KNCI - Station History

Station History

105.1 FM signed on the air on February 21, 1960 as KHIQ. In the 1970s and early 1980s that station has a "beautiful music" format and the call letters were KEWT. It was automated using the Cart-O-Matic system, popular in the late 1970s. The then rival KAER 92.5 Country music station was the only FM station competing with the AM giant KRAK featuring DJs Joey Mitchell, Racin' Rick Stewart and Big Jim Hall. Management decided to give KAER a challenge and try the Country Market with KEWT, changing the call letters to KSKK. It was a huge success. After a short while, KAER dumped the country format and started playing Adult Contemporary, which turned out to be a successful venture for them. Later, KSKK would become KRAK-FM and finally KNCI.
The spring of 2008 saw the 6th installment of The World's Largest Free Bingo Game. This time around, the numbers were being called by Assistant Promotions Director Nate Samelson, affectionately known on-air as Natomas Nate. After a year long hiatus, KNCI brought back The World's Largest Bingo Game for the spring of 2009, and once again, the numbers were being called by Natomas Nate. However, this time he had help from his friend, Modesto Matt! KNCI has recently discontinued the Bingo promotion.
KNCI has had a recent ratings boost since management changes in late 2010, and in May, "Pat & Tom in the Morning" was #1 in the morning ratings for every demographic.