Townsquare Media flipped Classic Hits 104.9 KIIK-FM De Witt/Quad Cities IA to Country “US 104.9” at 10am today.
The new brand launched with 5000 songs commercial free with core artists listed as Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, and Carrie Underwood. After a deke with Garth Brooks’ “The River” followed by God Bless America, the station launched with Luke Bryan “When It Rains It Pours”, Little Big Town “Boondocks”, Thomas Rhett “What’s Your Country Song”, Tim McGraw “Something Like That”, and Darius Rucker “Beers & Sunshine”.
Once again targeting iHeartMedia’s market leading 103.7 WLLR, the move marks the fourth time since the turn of the century that 104.9 has flipped to Country. It assumed the then KBOB calls and format from 99.7 in March 2000 before flipping to Classic Country the following year. It moved back to Country as “104.9 The River” in 2005 which lasted until 2007 before trying again as “104.9 The Hawk” from 2014 to 2016.
KIIK-FM ranked ninth in the market with a 3.1 share in the Spring 2021 ratings, while WLLR held a 16.0 share. The move was first indicated in our 9/9 Domain Insight report.
On Friday, September 24, Townsquare Media Inc. launched a New Country station for the Quad Cities. US 104.9, the Quad Cities #1 for New Country, made its debut for Iowa and Illinois today. US 104.9 is part of the Townsquare Media Quad Cities group of stations that includes the Marconi nominated 97X, B100, I-Rock 93.5, and ESPN 1170 AM.
US 104.9 knows that Country Music is the best kind of music and US 104.9 is giving the Quad Cities what they want when it comes to Country Music, a new choice. US 104.9 is giving the listeners the new country music they deserve without 10 minute long commercial breaks.
America is the greatest country on the planet and US 104.9 believes that to its core. When they say they love our country, they are talking about more than just the music. US 104.9 commits to entertaining, informing, and engaging with its listeners to make the Quad Cities community stronger.
With its launch, US 104.9 is rolling commercial-free with 5,000 songs in a row! US 104.9 is playing the New Country the Quad Cities wants to hear from artists like Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Carrie Underwood and so many more.
“The Quad Cities loves country music. And listeners want something new on the radio so we’re going to have some fun!”, said Townsquare Media Quad Cities Market President Becky Riojas. “We’ll play much more music and we have lots of ways for fans to connect to their favorite artists on the air at 104.9FM, online at US1049QuadCities.com, and with the US 104.9 app.”