KUBE Has Left The Building… Again
• iHeartMedia Seattle was busier than usual over the President’s Day weekend, as heritage Hip Hop HQ KUBE 93.3 vanished from the air — for the second time. And no, this doesn’t appear to be a promotional stunt.
As we speak KUBE is simulcasting Top 40 sister KBKS (HITS 106.1) and running sweepers redirecting listeners over there. The KUBE website also has a link to HITS 106.1, now described as “Home Of The Jubal Show on KUBE,” with a note that reads, “We periodically review our programming to ensure that we’re meeting our listeners’ needs and providing them with the best and most relevant content, based on listener feedback. Occasionally this means that we need to make some changes and offer other programming that we believe will resonate with listeners.” The message closes with an invitation for current KUBE fans to continue to enjoy the Hip Hop format via this streaming link, on KUBE-HD2 and on the iHeartRadio app.
You may recall that in Jan. 2016 iHeartMedia pulled off a complex four-station Seattle realignment, most notably transferring the longstanding KUBE 93.3 Hip Hop brand over to Tacoma-targeted 104.9, the former home of Active Rock KKBW (104.9 The Brew), becoming KUBE 104.9. At the same time, KUBE’s former 93.3 home flipped to Top 40 as KPWK (Power 93.3) and Top 40 KBKS (Kiss 106.1) morphed to Hot AC.
However, in May 2018, iHeartMedia unwound part of that move, relaunching KUBE 93.3, “Seattle’s No. 1 for Hip Hop” and returning KBKS to Top 40, and rebranded as HITS 106.1 in August 2020.
• As of now there has been no definitive word on A) the future format on 93,3, and B) the status of KUBE PD Eric Rosado, morning duo Strawberry & Lizette Love and midday talent Besa Gordon. Stay tuned.
