KPLZ-FM (101.5 FM) is a commercial radio station located in Seattle, Washington. KPLZ-FM airs an adult top 40 music format branded as "Star 101.5". KPLZ broadcasts on a frequency of 101.5 mHz with an ERP of 99,000 watts through a transmitter located on Cougar Mountain.
[edit] History
From its founding in 1959 until 1976, the station at 101.5 was KETO and carried easy listening and country music formats.
During the 1970s, AM radio dominated the Seattle airwaves. The major country station was KAYO 1150. Top-40 stations in the city included KOL-AM, which became country station KMPS-AM in the mid-1970s. In 1976, Seattle was a two-station battleground between KING-AM 1090 and the legendary KJR 950. Deciding to follow the trend, KETO changed formats to Top-40 as KVI-FM "The FM KVI." The station later became "K-Plus 101" and changed its call letters to KPLZ. This signaled the beginning of the end of contemporary music stations on Seattle AM radio.
In the late 1970s, while KJR and KING maintained mainstream Top-40 formats, "K-Plus" became the area's de facto disco music station. The death of disco combined with the sign-on of Top-40 upstart KBLE-FM ("The New 93") -- today's KUBE -- signaled a tough ratings environment for KPLZ, but under the leadership of Program Director Casey Keating, the station became the city's dominant Top-40 station during the late 1980s. KUBE struggled for a time, but ultimately adopted a Rhythmic CHR approach. KPLZ's ratings dropped while KUBE ascended the ratings ladder. In 1994, KPLZ finally gave up on Top-40 and became adult top 40 as "Star 101.5." The Kent and Alan morning team remained intact and continue on-air to this day.
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See also: adult contemporary, classic hits, college, country, news/talk, NPR, oldies, religious, rock, sports, top 40, urban, and other radio stations in Washington
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