On the two year anniversary of its launch, iHeartMedia will drop the Sports “The Ref” programming from 94.7 KREF-FM Oklahoma City.
Launched on August 18, 2021 as a partnership with Metro Radio Group’s 1400 KREF/99.3 K257DA Norman, KREF-FM will cease its simulcast on Friday, August 18 at 6:00pm. The simulcast of KREF programs will continue on iHeart’s “1430 The Buzz” KTBZ Tulsa, Mollman Media’s “1380 The Ticket” KKRX Lawton, and Wright Broadcasting System’s “The Score” 1320 KCLI/97.3 K247CO Clinton/Weatherford.
KREF-FM registered a 0.7 share in the June 2023 Nielsen Audio ratings placing it well behind Cumulus Media’s “98.1 The Sports Animal” WWLS-FM’s 2.8 share and Tyler Media’s “107.7 The Franchise” KRXO-FM’s 1.5.
iHeartMedia has yet to reveal its plans for the 100kW 94.7 signal.
In a message to listeners KREF wrote, “To the Ref Army: effective August 18th at
6:00 p.M., KREF programming will no longer be heard on 94.7 fm. As iHeart leadership has chosen to no longer be a KREF affiliate we appreciate heart for their affiliation. KREF has added thousands of new listeners as evidenced by the 425% growth on the KREF app over the last two years. Fear not, our commitment to bringing you the best coverage of the sooners remains stronger than ever! Keep listening to the “Home of Sooner fans” by downloading the KREF app now. You can also tune into 1400 am, kref.Com, or any of our other affiliates across the state. We appreciate the Ref Army and look forward to growing our listenership for many years to come.”
An update regarding our programming on 94.7 FM. @iHeartRadio @947TheRef pic.twitter.com/Wb9TE15xTz
— The REF (@KREFsports) August 7, 2023
This story first appeared on radioinsight.com