KFOO-FM (96.1

MHz The hertz (symbol: Hz) is the unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI), often described as being equivalent to one event (or cycle) per second. The hertz is an SI derived unit whose formal expression in terms of SI base u ...

, "Alt 96.1") is an

alternative rock Alternative rock (also known as alternative music, alt-rock or simply alternative) is a category of rock music that evolved from the independent music underground of the 1970s. Alternative rock acts achieved mainstream success in the 1990s w ...

radio station serving the

Spokane Spokane ( ) is the most populous city in eastern Washington and the county seat of Spokane County, Washington, United States. It lies along the Spokane River, adjacent to the Selkirk Mountains, and west of the Rocky Mountain foothills, south ...

area of

Washington Washington most commonly refers to: * George Washington (1732–1799), the first president of the United States * Washington (state), a state in the Pacific Northwest of the United States * Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States ** A ...

, United States. It broadcasts with an ERP of 60,000 watts and is licensed to Opportunity, Washington. It is owned by

iHeartMedia iHeartMedia, Inc., or CC Media Holdings, Inc., is an American mass media corporation headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It is the holding company of iHeartCommunications, Inc., formerly Clear Channel Communications, Inc., a company founded by ...

History

The station signed on the air in 1961 as KZUN-FM. It would later become KKPL in 1982 broadcasting an

adult contemporary Adult contemporary music (AC) is a form of radio-played popular music, ranging from 1960s vocal and 1970s soft rock music to predominantly ballad-heavy music of the 1980s to the present day, with varying degrees of easy listening, pop, soul ...

format, known as "96 Apple FM". By the mid-1980s, the station had a mixed flavor of adult contemporary and

Top 40 In the music industry, the Top 40 is a list of the 40 currently most popular songs in a particular genre. It is the best-selling or most frequently broadcast popular music. Record charts have traditionally consisted of a total of 40 songs. "To ...

formats, known as "K-96.1" and "LITE 96". By the 1990s, LITE 96 was competing in a crowded field for adult contemporary music between

KISC KISC (98.1 FM) is a commercial radio station in Spokane, Washington. It is owned by iHeartMedia and airs an adult contemporary radio format, switching to Christmas music for much of November and December. The station has local DJs during the ...

and Classy 99.9. In 1992, the station flipped to

country music Country (also called country and western) is a popular music, music genre originating in the southern regions of the United States, both the American South and American southwest, the Southwest. First produced in the 1920s, country music is p ...

as KNFR, under such brands as ''K-Frog'' and ''Kicks'', and later KIXZ-FM "Kix 96" in 2001. On March 24, 2012, the station flipped to a Top 40/CHR format as ''Hits 96.1'', with an entirely-syndicated lineup of shows. Listeners were unhappy with the sudden drop of the country music format. On September 20, 2013, the station rebranded as ''Power 96.1'', with no change in format. The station changed its calls to KPXR-FM. On May 8, 2014, KPXR-FM returned to country and the "Kix" brand as ''Kix 96.1''. At the same time, the call letters were changed to KIIX-FM. It was due to rating and listener dissatisfaction with the pop format. On March 2, 2018, KIIX-FM moved its programming and branding to sister

KZFS KZFS (1280 AM, "Hooptown 101.5") is a commercial radio station in Spokane, Washington. It broadcasts a classic hip hop radio format and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. Its branding originates from its 250 watt FM translator K268DL at 101.5 MH ...

, and began running promos redirecting listeners to the new frequency. The station re-launched as

''Alt 96.1'' on March 5. The station changed its call letters to KFOO-FM (which, like its previous usage in

Tacoma Tacoma ( ) is the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. A port city, it is situated along Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, southwest of Bellevue, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, northwest of Mount ...

, is in reference to the Seattle-based alternative band

Foo Fighters The Foo Fighters are an American Rock music, rock band formed in Seattle in 1994. Initially founded as a one-man project by former Nirvana (band), Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, the band comprises vocalist/guitarist Grohl, bassist Nate Mendel, gu ...

Notable former staff

* Jeremy McComb (2003–2004). Currently a country singer, best known for his hit singles " Wagon Wheel", "This Town Needs A Bar", and "Cold One".

References

External links

* * {{coord, 47.570, N, 117.083, W, type:landmark_region:US-WA_source:FCC, display=title FOO-FM Alternative rock radio stations in the United States Modern rock radio stations in the United States Radio stations established in 1961 1961 establishments in Washington (state) IHeartMedia radio stations