KQSM-FM is a popular US radio station broadcasting a Sports Talk format in SEC country. Licensed to Fayetteville, Arkansas, it serves the Fayetteville, Springdale, Bentonville and Rogers market area. The station is currently owned by Cumulus Media. It has been the #1 rated sports radio station in Northwest Arkansas in every ratings book in total listeners and average share since its inception in June 2009. Program Director Josh Bertaccini hosts "The Red Zone with JB" weekday mornings from 6 to 9. He also hosts "Razorback Recap" after every Arkansas Razorback football game. JB has worked for the Ticket since June 2011. The station carries "The Jim Rome Show" during middays from 11 to 2. Rome is a long-time sports talk host based in Los Angeles, CA. 92.1 The Ticket airs "The Paul Finebaum Show" from 2 to 6 on weekday afternoons. A writer, Finebaum is widely recognized as one of the most influential voices in the SEC. KQSM is a proud affiliate of the Arkansas Razorback Sports Network: it broadcasts all University of Arkansas football, basketball and baseball games. In addition, The Ticket carries Northwest Arkansas Naturals baseball broadcasts. The Naturals are the Double A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. Play by play announcer Benjamin Kelly calls all 140 of their games. A Westwood One affiliate, 92.1 The Ticket is the exclusive radio home for NFL football broadcasts in Northwest Arkansas as well.
History
For years, the station broadcast an Album Oriented Rock format as "92.1 The Keg" with the call sign KKEG. On June 11, 2009 the KKEG call sign and rock music format were moved to 98.3 FM in Bentonville, Arkansas. The KQSM-FM call sign that had been on 98.3 FM was then moved to 92.1 FM and branded as "ESPN 92.1 - The Ticket". In January 2013, parent company Cumulus Media entered into a partnership with the new CBS Sports Radio Network. Over 150 Cumulus sports stations around the country were part of this initiative. The Ticket is currently affiliated with CBS Sports Radio.
