KBEB

Last updated
KBEB
KBEB 92.5 The Breeze 2019.png
Broadcast area Sacramento metropolitan area
Frequency 92.5 MHz (HD Radio)
Branding92-5 The Breeze
Programming
Format Soft adult contemporary
Subchannels HD2: KFBK-AM-FM simulcast (News/talk)
Affiliations Premiere Networks
Ownership
Owner
History
First air date
February 1947 (1947-02) (as KFBK-FM at 96.9 FM)
Former call signs
  • KFBK-FM (1947–1978)
  • KAER (1978–1991)
  • KGBY (1991–2011)
  • KFBK-FM (2011–2014)
  • KHLX (2014)
Former frequencies
96.9 MHz (1947–1958)
Technical information
Facility ID 10146
Class B
ERP 50,000 watts
HAAT 137 meters (449 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
38°42′26″N121°28′33″W / 38.70722°N 121.47583°W / 38.70722; -121.47583
Links
Webcast Listen Live
Website 925thebreeze.iheart.com

KBEB (92.5 FM) is a commercial radio station in Sacramento, California, calling itself "92-5 The Breeze." It is owned by iHeartMedia and airs a soft adult contemporary format. KBEB carries the syndicated "Delilah" call-in and request show in the evening. The studios are in North Sacramento near Arden Fair Mall.

Contents

KBEB has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 50,000 watts. The transmitter is off West Delano Street in Elverta. [1] KBEB broadcasts using HD Radio technology. The HD2 digital subchannel is a simulcast of sister stations KFBK-AM-FM's news/talk format.

History

AM simulcast: 1947-196?

In February 1947;76 years ago, the station signed on as KFBK-FM on 96.9 MHz. It was originally owned by McClatchy Newspapers, parent company of The Sacramento Bee . [2] On January 9, 1958, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted KFBK-FM's request to move the station to 92.5 MHz. [3] For its first two decades, it largely simulcast co-owned KFBK.

Classical: 196?-1978

In the 1960s, it began playing classical music for some hours, and eventually went all-classical.

Beautiful music: 1978-1991

In October 1978, KFBK-FM changed its call sign to KAER. [4] It switched to a beautiful music format, playing quarter hour sweeps of soft, instrumental cover versions of popular songs. [5]

On July 24, 1987, McClatchy Newspapers sold KAER and KFBK to Group W Inc. for $19,001,000. The transaction closed in September. [6] [7] KAER began adding more vocals to the easy listening format in an effort to appeal to a younger demographic; eventually, the instrumentals would be dropped.

Adult contemporary: 1991–2011

On February 26, 1991, the station began broadcasting an adult contemporary music format branded simply as "Y-92 FM, The Adult Choice". [8] New call letters KGBY were assigned by the FCC the following month. [9] The station was owned by AMFM Broadcasting from 1994 to 2000, then Clear Channel Communications after AMFM and Clear Channel merged. In 2000, the station briefly added a heavy number of country-based current hits, including songs by Billy Gilman, Lee Ann Womack, Lonestar, and Billy Joel. In 2001, the station re-branded itself as "Y-92.5, Today's Hits and Yesterday's Favorites" (resurrecting the slogan used by Group W in 1988 after dumping the KAER call letters). The station began using the "Best Mix in Denver" jingle package created for KIMN by JAM Creative Productions, including the "Y-92.5 KGBY, Sacramento" top-of-the-hour station identification.

In 2002 and 2003, the weekday lineup included Paul Robbins and Phil Cowan (KGBY's morning show host since the 1980s), Mary Ellen Murphy (voice-tracked from a Clear Channel station in Grand Rapids, Michigan), and Dana Hess. Evening programming varied, including a local love songs show in early 2003 and a brief stint using John Tesh's syndicated show later that same year. On November 14, 2003, Y92.5 surprised listeners by switching to an all-Christmas music format. [10] For the next six weeks, KGBY featured to a catalog of over 300 Christmas songs ranging from staples such as Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and John Lennon's "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" (both songs were played once every four hours, on the hour) to unusual tracks such as "Light of the Stable" by Emmylou Harris. The station repeated the seasonal change in 2004 and 2005; in 2006, the all-Christmas format was reduced to four weeks.

In 2004, KGBY began making several major changes. In January, the voice-tracked Murphy was dismissed in favor of local voice Lori Sacco. The station experimented with a 92-minute commercial-free block of music weekdays at 8:30 a.m.; this was in response to KYMX's "96 minutes of music", but neither station's effort lasted more than a few months. The "Y-92.5 KGBY, Sacramento" station ID was replaced with a simpler version. By the middle of 2004, the station began evolving into a more "upbeat" mix of music. All but a few 1970s tracks were cut from the playlist, while more upbeat songs from the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s were added. Later that year, the station, embracing Clear Channel's "Less is More" initiative, began cutting commercial times from one minute to 30 seconds. Jingles were also shortened to "Y-92.5 FM" from the original version, "Today's Hits and Yesterday's Favorites, Y-92.5 FM".

In 2005, KGBY experimented with "Extra Wide Variety" weekends, adding hundreds of unusual songs to its playlist from Friday at 3 p.m. to Monday at 5 a.m.; this was a response to the variety rock phenomenon exemplified by Jack FM. Also that year, Phil Cowan exited the station, with Paul & Phil in the Morning rebranded simply as Paul Robbins in the Morning. Accompanying this change was a new jingle package, ditching "Today's Hits and Yesterday's Favorites" in favor of their new slogan, "Sacramento's Best Music Mix, Y-92.5 FM". Further changes would come in early 2007, when afternoon host Dana Hess was dismissed in a cost-cutting move [11] and the station returned to its earlier practice of voice-tracking, replacing him with an automated Lyman James. James went on to host a live midday show on KRBB (B98 FM) in Wichita, Kansas while holding the position of Operations Manager for iHeartMedia (as Clear Channel was renamed in September 2014). [12]

Through all the changes at KGBY, the station's playlist emphasized many upbeat songs, including "Nothing Left To Lose" by Mat Kearney and "Wake Me Up When September Ends" by Green Day. Older titles were often rhythmic oldies (akin to those played on the Movin' stations) and include such songs as "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire and "I Can't Wait" by Nu Shooz. However, on December 26, 2007 at 6 a.m., after completing its annual all-Christmas music programming, KGBY flipped to an adult top 40 format, branded "My 92-5" and featuring a heavy emphasis on current-based hot adult contemporary (hot AC) product. [13] The Y92 morning show ended after twenty years on the air. [14]

News/talk: 2011–2014

On December 1, 2011 at midnight, after playing "Gives You Hell" by The All-American Rejects, KGBY began simulcasting news/talk-formatted KFBK (1530 AM) [15] using the original call sign KFBK-FM. The move left CBS Radio's KZZO as the only hot AC station in Sacramento, but new competition arose when Entercom dropped rhythmic adult contemporary for hot AC on KBZC the following week.

After two years with news/talk, Clear Channel decided to switch the frequencies of KFBK-FM and KHLX (93.1 FM) on December 26, 2013. KHLX, which previously had a classic hits format, moved to 92.5 FM while the KFBK-FM call sign and format shifted to 93.1 FM. KHLX simulcast KFBK-AM-FM on a temporary basis as Clear Channel prepared to launch a new format at 92.5 FM. [16] [17]

Country: 2014-2018

On January 10, 2014 at 5 p.m., KHLX split from its simulcast with KFBK-FM and changed its format to country, known as "B92-5". The first song on B92-5 was "The Only Way I Know" by Jason Aldean. [18] Soon after, KHLX changed its callsign to KBEB to match its "B" branding. [17]

On December 30, 2016, KBEB rebranded as "92.5 The Bull"; the station otherwise made no changes. The Bull launched with 92.5 hours of music commercial-free. [19]

Adult contemporary: 2018-present

On November 8, 2018, iHeartMedia announced that KBEB would flip to soft adult contemporary as "92.5 The Breeze" on November 12. The "Bull" format moved to K296GB on the same date, and the signals were simulcast briefly as a means of transition between formats, akin to that of the KFBK simulcast five years prior. "The Breeze" launched on November 12 at 3 p.m. [20]

HD Radio

KBEB broadcasts a digital HD Radio signal featuring two subchannels:

Originally, starting in 2006, KGBY-HD2 broadcast an all-1980s music format. The following year, the station began airing the LGBT-targeted Pride Radio channel, using music from iHeartMedia's Premium Choice service. [21] Later, the subchannel switched to the Country Premium Choice service, airing that format until January 2014 when KHLX-HD2 flipped to a simulcast of news/talk-formatted KFBK-FM (93.1 FM).

In the Three Stooges' 1945 short feature Micro-Phonies , KGBY was the call sign for the fictional radio station featured.

Images

Related Research Articles

WWPW – branded as Power 96-1 – is a commercial contemporary hit radio station licensed to Atlanta, Georgia. Owned by iHeartMedia, the station serves the Atlanta metropolitan area and is the Atlanta affiliate for American Top 40. The WWPW studios are located in Atlanta's Underwood Hills district inside the Works ATL development, while the station transmitter resides in nearby North Druid Hills. Besides a standard analog transmission, WWPW broadcasts over three HD Radio channels, and is available online via iHeartRadio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KQQL</span> Radio station in Anoka–Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota

KQQL is a commercial radio station serving the Minneapolis-St. Paul radio market and is licensed to suburban Anoka. It plays classic hits and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. The studios and offices are on Utica Avenue South in St. Louis Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KIIS-FM</span> Contemporary hit radio station in Los Angeles

KIIS-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to Los Angeles, California, United States, and broadcasts to the Greater Los Angeles area. The station airs a Top 40 (CHR) format. Owned by iHeartMedia, KIIS-FM is the origin of the conglomerate's KISS-FM brand, and serves as the flagship station for the radio program On Air with Ryan Seacrest. KIIS-FM's studios are located in Burbank, while the station transmitter resides on Mount Wilson, north of Los Angeles.

KZFS is a commercial radio station in Spokane, Washington. It broadcasts a classic hip hop radio format and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. Its branding originates from its 250 watt FM translator K268DL at 101.5 MHz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WLIT-FM</span> Soft adult contemporary radio station in Chicago

WLIT-FM is a radio station in Chicago, Illinois. Owned by iHeartMedia, it broadcasts a soft adult contemporary format. Its studios are located at the Illinois Center complex in the Chicago Loop, while the station transmitter is on top of the Willis Tower.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KXSN</span> Adult contemporary radio station in San Diego

KXSN is a commercial radio station in San Diego, California, branded as Sunny 98.1. Owned by Audacy, Inc., the station airs a classic hits radio format. The studios and offices are located in San Diego's Stonecrest area, off Granite Ridge Drive, across the street from rival station KMYI. The transmitter is off La Jolla Scenic Drive South in La Jolla, amid towers for several other San Diego FM and TV stations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KFBK (AM)</span> Clear-channel news/talk radio station in Sacramento, California

KFBK is a commercial AM radio station in Sacramento, California. It is simulcast on KFBK-FM 93.1 MHz. KFBK-AM-FM air a news-talk radio format and are owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. The studios and offices are on River Park Drive in North Sacramento, near the Arden Fair Mall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KKGO</span> Country music radio station in Los Angeles

KKGO is a commercial radio station that is licensed to Los Angeles, California, United States and serves the Greater Los Angeles area. The station is owned by Mount Wilson FM Broadcasters and airs a country music format. The KKGO studios are located in Los Angeles' Westwood neighborhood, while the station transmitter resides on Mount Wilson. Besides a standard analog transmission, KKGO broadcasts over four HD Radio channels and is available online.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KZZO</span> Radio station in Sacramento, California

KZZO is a commercial FM radio station licensed to Sacramento, California. It broadcasts an Adult Top 40 radio format and is owned by Salt Lake City–based Bonneville International, a profit-making subsidiary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. KZZO's studios and offices are on Commerce Circle in Sacramento near the American River and the North Sacramento Freeway. KZZO is one of four stations operated by Bonneville in the Sacramento radio market, along with FM stations KNCI and KYMX plus AM station KHTK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KSWD (FM)</span> Soft adult contemporary music radio station in Seattle

KSWD is an FM radio station in Seattle, Washington. Owned by Audacy, Inc., it broadcasts a soft adult contemporary format. KSWD's studios are located on Fifth Avenue in Downtown Seattle; the station broadcasts from two transmitters located near Issaquah on Tiger Mountain, with its main transmitter operating at 73 kW effective radiated power (ERP) and its auxiliary transmitter operating at an ERP of 53 kW.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KNCI</span> Country music radio station in Sacramento, California

KNCI is a commercial radio station in Sacramento, California, United States. The station is owned by Salt Lake City–based Bonneville International. KNCI carries a country music format, alongside a classic country format known as The Ranch and a "Young Country" format known as "The Wolf" on HD Radio subchannels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KYMX</span> Radio station in Sacramento, California

KYMX is a commercial radio station that is licensed to Sacramento, California, United States. The station is owned by Salt Lake City–based Bonneville International and broadcasts an adult contemporary format. KYMX's transmitter is located in Natomas and its studios are in North Sacramento.

KLXB is a non-commercial radio station that is licensed to Bermuda Dunes, California and broadcasts to the Palm Springs radio market in the Coachella Valley. The station is owned by Educational Media Foundation and airs that company's contemporary Christian radio format known as "K-Love". KLXB is also heard on a translator station, K247CL (97.3 MHz) in Indio, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KRPT</span> Radio station in Devine–San Antonio, Texas

KRPT is a commercial radio station broadcasting a classic country format. Licensed to Devine, Texas, United States, the station serves the San Antonio area. The station is owned by iHeartMedia. The KRPT studios are located in the Stone Oak neighborhood in Far North San Antonio, and the transmitter site is in Pearsall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KFBK-FM</span> News/talk radio station in Pollock Pines–Sacramento, California

KFBK-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to Pollock Pines, California and serving the Sacramento metropolitan area. It simulcasts KFBK 1530 kHz. KFBK-AM-FM air a news-talk radio format and are owned by iHeartMedia. The studios and offices are on River Park Drive in North Sacramento, near the Arden Fair Mall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WKSI-FM</span> Radio station in Stephens City, Virginia

WKSI-FM is a Contemporary Hit Radio formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Stephens City, Virginia, serving the Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. WKSI-FM is owned and operated by iHeartMedia, Inc.

KSLY is a non-commercial radio station that is licensed to San Luis Obispo, California. Owned by Educational Media Foundation, the station carries a contemporary Christian music format from the nationally syndicated K-Love network as of October 16, 2016.

KERW is a non-commercial radio station that is licensed to Los Osos-Baywood Park, California and broadcasts to the San Luis Obispo, California area. The public radio station is owned by Santa Monica College and broadcasts an eclectic music format known as "Eclectic 24". The KERW transmitter is located off TV Towers Road on Cuesta Peak in Santa Margarita.

KOSO is a commercial radio station licensed to Patterson, California, and serving the Modesto metropolitan area. The station carries a country radio format and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. Its studios and offices are in Modesto. On weekdays, KOSO, known as "The Big Dog," carries the nationally syndicated Bobby Bones Show in morning drive time and CMT Nights with Cody Alan overnight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">W239BV</span> Radio station in Winchester, Virginia

W239BV is a Classic Country formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Winchester, Virginia and serves Frederick County, Virginia. W239BV simulcasts sister station WKSI-FM's HD2 feed. W239BV is owned and operated by iHeartMedia.

References

  1. Radio-Locator.com/KBEB
  2. "Directory of FM Broadcasting Stations of the United States" (PDF). Broadcasting/Telecasting 1948 Yearbook Number. Broadcasting Publications Inc. 1948. p. 288. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  3. "For the Record" (PDF). Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications Inc. January 20, 1958. p. 118. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  4. "Errata" (PDF). Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications Inc. November 20, 1978. p. 15. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  5. Broadcasting Yearbook 1981 page C-28, Broadcasting & Cable
  6. "For the Record" (PDF). Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications Inc. August 10, 1987. p. 71. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  7. "For the Record" (PDF). Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications Inc. October 5, 1987. p. 71. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  8. "Y92 pins hope on adult contemporary; KAER changes name to shed old image", The Sacramento Bee, February 26, 1991.
  9. "For the Record" (PDF). Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications Inc. March 18, 1991. p. 66. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  10. McCabe, Kevin (December 5, 2003). "Radio Gets In The Spirit" (PDF). Radio & Records. pp. 1, 24. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  11. "Dana Hess Exits KGBY". All Access. All Access Music Group. January 2, 2007. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  12. "B98fm :: best VARIETY of yesterday and today".
  13. Venta, Lance (December 28, 2007). "2007 Holiday Format Change Rundown". RadioInsight. RadioBB Networks. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  14. "Paul Robins Talks To RadioMatthew.com". RadioMatthew.com.
  15. "KFBK/Sacramento To Get FM Simulcast With Flip Of My925". All Access. All Access Music Group. November 30, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  16. "KHLX Joins KFBK Simulcast". All Access. All Access Music Group. December 26, 2013. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  17. 1 2 Venta, Lance (January 10, 2014). "B92.5 Launches In Sacramento Following KFBK-FM Move To 93.1". RadioInsight. RadioBB Networks.
  18. "B92.5 Sacramento Debuts". Format Change Archive. RadioBB Networks. 10 January 2014. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  19. Venta, Lance (December 30, 2016). "B92.5 Sacramento Relaunches as The Bull". RadioInsight. RadioBB Networks. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  20. Venta, Lance (2018-11-08). "iHeartMedia To Launch Soft AC 92.5 The Breeze Sacramento". RadioInsight. RadioBB Networks. Retrieved 2018-11-08.
  21. "My 92.5 Launching Pride Radio, Drops 1980s Music on HD".