This prompted Clear Channel Communications, which also owned stations in the Santa Barbara market, to send Cumulus a cease and desist letter claiming infringement upon its "KISS-FM" trademark. Clear Channel also flipped its oldies-formatted KIST-FM to CHR using the Kiss name, battling with Cumulus head-to-head for ratings.
This move by Clear Channel Communications, which also owned stations in the Santa Barbara market, led to a cease and desist letter from Cumulus claiming infringement on its "KISS-FM" trademark. Clear Channel responded by rebranding its oldies-formatted KIST-FM as CHR using the Kiss name, engaging in a head-to-head battle with Cumulus for ratings.