iHeartMedia has flipped CHR “Hot 95.7” KOSY-FM Anamosa/Cedar Rapids IA to “Sports Radio 95.7“.
With the launch, the station is duplicating the lineup and local programming originating at 1460 KXNO Des Moines/106.3 KXNO-FM Ankeny including The Morning Rush with Travis Justice and Ross Peterson from 6-8am, The Dan Patrick Show from 8-11am, Ken Miller and Trent Condon 11am-1pm, The Herd with Colin Cowherd from 1-3pm, The Drive with Heather Burnside and Sean Roberts from 3-6pm, and Fox Sports Radio programming elsewhere. KOSY-FM will carry all University of Iowa game broadcasts along with sister News/Talk 600 WMT. The move towards a statewide network of programming replicates what iHeartMedia has done in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
The flip marks then end of the decade old CHR format where the station failed to generate momentum against KZIA Inc. CHR “Z102.9” KZIA. In the Fall 2023 Nielsen Audio ratings, KZIA was second in the market with a 10.7 share, while KOSY-FM had a 1.1 share. iHeartMedia previously used the station as a training ground to fast-track talent into programming positions. Two former Program Directors have moved up in the company with Josh Martinez now hosting nights at “Z100” WHTZ New York and Sean Strife in mornings at “Sunny 106.5” KSNE Las Vegas.
The new “Iowa Sports Radio Network” programming based at KXNO is also debuting today on 620 KMNS Sioux City, 800 KXIC Iowa City, and 1230 WFXN Moline IL/Quad Cities.