A belated note that two east-central Minnesota radio stations have debuted new formats following Q Media Properties’ addition of a third station to its regional group.
KBEK/95.5 (Mora) is now carrying an Adult Contemporary format as “Nice 95.5,” a play on “Minnesota nice.” Meanwhile, WCMP/1350 (Pine City) and W293DA/106.5 (Pine City) are now Classic Country as “Anthem Country,” operating alongside the heritage Country format on “Cool Country 100.9” (WCMP-FM Pine City).
KBEK had temporarily simulcast with WCMP before the new formats launched on Nov. 9:
KBEK had previously carried a broad Adult Alternative/Classic Hits format. Q Media announced it was buying the station last month but an application to transfer KBEK’s license has not yet been filed with the FCC.
WCMP/W293DA had carried a Classic Hits format since the FM translator launched several years ago.
The stations compete with Twin Cities outlets for listeners, the strongest of which are Cumulus’ WLUP/105.3 (Cambridge) and iHeartMedia’s KQQL/107.9 (Anoka). WLUP is part of the “Love 105” Light AC trimulcast while KQQL is `80s-based Classic Hits outlet “Kool 108.”