KLNZ (103.5 FM, "La Tricolor 103.5") is a commercial radio station serving the Phoenix metropolitan area. It is owned by Entravision Communications and is licensed to the nearby suburb of Glendale. It broadcasts a Regional Mexican radio format, primarily from Entravision's California-based "Radio Tricolor" network. (Tricolor refers to the three colors on the Flag of Mexico.) The studios are near Sky Harbor Airport.

KLNZ
Broadcast areaPhoenix metropolitan area
Frequency103.5 MHz (HD Radio)
BrandingLa Tricolor 103.5
Programming
FormatRegional Mexican
SubchannelsHD2: KVVA-FM Spanish Adult Hits simulcast
Ownership
Owner
KBMB, KFUE, KVVA-FM
History
First air date
May 18, 1994; 30 years ago (May 18, 1994) (as KTWC)
Former call signs
KTWX (1993–1993, CP)
KCWB (1993–1993, CP)
KTWC (1993–1996)
KOAZ (1996–1997)
KWCY (1997–1999)
Technical information
Facility ID48738
ClassC
ERP48,000 watts
HAAT740 meters (2,430 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
33°35′33″N 112°34′49″W / 33.59250°N 112.58028°W / 33.59250; -112.58028
Links
WebcastListen Live
Websitewww.radiolatricolor.com/phoenix/

KLNZ is a Class C station. It has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 48,000 watts. The transmitter is off North Tower Road in Buckeye among the White Tank Mountains.[1] KLNZ broadcasts using HD Radio technology. Its HD2 digital subchannel rebroadcasts sister station 107.1 KVVA-FM's Spanish Adult Hits format.

History

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Oldies and Smooth Jazz

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FM 103.5 signed on the air on May 18, 1994 under the call sign was KTWC ("Twice 103.5"). The station aired an eclectic oldies format with music ranging from the 1950s through the 1980s.[2][3] The station was owned by Newmountain II Broadcasting Co. of Phoenix. Newmountain tapped MAC America Communications, owners of KESZ and KTVK, to build the facility and sell ad time while Newmountain handled programming.[4][5]

In 1996, KTWC was purchased outright by MAC America Communications (now renamed Media America). On May 17, the station switched to a Smooth Jazz format as KOAZ ("The Oasis"), and competed against KYOT-FM.[6][7]

Wild Country

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In 1997, MAC America decided to sell half its interest in the station to Owens Broadcasting, owners of heritage country station KNIX-FM. (Owens Broadcasting was headed by country singer and television host Buck Owens.) On September 2, KOAZ switched to a more-contemporary country format, targeting a younger audience. It called itself "Wild Country" using the call sign KWCY.[8][9] A large marketing campaign coincided with the change. It publicized the return of popular morning hosts Tim Hattrick and Willy D. Loon, who were at competing country station KMLE for a few years before a brief stint in Chicago.

KWCY was put up for sale in June 1998.[10] Tim and Willy eventually became morning hosts at KNIX.[11]

Entravision

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Z-Spanish Radio Networks bought the station in late 1998. The company placed its Sacramento-based "La Zeta" Regional Mexican format on 103.5 in December. The call letters became KLNZ.[12]

Entravision Communications merged with Z-Spanish a year later. Its Zeta-formatted stations switched their slogan and format to "Radio Tricolor."

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References

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  1. ^ Radio-Locator.com/KLNZ
  2. ^ "New Valley radio station spins 'pleasant' oldies, hits", The Arizona Republic, May 19, 1994.
  3. ^ http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1994/RR-1994-05-27.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  4. ^ "Valley's airwaves to gain another radio station soon". Arizona Republic. June 4, 1993. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  5. ^ Newberg, Julie (June 5, 1993). "Emergencies thrust radio stations into important role for communities". Arizona Republic. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
  6. ^ Charlie Van Dyke, "Let the 'Jacuzzi jazz' battle begin", The Arizona Republic, May 18, 1996.
  7. ^ http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1996/R&R-1996-05-24.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  8. ^ Michael Clancy and Dolores Tropiano, "Tomaso's puts on a big spread", The Arizona Republic, August 26, 1997.
  9. ^ http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1997/RR-1997-08-29.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  10. ^ http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1998/RR-1998-06-19.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  11. ^ Michael Clancy, "'Wild Country' exit caps wild week on Valley dial", The Arizona Republic, June 20, 1998.
  12. ^ Michael Clancy, "Owner, personality shifts keeps radio dial spinning", The Arizona Republic, December 26, 1998.
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