SIDNEY - KSID Radio has new names and new formats on its two radio stations in Sidney.

Station Manager Hunter Arterburn announced on Wednesday morning a new rebranding and reformatting effort on Flood Communications stations, KSID-FM (98.7 FM) and KSID-AM (1340 AM, 95.7 FM), to better serve the needs and wants in the southern Nebraska Panhandle, northeast Colorado and southeast Wyoming.

98.7 FM, formerly known as "The Blast" and "Sky-FM," will now be "987 The Big Boy." Named for the legendary Union Pacific Railroad steam locomotive, the new radio station name celebrates the area's history on the railroad as the "toughest town on the tracks." "987 The Big Boy" will also have a new format, playing mainstream country from Eric Church to George Strait, and the Casey Donahew Band to Dolly Parton.

Arterburn, who also serves as the station's morning show host, is excited to bring a new energy to "987 The Big Boy".

"It's a new country music format this area hasn't experienced before," Arterburn said. "Everything from production to the DJs, and programming, you will hear 24 hours a day, 7 days a week is designed to be upbeat, positive and make you feel good. It's a 'roll down your windows and cruise the backroads' type of radio station."

New this fall, "987 The Big Boy" will carry all 12 and half hours of Husker football every Saturday.

1340 AM, with translator 95.7 FM, is transitioning from the "The Fort" to "Cheyenne County Country," featuring classic country hits from the 80s, 90s and older. Long-time announcer, Randy Brown, will serve as the morning show host. The station will also feature a variety of classic country shows on the weekends and will continue to carry Husker Sports Network programming.

According to Arterburn, this has been in the making for over a year. He says they've been researching and talking with community leaders, business owners, agricultural producers and listeners about what they would like to hear from their hometown radio station.

"Before, and even during, the Cabela's hay-days, agriculture was - and still is - the big economy driver," Arterburn said. "We feel the new country format, along with even more local news, more local sports and more market information, will serve and celebrate the ag and outdoor backbone of our region."

Both stations can be streamed for free on newschannelnebraska.com and on the NCN app. Click on the links above under "Listen Live."

Flood Communications operates 10 radio stations and seven television stations. The company owns News Channel Nebraska, the only in-state, independent television network of its kind in the country. Flood Communications founder Mike Flood is a state senator on the Nebraska Legislature.