Bill Kurtis buys area radio stations
By Brandy Nance
Originally published 01:09 p.m., October 16, 2007
Updated 01:09 p.m., October 16, 2007
Two radio stations, KISS 103.1 out of Emporia and 97.7 The Dawg out of Burlington, have undergone some major changes over the past few weeks.
The stations were formerly owned by SEK Broadcasting. The stations, along with four other stations that SEK Broadcasting owned, were purchased by Tallgrass Broadcasting LLC. Tallgrass owns 15 stations in Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, said Erin Reece, office manager and business development manager for 103.1 and 97.7. Reece said change of ownership of the stations took place around the middle of September.
Tallgrass is owned by Kansas native and media mogul Bill Kurtis and his partner, Joe Walker. Kurtis, whose Chicago-based production company produces dozens of programs that air on basic cable, has been investing heavily in southeast Kansas for several years, including projects to increase tourism and improve the region’s economy.
Reece said several changes are in store for the local stations. Both stations are having the music libraries tripled in size.
“There’s going to be a lot more songs and a lot more variety,” Reece said.
Another major change is the elimination of on-air talent. Reece said the president of Tallgrass Broadcasting, Joe Walker, has done research and has found in general that a lot of DJs talk about things people aren’t really interested in.
“We’re trying to move away from that and having it be about the music and commercials,” Reece said. “We’re really excited because we’re going in a completely different direction. We’re doing that for our listeners and our advertisers.”
The stations’ programming will be done by individuals rather than DJs. Reece said 103.1’s programming will be done by Kyle Thompson and Mindy Ryan will coordinate the programming for 97.7.
The format for airing commercials is in the process of being changed, Reece said. The stations are shortening the amount of time that the commercials play for so there aren’t too many commercials being aired in a row.
“We are aiming for 90 seconds of commercials and like seven songs,” Reece said. “We’re working toward that. It can’t happen overnight but we’re working toward it.”