KCBL

Last updated
KCBL
KCBL Fox Sports Radio 1340 logo.jpg
Broadcast area Metropolitan Fresno
Frequency 1340 kHz
BrandingFox Sports AM 1340
Programming
Format Sports
Network Fox Sports Radio
Affiliations Fresno State Bulldogs
Los Angeles Dodgers
Ownership
Owner
KALZ, KBOS-FM, KFBT, KFSO-FM, KHGE, KRDU, KRZR, KSOF
History
First air date
July 23, 1953;71 years ago (1953-07-23) (as KMAK)
Former call signs
KMAK (1953–1988)
KKAM (1988–1992)
KBOS (1992–1993)
KKTR (1993–1996) [1]
Call sign meaning
Former branding "The Ball"
Technical information [2]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 9749
Class C
Power 1,000 watts unlimited
Transmitter coordinates
 36°45′51″N119°47′08″W / 36.76417°N 119.78556°W / 36.76417; -119.78556
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen Live
Website foxsportsradio1340.iheart.com

KCBL (1340 AM) is a broadcast radio station in the United States. Licensed to Fresno, California, KCBL is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. and has a sports format. Most of its programming originates from Fox Sports Radio, and KCBL also broadcasts play-by-play coverage of the Fresno State Bulldogs and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Contents

Established in 1953 as KMAK, the station was locally owned for nearly four decades and had music formats in its early history, including top 40 for most of the 1960s and country from 1968 to 1986, before being a talk radio station from 1986 to 1996. The station has had its present call sign KCBL and sports format since December 16, 1996 and has been owned by iHeartMedia and predecessor companies since 1997.

History

As KMAK (1953–1988)

The station was first licensed on July 23, 1953, licensed to the McMahan Company (later McMahan Broadcasting Company) with call sign KMAK and 250 watts of power. [3]

In 1962, McMahan Broadcasting sold KMAK for $172,000 to Fresno Broadcasters Inc. [4] [5] KMAK became a top 40 station that year with personalities including Ron Jacobs and Robert W. Morgan, who would move on to Los Angeles station KHJ. [6] By 1968, due to losing to KYNO in audience share, KMAK changed from top 40 to country music. [7] [8] The McCarthy Broadcasting Company bought KMAK from Fresno Broadcasters in December 1971 for $800,000. [9]

McCarthy Broadcasting changed KMAK from country to news/talk in February 1986. [10] [11] Then in August 1986, McCarthy sold KMAK and KBOS-FM to Radio Fresno for a combined $6 million. [12] In contrast to KMJ's mostly local lineup, KMAK broadcast mostly national talk shows such as The Larry King Show and The Rush Limbaugh Show . [13]

As KKAM, KBOS, and KKTR (1988–1996)

On August 29, 1988, KMAK became KKAM, and the format changed to oldies on September 12. [14] [13] Although the station was profitable, station management made this change due to poor ratings. [13] The playlist was sourced from the Satellite Music Network and covered the 1950s to 1970s. [13] KKAM later changed to KBOS, the same letters as its FM sister station, on February 1, 1992. [14] After being placed into receivership, the two stations were purchased for a combined $1.4 million by CenCal Broadcasting in June 1992. [15] [16]

KBOS changed to its previous talk format in January 1993, with a focus on national programming such as The Larry King Show; weekends had mostly ESPN Radio programs. [17] The call signs changed to KKTR on March 1, 1993. [14] Nearly four decades of local ownership ended in 1995 when Atlanta-based Patterson Broadcasting bought KBOS and KKTR from CenCal Broadcasting for $6.25 million total. [18]

As KCBL (1996–present)

On December 16, 1996, after simulcasting KRZR-FM for a week, KKTR changed its call sign to the present KCBL and format to sports, with branding "The Ball" and programming mostly from the One on One Sports network (later The Sporting News Radio). [19] Beginning in 1997, KCBL became the Fresno affiliate for the Los Angeles Dodgers Radio Network. [20]

Capstar Broadcasting Partners bought KCBL and other Patterson Broadcasting stations in April 1997 for over $200 million. [21] Capstar merged with Chancellor Media in July 1999 to form AMFM Inc. [22]

In January 1999, KCBL added a simulcast in Visalia on KVBL. [23] KCBL/KVBL had an ownership changes later in 1999 when Clear Channel Communications bought AMFM Inc. in October. [24]

In August 2001, KCBL/KVBL signed with the USC Football Radio Network to broadcast USC Trojans football in Fresno/Visalia. [25] KCBL/KVBL did not return to the USC network after the 2001 season. [26]

Due to low ratings, specifically a 0.5 share in the first quarter of 2002, KCBL/KVBL switched its national network affiliation from Sporting News Radio to Fox Sports Radio in September 2002. [27] Another program change in 2002 was the addition of Sacramento Kings basketball; KCBL/KVBL remained with the Kings until the 2006–07 season. [28] [29]

In 2005, KCBL/KVBL rejoined the USC Trojans Radio Network. [30] Beginning in January 2006, KCBL's Visalia repeater changed call signs from KVBL to KEZL. [31] KCBL/KEZL then was part of the Oakland Raiders Radio Network from 2006 to 2009. [32] [33] After the 2006 season, KCBL/KEZL lost the USC rights to KFPT. [34]

KEZL became KRZR beginning October 2010. [14] The simulcast on AM 1400 in Visalia ended on January 1, 2013, when KRZR changed to a conservative talk format. [35]

In 2014, Clear Channel took on its current name iHeartMedia. [36]

In June 2021, KCBL became the new flagship station for the Fresno State Bulldogs, leading a network of iHeartMedia stations throughout Central California. [37]

Technical information

KCBL is a Class C AM station broadcasting with 1 kW non-directional signal. [38] Its studios are located in northern Fresno near State Route 41 and Shaw Avenue. [39]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KSEE</span> NBC affiliate in Fresno, California

KSEE is a television station in Fresno, California, United States, affiliated with NBC. It is owned by Nexstar Media Group alongside CBS affiliate KGPE. The two stations share studios on McKinley Avenue in eastern Fresno; KSEE's transmitter is located on Bear Mountain.

WKSF is a country music station licensed to Old Fort, North Carolina, serving the Asheville area. The station is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. and broadcasts from a tower on Mount Pisgah, southwest of Asheville.

KUVS-DT is a television station licensed to Modesto, California, United States, broadcasting the Spanish-language Univision network to the Sacramento area. It is owned and operated by TelevisaUnivision alongside Stockton-licensed UniMás outlet KTFK-DT. The two stations share studios on Arden Way near Cal Expo in Sacramento; KUVS-DT's transmitter is located near Valley Springs, California.

WKHL is a non-commercial FM radio station licensed to serve Palmyra, Pennsylvania. The station is owned by Educational Media Foundation and is an affiliate of K-LOVE, EMF's contemporary Christian music network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WNNK-FM</span> Radio station in Pennsylvania, United States

WNNK-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to serve Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Owned by Cumulus Media it carries a hot adult contemporary format. The station's studios are on Vartan Way in Harrisburg, with its transmitter atop Blue Mountain in East Pennsboro Township.

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

KFIG is a sports station in Fresno, California, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WGIR (AM)</span> Radio station in New Hampshire, United States

WGIR is a commercial AM radio station in Manchester, New Hampshire, with a news/talk radio format. The station is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. WGIR's studios and offices are on Foundry Street in Manchester. Much of the programming and news, but not the commercials, can be heard on co-owned WQSO 96.7 MHz in Rochester, serving the New Hampshire Seacoast.

KYNO is a radio station licensed to Fresno, California and is owned by John Ostlund and Katrina Ostlund. KYNO airs an oldies format, switching to Christmas music for much of December. KYNO's radio studios and offices are on Fulton Street in Fresno and its transmitter is off Avenue 384 in Monson, California.

KOAN is a commercial radio station in Anchorage, Alaska. It is owned by Iglesia Pentecostal Vispera del Fin. Its studios are located on Business Park Boulevard in Anchorage, and its transmitter is located in South Anchorage.

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

KALZ is a commercial radio station licensed to Fowler, California, and serving the Fresno metropolitan area. It airs a talk radio format and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. The studios and offices are located on Shaw Avenue in North Fresno. Programming is simulcast on sister station KRZR 1400 AM in Visalia.

WMEZ is a radio station in the Pensacola, Florida, market owned by Cumulus Media Inc. through licensee Cumulus Licensing LLC. It broadcasts a rhythmic CHR format using the name "Hot 94.1". Its studios are in Pensacola, and its transmitter is near Robertsdale, Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KISX</span> Radio station in Texas, United States

KISX is a Townsquare Media radio station licensed to Whitehouse, Texas, serving the Tyler/ Longview market with an urban adult contemporary format. Studios are located in south Tyler; transmitter site is located southeast of Tyler in Smith County.

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

KRZR is an American radio station broadcasting a talk radio format, simulcasting KALZ 96.7 FM Fowler, California. Licensed to Visalia, California, United States. The station is currently owned by iHeartMedia, Inc.

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

KWSX is a broadcast radio station in the United States. Licensed to Stockton, California, the station has a sports format and has been owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. and its predecessors since 1996. KWSX broadcasts the national Fox Sports Radio network for most of the week in addition to play-by-play coverage of local college and professional sports teams, including University of the Pacific men's basketball and Stockton Ports.

KLXY is an American non-commercial educational radio station licensed to serve the community of Woodlake in Tulare County, California. The station is owned and operated by the Educational Media Foundation, and is an affiliate of the Christian contemporary network K-Love.

KGST is a commercial AM radio station in Fresno, California, broadcasting an ethnic radio format. It is owned by Lotus Communications with studios on East Olive Avenue in Fresno. The station uses a brokered programming plan, with shows in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Armenian.

KBIF is a radio station broadcasting a World Ethnic format to the Fresno, California, United States, area. The station is currently owned by Cordell Overgaard, through licensee Overgaard Broadcasting LLC.

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

KOND is a commercial radio station that is licensed to Hanford, California, United States and serves the Fresno area. The station is owned by Latino Media Network; under a local marketing agreement, it was programmed by former owner TelevisaUnivision's Uforia Audio Network until 2024. KOND broadcasts a Regional Mexican format.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KMAK</span> Radio station in Orange Cove, California

KMAK is an American radio station licensed to serve the community of Orange Cove, California, United States. The station, established in 1990, is owned by founder Richard B. Smith and the broadcast license is held by KMAK-FM, LLC, a limited liability company wholly owned by Smith.

KFBT is a commercial radio station that is licensed to Hanford, California and serves the Visalia—Tulare—Hanford and Fresno areas. The station is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. and broadcasts a rhythmic adult contemporary format. The KFBT studios are located on Shaw Avenue in North Fresno, and the transmitter tower is south of Fresno near Caruthers.

References

  1. ↑ "KCBL Call Sign History". FCC Media Bureau CDBS Public Access Database. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for KCBL". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. ↑ "KCBL History Cards" (PDF). Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Changing hands" (PDF). Broadcasting. Vol. 62, no. 7. February 12, 1962. p. 68. Retrieved June 19, 2023– via World Radio History.
  5. ↑ 1965 Broadcasting Yearbook (PDF). Washington: Broadcasting Publications. p. B-15.
  6. ↑ Shannon, Bob (2009). Turn It Up! American Radio Tales 1946-1996. Bainbridge Island: Austrianmonk Publishing. p. 86. ISBN   978-1-61584-545-3.
  7. ↑ Sherling, Christopher H.; O'Dell, Cary; Keith, Michael C., eds. (2013). Biographical Dictionary of Radio. New York: Routledge. p. 46. ISBN   978-0-415-99549-8.
  8. ↑ Briggs, Eddie (April 13, 1968). "Tubb Returns to Triumph" (PDF). Record World. Vol. 22, no. 1088. p. 46. Retrieved June 19, 2023– via World Radio History.
  9. ↑ "Changing Hands" (PDF). Broadcasting. Vol. 82, no. 1. January 3, 1972. p. 26. Retrieved June 19, 2023– via World Radio History.
  10. ↑ "Fresno" (PDF). American Radio. Vol. 9, no. 1. Spring 1986. p. 128. Retrieved June 19, 2023– via World Radio History.
  11. ↑ "Valley Radio Stations" . February 6, 1986. p. E6. Retrieved June 19, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "Changing Hands" (PDF). Broadcasting. Vol. 111, no. 8. August 25, 1986. p. 102. Retrieved June 19, 2023– via World Radio History.
  13. 1 2 3 4 Larson, Lanny (September 15, 1988). "KMAK (now KKAM) talk shows replaced by plenty of music" . The Fresno Bee. p. D4. Retrieved July 21, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "KCBL". FCC Data. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  15. ↑ Coyle, Wanda (June 20, 1992). "Pair seeks OK to buy radio stations" . The Fresno Bee. p. A9. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Transactions" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 947. June 26, 1992. p. 8 – via World Radio History.
  17. ↑ Larson, Lanny (January 8, 1993). "KBOS readies for switch to news-talk today". The Fresno Bee. p. G12. Retrieved July 22, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  18. ↑ "Changing hands" (PDF). Broadcasting. Vol. 125, no. 38. September 18, 1995. p. 35. Retrieved June 20, 2023– via World Radio History.
  19. ↑ Larson, Lanny (December 16, 1996). "KCBL will get on "The Ball" with all-sports format" . The Fresno Bee. Retrieved June 18, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  20. ↑ "1997 Major League Baseball: A Closer Look" . The Fresno Bee. March 29, 1997. p. D6. Retrieved June 18, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ "Cash-Rich Capstar Continues Capitlization" (PDF). Radio and Records. April 25, 1997. p. 6. Retrieved June 20, 2023– via World Radio History.
  22. ↑ Rathbun, Elizabeth A. (July 19, 1999). "Chancellor makes change to AMFM" (PDF). Broadcasting & Cable. Vol. 129, no. 30. p. 77. Retrieved June 20, 2023– via World Radio History.
  23. ↑ "Format Changes & Updates" (PDF). The M Street Journal. January 1999. Retrieved July 23, 2023– via World Radio History.
  24. ↑ Seyler, Dave (October 18, 1999). "Clearance Channel? Mays releases divestiture digest" (PDF). Radio Business Report. p. 12. Retrieved June 20, 2023– via World Radio History.
  25. ↑ "Stations Announced For USC Football Radio Network". University of Southern California. August 22, 2001. Archived from the original on January 8, 2002. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  26. ↑ "USC Football To Air On KMPC Radio, Five Other Local Stations, Plus In Spanish". University of Southern California. August 28, 2002. Archived from the original on September 3, 2002. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  27. ↑ Bentley, Rick (September 19, 2002). "Radio stations drop Papa Joe and sports network". The Fresno Bee. p. E3. Archived from the original on November 27, 2002.
  28. ↑ "Sacramento Kings TV & Radio Networks". Sacramento Kings. Archived from the original on February 15, 2003. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Sacramento Kings TV & Radio Networks". Sacramento Kings. Archived from the original on October 10, 2009. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  30. ↑ "KMPC 1540". University of Southern California. August 24, 2005. Archived from the original on December 18, 2005. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  31. ↑ "KRZR". FCC Data. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  32. ↑ "Radio Network". Oakland Raiders. Archived from the original on September 27, 2006. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  33. ↑ "Raiders Radio Network". Oakland Raiders. Archived from the original on September 23, 2009. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  34. ↑ "No. 1 USC football opens 2007 season at home against former foe Idaho" (PDF). University of Southern California. August 27, 2007. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  35. ↑ Bentley, Rick (December 16, 2012). "Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck are back in Valley". The Fresno Bee. Archived from the original on December 19, 2012. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  36. ↑ Sisario, Ben (September 17, 2014). "Clear Channel Renames Itself iHeartMedia in Nod to Digital" . The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  37. ↑ Trembley, Stephen (June 24, 2021). "iHeartMedia to become the new official broadcast home of Fresno State Athletics". Fresno State Athletics. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  38. ↑ "KCBL-AM". Radio Locator. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  39. ↑ "Contact". Fox Sports AM 1340 (KCBL). Retrieved March 25, 2024.


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.