KHKZ (106.3 FM) is a radio station broadcasting an Hot Adult Contemporary format.^[1] Licensed to Mercedes, Texas, USA. The station is currently owned by Clear Channel Broadcasting Licenses, Inc.^[2]

History [link]

KHKZ started off as country KTEX 106 (KTXF). Then in 1983 changed calls to KGAR and format to Hot AC. In 1989 the callsign letters were changed to KBOR-FM. Then again in 1992 the callsign letters were changed to KTJN. In 2003 the callsign letters were changed to KMAZ. In 2004 the callsign letters were changed to KHKZ.^[3]

Current programming [link]

[edit] John Garabedian's Open House Party (2006-present)

In 2006 KHKZ started airing John Garabedian's Open House Party, in July 2010 The Open House Party was moved to 6pm in favor of an early start, now it's currently airing on Saturday Night 6pm-4am.

[edit] On Air with Ryan Seacrest (2009-present)

On April 27, 2009 KHKZ started airing On-air with Ryan Seacrest.

[edit] American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest (2009-present)

On May 3, 2009, KHKZ started airing American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest, replacing Rick Dees Weekly Top 40.

Retro Pop Reunion (2006-present) [link]

In 2006 KHKZ started airing Retro Pop Reunion, currently airing on Sunday Nights 7-11pm.

Valentine in the Morning (2011-present) [link]

On November 1, 2011 KHKZ started airing Valentine in the Morning, replacing local DJ's Jay Cantu and Amanda Flores. It currently airs on LA's KBIG-FM. Jay Cantu and Amanda Flores, have been working at KHKZ for over 7 years. So far many people have stopped listening to the station and started listening to other stations because they don't like it. Most people have started listening to competitor station KVLY 107.9. Due to this KHKZ has lost over a million listeners.

Past programming [link]

Rick Dees' Weekly Top 40 (2004-2009) [link]

In 2004 KHKZ started airing Rick Dees' Weekly Top 40 which aired on Sundays. In May 2009, Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 was replaced with American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest.

Backtrax USA (2004-2010) [link]

In 2004 KHKZ started airing the 90's edition of Backtrax USA. Backtrax USA used to air only 90's music until 2006 when their schedule changed. As of 2009, the station airs both 80's and 90's editions back-to-back on Sundays from Noon-4pm. KHKZ's contract with Backtrax ended on April 25, 2010, the same day Backtrax USA was last aired on KHKZ. It was replaced the following week with original music programming.

Slogans [link]

KHKZ's slogan was previously "Today's Best Music". But on July 31, 2009, KHKZ removed the previous slogan and replaced it with "All The Hits". This slogan is more similar to New York's WHTZ's previous slogan.

80's and 90's music [link]

KHKZ used to play 80's and 90's music along with today's music, but recently, they were phased out of their playlist. The station now resembles more of a Adult Top 40 station, playing only hits from the last decade, excluding most rap songs, which can be heard on sister station KBFM. However, KHKZ still plays 80's and 90's music on Sunday nights with the syndicated Retro Pop Reunion. Rival KVLY switched to contemporary hit radio most recently. After 2 years of resembling an Adult Top 40 format, the station returned back to it's Hot Adult Contemporary format on November 1, 2011, playing music from the 80's 90's music along with today's music again.

Christmas music [link]

Since December 2007, on the Friday before Christmas, KHKZ starts playing continuous Christmas music all the way through Christmas Day. Initially using ABC Radio's The Christmas Channel, they currently use Clear Channel's Premium Choice Christmas feed. As of December 13, 2011 KHKZ started playing continuous Christmas music all the way through Christmas Day.

Branding [link]

Hot Kiss 106.3 (2004-2011) [link]

In 2004 the station used this branding Hot Kiss 106.3.

KISS 106.3 (2011–present) [link]

On February 19, 2011, KHKZ removed the Hot Kiss branding and replaced it with Kiss 106.3. The station also changed its logo, with the new branding, but retained the Adult Top 40 format since KVLY caters the Contemporary hit radio format. Mediabase and Nielsen BDS will continue to describe the station as Adult Top 40.

2011 radio scandal [link]

On November 1, 2011 after so many complaints about the station having new DJ's, many listeners have stop listening to KHKZ and many listeners instead started listening other stations. Most people have started to listen to competitor station KVLY 107.9 instead. They also started a new Facebook page saying that they want the local DJ's back.^[4][5]

References [link]

External links [link]

• Query the FCC's FM station database for KHKZ
• Radio-Locator information on KHKZ
• Query Arbitron's FM station database for KHKZ

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