KMPS/Seattle Flips To All Christmas, Triggering Rumors Galore

Christmas Flip

ENTERCOM Country KMPS/SEATTLE made an abrupt flip to all-CHRISTMAS programming late FRIDAY (11/17), triggering rumors about a format change after the holidays, with staff layoffs to follow. There’s been nothing official from the company so far, but a source closely familiar with the station tells ALL ACCESS the KMPS staff is in place but not currently on the air. Efforts to reach local and corporate programming decision makers were unsuccessful during the weekend. The station website shows no indication of programming changes, however, KMPS’ FACEBOOK page has a holiday-themed cover photo with the slogan, “SEATTLE’S #1 CHRISTMAS MUSIC STATION.”

Several of the station's personalities have shared conflicting posts via social media since the flip. Late FRIDAY, evening host DAKOTA said, "And just like that, the end of an era ... over a conference call at 5:50p (PT) on FRIDAY night (11/17), [ENTERCOM] let us know they were flipping the station to CHRISTMAS music, and TBD after that. Whatever it is, it won't be the same, and I won't be there." Later, midday personality DEANNA LEE sought to clarify things, posting, "We are all still here...none of us lost our jobs...so please take a breath and let me share that KMPS will always be Country ... We are just shaking things up a bit with CHRISTMAS music ... After the holidays, we will have a KMPS that you will recognize and love."

ALL ACCESS monitored KMPS much of SATURDAY (11/18) and heard CHRISTMAS classics from BING CROSBY, ANDY WILLIAMS, NAT KING COLE, and more, but no CHRISTMAS songs from Country artists. That said, we did hear some Country currents out of stopsets, notably MICHAEL RAY's "Get To You" and CHRIS STAPLETON's "Broken Halos." These cuts were preceded by custom imaging touting "New Country." KMPS became part of the ENTERCOM family effective with FRIDAY's close of the ENTERCOM-CBS RADIO merger (NET NEWS 11/17), giving the company two Country stations in SEATTLE, with KMPS joining KKWF. In the most recent OCTOBER PPM monthly results, KMPS led KKWF 3.7-3.1. KMPS has been a Country brand in the market since 1975, originally at 1300 on the AM band before expanding to FM in 1978. This story is developing; stay with ALL ACCESS for more details.

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