KRBZ

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

KRBZ
Image:THEBUZZLOGO.jpg
Broadcast area Kansas City, Missouri
Branding 96.5 The Buzz
Slogan "THE Alternative"
Frequency 96.5 MHz
First air date 2000
Format Modern Rock
ERP 98,500 watts
Class C0
Owner Entercom
Webcast Listen Live
Website www.965thebuzz.com

KRBZ, FM 96.5 in Kansas City, is a modern rock radio station. The station uses the brand name 96-5 The Buzz. At night it broadcasts the syndicated program Loveline. The station is owned by Entercom Communications, and is based in Mission, Kansas. The radio station was nearly pulled off of the air when plans for sports station KCSP forced longtime country station WDAF to look for an FM home. Fans gathered to "Save the Buzz", showing a huge turnout and solidified the station's alternative format. Instead, WDAF moved to 106.5 fm, dispacing KCIY, a smooth jazz station.

The Buzz, since displacing classical station KXTR in August 2000, has floated between degrees of alternative music. By 2002, the Buzz registered in the Arbitron ratings as a Top-40 station, with pop acts dragging the station through the ratings. Later that year, the station refocused its brand, dumping anything that made the station sound like KMXV, whom they often parody in liners. In 2005, the station reduced the length of all commercial breaks to two minutes or less. KRBZ has gone from the bottom of the ratings to one of the top stations in the 18-34 demographic. The station has been recognized by Billboard magazine for its ability to break new artists.

In April 2006, the station began broadcasting live over the internet.

On June 1, 2006, popular afternoon host/program director Lazlo announced that he was leaving the station to become program director of KNDD The End in Seattle, KRBZ's sister station. His wife, Afentra, host of morning show Afentra's Big Fat Morning Buzz, worked her last day from the studios in Kansas City on August 4, 2006, but continued hosting mornings at KRBZ via satellite from her home in Seattle until November. Her co-hosts remained in Kansas City. Operations Manager Greg Bergen has taken over as program director in the wake of Lazlo's exit. On September 8, 2006, morning co-host Danny Boi announced plans to leave the show and the station. He was replaced as co-host by Slim Fast.

On November 10, 2006, it was announced that Lazlo, Afentra, and Slim Fast will reunite on air for "The Church of Lazlo," which will broadcast from Seattle on KNDD and simulcast on KRBZ. On February 12, 2007, The Dick Dale show with Jessica Chase debuted as the new morning show. Less than a month later, Chase quietly departed the station.

[edit] Annual Festivals

[edit] External links