Now 97.9

What Now 97.9 does

Now 97.9 (legally operating as KBZN-FM) is a privately held commercial FM radio station broadcasting at 97.9 MHz in Salt Lake City, Utah. The station is part of a Station Employment Unit with KLO-FM and is operated by Capital Broadcasting / KLO Broadcasting. It delivers a country / contemporary hit programming format branded as "Today's Best Music," featuring on-air personalities Rob Riesen (morning show, Monday-Friday 6:00-10:00 AM), Pete Steiner, Melissa Snow, and Barb Thomas. The station reaches listeners via over-the-air FM broadcast across the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, supplemented by web-based live streaming through a MyStreamPlayer integration and native mobile applications on iOS and Android (developed on the OneCMS platform by InterTech Media LLC).

The station's product surface extends beyond linear broadcast into listener-engagement programs (Listeners Club), regular contesting (More Music Mornings), and event coverage and production — including recurring franchises such as Maverik Monday, Wet Nose Wednesday, Antelope by Moonlight, and the Yours Always Music Festival, as well as concert promotions (Dylan Scott, Rick Springfield). Marketing and distribution channels include the official website (kbzn.com), Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, on-air announcements, and participation in community events.

Now 97.9 generates revenue primarily through local advertising sales, with named advertising representative Jody Adams handling inbound business inquiries ([email protected] / 801-364-9836). Maverik is identified as a core GTM/marketing partner sponsoring recurring programming. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, and the business serves two customer segments: local Salt Lake City advertisers (business) and a general radio-listener audience (consumer). The station operates under FCC licensing requirements and files EEO Public File Reports covering KBZN-FM and KLO-FM.

Name

Now 97.9

Legal name

InterTech Media LLC

Website

https://kbzn.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1925

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Now 97.9 (KBZN-FM) is a privately held commercial FM radio station broadcasting contemporary country and hit music to Salt Lake City listeners, generating revenue through local advertising sales and extending reach via mobile apps, web streaming, and community event programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial Terrestrial Radio Broadcasting (AM/FM) (MPAIAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only) (MPAIAEAE)

Keywords

• FM radio broadcasting
• Radio advertising sales
• Live audio streaming
• Country music programming
• Local event promotion

Headquarters

HQ city

Salt Lake City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Radio Advertising: The station generates revenue by selling advertising slots to local businesses. Business owners can contact Jody Adams at 801-364-9836 or [email protected] to purchase advertising packages that reach the station's dedicated listener base.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Now 97.9 (KBZN-FM) is a commercial FM radio station operating at 97.9 MHz in Salt Lake City, Utah, providing a curated "Today's Best Music" format, on-air personalities, news, contests, and local event coverage. The station distributes its programming over-the-air, via live web streaming (MyStreamPlayer), and through native iOS/Android mobile apps, and generates revenue by selling advertising packages to local businesses.

Product overview

NOW 97.9 (KBZN-FM) is a country music radio station based in Salt Lake City, Utah, operated by Capital Broadcasting / KLO Broadcasting. The station offers a unified entertainment ecosystem comprising live FM radio broadcast, real-time audio streaming via the website, native mobile applications for iOS and Android, and listener engagement programs including the Listeners Club loyalty program and regular contests. The station also promotes local concerts and community events, positioning itself as a comprehensive entertainment destination beyond traditional radio broadcasting.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NOW 97.9 FM Radio Broadcast Over-the-air FM radio broadcast at 97.9 MHz in Salt Lake City, Utah, featuring "Today's Best Music" country/CHR format with on-air personalities including Rob Riesen, Pete Steiner, Melissa Snow, and Barb Thomas. Target audience is Salt Lake City metropolitan listeners.
• NOW 97.9 Mobile App Native mobile applications for iOS and Android devices enabling listeners to stream the live broadcast, participate in contests (e.g., More Music Mornings), and access station content on-the-go.
• Live Audio Streaming Real-time web-based audio streaming service allowing online listeners to tune in to the live station broadcast via the website using MyStreamPlayer integration.
• Listeners Club Loyalty and rewards program for engaged station followers, offering exclusive benefits, updates, and engagement opportunities such as VIP contest access.
• Contests and Giveaways Recurring on-air and online contest programming including More Music Mornings and other prize giveaways designed to drive listener engagement.
• Local Events and Concerts Promotion Promotion, coverage, and organization of local concerts, public appearances, and station events including Maverik Monday, Wet Nose Wednesday, Yours Always Music Festival, and Antelope by Moonlight.
• Radio Advertising Sales Advertising packages sold to local businesses to reach the station's dedicated listener base across FM, streaming, and mobile platforms. Sales contact: Jody Adams at 801-364-9836 / [email protected].

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Millcreek CommonsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 March 2026Station participated in Doxie Derby event at Millcreek Commons on March 27th and 28th 2026, engaging attendees and providing information about careers in broadcasting.
• Davis County TourismminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 July 2025Station participated in Antelope by Moonlight bike event on July 11th 2025, engaging with attendees from across the region and promoting employment opportunities in broadcasting.
• Salt Lake City (City Government)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 July 2025Station participated in multiple large-scale community events including Salt Lake City Drone Show (July 5th and 24th 2025), Yappy Hour Events (June 12th, August 14th, October 9th 2025), and Monster Trunk-or-Treat Event (October 25th 2025). Station representatives engaged with public regarding careers in broadcasting and directed interested individuals to station employment resources.
• MaverikcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMaverik serves as sponsor for Maverik Monday programming and events, a core recurring promotion on the station.
• InterTech Media LLCcoreTechnology or IntegrationStation website powered by InterTech Media LLC, serving as the platform provider for the station's digital presence.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• iHeartMedia: Largest U.S. terrestrial radio operator with hundreds of FM stations and the iHeartRadio digital platform; directly comparable as a major owner of local FM stations monetized through local advertising plus digital streaming.
• Cumulus Media: Major U.S. radio broadcaster with local AM/FM stations and a national sales network; comparable as a multi-market operator of format-driven FM stations monetized by local ad sales.
• Townsquare Media: Operates local radio stations in mid-size U.S. markets with a focus on local content, events, and digital; comparable as a multi-market owner of similarly scaled FM stations reliant on local advertising.
• Audacy: Major U.S. radio operator with local FM stations and the Audacy streaming app; comparable as a local-FM-plus-digital broadcaster monetized through local and digital advertising.
• Hubbard Radio: Privately held operator of local radio stations in select U.S. markets; comparable in scale and operating model to a single-market FM operator like Now 97.9.
• Beasley Broadcast Group: Operator of local AM/FM radio stations across multiple U.S. markets with a focus on community-level content; comparable as a multi-station, local-advertising-funded broadcaster.
• Emmis Communications: Diversified local media company with radio stations and city/regional magazines; comparable as an operator of format-driven FM stations in mid-size U.S. markets.
• Salem Communications: U.S. radio broadcaster focused on news/talk and Christian formats across multiple markets; comparable in business model as a multi-station local-advertising-supported FM operator.

Regional players

• Bonneville International: Family-owned broadcaster headquartered in Salt Lake City with multiple FM stations in the SLC market (e.g., KSL-FM family). Highly comparable as a competitor operating local FM radio in Now 97.9's exact geography.
• Lotus Communications: Privately held owner of FM radio stations concentrated in Western U.S. markets; comparable as a similarly sized, privately held local FM operator with a regional footprint.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/now979
• Facebookfacebook.com/NOW97.9FMSLC
• Instagraminstagram.com/now97.9

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Now 97.9