KLNZ

KLNZ (103.5 FM at 62 kW ERP) is a regional Mexican-formatted radio station serving the Phoenix, Arizona area. The station is owned by Entravision Communications. KLNZ is licensed to the nearby suburb of Glendale and broadcasts programming from Entravision's California-based "Radio Tricolor" network. The station also broadcasts with digital HD Radio technology. Its studios are located in Phoenix near Sky Harbor Airport, and the transmitter is located west of Surprise.

History

103.5 signed on the air on May 18, 1994, as KTWC ("Twice 103.5") with an eclectic oldies-based format with music ranging from the 1950s through the 1980s. In 1996, KTWC was purchased by MAC America Communications, owners of KESZ and KTVK, and was changed to Smooth Jazz-formatted KOAZ ("The Oasis") competing with KYOT-FM.

In 1997, MAC America decided to sell half its interest in the station to Owens Broadcasting, owners of heritage Country KNIX-FM. The format was switched once again to country, targeting a younger audience and going by the name of KWCY ("Wild Country"), on September 2, 1997. A huge marketing campaign coincided with the change, publicizing the return of popular morning hosts Tim & Willy, who were at KMLE for a few years before a brief stint in Chicago. Tim & Willy eventually became morning hosts at KNIX. Giving up on the frequency, KWCY was put up for sale in June 1998.