KWOD

KWOD, aka 106.5 The Buzz is an all-90's music FM radio station. Their current format started May 22nd, 2009, and the changeover was referenced in the June 1st comic of Real Life.

Past Formats

From June 6th, 2005 to to May 22, 2009 at 9am, they were "KWOD ¹ Version 2.0". In their glory days of independent ownership, their motto was "51 minutes of non-stop KWOD" because of having commercials only once an hour.

Prior to June 6th, 2005, they were "Alternative Rock". For an interesting read on the change, check out this Sacramento News & Review article. On, KWOD switched formats to all-90's and became 106.5 The Buzz.

When KWOD 106 went on the air in the 1970's, the name came from the fact that they were broadcasting "quadraphonically," a short-lived idea that probably died because most people weren't willing to buy 4 speakers. At that time they were more-or-less album rock. Their main competition was KZAP. Locally there was a funky little station called KYLO ("KYLO Gold!") that played a very eclectic mix. If you remember any of this, you are at least 40 years old.

Reviews of KWOD Version 2.0

• In my opinion the v2.0 this is crap. KWOD used to be pretty decent but then they changed and now it sounds a lot like Alice 97.3 and The End 107.9! Damn you, KWOD! - Michelle
• It is more between The Zone and Howard than the end due to its complete lack of hip hop/R&B pop music. I kinda like it new change, but then again, the format change was directed right at my demographic the late 20/early 30's people that listened to KWOD 10+ years ago and had tuned out in recent years. Well, that and its playlist was too similar to 98 Rock, which was also owned by entercom, so it was easier to find a different demo to exploit than have 2 of their own stations compete against each other. - RogerClark
• I don't really believe that KWOD is catering to the people who used to listen and don't anymore; I used to listen and stopped about five years ago, but I have no desire to listen to the new crappy format. I do, however, hate the new format less than the one it just replaced! —ss
• Back in the early to mid 90's KWOD was all about Depeche Mode and the Cure. That type of stuff. And their format shifted to be more like 98 Rock, playing Metallica and Papa Roach. But since they are now owned by the same people as 98 Rock, they want to be different - or at least different in the terms of radio stations owned by that company that broadcast in the Sacramento valley. - RobRoy (a proud former KDVS DJ)

2008-09-03 15:19:35   KWOD used to play better music, but I don't care. I like KWOD because they air "The Adam Carolla Show" from 5am to 10am Monday - Friday. Best thing since Howard Stern. I just hope that they don't drop Adam Carolla to make room for some dreadful morning radio DJs. —CurlyGirl26

Reviews of 106.5 The Buzz

2009-05-22 23:06:07   SN&R’s contact with the new KWOD v2.0’s deejays was cut short by program director Jim Robinson, who himself cited a “busy workload” as his own reason for declining repeated interview requests. SN&R later was copied on an e-mail Robinson sent out to staff originally contacted for interviews, in which the program director offered a concise edict: “Let’s pass on this guy,” Robinson wrote. “I’ve emailed him that we’re too busy for an interview. This paper would not be KWOD v2.0-friendly. Thanks.”

Radio without rules, indeed.

^^^ I remember when they switched formats, it was super shady. —StevenDaubert

2009-05-24 00:01:49   Just when I thought it couldn't get worse. First, CBS radio pulls the plug on Adam Carolla. And now, they switched to generic 90s music. I listened in for a few minutes—just to remind myself why I abandoned terrestrial radio in the first place. What an abortion. —CurlyGirl26

2009-05-25 00:58:40   When KWOD 106 went on the air in the 1970's, the name came from the fact that they were broadcasting "quadraphonically," a short-lived idea that probably died because most people weren't willing to buy 4 speakers. At that time they were more-or-less album rock. Their main competition was KZAP. Locally there was a funky little station called KYLO ("KYLO Gold!") that played a very eclectic mix. If you remember any of this, you are at least 40 years old. —DonShor

2009-05-26 11:25:08   Now Defunct. —MasonMurray

Footnotes

1. pronounced "Quad"

2021-04-22 08:52:51   When we went "on the air" for the very first time in late 1970's, the Mayor, and a few California State reps were in the control room. ERS signaled that all settings were correct, and we were ready to go live. I looked through to the main (only) studio, and signaled to Jim St. John, that we were "ON-THE-AIR"! The only problem was that we actually weren't "on the air", and were simply "localcasting" to the control room monitor speakers. Our engineer/owner, had failed to switch from studio feed to on air feed! (not sure if I'm calling that process correctly...as it's been more than 45 years since this event) Luminaries, ERS, and his family were all congratulating either themselves or each other; but when I glanced at the meters, I realized that we were NOT on the air. I entered the booth and whispered the problem to Jim; telling him to repeat the station intro once more, as soon as the present song had ended. I stepped to the switch, and making sure no one was paying any attention, switched to "on-the-air", and Jim did his "thing". I told ERS what had occurred, and he denied that he could have made such a mistake. So......the history of KWOD, as written and documented, is about 3 minutes incorrect. —thebigkc