KABG

Last updated
KABG
KABG current logo.png
Broadcast area Santa Fe - Albuquerque
Frequency 98.5 MHz (HD Radio)
BrandingBig 98.5
Programming
Format Classic hits
Subchannels HD2: KJFA-FM simulcast
HD3: KHFM simulcast
Affiliations United Stations Radio Networks
Ownership
Owner American General Media
KHFM, KIOT, KJFA-FM, KKRG-FM, KKSS, KLVO
History
First air date
1956 (as KRSN)
Former call signs
KRSN (1956–1986)
KKBR (1986–1990)
KRBL (1990–1993)
KTMN (1993–1997)
Call sign meaning
KABiG
Technical information
Facility ID 44000
Class C
ERP 14,000 watts
HAAT 1,242 meters (4,075 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
 35°12′47″N106°27′00″W / 35.213°N 106.450°W / 35.213; -106.450
Links
Webcast Listen Live
Website big985.com

KABG (98.5 FM) is a commercial radio station licensed to Los Alamos, New Mexico, and serving the Santa Fe and Albuquerque radio markets. It is owned by American General Media and airs a classic hits radio format, playing Top 40 hits mostly from the late 1970s to the early 1990s. The radio studios and offices are located in Northeast Albuquerque.

Contents

The transmitter is on Sandia Crest at an effective radiated power (ERP) of 14,000 watts. [1]

History

This station signed on in 1956 as KRSN-FM. For nearly three decades, the station broadcast at low wattage and only covered Los Alamos. It would enter the Albuquerque radio market in November 1985, when the transmitter moved to the Valles Caldera National Preserve in Jemez Springs, New Mexico at an effective radiated power (ERP) of 100,000 watts, the maximum for non-grandfathered FM stations where the station would operate until 2022. It launched as KKHJ with an adult contemporary format after upgrading to a 100,000 watt signal. [2] Shortly after, the station, which was owned by Community Broadcasting Co., would be sold to KKBR Inc. for $1.2 million. [3] [4] In August 1986, it changed to KKBR, (AKA "The Bear") and broadcast an eclectic mix of Classic Rock and Alternative Album Rock for several months (patterned after KFOG in San Francisco) before switching to a satellite delivered 50s and 60s oldies format when economic hard times hit the station. [5] The format would be a top rated success in the Santa Fe market. [6]

However, despite the success in Santa Fe, the Utah based owners would focus their efforts on the Albuquerque market, which had much more revenue potential. [7] In March 1990, 98.5 would change to KRBL, and flipped to an Album-oriented rock format called "The Rebel Rocker", targeting a younger audience in Albuquerque. This would also prompt KBOM (106.7 FM) to change from a Spanish contemporary format to oldies shortly after. [8] Later on, with new competition following KZRQ (an affiliate of the Z-Rock network) moving to the 105.1 FM frequency in late 1991 replacing a top 40 format, KRBL would move to pick up the mainstream CHR/Top 40 format, rebranding as "Lazer 98.5" in June 1992. A year later, in June 1993, 98.5 would go dark in order to move to a new transmitter as well as to new studios in Santa Fe. This came as the station would be sold to Plaza Broadcasting, which also owned country formatted KNYN for $650,000. [9]

Following consummation, the station returned to the air in early November 1993 as KTMN, and would air a Classic Rock format called "The Mountain". After KIOT dropped Adult Album Alternative for classic rock in Fall of 1995, KTMN shifted its programming to fill the AAA void while continuing to use "The Mountain" brand. [10] In 1996, KNYN and KTMN were sold to American General Media. AGM would retain the formats on both stations and operate them from Santa Fe for another year. However, by 1997, AGM would move its operations to Albuquerque, [11] and would then change the format to oldies and call letters to KABG in June in another attempt to generate better ratings in Albuquerque. [12]

KABG

KABG launched in the Summer of 1997, as "Big Oldies 98.5". It then went on to overcome two other long running oldies stations in the Albuquerque and Santa Fe markets, KBOM (moved to 94.7 in 2000, both frequencies which AGM had later purchased) in Santa Fe and KZKL (later changed to KQEO) in Albuquerque, which dropped the format in 2002, making KABG the only FM oldies station in both markets. Local radio veteran Bobby Box would host the morning shift for several years, and would help make the station more popular with its target audience.

For many years, the station had been known as "Big Oldies". In 2007, it rebranded to just "Big 98.5", phasing out the word "oldies", as it has followed most other oldies stations across the country in shifting to a more 1970s focused "classic hits" format in order to improve its audience in the 25-54 age range demographic. Despite this, the station still played a small amount of 1950s/early 1960s oldies for a few more years. Today, the format is mostly focused on music from the 1980s with a small amount of music from the 1990s added.

On September 20, 2019, KABG was granted a construction permit to move its broadcasting facility to Sandia Crest at 13,800 watts. [13] A license to cover was filed on August 2, 2022 and granted on August 11. [14]

Previous logos

Related Research Articles

KVCN is a radio station licensed to Los Alamos, New Mexico, and serving Northern New Mexico, including Santa Fe and Albuquerque. It broadcasts a Conservative Christian radio format featuring programming from its owner's network, VCY America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KUNM</span> Public radio station of the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque

KUNM is a public radio station broadcasting on FM 89.9 MHz from high atop Sandia Crest, with broadcasts originating from the third floor of Oñate Hall, on the campus of the University of New Mexico (UNM) in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KKSS</span> Rhythmic contemporary hit radio station in Santa Fe, New Mexico

KKSS is a commercial radio station licensed to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and broadcasting to the Santa Fe and Albuquerque metropolitan area. KKSS airs an urban-leaning rhythmic contemporary radio format branded as "Kiss 97.3". Owned by American General Media, its radio studios and offices are in Northeast Albuquerque.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KXOT (FM)</span> Radio station in Los Lunas–Albuquerque, New Mexico

KXOT is a commercial FM radio station located in Los Lunas, New Mexico, broadcasting to the Albuquerque, New Mexico area.

KHFM is a non-commercial radio station licensed to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and serving the Albuquerque metropolitan area. It airs a classical music radio format with some selections drawn from musical theatre. The studios and offices are located on Marble Avenue NE in Northeast Albuquerque. It is owned by KHFM Community Partners, a foundation set up by American General Media when the station switched from commercial to non-commercial. KHFM holds periodic fundraisers on the air during the year to support the station from listener donations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KTEG</span> Alternative rock radio station in Santa Fe, New Mexico

KTEG is a radio station broadcasting an alternative rock format. Licensed to Santa Fe, New Mexico, it serves the Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico metropolitan area. The station is currently owned by iHeartMedia, Inc.. Its studios are located in Northeast Albuquerque and the transmitter tower is located west of Los Alamos, New Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KTBL</span> Radio station in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, New Mexico

KTBL is a commercial radio station licensed to the village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, New Mexico, and serves the Albuquerque metropolitan area. It is owned by Cumulus Media and its studios are located in Downtown Albuquerque and the transmitter tower is located in South Valley, New Mexico. KTBL operates with 1,000 watts. The station airs an active rock format branded as "94.5 The Pit" with the use of FM translator K233CG broadcasting at 250 watts off Sandia Crest.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KBQI</span> Radio station in Albuquerque, New Mexico

KBQI is a commercial radio station in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It carries a country music format and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. It carries two syndicated shows on weekdays, The Bobby Bones Show in morning drive time and After Midnite with Granger Smith overnight. The studios are on Masthead Street in northeast Albuquerque.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KJFA-FM</span> Radio station in Pecos, New Mexico

KJFA-FM is a radio station licensed to Pecos, New Mexico, branded as Fuego 102-9, and serving the Santa Fe area. It broadcasts a bilingual Hispanic rhythmic format.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KKRG-FM</span> Radio station in Santa Fe, New Mexico

KKRG-FM is a radio station licensed to Santa Fe, New Mexico, covering the Albuquerque area and northern New Mexico. It is currently owned by American General Media. Its studios are located in Northeast Albuquerque and the transmitter tower is located west of Los Alamos, New Mexico. Syndicated programming includes Brooke & Jeffrey in the morning and Liveline with Mason at night.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KZRR</span> Radio station in Albuquerque, New Mexico

KZRR is a commercial radio station in Albuquerque, New Mexico, broadcasting to the Albuquerque-Santa Fe, New Mexico, area. KZRR airs a mainstream rock radio format and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. The radio studios and offices are in Northeast Albuquerque.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KIOT</span> Radio station in Los Lunas, New Mexico

KIOT is an American radio station licensed to Los Lunas, New Mexico, and serving the Albuquerque and Santa Fe radio markets broadcasting a classic rock format with music from the late 1960s through the early 2000s. The station is owned by American General Media. Its studios are located in Northeast Albuquerque and the transmitter tower is located atop Sandia Crest east of the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Media in Albuquerque, New Mexico</span> Overview of mass media in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

Albuquerque is the primary media hub of the US state of New Mexico, which includes Santa Fe and Las Cruces. The vistas and adobe architecture of New Mexico are a major backdrop of Western fiction and the Western genre.

KQNM is a radio station in Albuquerque, New Mexico. KQNM is owned by Relevant Radio, Inc. and airs a Catholic radio ministry featuring network talk programs and broadcasts of the mass.

KQLV is an American radio station serving the Santa Fe and Albuquerque areas. It is a non-commercial station owned by Educational Media Foundation, broadcasting its K-Love satellite Christian Contemporary music format.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KOAZ</span> Radio station in Isleta Pueblo, New Mexico

KOAZ is a radio station licensed to Vanguard Media LLC. at Isleta Pueblo, New Mexico. It is operating at "Isleta" with 5,000 watts daytime and 25 watts nighttime, from 34°58′46.2″N106°44′15.1″W. The station serves the Albuquerque Metropolitan area. Its studios are located in Northeast Albuquerque.

KDNF is a radio station licensed to Belen, New Mexico, United States, which also serves the Albuquerque area. The station is owned by Sheila and Derek Underhill, through licensee KD Radio Inc. KDNF airs a classic country format branded as "Genuine Country 840".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KLBU</span> Radio station in Santa Fe, New Mexico

KLBU is a commercial radio station in Santa Fe, New Mexico. KLBU airs a rhythmic contemporary radio format branded as "Jam'n 94.7", and is owned by Hutton Broadcasting. Its radio studios and offices are in Santa Fe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">K251AU</span> FM translator radio station in Albuquerque, New Mexico

K251AU is an FM translator radio station that serves the Albuquerque, New Mexico area. It broadcasts at 98.1 MHz with a 165 watt signal from atop Sandia Crest, sending a somewhat strong signal into much of the city. Its studios are located in Northeast Albuquerque.

K275AO is an FM translator station in Albuquerque, New Mexico airing a Hispanic Rhythmic format branded a "Fuego 102.9". The translator is fed from an HD Radio subchannel of KABG-HD2. It is owned by American General Media. The format is also simulcast on KJFA-FM 102.9 in Pecos, New Mexico.

References

  1. ↑ Radio-Locator.com/KABG
  2. ↑ "Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico on October 25, 1985 · p. 13".
  3. ↑ IDX Business Magazine archive
  4. ↑ "Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico on July 23, 1986 · p.11".
  5. ↑ "Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico on August 22, 1986 · p.13".
  6. ↑ "The Santa Fe New Mexican from Santa Fe, New Mexico on August 4, 1988 · 3".
  7. ↑ "The Santa Fe Reporter from Santa Fe, New Mexico on June 27, 1990 · Page 7".
  8. ↑ "The Santa Fe Reporter from Santa Fe, New Mexico on June 27, 1990 · Page 40".
  9. ↑ "Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico on July 25, 1993 · Page 35".
  10. ↑ Billboard October 14, 1995 Page 79
  11. ↑ "Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico on June 30, 1997 · Page 61".
  12. ↑ "The Santa Fe New Mexican from Santa Fe, New Mexico on April 10, 1997 · 9".
  13. ↑ "Application Search Details".
  14. ↑ "Licensing and Management System".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.