There are many reasons why people listen to the radio including to discover new music as well as catching up on the latest news. The radio has the ability to connect listeners with new music, and local and global news. T
here is also the added benefit that it is mobile so you can tune in at almost any time. As an artist you’ll want to know what your competition is and who is popular in the charts, the best way to find out is by listening to the radio. Find out all you need to know about KOST 103.5 and how you can listen!
What Is KOST 103.5?
103.5 KOST is a radio station based in Los Angeles, California. The station has an adult contemporary format, owned by iHeartMedia. KOST broadcasts Christmas music from November to December each year. The station is one of the most popular in LA and one of the top revenue-billing radio stations in the US. The target demographic of listeners is 25 to 54-year-olds.
133 million registered users through digital and mobile
155 million monthly downloads, #1 commercial podcaster
210 million fans through social media
HD
The station broadcasts three digital channels:
KOST-HD1 is a digital version of KOST’s analogue signal.
KOST-HD2 is an HD simulcast of the talk radio format heard on co-owned KFI (640 AM).
KOST-HD3 is soft adult contemporary ‘103.5 The Breeze’
KOST 103.5 Schedule
The KOST 103.5 schedule is jam-packed with great hosts and DJs, starting with the Ellen K Morning Show from 5 am to 10 am, Monday to Friday hosts include; Kari Steele, Sandy and Karen Sharp. Over the weekend, hosts such as Rick Lovett and Ryan Manno grace your radios, so your day is always filled with great music!
Who Owns KOST 103.5
KOST 103.5 is owned by iHeartRadio (America’s number 1 Audio Company), reaching nine out of 10 Americans each month. They own over 850 live broadcast stations in 153 markets throughout America and reach 9 out of 10 Americans each month. This means there is a local radio station in almost every location throughout the States. Considering the number of stations and revenue generated iHeartMedia is the main radio station group owner in the US.
History of KOST 103.5
50’s – 70’s
The station first signed on as KGLA in 1956. In the 60s radio programmer, Gordon McLendon bought KGLA and changed the call letters to KADS in 1966. McLendon trialled an all-advertisement format, one of its features was that listeners could purchase their own commercials.
In 1968, the station implemented the KOST-FM call sign, the format was a considerably all-music format with no news bulletins, this was unusual at the time due to the license obligations to broadcast as a minimum some news. The station aired mostly-instrumental music. In 1973, Cox Communications bought KOST and the station with its call sign pronounced ‘coast’, continued its easy listening sound through the 70s.
80’s And 90’s
During the early 80s, KOST gradually added more vocals, the station switched to a soft adult contemporary format. 1986, Mark Wallengren and Kim Amidon made their debut as KOST’s new morning hosts. The Mark & Kim Morning Show was one of the longest-running shows on Los Angeles radio airing for over 20 years up until its departure in 2007.
Cox Communications swapped KOST and sister station KFI with AMFM, Inc. for 14 stations in several East Coast markets in 1999. AMFM was then acquired by Clear Channel Communications (renamed in 2014 to iHeartMedia) in 2000. Over the years, the station has gained strong ratings becoming a firm favourite for listeners.
2000’s
On November 29, 2007, morning show co-host Kim Amidon left the station which was then followed by KOST’s original midday host Mike Sakellarides (who relocated to KTWV). In October 2008, former KYXY San Diego radio personality Kristin Cruz joined Mark Wallengren as co-host of KOST’s morning show. The midday shift was voice-tracked by former WLTW New York City personality Karen Carson in 2009.
2010’s To Now
Carson departed from KOST in 2011 and Christine Martindale and Ted Ziegenbusch filled in on the midday show up until August 2011, when Kari Steele (former KBIG midday host) joined the station. Steele now presents KOST’s public affairs program The Sunday Journal broadcasting every Sunday following Animal Radio. The show provides interviews with community organisations.
In August of the same year, long-time KOST afternoon presenter Bryan Simmons resigned from KOST. Ellen K, a former co-host for the KIIS-FM morning show and On Air with Ryan Seacrest, took over the KOST morning show in October 2015. Mark Wallengren, replaced Bruce Scott who joined the station in 2012, Wallengren swapped to afternoons. In May 2014 Cruz also decided to leave the station.
Recently, following a trend of most Adult Contemporary stations, KOST has refocused to an upbeat format. The station no longer plays soft rock shifting artists including Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow and Air Supply to its HD2 stream. In January 2020, DJs Mark Wallengren and Ted Zigenbusch left the station.
KOST 103.5 Events
IHeartLAPRIDE HAUS Party
To celebrate 50 years of LA Pride all iHeartMedia stations are coming together for an LA Pride party straight to your home. The station helped to promote the virtual party in June 2020 which had to be adapted due to the restrictions linked with Covid-19.
This exceptional event was hosted by iHeartMedia LA personalities Lisa Foxx, Hudson, Sisanie, J Cruz and DJ Lezlee; and featured performances from Grouplove, Absofacto, Ashe and Tiffany. The celebration featured original Pride celebration DJ sets from Diplo, Christie James, Rez, Scotty Fox, Grabbitz, DJ Lezlee and more to be announced. Pride shoutouts from Demi Lovato, Kesha, Dua Lipa and Widow Von ‘Du from RuPaul’s Drag Race.
CHLA’s Year-End Fundraising Campaign
The station participates in fundraising and charity events. KOST 103.5 joined Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for an annual Giving Tuesday fundraising event. On December 3, KOST 103.5 FM and KTLA did a live broadcast from the hospital.
Los Angeles’ number one morning shows for radio and television – iHeartMedia Los Angeles’ KOST 103.5 FM’s The Ellen K Morning Show, syndicated nationally on 30 stations, and KTLA Morning News – helped to kick off the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) fourth annual fundraising campaign by broadcasting live from the hospital on Giving Tuesday, an international day of charitable giving taking place on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving.
Final Thoughts On Kost 103.5
As an artist, it’s important to understand what your competition is and which radio stations play which music to see if your music would be suitable. Getting onto a popular radio station can improve your chances of being a successful artist.
Make sure you get an understanding of promotion in order to set yourself apart from other artists. The best way to get your song on the radio is to contact the radio stations that are suitable for whichever stage you are in career-wise. If you’re just beginning to break into radio, focus on the non-commercial stations as they are the most likely to play independent up-and-coming artists. Community radio stations are often friendly and a good starting point.
Create a realistic, clearly managed radio campaign and listen as your success climbs on the airwaves. In the meantime see what other artists have made it by listening to KOST 103.5!
