
KMVP-FM

KMVP-FM (98.7 FM) is the callsign for a radio station in Phoenix, Arizona branded as "Arizona Sports 98.7 FM". It airs programming from ESPN Radio, in addition to Arizona Sports-acquired broadcast rights for local teams. Local programming airs on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., barring any live coverage of local games that may extend its time. Arizona Sports is owned by Bonneville International Corporation. Its studios are located in Phoenix near Piestewa Peak and its transmitter is in South Mountain Park.
Arizona Sports is the flagship station of the NBA's Phoenix Suns, the NFL's Arizona Cardinals, the Arizona State University Sun Devils' football games, and MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks.
History.
Early years.
98.7 FM signed on in July 1960 as KTAR-FM, co-owned with KTAR and KTAR-TV (now KPNX). In 1973, the station became KBBC, broadcasting easy listening music programming. KBBC became one of the nation's pioneers in a format that became known as "Soft Rock" under the programming direction of J.D. Freeman who moved over from KNIX-FM afternoon drive.
KKLT (98.7 K-Lite).
In 1982, the format evolved into a soft adult contemporary music format branded as "K-Lite" along with a change of call letters to KKLT. The staff included program director Marc McCoy and sales manager Ken Hoag.
KPKX (98.7 The Peak).
On May 28, 2004, the format was changed to adult hits as "The Peak" (along with a change of call letters to KPKX on May 9, 2005). KPKX became one of the first stations in the U.S. to flip to the format, and the first not to do it as "Jack FM" or "Bob FM". The first song on "The Peak" was "A Change Would Do You Good" by Sheryl Crow. The Peak featured the voice of actor John O'Hurley as "Mr. Peakerman", a well meaning but bumbling station owner who more or less let the staff play "Whatever they want". The station was the brainchild of programmer Joel Grey, with writing and creative imaging produced by John Hugill. Highly successful for Bonneville, it became the de facto flagship of other properties like 95.7 Max FM in San Francisco and 106.5 The Arch in St. Louis.
KMVP-FM (Arizona Sports 98.7).
At 10 a.m. on January 6, 2014, after playing "All The Small Things" by Blink-182, followed by a brief goodbye message from content manager Steve Douglas, KPKX flipped to a simulcast of sports talk-formatted 620 AM. On January 9, 2014, KPKX changed its callsign to KMVP-FM. On July 10, 2014, Bonneville announced Arizona Sports will move exclusively to 98.7 FM effective September 15; KTAR would then assume a full-time ESPN Radio simulcast.
Programming.
Doug Franz and Ron Wolfley are on from 6-10am. Dan Bickley and Vince Marotta are on 10am-2pm. Dave Burns and John Gambadoro are on 2-6pm. Luke Lapinski are on 6-8pm. ESPN Radio is on overnights and weekends.