted by his wife, Edith Dunham Webber, and Drake University and high school sports.
The station had a huge record library of rare classical and operatic albums. KWDM, located at 2401+1⁄2 University Avenue, was never a top performer in the ratings, but it did have a loyal following. Unfortunately, that following was not enough to keep it profitable.
In 1968, George Webber sold KWDM to a local group known as the SEQ Corporation. The studios were moved to the Mike Wilson building at 4111 Hubbell Avenue, on the east side of Des Moines. The format went from talk to rock and roll to country music. A controversial talk show, the "Hawkeye Nightline," with Russ Lavine, aired Monday-Saturday nights, previously heard on KDMI (97.3 FM, now KHKI). On Sunday nights, John Birch Society members Jim and Mary Parker hosted that three-hour slot.
Country disc jockeys included Bob Neel, Jack Myer and Rex Youngs. National news from the ABC FM Network aired 15 minutes after the hour. On April 10, 1969, the station went dark, after the owners of the tower and transmitter site, John and Jean Murphy, shut down the station due to non-payment of rent. A month later, Webber regained control of the station, operating it at reduced hours. In May 1969, the final selection was played, Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" ballet. Although Webber wanted to bring back the fine music format, he lacked the finances and was too far advanced in his years to make a go of it. The 93.3 frequency went dark for two years until 1971.
On April 26, 1971, the 93.3 frequency came back on the air as KYNA, airing a Top 40 format, competing against the well established KIOA (940 AM, later KPSZ).
Although KYNA was programmed well—including the syndicated American Top 40 program with Casey Kasem—and had high-quality DJs, many homes and cars did not have FM radios in the early 1970s. KYNA lasted for only about a year when it was sold to the owners of its Top 40 competition, KIOA.