FM Sign-On Creates Room for New Cedar Rapids Format

The sign-on of a Sports station’s new FM translator in Cedar Rapids is creating an opening for a new format on its old FM home.

KGYM/1600 is now being relayed on K272GB/102.3 (Cedar Rapids). K272GB was granted as part of the FCC’s AM revitalization effort.

K272GB’s coverage area is essentially the same as K298BM/107.5, which also carries KGYM programming. A reply to a post on the station’s Facebook page by the station’s program director says the change creates room for new programming on 107.5.

KGYM’s programming is also relayed on K292FZ/106.3 (Iowa City), with HD3 and HD4 channels of sister station KZIA/102.9 used to feed 106.3 and 107.5. The practice allows the FM signals to carry separate play-by-play coverage at times, marketed as “The North Gym” and “The South Gym.”

Since K272GB was granted as part of the AM revitalization initiative, it is required to simulcast KGYM full time “in perpetuity.”

KGYM carries ESPN Radio with local programming from 3 to 6 p.m.

Besides KZIA’s Contemporary Hits format, KZIA, Inc. also operates a Classic Rock format called “Smart FM” originating on KZIA-HD2 and carried on translators in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.