Subarctic Media has moved its Country format in Mankato, launching an updated Classic Hits format on a larger signal.
On Friday, Sept. 2, “Minnesota 93” moved from 100kW KATO-FM/93.1 (New Ulm) to KXAC/100.5 (St. James) with the new name “ Minnesota 100.”
The move displaced a “Magic” Classic Hits format that had aired on KXAC for several years, which had evolved from a decades-long Oldies format. KXAC uses 34kW/180m (class C2, 50kW equivalent) from a tower south of Mankato.
Meanwhile, 93.1 spent Labor Day weekend stunting with a loop of the 1996 Los Del Rio hit “La Macarena” and became “KATO Hits” on Tuesday, Sept. 6 with an `80s and `90s playlist.
KATO’s morning show hosted by Cari Moriarty and Jeff ‘Stunt Monkey’ Lang, who moves from sister station “Hot 96.7” (KDOG North Mankato). “Minnesota 93” morning host Lisa Kaye moved up the dial to the new “Minnesota 100.”
The Classic Hits format competes with Alpha Media’s “105.5 The River” (KRBI-FM St. Peter), which runs a `70s to `90s playlist. Sister Subarctic stations KTOE/1420 and its FM translator, K274AL/102.7, also run some older Classic Hits as part of a Full Service format.
Subarctic’s other formats in the market also include Classic Rock, Contemporary Hits, and Sports, while Alpha’s other formats include Hot Adult Contemporary, Rock, and Country.