An unusual situation has allowed a Duluth Contemporary Christian station to continue its regular format on a different FM frequency while its main frequency goes All-Christmas.
On Friday, University of Northwestern-St. Paul’s non-commercial “Life 97.3” (KDNW Duluth) made its annual switch to Christmas music. Its regular playlist is continuing on WJRF/89.5 (Duluth), which is using the “Life 97.3” branding.
WJRF had been simulcasting KDNW for more than a year after former owner Refuge Media Group donated WJRF and its other stations to Northwestern. KDNW is the larger of the two signals but WJRF has a construction permit for an upgrade that will nearly match KDNW’s reach.
Duluth is the only city where Northwestern has three full-power FM signals, with KDNW and WJRF operated alongside “Faith Radio” station KDNI/90.5.
KDNW is also relayed on KRFG/102.9 (Nashwauk) and several translators.
Townsquare Media’s “Kool 101.7” (KLDJ Duluth) also flipped to All-Christmas on Friday. Both stations made the change on the same day as the annual Christmas City of the North parade, which was reduced to a TV-only event this year due to the pandemic. KDNW flipped at midnight and KLDJ made the change at 9 a.m.