KOST
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| City of license | Los Angeles, California |
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| Broadcast area | Greater Los Angeles |
| Branding | KOST 103.5 |
| Slogan | "Southern California's Favorite Soft Rock" |
| Frequency | 103.5 (MHz) (also on HD Radio) |
| First air date | 1957 |
| Format | Adult contemporary[1] HD2: Classic Hits |
| ERP | 12,500 watts |
| HAAT | 949 meters |
| Class | B |
| Facility ID | 34424 |
| Callsign meaning | KOaST (play on the word COAST, as in West Coast) |
| Owner | Clear Channel Communications |
| Sister stations | KBIG, KFI, KHHT, KIIS, KLAC, KTLK, KYSR |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | kost1035.com |
KOST (103.5 FM, "KOST 103.5 FM") is a radio station licensed to Los Angeles, California, with an adult contemporary musical format. It is one of three adult contemporary formatted radio station in the Los Angeles/Orange County area, the others being sister station KBIG and CBS-owned KTWV. The station is one of the top rated radio stations in Los Angeles and one of the top revenue billing radio stations in the United States. According to the radio industry website, RadioStats.Net, KOST's site is the most visited Adult Contemporary radio station website in America. KOST also has translators at 103.9 FM in Thousand Oaks, CA and at 105.5 in Ridgecrest, CA.
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[edit] History
KOST was owned by radio icon Gordon McLendon in 1960s. In 1973, Cox Communications purchased KOST and sister station KFI. KOST also aired a Beautiful Music format until November 15, 1982, when they switched to an all-hit Adult Contemporary format. Former Sacramento radio personality Bryan Simmons was KOST's first host when the station signed on with its new format.
On February 3, 1986, Mark Wallengren and Kim Amidon made their debut as KOST's new morning hosts. The "Mark and Kim" morning show was one of the longest running shows on Los Angeles radio.
In 1999, Cox Communications sold KOST and sister station KFI to AMFM, Inc., which was then purchased by Clear Channel Communications in 2000. Over the years, the station has had solid ratings. Until recently there had been little turnover among the airstaff. On November 29, 2007, morning show co-host Kim Amidon exited the station, followed by KOST's original midday host Mike Sakellarides and longtime traffic reporter Mike Nolan (who has since been rehired).
In October 2008, former San Diego radio personality Kristin Cruz joined Mark Wallengren as co-host of KOST's morning show. In 2009, the midday shift was voicetracked by former WLTW/New York personality Karen Carson. In February 2011, Karen Carson resigned and joined WWFS/New York. Both Christine Martindale and Ted Ziegenbusch (see below) filled in on the midday show until August 2011, when former KBIG midday host Kari Steele took over.
The radio station jingles were produced by JAM Creative Productions from 1985 until 2009 and had become an integrated element of KOST's stationality. They used jingles from Reelworld Productions, from 2009 through 2010. In 2011, KOST switched back to JAM Creative Productions for their jingles along with the classic musical signature sound that JAM created for the station.
On August 26, 2011, longtime KOST afternoon personality Bryan Simmons exited the station. The afternoon show is now hosted by Bruce Scott.
[edit] Programming
KOST's format features a variety of music from the late 1960s to the 2000s, with artists including Elton John, LeAnn Rimes, Phil Collins, and Enrique Iglesias. It is also one of the oldest and softest leaning AC stations in the Clear Channel Portfolio.
KOST features "Love Songs on the Coast" evenings from 7PM to midnight. The show is hosted by Karen Sharp Monday through Saturday. As of September 30, 2010, entertainer Donny Osmond was the Sunday evening host.
During the holiday season, the station switches to a Christmas music format, however, some regular soft rock songs are played during the evening Love Songs program. It also operates its "Christmas Wish" program to help those less fortunate. The station usually begins playing holiday music from the week before Thanksgiving until December 26, when it resumes its regular format.
Christine Martindale hosts "Sunday Journal" every Sunday morning at 6:30 as part of KOST's Public Affairs programming.
[edit] Weekday Lineup
- Mark and Kristin 5:00AM – 10:00AM
- Kari Steele 10:00AM – 3:00PM
- Bruce Scott 3:00PM – 7:00PM[2]
- Karen Sharp 7:00PM - Midnight
[edit] Awards
In 2007, the station was nominated for the top 25 markets Adult Contemporary station of the year award by Radio & Records magazine. Other nominees included WMJX in Boston, WALK-FM in Long Island, New York, WLTW in New York City, WBEB in Philadelphia, and KEZK-FM in St. Louis.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ "Kost1035FM". http://www.kost1035.com/. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
- ^ "Bruce Scott". http://www.kost1035.com/pages/brucescott.html. Retrieved 2012-01-31.
- ^ "2007 Industry Achievement Awards". Radio and Records. 2008-09-28. http://www.radioandrecords.com/Conventions/con2007/awards/indexFinal.asp.
[edit] External links
- KOST official website
- Query the FCC's FM station database for KOST
- Radio-Locator information on KOST
- Query Arbitron's FM station database for KOST
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