KBUL (AM)

Last updated
KBUL
Broadcast area Billings Metropolitan Area
Frequency 970 kHz
BrandingNews Talk 103.3FM 970AM
Programming
Format News/talk
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
KCHH, KCTR-FM, KKBR, KMHK
History
First air date
March 20, 1951 (1951-03-20) (as KOOK)
Former call signs
  • KOOK (1951–1985)
  • KBIT (1985–1988)
  • KCTR (1988–1994)
  • KDWG (1994–1998)
Technical information [1]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 16772
Class B
Power 5,000 watts
Transmitter coordinates
 45°44′35″N108°32′36″W / 45.74306°N 108.54333°W / 45.74306; -108.54333
Translator(s) 103.3 K277DS (Billings)
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen Live
Website realnewsmontana.com

KBUL (970 kHz) is an American news/talk AM radio station that broadcasts in the Billings Metro Area of the U.S. state of Montana. The station carries a news/talk format. The station covers about 76 miles in all directions during the day, and has a large coverage area north and south of Billings at night. [2]

Contents

Former logo KCHH NewsTalk95.5 logo.png
Former logo

History

KBUL signed on the air in March of 1951 as KOOK-AM. Its transmitter was located about two miles southwest of the Billings City limits. The station's construction permit dates to February 1947. The studios were located at 28th street and 1st Avenue in Billings. The station was owned by Mattco Inc, and later The Montana Network. The station signed on with 5,000 watts using a directional pattern, which it continues to this day. [3] From 1985 to 1988, the station was known as KBIT. The station changed calls to KCTR from 1988 through 1994. From 1994 through 1998, the station was known as KDWG. [4] [5]

For much of its life, the station carried Top 40, and later, a Country music format. KBUL simulcast on sister station KCTR-FM until September 2001. On September 10, 2001, the station changed calls to KBUL, standing for "Bulletin" radio, with an all news format. KBUL simulcast sister station KCHH until August 2022. [6]

In the mid-2000s, the station carried MSU Billings Yellow Jacket Baseball games. [7]

On August 15, 2022, KBUL rebranded as "News Talk 103.3FM 970AM" and split from simulcasting with KCHH. [8]

Ownership

In October 2007, a deal was reached for KBUL to be acquired by GAP Broadcasting II LLC (Samuel Weller, president) from Clear Channel Communications as part of a 57 station deal with a total reported sale price of $74.78 million. [9] What eventually became GapWest Broadcasting was folded into Townsquare Media on August 13, 2010. [10]

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References

  1. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for KBUL". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ↑ "KBUL AM Billings, MT". FCCData.org.
  3. ↑ "KBUL History Cards" (PDF). Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  4. ↑ "KOOK Radio". Buttonmuseum.org.
  5. ↑ John C. Johnson. "KOOK Radio 970 Billings, Montana Station Photos from the John in Arizona Collection". johninarizona.com.
  6. ↑ "KHMT TV 4 in Billings Montana - MondoTimes.com". www.mondotimes.com. Retrieved 2021-02-09.
  7. ↑ "Montana State University-Billings Softball" (PDF). Montana State University Billings . 2003.
  8. ↑ "KBUL on the Move". Radioinsight.com. August 12, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Deals". Broadcasting & Cable. June 19, 2006.
  10. ↑ "Townsquare Media completes roll-up of GAP". Radio Business Report. August 13, 2010. Archived from the original on January 21, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2010.


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