Last week, the iHeartMedia’s Minneapolis cluster launched 96.7 Pride Radio, a station that the company says targets the “local LGBT community.”
And apparently nothing quite says LGBT lifestyle like 24-straight hours of Madonna songs (That’s how KQQL[HD3] celebrated its inaugural day on the air), as well as two weeks of commercial-free music.
To learn more about the station’s programming strategy, Radio World turned to the station’s program director, Don Parker.
He explained, “96.7 Pride Radio’s focus is to be a fun, entertaining destination for local LGBT listeners and allies who enjoy a blend of pop and dance music. The station’s programming is guided by a combination of local listeners’ interests, Minneapolis-St. Paul’s LGBT community, Pride Radio branding and LGBT on-air personalities discussing their lives and interests.”
Parker added, “Like our communities and listeners, our personalities have varied experiences that shape who they are as individuals. For instance, afternoon personality Houston, based in Washington, brings his experience as one of the key organizers of the Capitol Pride celebration each year and works extensively with many LGBT organizations and talent. Evening personality Pacey moonlights as a personal trainer and is very passionate about fitness and living a healthy lifestyle. They’re just a couple of examples of how our personalities bring their passions and experiences together to make 96.7 Pride Radio a station with the perfect blend of community, lifestyle and entertainment.”
Other current Pride Radio stations include: WITH(HD2) in Washington; WSRS, Worcester, Mass.; WKTU, New York; KBIG, Los Angeles; KIOI. San Francisco; KHTS, San Diego, Calif.; KPLV, Las Vegas; WYYY, Syracuse, N.Y.; WRDA, Atlanta; and WKSS, Hartford, Conn.
KHKS in Dallas was previously an affiliate from 2006 to 2008.
