History
KSKI-FM went on the air August 3, 1977 on 93.5 MHz, the sister to KSKI AM 1340. It broadcast from a tower atop Bald Mountain. Within three months of signing on, it changed its automation format;[2] automation complemented its diverse block programming lineup. KSKI-AM-FM were known for their eclectic mix of music programming, aiming to serve listeners in a market that had no other radio stations; the pair also gained a small but devoted audience in the larger Twin Falls area.[3]
In November 1989, KSKI-AM-FM was sold to Silver Creek Communications, a company of businessman John McCaw, Jr., for $950,000; while McCaw owned cable systems and was in the middle of acquiring TV station group LIN Broadcasting, his other radio holdings were all in Alaska.[4] KSKI-FM moved to 103.7 MHz at a much higher power level, improving reception in the Magic Valley area, in 1991.[5] The AM sister station continued to operate until late 1992, when economic difficulties in the local advertising market caused by the launch of competing station KECH-FM, which had taken to the air in 1988, prompted Silver Creek to shutter the AM station and send the license to the Federal Communications Commission for cancellation.[6] The difficulties also would prompt changes for KSKI-FM in February 1993, when Silver Creek converted the operations of KSKI-FM to an automated service known as "The Mountain", programmed specifically for ski resort areas with special Sun Valley-specific inserts from its base at KZYR in Colorado; it was the service's first non-owned affiliate.[7] The layoffs included KSKI-FM's program director, DJs and a news director, while sales staff and a local news reporter remained in Hailey.[7]
In 1994, KSKI was bought by Idaho state senator Clint Stennett, who owned a cable channel known as KWRV.[8] Stennett unhooked KSKI from "The Mountain" and instituted a live and local adult album alternative format.[9] The station made national headlines three years later when an admiring listener brought the station's morning DJs banana bread that they ate without knowing it was laced with marijuana;[10] the employees were suspended with pay after having remained on the air under the influence, while a 28-year-old Ketchum man was arrested[11] and the station retooled its morning show. Stennett also instituted a drug policy.[12]
1998 brought consolidation when cross town rival station KECH-FM (owned then by Scott Parker’s Alpine Broadcasting, Ltd) bought KSKI, bringing both of Blaine County's radio stations under common ownership; KSKI's studios relocated from Hailey to Ketchum as a result.[13]
KSKI flipped to a wider hot adult contemporary music format in 2002;[14] the station returned to adult album alternative in October 2008.[15]