KKSN- AM & FM (Kisn) has a new Program Director named Joel Grey.
Portland's longest rock and roll jock, Bob Ancheta, is back on the radio November 4th 1996, after a two month hiatus from KGON. Ancheta's new home is afternoon's on Earth 105 (KKRH-FM) from 2 to 7 pm. Ancheta began his broadcast career in 1970 at Vancouver's KVAN (where Willie Nelson once worked). Bob's web page address is http://www.spiretech.com/~bigba/
Country KUPL-FM relieved morning man Billy Hayes of his anchor duties in October. Co-host Brad Bean continues now along with Susan Barr.
Portland's largest radio owner, American Radio Systems, dropped the Beat format on its AM 970, October 2nd 1996, and switched it to full simulcast of country FM KUPL 98.5. The alternative rock format on AM 970 the Beat began in 1990.
Portland's oldest AM station, 620 AM KOTK (formally KGW), and Portland's oldest rock station, KINK FM 102 were sold October 1st 1996, by Embarcadero Media to a California Spanish language broadcast company, EXCL communications. No word on the price, but it was exactly four years ago when Embarcadero paid KING broadcasting $11 million for the two radio stations.
Early evening talker Victoria Taft has left KXL effective September 3rd 1996. No word on the reason why. An ad placed in the September 8 Oregonian (pg. B3) by Victoria says,
"Thanks Portland for choosing me your best talk show host, but even the best sometimes are outsourced, downsized, or blown out to save a few bucks..." Victoria left her e-mail address in the ad, vtaft@easystreet.com. Speculation is that KXL may bring in a nationally syndicated show as a replacement. In the meantime, KXL weekend host, Brian Calvert, is fielding the calls from 6 to 8 p.m.
Beginning September 17th 1996, Jim Donovan anchors the oldies morning show on KKSN-FM. Donovan most recently has been prognosticating weather for channel 8 on weekends. Previously he held the afternoon drive slot on KEX. Former KKSN morning man Steve Lloid goes nocturnal. Scott Forest replaces J.J. Jeffrie in the mid-day time slot..
Longtime Portland rocker and afternoon man, Bob Ancheta, was given the pink slip by KGON. No official reason given, but it may have been due to his long seniority and upper pay scale. KGON production director Bob Brooks takes over the afternoon slot. Interview and picture of Ancheta in the Tuesday, Aug 7th 1996, Oregonian, pg E1.
On FM at 107.5, those who tuned in expecting to hear the latest contemporary Christian music were surprised to hear the latest in grunge rock. New owner, American Radio Systems, possessor of 101 KUFO and AM 970 the Beat, converted the Spirit FM format over. It's now "Portland's new music alternative".
Both AM 970 the Beat and FM 107.5 simulcast the same signal. No live
announcers as the format is generated from a computer hard drive. This gives Portland two
FM stations playing alternative rock. KNRK at FM 94.7 switched to
new rock last year. The Beat FM has a bigger stick allowing for better radio reception in
the Portland area but the computer doesn't exude much personality.
Caustic political talker Mary Matilin, out of New York, has been added to the KXL nighttime lineup. Local host Victoria Taft's show is cut one hour to make room.
The new mid day personality on KINK is Cindy Hanson. Former host, Lacey Turner, has decided to travel the globe. She may or may not be back.
Portland senior disk jockey Roger Hart has been recruited for KKSN's new live morning show. Weekdays from 6 to 9 am, Roger spins nostalgic tunes that haven't been heard on Portland radio for years. After his show, the trips down memory lane continue via satellite with programming originating from Los Angeles.
In April 1996, KXL-FM modified its seventies rock hits format to include the eighties. The new slogan of music radio 95.5 is "more than the seventies." Program director, Mike Dirkx made the shift to re-position KXL-FM for better ratings. Since the fall of 1995, the 100,000 watt station has slipped in the ratings.
With the format change comes a new morning show of former weekender and KGW jock, Scott Thom. Teamed up with Scott is newswoman Marie Dodds. Ex-morning man, John Williams goes to afternoons. Casualties of the change are former morning newscaster and Portland radio vet, Gloria Johnson, and ex-afternooner Shawn Taylor.
Fisher buys JJ
Fisher broadcasting, owner of channel 2 in Portland, and several radio stations and a tv
station in Seattle, has purchased country KWJJ AM and FM. JJ was
owned by New York's Park broadcasting for a couple of decades. The station had been the
laughing stock of Portland radio for it's antiquated equipment. That quickly changed when
program director Robin Mitchell came in and rapidly turned the station around,
sending its ratings soaring to number one. Proving once again that creative genius and
quality can win out over toilet bowl studios. The sale was approved by the Federal
Communications Commission on June 19th 1996.
Twisting the Portland Radio Dial - 
2001
Twisting the Portland Radio 
Dial
- 2000
