KNCI
 | |
| City | Sacramento, California |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Sacramento, California |
| Branding | New Country 105.1 |
| Slogan | "Sacramento's #1 Country" |
| Frequency | 105.1 MHz (also on HD Radio) |
| First air date | February 21, 1960 (as KHIQ) |
| Format |
Country HD2: Classic Country HD3: simulcast of KHTK |
| ERP | 50,000 watts |
| HAAT | 152 meters |
| Class | B |
| Facility ID | 20353 |
| Callsign meaning | Nationwide Communications, Inc. (former owners) |
| Former callsigns |
KHIQ (1960-1973) KEWT (1973-1984) KSKK (1984-1985 KRAK-FM (1985-1994) |
| Owner |
CBS Radio (CBS Radio Stations Inc.) |
| Sister stations |
KHTK, KSFM, KYMX, KZZO part of CBS Corp. cluster with KOVR and KMAX-TV |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | kncifm.com |
KNCI (105.1 FM, "New Country 105.1") is a commercial radio station in Sacramento, California. The station airs a country music format.
The station is now owned by CBS Radio. Its transmitter is located in Folsom, and its studios are in North Sacramento (just north of the American River).
Station history
105.1 FM signed on the air on February 21, 1960 as KHIQ. In the 1970s and early 1980s, that station had a "beautiful music" format and the call letters were KEWT. It was automated using the Cart-O-Matic system, popular in the late 1970s. The then rival KAER 92.5 Country music station was the only FM station competing with the AM giant KRAK featuring DJs Joey Mitchell, Racin' Rick Stewart and Big Jim Hall. Management decided to give KAER a challenge and try the Country Market with KEWT, changing the call letters to KSKK. It was a huge success. After a short while, KAER dumped the country format and started playing Adult Contemporary, which turned out to be a successful venture for them. Later, KSKK would become KRAK-FM and finally KNCI.
The spring of 2008 saw the 6th installment of The World's Largest Free Bingo Game. This time around, the numbers were being called by Assistant Promotions Director Nate Samelson, affectionately known on-air as Natomas Nate.
After a year-long hiatus, KNCI brought back The World's Largest Bingo Game for the spring of 2009, and once again, the numbers were being called by Natomas Nate. However, this time he had help from his friend, Modesto Matt! KNCI has recently discontinued the Bingo promotion.
KNCI has had a recent ratings boost since management changes in late 2010, and in May, "Pat & Tom in the Morning" was #1 in the morning ratings for every demographic.
Country in the Park lineups
2000: Randy Travis, Billy Gilman
2001: Billy Gilman, Jessica Andrews, Pam Tillis
2002: Montgomery Gentry, Travis Tritt, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Brad Martin
2003: Clay Walker, Ronnie Milsap, Rushlow, Ashley Gearing
2004: Clint Black, Tracy Lawrence, Restless Heart, Julie Roberts, Josh Gracin
2005: LeAnn Rimes, Aaron Tippin, Collin Raye, Sugarland
2006: Sara Evans, Phil Vassar, Josh Gracin, Heartland
2007: Gary Allan, Kellie Pickler, Bucky Covington, Sawyer Brown, Carmen Rasmusen
2008: Jason Aldean, John Michael Montgomery, Heidi Newfield, Carolina Rain
2009: Billy Ray Cyrus, Little Big Town, Julianne Hough, One Flew South, Trailer Choir
2010: Dierks Bentley, Jack Ingram, Eli Young Band, Sunny Sweeney, Whiskey Dawn
2011: Billy Currington, Joe Nichols, Steve Holy, Love & Theft, Brett Eldredge, Jaron and the Long Road to Love, The Chris Gardner Band
2012: Ronnie Dunn, Lee Brice, Thompson Square, James Wesley, Jon Pardi
2013: Darius Rucker, Craig Morgan, Craig Campbell, Jon Pardi, The Brodie Stewart Band
2014: Billy Currington, Love & Theft, Casey James, JT Hodges and Austin Webb
2015: Little Big Town, Thompson Square, Jason Michael Carroll and Ashley Monroe
2016: Lee Brice, Trace Adkins, Jon Pardi, Craig Campbell
HD channels
KNCI offers two HD Radio subchannels. Its HD2 station, known as "The Ranch," features classic country hits and a weekly country gospel music. Its HD3 channel is a simulcast of Sports Talk KHTK.[1]
References
External links
- Official Website
- Query the FCC's FM station database for KNCI
- Radio-Locator information on KNCI
- Query Nielsen Audio's FM station database for KNCI
Coordinates: 38°38′31″N 121°05′28″W / 38.642°N 121.091°W