January 12, 2021
For Immediate Release
Icicle Broadcasting selling KOZI/KZAL and retaining KOHO
Wenatchee, Washington.
Known for its committed service to North Central Washington, Icicle Broadcasting has announced plans to sell KOZI-FM/AM and KZAL-FM. Icicle Broadcasting will retain KOHO FM, which exclusively serves the Wenatchee Valley. The newly formed radio group comprising KOZI-FM/AM and KZAL-FM will be based in Chelan at its current location. KOZI-FM programs a highly popular full-service Adult Contemporary format. KOZI-AM programs a local sports and news/talk format featuring nationally well-known personalities.
The KOZI signals reach the entire Chelan basin. KZAL-FM (Z-Country 94.7) programs a Contemporary Country Music format playing the best hits of today and yesterday. The KZAL signal reaches the entire Wenatchee Valley.
According to Elliott Salmon, General Manager of Icicle Broadcasting, “Our sales focus will be to find a local buyer. KOZI is a well-known part of the Chelan community and it is very important to us to make sure that KOZI remain a local resource. Our owner, Harriet Bullitt, has always been committed to local radio, and she feels strongly that KOZI/KZAL should stay in local hands.” Icicle Broadcasting believes this restructuring and sale will preserve the viability of the company’s mission of community radio. The sale of KOZI-FM/AM and KZAL-FM may take months to consummate. In the meantime, Icicle Broadcasting will continue to operate the four-station cluster as it always has to serve the local communities. Icicle Broadcasting has retained the services of a media broker to handle the sale of KOZI-FM/AM and KZAL-FM. For more information about the sale, please contact:
Greg Guy, Patrick Communications
Lou Robbins — Admin/Editor | Airchecks
KTOY | KVAC (WA-1974) | KDFL (WA-1975) | KTTX (TX- 1976) | KWHI (TX-1976) | KONP (WA-1977) | KBAM (WA-1978) | KJUN (WA-1983) | KRPM (WA-1984) | KAMT (WA-1986) | KASY (WA-1988) | KBRD (WA-1989) | KTAC (WA-1990) | KMTT (WA-1991) | KOOL (AZ-1994)
Remember when Jerry Isenhart left KMEL in Wenatchee in 1969 to take over KOZI, which meant I got to take over his noon to 3 airtime. He’s the one who is credited with making KOZI such a community institution, and led to multiple Washington State Radio Station of the Year awards, and eventually his becoming Chelan Mayor. KOZI set the Gold Standard for what a local radio station should be, way before the large, chain-store Radio groups took over the industry.
KOZI Radio has always been a vital part of the Chelan community. Morning Show “Second Cup” where people call up to buy/sell something, say a neighbor’s horse is loose, or just give an opinion on something happening in the Chelan area is a slice of small town America. Chelan Goat football on a Friday night is also a great memory. I would hate to see someone other than a local owner come in as it would be the end of a great tradition. Keeping my fingers crossed.