''The Eighties Channel'' Returns to KRKE Albuquerque
| RADIO ONLINE | Friday, October 14, 2022 | 4:05pm CT |
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 The Eighties Channel |
K.M. Richards Programming Services' format "The Eighties Channel" relaunches in Albuquerque on KRKE and its translator K229CL on October 14. This marks a return to the market where it had a successful test run in 2014-15, with the same station group, Vanguard Media LLC, that had partnered with Richards originally.
"93-7 KRKE is benefitting from significant retooling and refining of The Eighties Channel™ since we were last heard in The Duke City," said K.M. Richards, who created and programs the format. "It's great to be working with Don Davis at Vanguard again and we are both confident that we'll be even more successful than before."
In an on-air announcement which is playing hourly during the relaunch weekend, Davis said, "since The Eighties Channel left the air on September 27, 2015, I have continued to believe that there was -- and still is -- a need for a station that plays nothing but the best music from the 1980s... the decade with the most memorable hits of music history. Now, I've asked K.M. to bring back what we did back then... even better than ever."
The Eighties Channel is now offered as a turnkey format provided to affiliate stations on a barter basis. This, says Richards, allows stations in any size market to benefit from the resurgence in popularity of that decade's music without the expense of a paid consultant or music service.
"Much to our surprise, it appeals to 25-49 year olds in huge numbers - when questioned, the younger listeners say 'the 80s is when all the good music came out!' -- and it's great to be able to program to that saleable demographic," he added.
As part of the deal with Vanguard, KRKE will carry the format's hourly "Forgotten 45's" feature, as well as a Saturday night block of classic New Wave and Modern Rock songs hosted by legendary KROQ air talent Freddy Snakeskin. Both features are designed for 100% local sponsorship.
