# KSSX

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Urban contemporary radio station in San Diego

KSSX Carlsbad, California United States Broadcast area San Diego, California Frequency 95.7 MHz (HD Radio) Branding Jam'n 95-7 Programming Language English Format Rhythmic contemporary Subchannels HD2: Black Information Network Affiliations Black Information Network Ownership Owner iHeartMedia (iHM Licenses, LLC) Sister stations KGB, KGB-FM, KHTS-FM, KIOZ, KLSD, KMYI, KOGO History First air date 1965; 61 years ago (1965) Former call signs KARL (1965–1979) KKOS (1979–1995) KUPR (1995–1997) KMCG (1997–1998) KMSX (1998–2001) KJQY (2001–2002) KOCL (2002–2004) KUSS (2004–2011) KOGO-FM (2011–2013) Former frequencies 95.9 MHz (1965–1995) Call sign meaning Sounds like "KISS" (former branding) Technical information[1] Licensing authority FCC Facility ID 67664 Class B ERP 30,000 watts HAAT 202 meters (663 ft) Links Public license information Public file LMS Webcast Listen Live Website jamn957.iheart.com

**KSSX** (95.7 [FM](/source/FM_broadcasting)) is a [commercial](/source/Commercial_broadcasting) [radio station](/source/Radio_station) located in [San Diego, California](/source/San_Diego), although the station is legally licensed to serve [Carlsbad](/source/Carlsbad%2C_California), in nearby North County. The station airs a [rhythmic contemporary](/source/Rhythmic_contemporary) [format](/source/Radio_format), and is one of seven stations in the market owned and operated by [iHeartMedia](/source/IHeartMedia). The station's studios are located in San Diego's [Kearny Mesa](/source/Kearny_Mesa%2C_San_Diego) neighborhood on the northeast side, and the transmitter is atop Mt. Soledad, located in [La Jolla](/source/La_Jolla%2C_San_Diego).

## History

### 95.9 FM (1969–1996)

Although the station began broadcasting on 95.7 in 1995, it has its origins as a [Class A (local)](/source/List_of_North_American_broadcast_station_classes#FM) station on 95.9 [MHz](/source/Megahertz) known as KARL, (a [MOR](/source/Middle_of_the_road_(music)) station from 1965 to 1979), then KKOS. During this period the station had various formats, including [adult contemporary](/source/Adult_contemporary), [CHR](/source/Contemporary_hit_radio), and [AAA](/source/Adult_album_alternative).

However, an interference problem in Mexico ended up resulting in changes to KKOS. At the time, Califórmula owned a Tijuana station broadcasting on 95.7, [XHKY-FM](/source/XHOCL-FM), and was causing interference to KKOS and co-channel [KFSH-FM](/source/KFSH-FM) in [Anaheim](/source/Anaheim%2C_California). Ultimately, KKOS and XHKY reached a deal, which was agreed to by the [FCC](/source/Federal_Communications_Commission) and [SCT](/source/Secretar%C3%ADa_de_Comunicaciones_y_Transportes); on September 15, 1995, XHKY moved to 99.3 at 25,000 watts, KKOS moved to 95.7 at 25,000 watts, and the previous occupant of 99.3, [XHATE-FM](/source/XHHIT-FM_(Baja_California)) in Tecate, moved to 95.3 MHz.[2] On the day of the frequency change, KKOS became KUPR, still keeping the AAA format.

### Country (1996–1997)

On November 22, 1996, the station began [stunting](/source/Stunting_(Broadcasting)) with [country](/source/Country_music) as "Your New Country, 95.7 KUPR".[3]

### Urban adult contemporary (1997–1998)

On March 5, 1997, the station flipped to [Urban AC](/source/Urban_adult_contemporary) as *Magic 95.7* under new callsign KMCG.[4]

### Hot adult contemporary (1998–2000)

The station was sold by [Nationwide Communications](/source/Nationwide_Communications) to [Jacor](/source/Jacor)/[Citicasters](/source/Citicasters). On September 7, 1998, the "Magic" format would move to [XHRM (92.5 FM)](/source/XHRM-FM). After a 15-day period of simulcasting on both frequencies, on September 22, 95.7 flipped to [Hot AC](/source/Hot_adult_contemporary) as "Mix 95.7" with the callsign changed to KMSX.[5]

### '80s hits (2000–2001)

The format was shifted to [all-1980s' hits](/source/1980s_in_music) on November 11, 2000, a day after [KBZT](/source/KBZT) adopted the format.[6]

### Oldies (2001–2004)

On November 21, 2001, KMSX swapped frequencies with [KJQY](/source/KMYI) and flipped to oldies as "K-Joy 95.7".[7] On January 3, 2002, the station rebranded as "Kool 95.7" (with new callsign KOCL).

### Country (2004–2011)

Logo as New Country 95.7

On January 5, 2004, “Kool” moved to XHHCR-FM 99.3 (rechristened [XHOCL-FM](/source/XHOCL-FM)), and 95.7 adopted 99.3's country format as *US 95.7* (the callsign was then changed to KUSS).[8] The station would rebrand as "New Country 95.7" in September 2008.

### News/talk (2011–2012)

On November 7, 2011, at 7 a.m., after playing "[The Dance](/source/The_Dance_(song))" by [Garth Brooks](/source/Garth_Brooks), 95.7 began simulcasting [KOGO](/source/KOGO_(AM)) as "News/Talk FM 95.7 and AM 600 KOGO". On the 14th, the callsign KUSS was changed to KOGO-FM. Unlike many news/talk stations, the FM addition did nothing to help KOGO's ratings; in fact, they *declined* after the addition of the simulcast, dropping from a 3.9 in the September 2011 Nielsen ratings (the last prior to the simulcast) to a 3.0 in the October 2012 ratings (the last during the simulcast).[9][10]

The simulcast with KOGO ended on November 16, 2012, at 7 p.m., when KOGO-FM began [stunting](/source/Stunting_(broadcasting)) with [Christmas music](/source/Christmas_music) as *Holiday 95.7* (though it was promoted on-air as simply "95-7 FM").[11][12] The KOGO simulcast moved to [KMYI](/source/KMYI)'s HD2 channel.

### Rhythmic oldies (2012–2013)

Logo as KISS-FM

On December 26, 2012, at 9:57 a.m., after playing "[Silent Night](/source/Silent_Night)" by [Josh Groban](/source/Josh_Groban), the station flipped to [rhythmic oldies](/source/Rhythmic_oldies) as "95.7 KISS-FM", with "[Kiss](/source/Kiss_(Prince_song))" by [Prince](/source/Prince_(musician)) and "[You Should Be Dancing](/source/You_Should_Be_Dancing)" by [the Bee Gees](/source/The_Bee_Gees) being the first two songs played.[13][14] In mid-February 2013, the station began including more 1990s, 2000s and recurrent songs, and shifted towards [rhythmic adult contemporary](/source/Rhythmic_adult_contemporary). On February 22, KOGO-FM changed their call letters to KSSX. After being jockless for the first three months, the station added Chio (formerly of [XHITZ-FM](/source/XHITZ-FM)) as their morning show host on April 8, as well as Sean Sarille in evenings (he has since departed from the station), Shelley Wade in middays, Louie Cruz in afternoons and Beto Perez in nights.

### Rhythmic adult contemporary (2013–2016)

On November 16, 2013, KSSX flipped once again to Christmas music, but kept the "KISS-FM" name and "The Rhythm of San Diego" slogan. At Midnight on December 26, the station completely shifted to a [rhythmic adult contemporary](/source/Rhythmic_adult_contemporary) direction, dropping the pre-1989 songs from their playlist to focus on the 1990s, 2000s and current material, and changed their slogan to "Today's Rhythm and All the Best Throwbacks".[15][16] Since then, KSSX has shifted towards [rhythmic top 40](/source/Rhythmic_top_40) by incorporating more current [hip hop](/source/Hip_hop_music), as [XHITZ-FM](/source/XHITZ-FM) de-emphasized hip hop in 2013 and began moving towards a more Mainstream Top 40 direction.

On September 16, 2014, Clear Channel spun off its radio and communications division; the spun off entity was renamed [iHeartMedia](/source/IHeartMedia).

### Rhythmic Contemporary (2016–present)

On May 27, 2016, KSSX airstaff announced the station was going to start "Jam'n" for the [Memorial Day](/source/Memorial_Day) weekend at 3 p.m. that day. At that time, after playing "[Ignition](/source/Ignition_(song))" by [R. Kelly](/source/R._Kelly), KSSX rebranded as "Jam'n 95.7" under the direction of program director Rob Scorpio.[17][18] "[The Next Episode](/source/The_Next_Episode)" by [Dr. Dre](/source/Dr._Dre) and "[Work](/source/Work_(Rihanna_song))" by [Rihanna](/source/Rihanna) were the first two songs played.[19] Under the new format, KSSX is the second station in San Diego to adopt the *Jammin* brand (though as *Jam'n*), which was previously utilized by XHITZ off and on from the 1990s through the 2010s.

### HD Programming

KSSX utilizes two HD subchannels. The HD1 subchannel is the same Rhythmic radio format as its standard FM signal, as required by law. For the longest time, operation of the HD2 subchannel was contracted to the [EMF](/source/Educational_Media_Foundation), and like most HD capable urban stations, carried the [Air 1](/source/Air_1) network. On February 1, 2019, operation of the HD2 subchannel passed to the Association For Community Education, which now repeats the programming of [KMRO](/source/KMRO) and carries that station's Spanish-language religious programming; in effect, now carrying the Nueva Vida (Spanish for New Life) network, the affiliation moved from AM station [KSDO](/source/KSDO). FM translator 98.5 K253AD relayed the HD2 subchannel,[20] as KSSX already reaches North County, having Carlsbad as its city of license.

In the light of the [George Floyd protests](/source/George_Floyd_protests), iHeart terminated the agreement with the Association for Community Education in June 2020, and replaced it with [news radio](/source/News_radio). It began airing programming from the [Black Information Network](/source/Black_Information_Network) later that summer.[21] The relay was dropped on the translator in early 2021, when it began simulcasting [KARJ](/source/KARJ_(FM))'s HD3 subchannel; KSSX-HD2 now simulcasts [KFOO](/source/KFOO_(AM)), the Inland Empire BIN affiliate.

### Competition

As of 2020, KSSX primarily competes with [XHITZ-FM](/source/XHITZ-FM).

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FCC-LMS-67664_1-0)** ["Facility Technical Data for KSSX"](https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/publicFacilityTechDetails.html?facilityId=67664). *Licensing and Management System*. [Federal Communications Commission](/source/Federal_Communications_Commission).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Crabtree, Penny (November 17, 1995). "1 way to clear the air – Multiplayer deal breaks traffic jam on airwaves". *San Diego Union-Tribune*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [R&R 1997](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/1990s/1997/RR-1997-02-28.pdf) americanradiohistory.com

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Magic 95.7 Debuts"](http://formatchange.com/magic-95-7-debuts/). March 5, 1997.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [R&R 1998](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/1990s/1998/RR-1998-09-25.pdf) americanradiohistory.com

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [R&R 2000](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2000/RR-2000-11-17.pdf) americanradiohistory.com

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [R&R 2001](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2001/RR-2001-11-23.pdf) americanradiohistory.com

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [R&R 2004](https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-01-09.pdf) americanradiohistory.com

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [KOGO-A To Simulcast On 95.7 FM; Country KUSS To Go](http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/98629/kogo-a-to-simulcast-on-95-7-fm), All Access November 4, 2011

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [KOGO San Diego Adds FM Simulcast](http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/54174/kogo-san-diego-adds-fm-simulcast/#.TrgMLGDRrvs), Radioinsight, November 4, 2011

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [KOGO San Diego Ends FM Simulcast](https://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/79675/kogo-san-diego-ends-fm-simulcast/) Radioinight, November 18, 2012

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["SDRadio: KOGO Strictly AM Once Again, Joe Nelson, SDRadio.net, November 16, 2012"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121228110940/http://www.sdradio.net/2012/11/kogo-strictly-am-once-again.html). Archived from [the original](http://www.sdradio.net/2012/11/kogo-strictly-am-once-again.html) on December 28, 2012. Retrieved May 1, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [Clear Channel Kisses San Diego](https://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/80198/clear-channel-kisses-into-san-diego/) Radionight, December 26, 2012

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["95.7 Kiss-FM San Diego Launches"](http://formatchange.com/95-7-kiss-fm-san-diego-launches/). December 26, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** [Kiss Shifts in San Diego](https://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/87149/kiss-shifts-in-san-diego/) Radioinight, December 26, 2013

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Login to All Access | Breaking Radio News and Free New Music"](http://www.allaccess.com/mediabase/q/report/stations/by/format/for/U4). *All Access*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** [Contemporary-rob-scorpi "KSSX/San Diego Flips To Urban Contemporary, Rob Scorpio Named PD"](http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/154090/kssx-san-diego-flips-to-Urban) from All Access (May 27, 2016)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Jam'n 95.7 Drops Hip-Hop Into San Diego - RadioInsight"](https://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/106490/jamn-95-7-drops-hip-hop-into-san-diego/). Retrieved May 1, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["KSSX Becomes Jam'n 95.7"](https://formatchange.com/kssx-becomes-jamn-95-7/). May 28, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["FCCdata.org - powered by REC"](https://fccdata.org/?lang=en&facid=156524). *fccdata.org*. Retrieved May 1, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Venta, Lance (June 30, 2020). ["iHeartMedia Launches Black Information Network"](https://radioinsight.com/headlines/189803/fifteen-iheartmedia-stations-stunting-ahead-of-new-network-launch/). *Radio Insight*. Retrieved August 16, 2020.

## External links

- [Facility details for Facility ID 67664 (KSSX)](https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/publicFacilityDetails.html?facilityId=67664) in the [FCC](/source/Federal_Communications_Commission) Licensing and Management System

- [KSSX](https://www1.arbitron.com/sip/displaySip.do?surveyID=SP26&band=fm&callLetter=KSSX) in [Nielsen Audio](/source/Nielsen_Audio)'s FM station database

- [SDRadio.net](http://www.sandiegoradio.org/)

- [IHeartMedia](http://www.clearchannel.com)

- [FCC Callsign History](https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=67664&Callsign=KSSX)

v t e Radio stations in the San Diego, California, metropolitan area By AM frequency 600 760 910 1000 1040 1130 1170 1210 1240 1320 1360 1450 By FM frequency 87.71 88.1 88.3 88.9 89.1 89.5 91.3 92.1 93.3 94.1 94.9 95.7 96.1 96.5 96.9 97.3 98.1 100.1 100.7 101.5 102.1 102.9 103.7 105.3 106.5 107.1 LPFM 93.7 101.1 Translators 93.7 96.1 K241CH K241CT 98.5 103.3 K277DG K277DH 106.1 106.3 NOAA Weather Radio frequency 162.4 162.425 Digital radio by frequency & subchannel 88.3-1 88.3-2 89.5-1 89.5-2 89.5-3 92.1-1 92.1-2 92.1-3 93.3-1 93.3-2 94.1-1 94.1-2 94.1-3 94.9-1 94.9-3 95.7-1 95.7-2 96.5-1 97.3-1 97.3-2 98.1-1 98.1-2 101.5-1 101.5-2 102.1-1 102.1-2 102.1-3 102.9-1 103.7-1 105.3-1 105.3-2 106.5-1 By call sign K229BO K241CH K241CT K253AD K277DG K277DH K291CR K292CR KARJ KBRT KBZT HD3 KCBQ KCEO KCZP-LP KECR KEC62 KFBG KFSD KGB KGB-FM HD2 KHTS-FM HD2 KIOZ HD2 KKLJ KKSM KLNV KLQV KLSD KLVJ HD2 HD3 KMYI HD2 HD3 KNSN KNSJ KOGO KPBS-FM HD2 HD3 KRPE-LD KPRI KPRZ KSDW KSDO KSDS KSON KSSD KSSX HD2 KURS KVIB-LP KWFN HD2 KXSN HD2 KYDO KYML KYXY WNG637 Defunct KHHS-LP KRLY-LP Nearby regions – U.S. Calexico Los Angeles Palm Springs Riverside-San Bernardino Mexico Tijuana See also List of radio stations in California Notes 1. Audio from channel 6 TV station

v t e Rhythmic Contemporary radio stations in the state of California By frequency 92.7 93.5 94.1 94.3 94.7 94.9 (Tulare) 95.7 95.7 95.9 97.1 97.1 98.5 99.1 99.3 102.1 (Chico) 102.5 (Salinas) 102.5 (Sacramento) 102.9 104.7 105.9 (KRYC-LP) 105.9 (KPWR) 106.1 By callsign KBOS-FM KCAQ KCEZ KDEY-FM KDON-FM KDUC KEWB KGGI KHTN KISV KKUU KPAT KSSX KPWR KRAJ KRTO KRYC-LP KSEQ KSFM KWLZ KWYL KWWV By city Anderson Bakersfield Barstow Carlsbad Chico Guadalupe Johannesburg Joshua Tree Los Angeles Ontario Orcutt Oxnard Palm Springs Planada Riverside Salinas Santa Margarita Shasta Lake-Redding South Lake Tahoe Tulare Visalia Woodland Yuba City See also adult contemporary classic hits college country news/talk NPR oldies religious rock sports top 40 urban other radio stations in California See also Contemporary Hit Radio Rhythmic KISS-FM MOVin

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [KSSX](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KSSX) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KSSX?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.