Party’s Over: Worthington Station Switching from Top 40 to Christian

A southwestern Minnesota radio station is poised to drop its “Party” Contemporary Hits format in favor of Christian music.

Radio Works’ KZTP/104.3 (Sibley, IA-Worthington, MN) will become “The Bridge” on Sunday, March 28. The playlist will include Christian music from the Worship, Pop, Alternative, and Rock genres, and the station will also carry high school sports.

The impending format change was first reported by the Worthington Globe. Radio Works General Manager Chad Cummings told the paper that the decision to change KZTP’s format came after advertising declines during the 2020 pandemic.

The station worked with local ministers and Christian organizations to build the new format.

Regionally, Christensen Broadcasting also carries a commercial Contemporary Christian format on K257FP/99.3 (Pipestone), which rimshots Worthington from its tower near Chandler.

“The Party” had launched in 2012 after Radio Works purchased its competitor in Worthington and moved 104.3’s previous Country format to a larger frequency. The group also has Classic Rock and Sports/Farm stations.

KZTP is the smallest of Radio Works’ three full-power FM signals, transmitting with 3.4kW/134m (class A) from a tower southwest of Worthington.

During its run as “The Party,” KZTP had been one of the few Contemporary Hits stations in the nation to make a seasonal switch to All-Christmas music.