KFXN-FM


KFXN-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, broadcasting a sports talk format. The station is owned by iHeartMedia, and serves the Twin Cities market. KFXN-FM's transmitter is located in the suburb of Shoreview on KMSP-TV's tower. Its effective radiated power is 100,000 watts. The station's main studios are in St. Louis Park.
KFXN-FM is the flagship station of Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Golden Gophers football and Minnesota Wild.
At midnight on August 15, 2011, iHeartMedia swapped the formats of KFAN, and 100.3 FM's former conservative news/talk format KTLK-FM. The new KFXN-FM call sign, shared with former AM sister station KFXN, was adopted the same day.

History

WCTS

The station started broadcasting in 1965 as WCTS, with a non-commercial Christian format, consisting of mostly Bible teachings, by the Fourth Baptist Church in Minneapolis. WCTS took its call letters from its owner - the Central Theological Seminary. WCTS continues broadcasting on 1030 AM.

WBOB

Startup company, Colfax Communications, purchased WCTS-FM for $10 million in early 1993. Part of the deal was that they needed to find an AM station for the Seminary to purchase in order to continue the format, which they did when they struck a deal to buy WMIN. Around the same time, Colfax took advantage of recently relaxed Federal Communications Commission rules and became the Twin Cities market's first duopoly when they purchased KQQL to partner with the new station. Once WCTS switched frequencies in January, Colfax took the FM station off the air for a few months, eventually signing back on in late April with a two-week long comedy format as a stunt to create a buzz about the new station, with the permanent country music format debuting on May 13 as WBOB. The slogan was "Turn your knob to Bob". WBOB faced stiff competition from the long established K102 and upstart KJJO-FM, which had switched to country only a few months prior. Despite this, WBOB was consistently the second highest-rated country station in the market behind K102, even finishing ahead of them in a few books. However, when KJJO left the format in 1995, it allowed K102 to aim their guns directly at Bob, a battle 100.3 soon lost swiftly.

WRQC

In 1996, both WBOB and KQQL were sold to Chancellor Broadcasting, which also owned KFAN, KDWB, KTCZ and KTCJ. A format change for WBOB was expected, and on April 15, 1997, at 1:03 p.m., after an hour of stunting, WBOB became WRQC, broadcasting an active rock format with Howard Stern in the morning. WRQC took to the air as Real Rock 100, and then Rock 100.3.
Stern's show was a mild success in the market, but consistently finished second or third in the ratings, while only taking away a smaller than expected number of listeners from KQRS and Tom Barnard. In addition, like many other Stern affiliates, ratings for the station the rest of the day were poor, and not helped by KQRS' owners flipping its sister station, KEGE, to a similar hard rock format in 1997.

WLOL

WRQC and Stern left the Twin Cities airwaves on August 3, 1999, as the station began stunting by simulcasting co-owned KFAN. When the new format debuted two days later, the format was 1970s-era classic hits, which eventually went to full-blown classic hits, as Classic Hits 100.3 WLOL. Although ratings were decent initially, the station's overall performance was disappointing.
During its period as WLOL, the station owners, Chancellor Broadcasting, merged with Capstar Broadcasting to form AMFM Inc., and the next year was absorbed into Clear Channel Communications.

KJZI

On June 19, 2003, at Noon, following a goodbye show, 100.3 changed to Smooth Jazz as Smooth Jazz 100.3 with new matching call letters KJZI. The last song on WLOL was "Tomorrow Never Knows" by The Beatles, while the first song on KJZI was Smooth Operator by Sade. This was the first smooth jazz station in the Twin Cities since KMJZ switched to Modern AC in 1998.
When public broadcaster KBEM-FM, another jazz station, found itself in financial straits in early 2005, Clear Channel donated $25,000 to help keep it operating. KJZI and its sister station KTCZ carried announcements requesting support for KBEM-FM. The generous move was lauded by many in the media.

KTLK-FM

While satisfied with smooth jazz, Clear Channel was even more interested in launching a news/talk station in the Twin Cities, in order to air programming from company-owned Premiere Radio Networks and FOX News Radio. Having no available AM stations in the market on which they could run a news/talk format —, Clear Channel decided to put a talk format on one of their FM signals. The company had success with the introduction of news/talk on one of their Pittsburgh FM stations, WPGB, and was launching FM News/Talk in other markets. Since their other Twin Cities FM stations were already entrenched, management decided KJZI was the most expendable.
On January 2, 2006, KJZI switched to news/talk with new KTLK call letters, becoming the second FM talk station in the area after female-oriented WFMP. The station obtained the market rights to Rush Limbaugh and later Sean Hannity's radio programs from KSTP. A mix of local and syndicated hosts such as Glenn Beck and Laura Ingraham filled out the rest of KTLK's schedule, including former KSTP host Jason Lewis and paranormal talk show . The station had also resumed carrying Vikings football.
Clear Channel also owned an AM news/talk station in Los Angeles, California that used the KTLK call sign. The LA station became KEIB on January 2, 2014, after which Clear Channel reassigned KTLK to what was known as KTCN.
In the spring of 2008, former KTLK news director, Jeff Monosso, was honored with Congressional recognition for his reporting on the 35W Bridge collapse. He and host, Jason Lewis, were also honored by the Minnesota Associated Press for best spot news coverage.
On August 8, 2011, Clear Channel announced a two-way frequency swap that moved KTLK-FM's talk format to 1130 AM and a translator at 103.5 FM, while KFAN's Sports Talk format would move to 100.3 FM. This swap took effect on August 15, 2011. The low-power signal at 103.5 FM and the HD2 subchannel at 100.3 FM both underwent the same format swap as did 1130 AM. There were plans to simulcast the talk station's signal on FM translator 103.5 FM, but this had been delayed while seeking FCC approval.
KTLK can currently be heard on a translator on 103.5 FM.

Programming

According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, KFAN "...has morphed from a sports-talk station to a talk station that sometimes discusses sports."

Daily, Monday–Friday

The Power Trip Morning Show is hosted by Cory Cove and Chris Hawkey. The co-host is Paul "Meatsauce" Lambert. Lambert also hosts an infrequent program called "Saturdays with Sauce" with former intern AJ Mansour. Frequent guests on the show include WCCO-TV sports anchor Mark Rosen, former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ben Leber, former Minnesota Wild player Mark Parrish, former Golden Gopher, bed wetter Tommy Olson, and notorious playboy John Kriesel.
92Noon is hosted by Paul Allen. Allen is the voice of the Minnesota Vikings Radio Network and Canterbury Park.
The Common Man Progrum is hosted by "The Common Man" Dan Cole and co-host Brandon Mileski. The show features a mix of sports and political discussions on the local and national level. WCCO-TV sports anchor Mark Rosen makes regular appearances on The Progrum Monday thru Thursday.
Bumper to Bumper is hosted by Dan Barreiro and sidekick/producer fan Justin Gaard. The show consists of Barreiro's insights on both popular culture and sports. Bumper to Bumper also features satirical call-in segments with eccentric Green Bay Packers fan Carl Gerbschmidt, who appears to be a fictional character.

Other programming

Video Games Weekly: Tuesdays, hosted by Paul Charchian, who discusses new video games for many different platforms. The show is routinely sponsored by Activision Blizzard and co-hosted by staff members of Game Informer Magazine, typically Managing Editor Andrew Reiner. Game Informer, owned by Gamestop Corporation, is a monthly magazine based out of Minneapolis. Cory Cove sometimes joins to talk about games. Charchian joins fellow radio cohorts on "Saturdays with Sauce" when they have their annual Video Game bracket/tournament.
FAN Outdoors: Thursdays 6-8 PM, hosted by "The Captain" Billy Hildebrand and "Cold front" Mike Curry and Saturdays 6-8 AM by Hildebrand and Pheasants Forever member Bob St. Pierre. The hosts typically share their hunting and fishing experiences and strategies, along with insights on outdoor issues. One of the main weekly guests is local Minnesotan professional angler and fisher "Tackle" Terry Tuma, who gives weekly updates on where he is fishing and on how the waters are, fishing strategies including baiting and lures, and overall fishing banter. A sometimes weekly but mainly bi-weekly guest is naturalist, author, wildlife photographer and animal/bird professional Stan Tekiela. Tekiela provides deep and thorough analysis and information on current bird information such as feeding, nesting, breeding, behavior, migration and hatching of all the different bird species, as well as different animals around. Other guests usually include experts/professionals that relate to the current seasons.
In the Zone: Saturdays 8-10 AM, hosted by Dave Sinykin and former NBA player Trent Tucker.
Minnesota Viking Broadcast: Pregame coverage of Vikings games starts two hours before the day's Vikings game. Pregame was usually hosted by "Mr. Phunn" Joe Anderson; however, Anderson was let go sometime before 2009 and K102 KEEY-FM's Mike "Muss" Mussman took over the duties of pregame coverage. KFAN's Vikings broadcast team consists of Paul Allen on play-by-play, and color commentary done by former Viking Linebacker and Assistant Coach Pete Bercich. Sideline insight is brought to the game by former Viking Punter Greg Coleman and former Viking Linebacker Ben Leber. The halftime report is hosted by Mike Mussman. The postgame report is also hosted by Mussman and includes interviews with multiple Vikings players and coaching staff which are conducted by Greg Coleman.
Viking Fan Line: Starts right after the Vikings post-game report and lasts about two hours. Former NFL Wide Receiver Ron Johnson and morning show host Cory Cove take fan post-game reaction and provide their commentary on the game and the fans reactions. Prior to the 2016 season, former Vikings linebacker Ben Leber hosted the program along with Cove, and former Vikings linebacker E.J. Henderson would fill Ben Leber's seat when he was unavailable. Prior to Ben Leber, previous Vikings long snapper Mike Morris was the usual co-host. Other former Vikings have guest co-hosted the show in the past.
Packer Preview: Sundays 8am-9am during the Green Bay Packers season, hosted by Dave Sinykin. The Preview examines the day's Packers game. Packer Preview is the only Packers show on KFAN and is very, very controversial among Viking fans. The show remains on air, however.
Fantasy Football Weekly: Saturdays during the football season. Hosted by Paul Charchian since 1994. Co-hosts include John Tuvey, Christian Peterson, and Mat Harrison. Typical shows will offer advice and predictions for almost 200 players each week. Fantasy football questions are answered on this show, primarily during "Lightning Round" at the end of the show. Other recurring segments include "Take a Chance on Me" and "Five Tough Questions". Callers are known to call a couple of hours before the show is on-air to be put on hold. During the MN Golden Gophers football season, show is usually moved to the 6-8 AM Slot or the 8-10 AM Slot.
Saturdays with Sauce: Saturdays 12–2. Hosted by Power Trip Morning Show sidekick Paul "Meatsauce" Lambert and AJ Mansour usually from noon to two, on Saturday afternoons. Saturdays with Sauce also airs on other days for aforementioned reasons. During MN Golden Gophers Football season, is usually usurped. However, they will sometimes host MN Gophers fan line
Tee to Green: Saturdays. Golf related show hosted by Dan Cole during the summer months, talks all things golf related with co-host and master teaching professional Craig Waryn. Also regular co-host is "Ping Guy" Paul Peterson.
Fox Sports Radio: On when none of the programs above are on the air. Fox Sports Radio programming on KFAN includes The Ben Maller Show and multiple weekend shows.
Vikings Live/Vikings Country: Thursdays - almost always begins with Paul Allen interviewing the Minnesota Vikings head coach and other Vikings' coaching staff at Winter Park. Vikings Country live is usually right after; it usually takes place at Sky Deck Sports Grille & Lanes at the Mall of America. The second segment contains "The Scouting Report" where they discuss the previous football week/Vikings game as well as the upcoming week.
Minnesota Wild Broadcast: KFAN FM 100.3 is the official flagship home of the Minnesota Wild. Since the 2011-12 NHL season, KFAN has broadcast all Wild preseason, regular season and Stanley Cup Playoff games on the State of Hockey's top-rated sports talk station. Bob Kurtz, Tom Reid and Kevin Falness capture all of the action and suspense. Coverage begins with a 15-minute pre-game show. Conflicting games are moved to KOOL 108 FM. Additional Wild-related programming on KFAN features the “Wild Weekly” show and “Wild Fanline,” which airs after select Wild games.
Beyond The Pond: Hockey related show during the winter months. Hosted by former Minnesota Wild and Minnesota Gopher Jordan Leopold and former Minnesota Gopher Pat Micheletti, and Common Man Progrum interim-producer Brandon Mileski. Former Golden Gopher Nate Miller was a co-host until 2016, departing the show for other ventures. Kevin Falness is a typical fill-in when any of the hosts cannot be on-air. In the off-season, show is re-branded/re-titled "Beyond the Pod," correlating with the fact that it is only an all-podcast/podcast exclusive show.
Sunday Sermons: Hosted by Dan Barreiro. Short version of Bumper to Bumper, with KFAN former intern and weekend producer Ryan Donaldson. Show typically recaps past week and provides coverage of weekend events. During the Minnesota Vikings season, it is typically shortened to 1 hour, generally providing in-depth and heavy analysis to the week's game

Former programming

Rights to the Minnesota Timberwolves broadcasts were lost in 2006. KFAN had held these rights since the Wolves' inaugural season in 1989. The Wolves returned to KFAN beginning in the 2008–09 season, until the 2010–11 season, when the team moved to WCCO.
It opened in 2004 and closed in 2005. The food services were managed by Grand Management, which operates a chain of Sidney's restaurants in the Twin Cities. Clear Channel Communications considered it to be a pilot project and may have tried to create similar restaurants across the country if it succeeded. In September 2005, the KFAN name was dropped and the restaurant became known as the Big City Tavern. In July 2006, Big City Tavern closed. The restaurant was taken over by Major's Sports Cafe in September 2006, then changed owners again in 2008 to the Roseville location of Grumpy's Bar & Grill.

KFXN (690 AM)

, also known as "Score 690", was KFAN's sister station and aired a complementary sports talk format from 1998 until September 2011. Prior to being donated to the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council, the station aired mostly syndicated shows from Fox Sports and ESPN Radio, in addition to the Dan Patrick Show and the Jim Rome Show. For a time, KFXN also aired repeats of KFAN's local shows.
With the divestiture and format change of KFXN, Clear Channel moved the sports format of "The Score" to the HD2 subchannel of KQQL, with plans to eventually air it on translator K278BP.

The FAN Radio Network

HD Radio

By February 2005, the station was one of a handful of stations in Minnesota to use iBiquity's HD Radio system for digital radio broadcasts. On April 25, 2006, Clear Channel announced that KTLK's HD2 subchannel will carry a format focusing on classic country hits from their Format Lab. In August 2009, the format was changed to classic rock.
On August 22, 2010, the HD2 channel began instead carrying the audio of KFAN, mainly in order to allow KFAN's signal to be relayed to K279AZ, an analog translator station at 103.7 FM atop the IDS Center. The station later moved to 103.5 as K278BP.
KFXN-FM's HD3 sub channel is carrying EMF's K-Love contemporary Christian format, rebroadcast on K260BA 99.9 FM.