KSPW

KSPW (96.5 FM) is a radio station broadcasting a Top 40 (CHR) format. Licensed to Sparta, Missouri, USA, it serves Springfield, Missouri. The station is owned by E.W. Scripps Company.

Station history

KSPW debuted on the air on February 21, 1988 as KJLR. By July 1988 it adopted an AC format as KLTO, which lasted until 1999 and changed calls to KMXH. In April 2001, KMXH flipped to Rhythmic Top 40 and adopted the KSPW calls. The station patterned the format after sister station KQCH/Omaha. And like KQCH, KSPW would evolve to Top 40/CHR by 2003 and has been in this direction since then.

On August 29, 2012; Midwest Family Broadcasting Classic Hits “Star 92.9” KOSP dropped to a Rhythmic CHR “92.9 The Beat“. This makes KSPW in direct competition with KOSP.^[1]

Journal Communications and The E.W. Scripps Company announced on July 30, 2014 that the two companies would merge to create a new broadcast company under the E.W. Scripps Company name that will own the two companies' broadcast properties, including KSPW. The transaction is slated to be completed in 2015, pending shareholder and regulatory approvals.^[2]

Programming

Known in the area as Power 96.5, KSPW is a favorite media destination for many around the Ozarks. With Fotsch's Morning Buzz and the Old School Lunch Hour with Katie Cross, the station has branded itself into a market that traditionally favors the country music genre. The station also hosts the Ozarks only local countdown show every Sunday: The Ozarks Top 20 Countdown, hosted by Scott. In addition, the station has recently branched out in the community giving back with radiothons that benefit the Children's Miracle Network.

Power 96.5 is home to Springfield's, the Morning Buzz with Fotsch. On air for almost 4 years together, Fotsch (and then-partner McClain) have become the metro area's alarm clock in the morning. It was here the legend of Paul The Nixa Hellhound was originated when the show received a call regarding some weird dog-like creature wandering the outdoors near Nixa, MO. After several more calls Fotsch and McClain gave the creature a name, Paul, and has been the target of many a ghost-hunter and horror story enthusiast since. Recently, it's even caught the attention of The Travel Channel.

DJs

• Mornings: Fostch's Morning Buzz
• Middays: Diva Natalie
• Afternoons: Scott
• Nights: The Ginge & The Redhead
• Overnights: Mason
• Sunday: The Ozarks Top 20 Countdown with Robo & Scott

References

External links

• Query the FCC's FM station database for KSPW
• Radio-Locator information on KSPW
• Query Nielsen Audio's FM station database for KSPW