Some people say alternative music is dead. It’s a debatable issue depending on who you talk to, but one thing is for sure.

The heart of alternative has stopped beating in Central Iowa.

Radio station KKDM, formerly known as “The Dot,” was purchased over the summer and changed to “Kiss” 107.

The station was purchased for a reported $7.35 million by Clear Channel Communications, a company out of San Antonio, Texas, that owns more than 600 radio stations nationwide, including 16 in Iowa.

KKDM has been changed from “Iowa’s New Rock Alternative” to another Top 40 Iowa station.

The change has left some people angry, confused and searching for something new they can listen to. Some listeners believe “The Laser” KAZR is still too heavy, and others feel that “Star” 102.5 is a bit on the light side.

For many, “The Dot” served as a healthy medium for alternative radio listeners in Central Iowa.

“‘Star’ 102.5 [KSTZ] has your Sugar Rays and your Fastballs and Lazer has your Kid Rocks and your Limp Bizkits. Sure, there is a small hole left there but that is good alternative music to me,” said Sean Elliot, program director for KAZR “Lazer” 103.

When KKDM went from “The Dot” to “Kiss” at 6 p.m. on July 2, the Backstreet Boys, Ricky Martin, Britney Spears and Shania Twain became just some of the acts now heard regularly on “Kiss.” Now, a DJ-less “Kiss” plays a short rotation of pop songs and Top 40 ditties.

“Personality will be added to the station shortly,” said Steve Wenke, Iowa Market Manager for Clear Channel. “But people do like what we have now because they get to here more music.”

Though “Kiss” is owned by a national company playing the country’s most popular songs, Wenke wants to focus on local listeners.

“We have been doing weekly research to get a good idea of what people like,” he said.

The reason for the high amount of station sales over the last three years is due to the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Before the act, a company could own one TV station, one radio station or one newspaper in any given market.

Since the FCC has removed these ownership restrictions, companies such as Clear Communications have been able to buy several stations in one market.

With the lack of “The Dot,” a small hole in alternative music has been created, leaving room for any station to grab a hold of and bring in more listeners.

“We have no plans of changing our format at all, absolutely not,” Elliot said. “But we do have a great opportunity to give new listeners an idea of what we are. Hopefully, they’ll like what they hear and become regular listeners.”

At this time, a deal is in the works for Clear Channel Communications to purchase Ames stations “Hot 105” KCCQ and 1430 KASI. The deal for the two stations is set to be finalized this year.

Mark Pitz, program director at KCCQ, said his station has been playing Top 40 rotations for nearly 25 years, and he does not anticipate any changes.

“I don’t want to knock that station,” he said. “But playing the same kind of music isn’t everything. The success of a radio station can depend on the personalities.”

As format changes are being made, many are looking for other outlets for alternative music. One possible station for Central Iowa residents and students to turn to is Iowa State campus station 88.5 KURE.

According to KURE publicity director Shane Ross, the station is focusing on getting its name out more than ever.

“We’re going all out,” Ross said. “We’re making more flyers and going pretty strong with a different approach this semester.”

KURE plays some of the similar styles as the former KKDM but also adds a mix of underground and lesser-known types of music.

“We don’t see a need to change our format. We’ve got a lot of the stuff that 107 used to play,” music director Andrew Seitz said. “We are already an alternative to what’s on the dial.”

Those who track radio station formats are saying KKDM’s format switch is reflecting a national trend.

Now that Central Iowa is in the midst of some major airwave changes, questions are being raised. How many Top 40 stations can Iowa cram into one market?

What will happen to KCCQ? Someday, a person might turn on 105 expecting to hear the Backstreet Boys but be surprised to hear country music. Only the future will tell.