KBOW

Last updated

KBOW
KBOW and KOPR's studios in Butte
Frequency 550 kHz
BrandingKBOW 550AM 101.5FM
Programming
Format Country
Affiliations CBS News Radio
Ownership
OwnerButte Broadcasting, Inc.
KGLM-FM, KOPR
History
First air date
February 14, 1947 (1947-02-14)
Technical information [1]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 7911
Class B
Power
  • 5,000 watts (day)
  • 1,000 watts (night)
Transmitter coordinates
 45°58′12.7″N112°34′53.1″W / 45.970194°N 112.581417°W / 45.970194; -112.581417
Translator 101.5 K268CI (Butte)
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen Live
Website www.kbow550.net

KBOW (550 AM) is a radio station licensed to serve Butte, Montana. The station is owned by Butte Broadcasting, Inc. It airs a country music format. [2] [3]

Contents

The main offices and studios of Butte Broadcasting are at 660 Dewey in Butte. The KBOW transmitter site is southwest of town on Beef Trail Road.

History

KBOW officially began broadcasting on February 14, 1947, originally operating on the frequency of 1490 kHz. [4] In 1962, the station was purchased by Richard "Shag" Miller, a prominent local figure who spent the next 32 years building the station's reputation as a community hub. [5] Miller acquired the assets of KOPR-AM in 1964, leading to the station's move to its current frequency of 550 kHz. [6] [7] [8]

Under Miller's leadership, KBOW famously scooped national and international media in 1974 by securing the exclusive live broadcast of Evel Knievel’s attempt to jump the Snake River Canyon. The station is also responsible for the "I'm from Butte, America" branding; after Miller ordered an initial run of 5,000 bumper stickers with the slogan, the demand was so overwhelming that it became a permanent symbol of the city's identity. [9]

In 1994, the station was purchased by Ron and Shelly Davis under Butte Broadcasting Inc., continuing its tradition of local ownership. Ron Davis had previously served as the station's program director and assistant general manager before becoming the owner. [10]

References

  1. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for KBOW". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ↑ "Winter 2008 Station Information Profile". Arbitron.
  3. ↑ "Call Sign History". FCC Media Bureau CDBS Public Access Database.
  4. ↑ "ABOUT US - KBOW". KBOW. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  5. ↑ Miller, Shag (December 10, 2009). "Shag Miller Obituary (2009)". Legacy. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Hall Of Fame". Montana Broadcasters Association. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  7. ↑ "First broadcast KBOW 1490 on your dial". The Butte Daily Post. Butte, Montana. February 12, 1947. p. 5. Retrieved April 23, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ Leffingwell, Robert Down (1983). "KBOW". Causes and Indicators of Commercial AM Radio Station Failure: 1962-1976 (Dissertation). The Ohio State University. p. 436. ProQuest   303192463.
  9. ↑ Miller, Shag (December 10, 2009). "Shag Miller Obituary (2009)". Legacy. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Ron Davis - Greater Montana Foundation". Greater Montana Foundation. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
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