96.3 KTWN radio station (Minneapolis, Bloomington, St. Cloud: 2013, apartments, power lines)

[mn55110]

I do like what Northern Lights Broadcasting, owned by the Pohlad Family, has done with the new KTWN-FM 96.3; it sounds kind of like what "Mixx 104.1" or "104.1 The Point" sounded like between 1997 and 2000 before they switched to all 80's then to Jack-FM.

In the span of 24-months 96.3 FM has switched from B-96.3 Hip-Hop, to 96.3 NOW a rythmic leaning top-40 station, to the New K-Twin 96.3 FM which is a hybrid Alternative Modern Adult contemporary station.

In August 2009, they downgraded their signal strength from a full 100,000 watt class C station out near Glencoe and Watertown to only 19,000 watts on a much smaller 250 ft. high transmitter tower in New Hope hoping to have better coverage in the East Metro, which they did not improve, even though they knew the station would no longer be heard in St. Cloud, Mankato, New Ulm and points west of the Twin Cities. A stronger signal would have really helped especially with the new format they started on January 1st.
I heard or read that the Pohlad Family was looking at flipping 96.3 FM to an FM sports station however Clear-Channel moved KFAN from 1130 AM-to 100.3 FM sooner. In addition, 96.3 FM was also considering Country, but as we all know, CBS switched Light Rock 102.9 WLTE to Buzzin' Country @ 102.9 FM leading to competition with KEEY-FM (K-102).

It is unusual that Minneapolis-St. Paul does not have a full time Hip-Hop Station or an Adult Contemporary Soft Rock station. Maybe some of the former WLTE listeners will move over to "Love 105". I know some rumors are circulating that CBS may flip 104.1 to a hip-hop station like 102 Jams in Orlando or 101.5 Jams in Phoenix. I guess time will tell.

[knke0204]

Originally Posted by mn55110

I do like what Northern Lights Broadcasting, owned by the Pohlad Family, has done with the new KTWN-FM 96.3; it sounds kind of like what "Mixx 104.1" or "104.1 The Point" sounded like between 1997 and 2000 before they switched to all 80's then to Jack-FM.

In the span of 24-months 96.3 FM has switched from B-96.3 Hip-Hop, to 96.3 NOW a rythmic leaning top-40 station, to the New K-Twin 96.3 FM which is a hybrid Alternative Modern Adult contemporary station.

In August 2009, they downgraded their signal strength from a full 100,000 watt class C station out near Glencoe and Watertown to only 19,000 watts on a much smaller 250 ft. high transmitter tower in New Hope hoping to have better coverage in the East Metro, which they did not improve, even though they knew the station would no longer be heard in St. Cloud, Mankato, New Ulm and points west of the Twin Cities. A stronger signal would have really helped especially with the new format they started on January 1st.
I heard or read that the Pohlad Family was looking at flipping 96.3 FM to an FM sports station however Clear-Channel moved KFAN from 1130 AM-to 100.3 FM sooner. In addition, 96.3 FM was also considering Country, but as we all know, CBS switched Light Rock 102.9 WLTE to Buzzin' Country @ 102.9 FM leading to competition with KEEY-FM (K-102).

It is unusual that Minneapolis-St. Paul does not have a full time Hip-Hop Station or an Adult Contemporary Soft Rock station. Maybe some of the former WLTE listeners will move over to "Love 105". I know some rumors are circulating that CBS may flip 104.1 to a hip-hop station like 102 Jams in Orlando or 101.5 Jams in Phoenix. I guess time will tell.

Great post. +1.
I always wondered what happened to B96. I moved back to the Twin Cities around 2010 and remember not even being able to get the station just outside the loop. And even when I got it, it was very light/faint.

[eastside38]

Originally Posted by northstar22

I might have to check it out. Aside from The Current, MN has a dearth of decent indie / alternative stations.

Ever heard of Radio K or KFAI?

[Laggard]

IMHO the Current blows chunks. Too much damn soft indie rock easy listenting crap. Radio K is hit and miss. You might have to listen to 35 minutes of crap to hear one decent song. Radio in this city is truly aweful but the same can be said for most cities now.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by pete6032

Does anyone else think Eric Perkins looks like he is stoned all the time?

KARE11's Eric Perkins falls asleep on camera - YouTube

[Thegonagle]

Originally Posted by pete6032

Does anyone else think Eric Perkins looks like he is stoned all the time?

Sounds like it, too, at least when reading the 10 o'clock news on KARE. Not the smoothest delivery, often misreads or mispronounces words from the prompter, etc. I couldn't do it better, but I'm not the one delivering the news to 10's or 100's of thousands every night. (Just guessing, I don't know the actual TV ratings.)

Honestly, I think he should have stuck to sports as far as his TV career goes. Hopefully, the radio gig works out well for him, as long as he doesn't try to replace Gary Eichten or something.

[knke0204]

Originally Posted by Laggard

IMHO the Current blows chunks. Too much damn soft indie rock easy listenting crap. Radio K is hit and miss. You might have to listen to 35 minutes of crap to hear one decent song. Radio in this city is truly aweful but the same can be said for most cities now.

I'm right there with you. I never understood the obession with The Current.

[Thegonagle]

"Good music" is so subjective, but I enjoy many different types, from punk, to hip-hop, to metal, to pop, to jazz, to... you get the idea.

The Current is alright, but way too heavy on the electronica for my ultimate enjoyment, and a little too heavy on slow tracks as opposed to more upbeat tunes that I tend to prefer. I keep them on my presets, but rarely do I set it and forget it for hours. Inevitably, some groaner will come on and I have to change the channel or turn to the ol' iPod.

It's pretty hard to please everyone, but they deserve some credit for trying to come close.

(Sorry for straying off the original topic, on which I don't even have an opinion yet.)

[Laggard]

Originally Posted by knke0204

I'm right there with you. I never understood the obession with The Current.

It's ok if you want some easy-listening soft stuff to relax to and have a strong stomach.

[mn55110]

I noticed the new 96.3 K-Twin electronic billboards while driving along the Twin Cities freeway's this past weekend were displaying the song title and artist of what they were "Now Playing".

Right away, I tuned my car radio dial, and the billboards were accurate. The listed song title and artist shown on the billboard was being played on KTWN-FM 96.3 at that time. Previous billboards had displayed photo's of morning show hosts Tony Fly (Ton E' Fly) and Eric Perkins.

This past summer, Cumulus Media had similar electronic billboards showing the song "now playing" on their three Twin Cities radio stations: Classic Rock 92.5 KQRS; 93X Pure Rock; and Love 105.