KISS-FM (brand) - Conflict and Controversy

Conflict and Controversy

Clear Channel has pursued legal claims against some station owners using branding similar to KISS-FM.

Some stations have dropped KISS branding as a result. Examples:

• Mainstream Urban station WKYS in Washington, D.C. (owned by Radio One) used it before, then they dropped it, but recently added the moniker back.

• In May 1999, Radio One station WENZ in Cleveland — ironically, acquired in a divesture from Clear Channel — changed its format from modern rock to mainstream urban, changed its branding to "Kiss 107.9", and intended to change its call letters to reflect the change in format and brand, similar to Washington, D.C. station WKYS. Two weeks later, Clear Channel flipped the format of recently acquired WZLE in Lorain, Ohio to "104.9 KISS-FM", with a CHR format emulating KIIS-FM. Following a legal fight with Clear Channel, Radio One abruptly dropped the "Kiss" brand in October 1999 for "Z-107.9", a reference to the WENZ call letters. WZLE itself then changed its call letters to WAKS.

• In 2001, Clear Channel went to federal court to force American General Media (AGM) to give up the "Kiss" slogan that was used as the on-air moniker for Rhythmic Top 40 KISV in Bakersfield, California. Clear Channel wanted to use the slogan for its then-recent acquisition KKXX in 2000. AGM argued they had the rights to the "Kiss" slogan three years before Clear Channel came to Bakersfield; Clear Channel said otherwise and claimed AGM used it without permission.

• In Chicago, Clear Channel sent a cease and desist letter to former CHR-Dance WKIE. Clear Channel sued WKIE and won the case, causing WKIE to drop the KISS name and rebrand itself as Energy 92.7. Clear Channel changed their Rhythmic Oldies 103.5 The Beat to CHR-Pop as 103.5 KISS-FM with call letters WKSC, with KSC referring to "KISS Chicago".