| KIOI | |
 |
|
| City of license | San Francisco |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | San Francisco Bay Area |
| Branding | Star 101.3 |
| Slogan | Songs you can sing along with... |
| Frequency | 101.3 (MHz) (Also on HD Radio) |
| Format | Hot AC |
| ERP | 125,000 watts |
| HAAT | 354 meters |
| Class | B |
| Facility ID | 34930 |
| Callsign meaning | KIOI (K101 moniker) |
| Owner | Clear Channel Communications |
| Sister stations | KISQ, KKGN, KKSF, KMEL, KNEW, KYLD |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | www.star1013fm.com |
KIOI FM ("Star 101.3") is a radio station licensed to San Francisco, California. The Clear Channel Communications-owned station programs a Hot Adult Contemporary format.
History
Originally founded as KLX-FM by the Oakland Tribune newspaper, the station was sold in 1957 to radio engineers, James Gabbert, a Stanford University engineering major, fellow engineer Gary Geilow, and newscaster Jerry Jensen, The three then relaunched the stations as KPEN. At the time, KPEN was a peninsula station licensed to Atherton, California, broadcasting at a mere 1500 watts. The station soon put an emphasis on high audio quality, in contrast to other FM stations that did not take advantage of FM broadcasting capabilities. During the day, KPEN played pop music, switched to a lighter blend of background "dinner music" in the early evening, then classical music after 8PM. KPEN's high audio quality helped them to dominate other stations on the FM dial, particularly KSFR, which later became KSAN. Two years after its successful debut, the transmitter was moved and power increased to 35,000 watts (it was grandfathered in at that power level by the FCC, which capped stations in that part of the country at 50,000 watts). Then in 1960 power further increased to 125,000 watts, making it the most powerful signal west of the Mississippi River. The station was notable for being the first licensed FM station in the nation to broadcast in stereo. KPEN's technological achievements wer recognized by the Electronic Industry Association, the FCC, and President John F. Kennedy. On December 1, 1968, KPEN changed its call letters to KIOI ("K101"), dropped its block programming, and started adding more rock music to its MOR playlist, to compete with upstart freeform rock stations KMPX and KSAN. Gabbert aggressively began promoting the station via outdoor advertising, which was a first for the market. "K-101" is likely the first station in the country to develop what is now called the Adult Contemporary format. During the 1970s, Gabbert developed another lasting technological achievement as K101 became the first station in the country to develop circular polarization, which was a key element to FM reception in automobiles, which previously was difficult. In September 1980, Gabbert sold K-101 to Charter Communications for $12.5 million, then the highest price paid in history at that time for an FM station. He turned around and purchased KEMO-TV (Channel 20) in San Francisco, changing the call letters to KTZO ("TV 20"). Gabbert later returned to local radio when he purchased KHIT-FM, KOFY (1050 AM) and KDIA (1310 AM). K101 continued as a highly rated adult contemporary station as it updated its programming to suit the times. In 2000, the station rebranded itself as "Star 101.3", and briefly drifted toward a 80s music approach. The station currently features long-running local morning host Don Bleu and co-host April Sommers (replacing Uzette Salazar) on traffic and news. Bleu is a Minnesota native formerly of KYUU in San Francisco and KDWB in Minneapolis. Mid-days are currently featuring long-time Bay Area radio host Sylvia Chacon. Afternoon drive is currently held by Darren McPeake and features Dina Lawrence on traffic. Evenings are hosted by John Tesh of the syndicated John Tesh Radio Show, also known as the Intelligence For Your Life Radio Show. In addition to the on-air team the station's Music Director is afternoon drive DJ Darren McPeake. Alicia Kimbrell, Promotions Director and Michael Medrano, Assistant Promotions Director manage the "Star Street Team" who promote the station through attendance at various events, live broadcasts and promotional opportunities in the Bay Area. KIOI runs a fleet of promotional vehicles including the Ford Windstar and Chevrolet Tahoe. KIOI has also adopted a Hot Adult Contemporary format, and due to this, its ratings has plummetted in the past years ratings fell from 2.7 to 1.7 in the latest Arbritron rating release. In November 2006 Stacy Cunningham took over as Program Director.
External links
- Star 101.3 official site
- SF Bay Area Radio History at TangentSunset.com
- Query the FCC's FM station database for KIOI
- Radio Locator information on KIOI
- Query Arbitron's FM station database for KIOI
