KGVO (AM)

Last updated

KGVO
Broadcast area Missoula, Montana
Frequency 1290 kHz
Branding98.3 and 1290 KGVO
Programming
Format News/talk
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
KBAZ, KGGL, KGRZ, KMPT, KYSS-FM, KZOQ-FM
History
First air date
March 17, 1931 (1931-03-17) [1]
Former frequencies
  • 1420 kHz (1931–1932)
  • 1200 kHz (1932–1936)
  • 1260 kHz (1936–1941)
Call sign meaning
"Key to Golden Values and Opportunities"
Technical information [2]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID 71751
Class B
Power 5,000 watts
Transmitter coordinates
46°49′47″N114°04′45″W / 46.82972°N 114.07917°W / 46.82972; -114.07917
Translator 98.3 K252FP (Missoula)
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen live
Website newstalkkgvo.com

KGVO (1290 kHz) is an AM radio station licensed to serve Missoula, Montana. The station is owned by Townsquare Media. It airs a news/talk format. [3]

Contents

History

The station was founded by Arthur James Mosby, an electrician and local pioneer who constructed the station's first transmitter using a diagram and parts list sourced from an amateur radio magazine. [4] KGVO officially began broadcasting on January 18, 1931, becoming the first radio station in Missoula and only the second in the state of Montana. [5] Its original call letters stood for "Great Valley of Ours," reflecting the station's focus on serving the Bitterroot and Missoula valleys. [6] In 1935, Mosby successfully petitioned the CBS Radio Network to accept KGVO as an affiliate, bringing national news and entertainment to Western Montana. The station originally operated at 1420 kHz with just 100 watts of power before the Federal Radio Commission authorized a move to 1200 kHz and granted unlimited hours of operation in May 1932. By 1954, the success of the radio station allowed Mosby to launch Missoula's first television station, KGVO-TV (now KECI-TV), which initially shared studios with the radio operation. [7] [8]

KGVO is currently owned by Townsquare Media and serves as the flagship for a robust news-talk format that dominates the local ratings. [9] The station’s programming lineup features heavy hitters in conservative talk, including The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Show and The Dave Ramsey Show. [10] Additionally, KGVO is a link for regional sports, as the long-time primary affiliate for the Montana Grizzlies football and basketball radio networks. [11]

Until 2017, KGVO simulcast on KGVO-FM at 101.5 FM, which was used to fill in the gaps when the AM station adjusted its coverage at night. However, on February 2, 2017, KGVO-FM broke off to air an alternative rock format as KAMM-FM. KGVO then began simulcasting on a low-powered translator at 98.3 FM, and Hamilton's KLYQ began simulcasting KGVO. [12]

Ownership

In October 2007, a deal was reached for KGVO 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. [13] What eventually became GapWest Broadcasting was folded into Townsquare Media on August 13, 2010. [14]

References

  1. A Chronology of AM Radio 1900-1960
  2. "Facility Technical Data for KGVO". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. "Winter 2008 Station Information Profile". Arbitron.
  4. "Art Mosby - Montana Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame". Montana Broadcasters Association. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  5. "Aline Mosby Oral History - Session 1". Washington Press Club Foundation. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  6. "McKay Photographs: KGVO Radio Station". Archives West. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  7. "KGVO Radio Center History". Montana History Portal. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  8. "Gets Full Time" (PDF). Broadcasting. May 15, 1932. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  9. Venta, Lance (June 22, 2022). "Townsquare's Cherry Creek Purchase Closes". Radio Ink. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  10. "On Air Schedule - Newstalk KGVO". Newstalk KGVO. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  11. "Where To Watch: Griz Football Radio Network". University of Montana Athletics. August 21, 2015. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  12. "KGVO-FM to Drop Talk Simulcast, Flip to Alternative". Radio Insight. Archived from the original on February 21, 2017.
  13. "Deals". Broadcasting & Cable. June 19, 2006.
  14. "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.