The Bay Area radio world is undergoing massive changes this week, as one of the most beloved local rock stations — 98.5-FM KFOX — disappears from the regular radio dial and heads over to the more niche-oriented HD Radio digital format.
In its place comes Bay Country, which had been previously been heard at 94.5-FM. The station is likely set to benefit from the huge rise in popularity that country music has been experiencing in recent years. Bay Country can also be heard at 92.1 FM.
In other words, radio listeners visiting 98.5 FM will be hearing a lot more of Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson and Chris Stapleton instead of the old playlist of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac and other classic rockers.
But fans who still need their Skynyrd can tune into KFOX at HD Radio stations 98.5 KUFX-HD2, San Jose, and 99.7 KMVQ-HD3, San Francisco. It also can heard at the station’s website, kfox.com.
The move reportedly went into effect at 12 noon on July 22. KFOX signed off playing Steppenwolf’s iconic “Born to Be Wild,” the same song with which the station debuted 35 years ago, said IsideRadio.com.
Both stations are owned by Connoisseur Media, a Connecticut-based organization that operates 200-plus radio stations in more than 40 markets.
The reshuffling of stations and formats in the Bay Area stems from a $2 million sale of the license of 94.5-FM KBAY Gilroy/San Jose to Christian music powerhouse K-LOVE, according to Barrett Media and multiple news sources. K-LOVE got its start in Northern California but moved its headquarters to the Nashville area (where so much of Christian music is produced) a few years back.
There also have been several personnel changes that will impact the local Connoisseur stations. Starting at the top, Brian Figula has been appointed Regional Operations Manager for the Bay Area and will be in charge of the company’s stations in San Jose, San Francisco and the East Bay.
“Expanding Bay Country to 98.5 is an investment in both our listeners and our advertising partners,” Connoisseur Media Regional Operations Manager Brian “Fig” Figula said Wednesday in a press release, according to insideRadio.com. “This gives KBAY the stronger signal and broader reach the brand deserves.”
The HD version of KFOX will, at least initially, not have any DJs. Instead, it will be all music.
“We’ll explore options for talent later this year,” Figula said, according to InsideRadio. The current KFOX air talent will reportedly move to new roles in the company. “We’ll announce over the next month or so the plan,” Figula told InsideRadio.
All current Bay Country DJs — including Danny Miller, Tony Michaels and Emily Harlan — reportedly will remain in place.