Fans plan protest over KJUL change

Sunday, Oct. 9, 2005 | 10:25 a.m.

Former KJUL 104.3-FM fan Zee Matulonis says she and a few other fans will be demonstrating their anger over the demise of their favorite radio format at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the station's building, 1455 E. Tropicana Ave.

"We might not be able to change back KJUL, but we are going to put on notice that older adults need entertainment and music, too," said the 62-year-old Wisconsin native.

Matulonis has been a Las Vegas resident for four years, and was an avid listener of the adult standards station until it abruptly changed its format Monday to country music.

Beasley Broadcast Group officials say the move was prompted by the need to reach a younger demographic. The new targeted group of listeners is in the 25-to-54 age range, which Beasley says is more attractive to advertisers.

KJUL's audience generally was in the 55-and-over category.

"We older adults are tired of having our music taken away," Matulonis said.

She said those who profile audiences are wrong.

"Older adults are no longer stuck in their choices of products and services," Matulonis said. "We want to make other media aware we are an open market and we deserve to have entertainment."

Reach Jerry Fink at 259-4058 or jerry@lasvegassun.com.