KDFD

Last updated
KDFD
KDFD Freedom 93.7 logo.png
Broadcast area Denver-Boulder metropolitan area
Frequency 760 kHz
BrandingFreedom 93.7
Programming
Format Conservative talk
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
KBCO, KHOW, KBPI, KDHT, KOA, KRFX, KTCL, KWBL
History
First air date
June 15, 1987
(36 years ago) (1987-06-15)
Former call signs
  • KJIM (1987–1990)
  • KRZN (1990–1993)
  • KTLK (1993–2002)
  • KKZN (2002–2015)
  • KDSP (2015–2019)
Call sign meaning
"Denver Freedom"
Technical information [1]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 29740
Class B
Power
  • 50,000 watts (day)
  • 1,000 watts (night)
Transmitter coordinates
 40°0′33″N104°56′21″W / 40.00917°N 104.93917°W / 40.00917; -104.93917
Translator(s) 93.7 K229BS (Lakewood)
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen live (via iHeartRadio)
Website freedom937.iheart.com

KDFD (760 AM) is a commercial radio station licensed to Thornton, Colorado, and serving the Denver-Boulder metropolitan area. Owned by iHeartMedia, it broadcasts a conservative talk radio format. Its studios and offices are in Southeast Denver, while the transmitter site is off Colorado Boulevard (County Road 13) in Brighton. Weekdays begin with This Morning, America's First News with Gordon Deal followed by Glenn Beck, Clay Travis & Buck Sexton, Sean Hannity, Jesse Kelly, Dave Ramsey and Coast to Coast AM with George Noory. Most hours begin with Fox News Radio.

Contents

By day, KDFD transmits 50,000 watts, the maximum power permitted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), but the nighttime power is reduced to 1,000 watts and KDFD uses a directional antenna to protect the dominant Class A station on 760 AM, WJR in Detroit. Clear-channel stations are protected within a 750–mile radius of the transmitter site. The station is also simulcast on FM translator K229BS at 93.7 MHz in Lakewood, from which the station derives its current branding.

History

Early history

The station went on the air as KJIM on June 15, 1987. It had a power of 5,000 watts during daytime hours and reduced power of 1,000 watts at night. On January 2, 1990, the station changed its call sign to KRZN, and on December 13, 1993, to KTLK. On January 7, 2002, the station's call sign was changed to KKZN. [2]

The station initially began broadcasting with a Christian talk and teaching format. It was owned by Sudbrink Broadcasting. The station also played Contemporary Christian Music with a Top 40/AOR style. Though the studio was new and built to host talk shows, very little took place there. In November 1987, Jann Scott of Boulder started broadcasting Addiction Free Radio on weekends. In the Spring of 1988, Scott became English talk program director. Scott launched Jann Scott Live, Race Day Radio Magazine and gave people such as Claudia Lamb and Bill Hammel their start in radio. The station programmed Mexican music in the Mornings and evenings up until 1990. Jann Scott is one of the few hosts on the station to win 2 Westword's Best Talk show Host awards: 1988 for Addiction Free Radio and 1989 for Race Day Radio Magazine. He also won Rocky Mountain News Top 10 Ten Colorado Broadcaster award. In 1990 KJIM and KRZN swapped frequencies with KRZN taking its Olides format and calls to AM 760. After a time, KRZN flipped to Adult Standards. In 1993, Jacor Communications (then owners of KOA and KRFX) acquired KRZN and changed its call letters to KTLK (which was previously used on AM 1280 in Denver, broadcasting a Top 40 format during the 1970's) and flipping to a Talk Radio format with long time Denver radio talker Peter Boyles handing morning drive (Boyles previous did an evening shift on KHOW in the early 1980's). Boyles would stay on KTLK until Jacor acquired crosstown KHOW and Boyles having his talk show moved to that respected frequency. Boyles would remain on KHOW until his departure from the station in 2013.

In 2002, the station switched to all-sports as "760 The Zone," from which the KKZN call sign is derived. After that, the station switched to progressive talk as the Denver affiliate of the Air America radio network in August 2004.

Colorado's Progressive Talk

During its previous progressive talk format, the most popular local talk host on KKZN was David Sirota, also a newspaper columnist. In March 2009, Sirota took over the morning time slot of The Jay Marvin Show, hosted by local talk show host Jay Marvin, when Marvin was forced off the air due to ill health. Sirota moved to Clear Channel Communications sister station KHOW in 2012, co-hosting an afternoon show with Michael Brown until Sirota's departure in January 2013. [3]

Besides broadcasting progressive talk shows, KKZN also ran what it called a Blue List. This list included companies that supported progressive causes and interests. The station also sponsored progressive events throughout the Colorado Front Range, such as events for the ACLU and other progressive organizations.

On January 21, 2010, Air America filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, and ceased live programming the same night. Reruns of Air America's programming continued to air until Monday January 25, 2010 at 7 pm Mountain Time.

Real Talk 760

On May 7, 2014, Denver Post television critic Joan Ostrow reported that Gloria Neal, who anchors the 6 pm newscast on KCNC-TV along with hosting KKZN's morning show, had been released from her contract, and mentioned on Facebook that the entire staff had been let go, suggesting an oncoming format change. [4] [5]

On May 19, 2014, KKZN shifted their format to lifestyle/advice talk, branded as "Real Talk 760" with all syndicated personalities, including Dave Ramsey, Jim Bohannon, Clark Howard, Dr. Joy Browne, and Tom Martino, along with a late night radio replay of TMZ Live. Weekends, besides Leo Laporte's The Tech Guy , consisted of brokered programming.

Sports radio

On December 10, 2015, KKZN changed its call letters to KDSP, and flipped to sports talk as Denver Sports 760 on January 4, 2016, affiliating with Fox Sports Radio. (KEPN and KKFN were the Fox Sports outlets in Denver but they became the local ESPN Radio network affiliates on the same day.) [6] [7] [8]

On July 27, 2017, KDSP rebranded as Orange and Blue 760, narrowing its content to focus almost-exclusively on the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (whose games are carried by sister station KOA). It carried shows discussing the team, and live coverage of all team press conferences. Former Broncos player Tyler Polumbus also joined the station as a new morning co-host. [9] In addition, KDSP also carried coverage of University of Colorado college basketball, and NBC Sports Radio programming.

Freedom 93.7

On June 25, 2019, KDSP changed its call letters to KDFD. On July 8, 2019, KDFD began stunting with songs relating to patriotism or containing the word "Freedom", interspersed with sweepers stating that "Freedom" was "coming soon". It also began simulcasting on FM translator 93.7 K229BS in Lakewood, which was bought from KCKK owners Hunt Broadcasting for $1.8 million. [10] [11]

On July 15, 2019, KDFD launched a new conservative talk format branded as Freedom 93.7. The station's lineup consists entirely of syndicated programs, primarily from co-owned Premiere Networks. Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity were moved from sister station KHOW, and Rush Limbaugh was moved from KOA. KHOW and KOA continued to air these three programs for a period until they were replaced by local programs. [12] It was reported that iHeartMedia's hiring of former Broncos player and KKFN host Alfred Williams to host a new show on KOA (which officially premiered September 3) [13] was a main impetus for the flip. [14] [15] [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KOA (AM)</span> Clear-channel news/talk radio station in Denver

KOA is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Denver, Colorado. Owned by iHeartMedia, it serves the Denver-Boulder media market. KOA broadcasts a news/talk radio format, and is also the flagship station of the Denver Broncos, Colorado Rockies and Colorado Buffaloes. KOA has its radio studios in Southeast Denver, while the transmitter site is off South Parker Road in Parker.

KCNC-TV, branded CBS Colorado, is a television station in Denver, Colorado, United States, serving as the market's CBS outlet. It is owned and operated by the network's CBS News and Stations division, and maintains studios on Lincoln Street in downtown Denver; its transmitter is based on Lookout Mountain, near Golden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KBPI</span> Active rock radio station in Fort Collins, Colorado, United States

KBPI is a commercial radio station licensed to Fort Collins, Colorado. It is owned by iHeartMedia and it broadcasts an active rock radio format.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KTLK</span> News/talk radio station in the Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area

KTLK – branded News/Talk AM 1130 – is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota. It broadcasts a Conservative talk radio radio format to the Twin Cities radio market and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. The radio studios are on Utica Avenue South in St. Louis Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KFXN-FM</span> Sports radio station in the Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area

KFXN-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, broadcasting a sports talk format. The station is owned by iHeartMedia, and serves the Twin Cities market. KFXN-FM's transmitter is located in the suburb of Shoreview on KMSP-TV's tower. Its effective radiated power is 100,000 watts. The station's main studios are in St. Louis Park.

Marvin Jay Cohen, better known by his broadcast name of Jay Marvin was a retired American liberal radio talk show host and writer. Former WLS-AM & FM talk show host Jay Marvin has died. That's according to his wife Mary. Posted on FACEBOOK Chicago's WLS Radio History Marvin began his radio career in 1971 as a country music DJ at KWMC in Del Rio, Texas. After that, he worked at various stations including WWOD Lynchburg, Virginia, K102 FM El Paso, Texas, WHBQ in Memphis, WJEZ and WJJD Chicago, Illinois, and KKAT Salt Lake City, Utah, and Top 40 station KIXZ in Amarillo, Texas. He switched to talk radio in the late 1980s starting at WTKN St. Petersburg, Florida and then moved to WFLA in Tampa. From there, he moved to WTMJ Milwaukee, Wisconsin, WLS Chicago (twice), and KHOW and KKZN in Denver, Colorado. He has also guest hosted nationally for Ed Schultz, Jerry Springer, and Alan Colmes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KEIB</span> Radio station in Los Angeles, California

KEIB is a commercial radio station in Los Angeles, California. Owned by iHeartMedia, the station brands itself as The Patriot, and broadcasts a conservative talk radio format. The station's studios are on West Olive Avenue in Burbank.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KRFX</span> Radio station in Denver, Colorado

KRFX is a commercial radio station in Denver, Colorado, serving the Denver metropolitan area. It is owned by iHeartMedia, and airs a classic rock radio format. The KRFX studios and offices are located on South Monaco Street in the Denver Tech Center. The station transmitter is atop Lookout Mountain, near Golden, more than 7,000 feet above sea level and 1,135 feet in height above average terrain. Its effective radiated power is 100,000 watts.

Alfred Hamilton Williams is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker and defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for the Cincinnati Bengals, San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos. His nicknames include "Big Al", "Hot Plate", and "the Condor".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KDHT (FM)</span> Contemporary hit radio station in Denver

KDHT is a commercial FM radio station in Denver, Colorado. KDHT broadcasts a top 40 format branded as "Hits 95.7", and is owned by iHeartMedia. The station has studios and offices on South Monaco Street in the Denver Tech Center, while the transmitter site is atop Lookout Mountain in Golden.

KHOW is a commercial radio station licensed to Denver, Colorado, and serving the Denver metropolitan area. The station is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. KHOW is one of three iHeart-owned stations in Denver with a news/talk radio format. Co-owned KOA has mostly local shows, KDFD carries nationally syndicated programs, while KHOW airs a mix of local and syndicated hosts. Studios and offices are on South Monaco Street in Denver.

Peter Boyles is a radio talk show personality. He had a long-running morning drive-time show in Denver, Colorado on 630 KHOW, until May 2013. Boyles began his radio career as a traffic reporter in the early 1970s, later becoming a disk jockey. He has worked at Denver radio stations KNUS KAAT, KLAK, KWBZ, KYBG, and KOA. He retired in April 2022 from his morning program on AM 710 KNUS but returned to the station in September 2022 as host of a three-hour Saturday morning program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KVOQ (FM)</span> Radio station in Greenwood Village–Denver, Colorado

KVOQ is a public radio station licensed to Greenwood Village, Colorado, and serving the Denver metropolitan area. KVOQ broadcasts an Album Adult Alternative (AAA) radio format known as "Indie 102.3" under the ownership of Colorado Public Radio. It is listener supported and airs no commercials. On-air fundraisers are conducted several times each year.

KPLS is an AM radio station licensed to Littleton, Colorado, and serving the Denver metropolitan area. KPLS is owned by Radio 74 Internationale. In May 2020, the station transitioned to airing a Christian format following a transfer of ownership.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Logan (American football)</span> American football player (born 1954)

David Russell Logan is an American radio personality, high school football coach and former professional player. Logan played as a wide receiver for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL) from 1976 to 1984, primarily for the Cleveland Browns. He has been the voice of Denver Broncos football for 23 years, serving as the team's color analyst for six seasons prior to sliding into the play-by-play role. He has been a major voice on 850 KOA radio in Denver for nearly 30 years, and in 2016 was the key on-air figure when iHeartMedia launched the radio station Denver Sports 760.

Reggie Rivers is a professional broadcaster and motivational speaker and former professional football player.

The year 1984 in radio involved some significant events.

KNRV is a commercial AM radio station broadcasting a Spanish-language talk radio format. Licensed to Englewood, Colorado, KNRV serves the Denver metropolitan area, but with a quality radio, it has quality reception from Colorado Springs to Fort Collins. The station is currently owned by Amigo Multimedia Inc. Programming is also heard on an FM translator station, 96.1 K241CP, in Englewood.

This article is a list of the current Denver Broncos broadcasters. As of the start of the 2015 NFL season, the Broncos' flagship radio station is KOA 850 AM, a 50,000-watt station in Denver, Colorado owned by iHeartMedia. Dave Logan is the play-by-play announcer; he starred for the Colorado Buffaloes before beginning his NFL career, spent mostly with the Cleveland Browns. Rick Lewis is the color commentator. Preseason games not selected for airing on national television were briefly on KCNC, channel 4, which is a CBS owned-and-operated station, as well as other CBS affiliates around the Rocky Mountain region, from 2004 through 2010. The games had for years previously been on KUSA, channel 9, an NBC affiliate, and in 2011, the team returned to KUSA, which has higher news ratings.

WSMM is a commercial radio station licensed to Maryville, Tennessee, and serving the Knoxville metropolitan area. It is owned by Loud Media.

References

  1. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for KDFD". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ↑ "KDFD Call Sign History". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  3. ↑ Ferner, Matt (January 7, 2013). "Popular Progressive Denver Talk Radio Host Leaves The Airwaves". Huffington Post.
  4. ↑ Ostrow, Joanne (6 May 2014). "Gloria Neal out at AM 760, amid format change". Denver Post . Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  5. ↑ "KKZN Denver to Become Real Talk 760". RadioInsight. May 15, 2014. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Denver Gets A New Sports Station On January 4 On KDSP" from All Access (December 21, 2015)
  7. ↑ "ESPN to affiliate with 104.3 The Fan on 1600 AM; KUNC buys 105.5 FM" from The Denver Post (December 7, 2015)
  8. ↑ "Denver Sports 760 to Launch January 4".
  9. ↑ "KDSP Denver Becomes All-Broncos Orange & Blue Radio". RadioInsight. 2017-07-27. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
  10. ↑ "93.7 The Rock And Orange & Blue 760 Denver Stunting Their Way To Freedom". RadioInsight. 2019-07-08. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
  11. ↑ "KDSP/Denver Drops Sports For News-Talk As KDFD, 'Freedom 93.7'". All Access. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
  12. ↑ "iHeart Launches Freedom 93.7 Denver". RadioInsight. 2019-07-15. Retrieved 2019-07-15.
  13. ↑ "KOA Completes Schedule Revamp With Long Awaited Addition Of Alfred Williams". RadioInsight. 2019-08-28. Retrieved 2019-11-05.
  14. ↑ Roberts, Michael (2019-07-09). "Broncos Radio to Be Replaced by Rush Limbaugh, "Freedom" Talk". Westword. Retrieved 2019-07-15.
  15. ↑ "Orange and Blue radio gives way to expanded Broncos coverage on KOA". KUSA. 8 July 2019. Retrieved 2019-07-15.
  16. ↑ "Big Al leaves The Fan, headed for KOA". KUSA. 28 February 2019. Retrieved 2019-07-15.
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.