| KSKI-FM | |
| City: | Sun Valley, Idaho |
| Area: | Sun Valley, Idaho |
| Branding: | 94.5 K-SKI |
| Frequency: | 94.5 MHz |
| Airdate: | August 3, 1977 (at 93.5) |
| Format: | Alternative rock |
| Erp: | 2,500 watts |
| Haat: | 583m (1,913feet) |
| Class: | C1 |
| Facility Id: | 60391 |
| Licensing Authority: | FCC |
| Callsign Meaning: | "Ski" |
| Owner: | Richard Mecham |
| Licensee: | Magic Valley Media, LLC |
| Webcast: | Listen Live |
| Website: | 945kski.com |
KSKI-FM (94.5 FM) is a commercial radio station located in Sun Valley, Idaho. The station was assigned the KSKI-FM call letters by the Federal Communications Commission on June 2, 1980.[1]
KSKI-FM went on the air August 3, 1977, on 93.5 MHz, the sister to KSKI AM 1340. It broadcast from a tower atop Bald Mountain. Within three months of signing on, it changed its automation format;[2] automation complemented its diverse block programming lineup. KSKI-AM-FM were known for their eclectic mix of music programming, aiming to serve listeners in a market that had no other radio stations; the pair also gained a small but devoted audience in the larger Twin Falls area.[3]
In November 1989, KSKI-AM-FM was sold to Silver Creek Communications, a company of businessman John McCaw, Jr., for $950,000; while McCaw owned cable systems and was in the middle of acquiring TV station group LIN Broadcasting, his other radio holdings were all in Alaska.[4] KSKI-FM moved to 103.7 MHz at a much higher power level, improving reception in the Magic Valley area, in 1991.[5] The AM sister station continued to operate until late 1992, when economic difficulties in the local advertising market caused by the launch of competing station KECH-FM, which had taken to the air in 1988, prompted Silver Creek to shutter the AM station and send the license to the Federal Communications Commission for cancellation.[6] The difficulties also would prompt changes for KSKI-FM in February 1993, when Silver Creek converted the operations of KSKI-FM to an automated service known as "The Mountain", programmed specifically for ski resort areas with special Sun Valley-specific inserts from its base at KZYR in Colorado; it was the service's first non-owned affiliate.[7] The layoffs included KSKI-FM's program director, DJs and a news director, while sales staff and a local news reporter remained in Hailey.
In 1994, KSKI was bought by Idaho state senator Clint Stennett, who owned a cable channel known as KWRV.[8] Stennett unhooked KSKI from "The Mountain" and instituted a live and local adult album alternative format.[9] The station made national headlines three years later when an admiring listener brought the station's morning DJs banana bread that they ate without knowing it was laced with marijuana;[10] the employees were suspended with pay after having remained on the air under the influence, while a 28-year-old Ketchum man was arrested[11] and the station retooled its morning show. Stennett also instituted a drug policy.[12]
1998 brought consolidation when cross town rival station KECH-FM (owned then by Scott Parker’s Alpine Broadcasting, Ltd) bought KSKI, bringing both of Blaine County's radio stations under common ownership; KSKI's studios relocated from Hailey to Ketchum as a result.[13]
KSKI flipped to a wider hot adult contemporary music format in 2002;[14] the station returned to adult album alternative in October 2008.[15]
In March 2007, Denver-based Blue Point Media announced that it was set to merge with KSKI-FM owner Chaparral Broadcasting, Inc.[16] Chaparral Broadcasting also owns KECH-FM and KYZK in Idaho as well as four stations in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
The FCC approved the transfer of the license on May 24, 2007,[17] however no consummation notice has been filed with the FCC as required by law, and as of January 2009, the license remains in the name of Chaparral Broadcasting.[18]
Chaparral sold KSKI-FM and seven other stations to Rich Broadcasting for $3.7 million; the transaction was consummated on April 1, 2013.
On December 5, 2013, the station moved from 103.7 FM to its current 94.5 FM.
Rich Broadcasting sold KSKI-FM, three other stations, and a translator to Richard Mecham's Magic Valley Media, LLC effective September 17, 2019, for $475,000.
On November 1, 2019, KSKI-FM dropped its adult album alternative format and began stunting with Christmas music.[19]
On January 1, 2020, KSKI-FM ended the Christmas music stunt and launched an alternative rock format.[20]