Z106.7 is now 106.7 The River ***UPDATED***

As of noon today (Thusday, October 1), Journal Broadcast Group changed the format of 106.7 FM. Z106.7, the main competition in the modern-rock segment with Q102.1 FM, has now been replaced with 106.7 The River. The River will be a jockless, music-intensive station that will play the largest variety of any station in Springfield, with songs spanning 5 decades from the 60’s to now. We have more details about the switch after the break.

***UPDATE: We’ve included the official press release from the station after the break, as well.***

Journal Broadcast Group had been conducting a number of listener surveys recently. In these listeners asked for more variety and more music with fewer ads. That’s exactly the goal of The River. The station will play songs from the ’60s until now, will be jockless all the time and will have commercial-free weekends. The station will also feature online streaming, perfect for the workplace (see their website: http://www.1067theriver.com/). It will have five direct competitors in 104.7 The Cave, Star 105.1, Alice 95.5, 105.9 KGBX and US 97.3. 

In other news, Z106.7 program director Simon Nytes will now be the new program director of Power 96.5. The station is keeping all Z106.7 staff at this time to work other positions within the company. Former 96.5 program director Valerie Knight will be the new program director for 106.7 The River. And–get this–they will even have the area’s first “now playing” billboard that will display the song currently playing on the station on Southbound Highway 65 near Chestnut Expressway. (It’ll make like a cool game to see how accurate it will always be, haha.)

The very sad news is that our two-hour local show, Rock Talk, that would air every Sunday night, is currently cancelled due to the format switch. We are grateful for the two years Journal Broadcast Group has allowed the local show to run. They even allowed us to extend it to two hours last year. We are very proud of the show and all the music we were able to promote. That’s all we know for now, but if and when we find out more we’ll keep you posted.

Here’s the official press release, courtesy of Journal Broadcast Group:

Journal Broadcast Group – Springfield Operations  
Launches The New 106.7 The River

Springfield, Mo. – The Springfield Operations of the Journal Broadcast Group announced today that The New 106.7 The River began operations at 12 p.m. on October 1, 2009.  In making the change, 106.7 moves from a “Hard Rock” station to a “Variety” format.  The format change is designed to appeal to listeners who want a wide range of music genres and artists without annoying DJ chatter and many interruptions.  The best hits from the past 5 decades will be featured.  Artists ranging from John Mayer to Madonna to Styx.  Springsteen to Cher to 3-Doors Down.  Abba to Bob Seger to Kellie Clarkson.  Chicago to Nickleback to The Beatles.  A question many listeners will have is, “What Will They Play Next?” 

Valorie Knight, Operations Manager for the Springfield Operations five-station-cluster is the new Program Director for The New 106.7 The River.  Simon Nytes, previously Program Director for KZRQ-FM 106.7, assumed Knight’s former duties as Program Director of sister station KSPW Power 96.5.

In making the announcement, Springfield Operations Vice President and General Manager Rex Hansen said,

“With a library of more over 2,000 songs, The New 106.7 The River now provides REAL music variety unlike any other station in the market.  We’re confident listeners and advertisers will appreciate and enjoy the variety offered on the station.”

 

Valorie Knight added, “We’re really excited about the new format.  It’s new to our area, and we’re thrilled that we’re able to bring it to our community.  We know it’s going to be a big ‘hit’ with listeners and advertisers.”  

The New 106.7 The River is one of five radio stations in Springfield owned by Journal Broadcast Group. 

About Journal Broadcast Group

Journal Broadcast Group owns and operates 35 radio stations and 13 television stations in 12 states and operates an additional television station under a local marketing agreement. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, it is the broadcast business of Journal Communications Inc., a diversified media company with operations in publishing, radio and television broadcasting, interactive media and printing services.

Tags: 106.7, 106.7 the river, alice, journal broadcast group, kgbx, missouri, mo, radio, simon nytes, springfield, star, the cave, US97, Valerie Knight, Z106.7