KYSR

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KYSR

Broadcast area	Los Angeles, California
Branding	Star 98.7
Slogan	1995-1996: "It's Star Music, the new at work alternative" 1996-2005 "Today's Best Music" 2005-2006: "Real Star Music, Real Star Variety" 2006-present: "Today's Music Alternative"
First air date	1948 (as KMGM) September 4, 1992 (as KYSR)
Frequency	98.7 (MHz)
Format	Hot AC
ERP	75,000 watts
Class	B
Callsign meaning	K Your StaR
Owner	Clear Channel Communications
Website	http://www.star987.com

KYSR, Star 98.7, is an adult contemporary music radio station in Los Angeles, playing mostly alternative music from the '80s through today. Some call this format "Modern AC". The station currently features the morning team of "Jamie, Jack & Stench".

[edit] History

Originally signing on in 1948 as KMGM, and then later KCBH, 98.7 became the home of K-JOI, a beautiful music station by the late 1960s and stayed as such through the 1980s. Over the years the station was owned by Viacom. In 1989, it became KXEZ initially keeping an easy listening format. But they updated it and increased vocalists from 4 per hour to half and half. They also replaced the older traditional vocalists with AC artists. In 1991 they dropped the instrumentals and became a Soft AC station. In 1992 Viacom bought KQLZ on 100.3 and renamed it KXEZ and moved the Soft AC format there. 98.7 changed its call letters to KYSR and became "Star 98.7". Initially the station was a straight AC, and by 1993, a Hot AC. By 1995, Star 98.7 dropped most of the rhythmic pop and soft rock tunes and focused on alternative hits from the '80s along with modern rock without the hard stuff. Ryan Seacrest from American Idol was an afternoon DJ at "Star 98.7" from 1995 to 2003. Also, one of the original MTV VJs Mark Goodman worked as a DJ from 1990-1997. There was no official mention as to the reason for his departure, but his fans believe it may have had to do with news about his father's death at the time.

Morning personality Jamie White was formerly part of the morning team of "Jamie, Frosty & Frank", until September 15, 1999. She was then paired with Danny Bonaduce until he was let go on July 1, 2005. The show's board-op Jack Hine and producer Michael Roberts (aka Stench) replaced him.

In 1997, Viacom sold KYSR and 100.3, which was a dance station by then, to Chancellor Media. In 1999 Chancellor merged with Capstar becoming AMFM Inc. In 2000 AMFM Inc. merged with Clear Channel. Now KYSR is co-owned with Hot 92.3, CHR KIIS 102.7, Hot AC 104.3 KBIG, AC 103.5 KOST, Sportstalk station KLAC, and Progressive Talk 1150 KTLK.

KYSR began experiencing growing pains in 2002 as the Hot AC product began drying up and it found itself in a cluster full of stations that it had to protect. The debut of Jack FM (KCBS 93.1) also caused problems for KYSR as Jack would play a good portion of KYSR's gold along with other material including Classic Rock and pop product. As a result in September 2005 a decision was made to tweak KYSR to a Gold based Hot AC that would be overseen by KHHT PD Mike Marino, however that move also did not produce ratings and in April of 2006 KYSR shifted back to Modern AC and Mike Marino went back to strictly overseeing KHHT, which would be productive because KHHT itself would get a competitor in KKBT two months later.

In April 2006 the station took off all DJ's and played non-stop music. Fans of the Jamie, Jack, and Stench show protested Star 98.7 including protest at the Clear Channel radio ranch. A poll was put on the station's web site asking if they wanted Jamie, Jack and Stench back on. 97% said yes. A week later they were put back on. No official reason was giving for taking them off, but rumors were it was just a publicity stunt. Lara Scott left KYSR in April 2006. Although they offered to renew her contract she wanted to move on. She currently can be heard on KFSH-FM 95.9 midday's.

[edit] Current DJ's

In August 2006 star brought back DJ's through out the day. Their current schedule is: 5:30 am - 10:00 am: Jamie, Jack, and Stench 10:00 am - 3:00 pm: Lisa Foxx 3 pm - 7 pm: Tom Mitchell 7 pm - 12 midnight: Richard Blade Weekend DJ's: Nikki Knight on air 7 pm - 12 midnight. "Sam" on air weekend Mornings, Jason Bower is also on air weekend afternoons.

[edit] External links

• Star 98.7
• Star 98.7's My Space page.
• Query the FCC's FM station database for KYSR