KGWD

Last updated • 5 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia

KGWD
Broadcast areaMetro Sioux Falls
Frequency 94.5 MHz
Programming
Format Catholic talk and teaching
NetworkReal Presence Radio
Ownership
Owner Real Presence Radio
History
First air date
September 6, 1971 (1971-09-06)
Former call signs
  • KCFS (1971–2015)
  • KBAD-FM (2015–2018)
Former frequencies
  • 90.1 MHz (1971–1988)
  • 100.1 MHz (1988–1993)
Technical information [1]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 60487
Class C3
ERP 25,000 watts
HAAT 87.9 m (288 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
 43°38′29.6″N96°36′46.7″W / 43.641556°N 96.612972°W / 43.641556; -96.612972
Translator(s) 90.1 MHz K211GF (Brookings)
Links
Public license information
Website realpresenceradio.com

KGWD (94.5 MHz FM) is a radio station in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States. KGWD is owned and operated by Real Presence Radio, a Catholic radio network based in Fargo, North Dakota.

Contents

The license originally belonged to Sioux Falls College (renamed University of Sioux Falls in 1995), which started KCFS, a 10-watt noncommercial radio station, in 1971. It offered educational programming and eventually became a student-run music station. The station was bumped to other frequencies twice by more powerful stations, strengthening to 155 and later 2,900 watts. The University of Sioux Falls sold the license in 2015 to Chuck Brennan, owner of a Sioux Falls pawn shop and payday lender, who upgraded the transmitter facility and operated it as commercial station KBAD-FM. Due to legal troubles stemming from a ban on short-term payday lending in South Dakota, Brennan shut down KBAD-FM in 2017 and sold the facility to Real Presence Radio, which integrated it into its multi-state Catholic radio network.

History

KCFS

Sioux Falls College had considered opening a radio station as early as 1962 and opted to include it in the construction of the Reuben P. Jeschke Fine Arts Center. [2] After applying in May 1970, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authorized the construction permit for KCFS on 90.1 MHz on August 17. [3] KCFS [a] made its first program tests at the start of July 1971 [2] with regular broadcasting following on September 6. [5] It initially operated for thirteen hours a day, five days a week, [5] featuring mostly music as well as educational programming and features. [2] The speech and drama department managed the station, and students in those programs and two radio courses staffed it. [6]

In 1978, the station began broadcasting mostly Christian rock music, though it continued to break from the format for classical music on Sundays and specialty music programming. [7] The station broadcast with an effective radiated power of 10 watts before upgrading to either 148 [3] or 155 watts on November 29, 1981. [8] It continued to broadcast Christian and other kinds of rock music through the 1980s and 1990s. [9] [10]

Sioux Falls College was involved in bringing public radio to South Dakota with the launch of KCSD on July 1, 1985. The college provided interim studio facilities. [11] The arrival of KCSD forced KCFS to move to 100.1 MHz in 1988. In 1992, KCFS was ordered to move to accommodate the new KIKN-FM of Salem; [12] by February 1993, it had relocated to 94.5 MHz. [10] The institution renamed itself the University of Sioux Falls on January 23, 1995. [13]

In its later years, KCFS added hip-hop music programming, catering to a larger local scene. In 2008, it increased power and extended its coverage area. [14] [15]

Badlands Airtime ownership

The University of Sioux Falls sold the license of KCFS to Badlands Airtime, LLC—a company owned by Chuck Brennan—in May 2015 for $1.5 million, contingent on changing the station's license to commercial status and upgrading the technical facility. The university, which sold the station to raise funds for its endowment, retained the rights to the KCFS call sign and kept the radio station as an internet-only outlet. [16] Badlands had already agreed to buy KZOY (1520 AM) and announced its intention to relaunch the station as the "Guns, Gold & Rock 'n' Roll Radio Network" in November. [17] After agreeing to buy KCFS, he defaulted on the deal to buy KZOY, ultimately resulting in a $750,000 court judgment against him. [18] The upgrade changed the station to a Class C3 outlet with an effective radiated power of 25,000 watts. [19]

The new format—featuring live DJs 24 hours a day—and new KBAD-FM call letters debuted on November 26, 2015. The station's studios were inside Badlands Pawn, a tourist attraction that opened the same day in downtown Sioux Falls; singer Ron Keel was among the station's on-air presenters. [20] It posted respectable ratings of 6.9—good for third place—and 5.9 in the first two Nielsen Audio ratings surveys after its launch in spring 2016 and 2017, competing with Townsquare Media–owned classic rock station KYBB. [21] The ratings surveys were the first conducted in Sioux Falls in years, as Brennan and Midwest Communications both subscribed to Nielsen. [22]

Brennan's plans to operate KBAD-FM in conjunction with the pawn shop soon hit a series of major snags, beginning when South Dakota voters banned payday lending in a ballot referendum in November 2016. Brennan's primary business—Dollar Loan Center with offices in Sioux Falls and Rapid City—temporarily closed, and he began unwinding many of his assets, including putting the Badlands Motor Speedway on the market and shutting down Badlands Pawn. During this time, KBAD continued broadcasting, and the Dollar Loan Centers reopened in July 2017 with hopes that their business model would be considered legal by the state. That September, the South Dakota Division of Banking revoked the licenses of Brennan's Dollar Loan Center, forcing it to cease operations in the state. On September 23, Brennan shut down his remaining South Dakota business ventures, including KBAD-FM, which was taken silent and immediately went on the market for $945,000. [21] [23]

Real Presence Radio

Effective June 21, 2018, Badlands Airtime, LLC, sold the KBAD-FM license and transmitter facility, but not the studios, to Real Presence Radio—a Catholic radio network based in Fargo, North Dakota—for $945,000. [24] The new owners changed the station's call sign to KGWD on July 3, 2018. The sale to Real Presence became relevant in the dispute with the owners of KZOY, the Small family. In 2019, the Smalls sued Brennan in federal court, alleging that while $300,000 of the judgment had been paid, they had not received $450,000 in attorneys' fees. They also claimed that Brennan asked Real Presence Radio to expedite payments of the KBAD-FM purchase price to hinder recovery of the previously awarded judgment. [25]

KGWD airs the Real Presence Radio schedule with an opt-out to air Catholic Views on mornings six days a week. [26]

Notes

  1. ↑ The call letters have been conjectured to be "SFC" backwards or possibly the college motto of "Culture for Service". [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KELO-TV</span> TV station in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

KELO-TV is a television station in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States, affiliated with CBS, MyNetworkTV, and The CW Plus. The station is owned by Nexstar Media Group, and maintains studios on Phillips Avenue in downtown Sioux Falls; its transmitter is located near Rowena, South Dakota. KELO-TV is broadcast by three high-power semi-satellites—KDLO-TV in Florence, KPLO-TV in Reliance, and KCLO-TV in Rapid City. These transmitters and others, together branded as the KELOLAND Media Group, broadcast KELO programs to all of South Dakota, southwestern Minnesota, and northwestern Iowa, an area the station calls "KELOLAND".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Dakota Public Broadcasting</span> Public radio and TV network in South Dakota

South Dakota Public Broadcasting (SDPB) is a network of non-commercial educational television and radio stations serving the U.S. state of South Dakota. The stations are operated by the South Dakota Bureau of Information and Telecommunication, an agency of the state government which holds the licenses for all of the PBS and NPR member stations licensed in South Dakota except KRSD in Sioux Falls, which is owned and run by Minnesota Public Radio, and KAUR in Sioux Falls, which is owned by Augustana University and operated by MPR. SDPB has studios and offices in Rapid City and Sioux Falls with headquarters being located in the Al Neuharth Media Center on the campus of the University of South Dakota in Vermillion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KTWB</span> Radio station in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

KTWB is a radio station in Sioux Falls, South Dakota airing a country music format. The station is owned by Duey E. Wright, through licensee Midwest Communications, Inc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KDLT-TV</span> TV station in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

KDLT-TV is a television station in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States, affiliated with NBC and Fox. It is owned by Gray Media alongside ABC affiliate KSFY-TV. The two stations share studios in Courthouse Square on 1st Avenue South in Sioux Falls; KDLT-TV's transmitter is located southeast of the city near Rowena.

KTTW is a religious television station in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States, owned and operated by Tri-State Christian Television (TCT) with transmitter in Rowena, South Dakota. It is rebroadcast on KTTM in Huron, whose transmitter is located near Alpena, South Dakota. KTTM covers areas of south-central and southeastern South Dakota that receive a marginal to non-existent over-the-air signal from KTTW.

KELO-FM is a radio station in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, airing an adult contemporary music format. At 92.5 FM, KELO-FM was one of the first FM radio stations in South Dakota. It broadcasts from KELO-TV's 2000 foot tower. The station is owned by Duey E. Wright, through licensee Midwest Communications, Inc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KRRO</span> Radio station in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

KRRO is a radio station in Sioux Falls, South Dakota airing a mainstream rock format. The station is owned by Duey E. Wright through licensee Midwest Communications, Inc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KCLO-TV</span> CBS/CW affiliate in Rapid City, South Dakota

KCLO-TV is a television station in Rapid City, South Dakota, United States, affiliated with CBS and The CW Plus. Owned by Nexstar Media Group, the station maintains a news bureau and advertising sales office on Canyon Lake Drive in Rapid City, and its transmitter is located on Skyline Drive near downtown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ron Keel</span> American singer

Ron Keel is an American rock singer. He is known as the singer for Ron Keel Band, Keel, Steeler, and Saber Tiger, and has also fronted IronHorse, Fair Game, and The Rat'lers, in addition to being a solo artist. He is also an author, radio show host, actor and owner/manager of RFK Media LLC.

KVPC is a radio station in Rapid City, South Dakota, United States. The license is owned by VCY America, Inc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KKRC-FM</span> Radio station in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

KKRC-FM is a radio station broadcasting a classic hits format, and serves the Sioux Falls, South Dakota area. The station is currently owned by Townsquare Media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KKLS-FM</span> Contemporary hit radio station in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

KKLS-FM is a radio station broadcasting a top 40 (CHR) format. The station serves the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, area. KKLS and its sister stations were owned by Southern Minnesota Broadcasting until 2003 when they were sold to Cumulus Media, and sold again in 2012 to Townsquare Media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KZOY</span> Radio station in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

KZOY is a daytime-only radio station licensed for 500 watts in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Daytime-only operation protects clear-channel stations KOKC at Oklahoma City and WWKB at Buffalo, New York. It also broadcasts on FM translator K227CZ 93.3 FM in Sioux Falls from its transmitter site near the intersection of West Madison and Marion Roads.

KWSN is a radio station carrying a sports format with Fox Sports Radio programming. The station serves the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, area. It was acquired by Midwest Communications, Inc. in 2012. This station is also aired on a translator, K251BH, at 98.1 FM.

WJXO is a radio station is licensed to Chattahoochee, Florida, United States. The station is owned by Mount Vernon Broadcasting LLC.

KCSD is a National Public Radio member radio station licensed to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It is owned by the South Dakota Board of Directors for Educational Telecommunications and is part of South Dakota Public Broadcasting's statewide network.

KCFS or kcfs may refer to:

The 2007 NCAA Division II football rankings are from the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). This is for the 2007 season.

Northwestern Media is the Christian radio ministry of the University of Northwestern – St. Paul, an evangelical university in Roseville, Minnesota. Northwestern Media operates three radio networks serving listeners primarily in the Midwestern United States: the Life Network, a Christian adult contemporary music station; the Faith Network, with Christian talk and teaching programs; and Spirit FM, also playing Christian adult contemporary music.

KUSD was a non-commercial educational radio station in Vermillion, South Dakota, United States, licensed to the University of South Dakota (USD) from 1922 until 1992. It was deleted two years later after the university decided not to replace a transmission tower that had fallen and shuttered the station. At the time of its deletion, KUSD was the oldest broadcasting station in the state of South Dakota; it was the predecessor to the present radio service of South Dakota Public Broadcasting.

References

  1. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for KGWD". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. 1 2 3 Ortman, Wayne (July 11, 1971). "FCC Approval Awaited: Sioux Falls College Readies Radio Station For Fall Use". Argus-Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. 1B. Retrieved September 6, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  3. 1 2 "History Cards for KGWD". Federal Communications Commission .
  4. ↑ Keyes, Bob (February 10, 1990). "Letters of distinction: Origins of radio call letters part of lore of broadcasting". Argus-Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. pp. 5A, 10A . Retrieved September 6, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  5. 1 2 "Sioux Falls College Radio Role Described". Argus-Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. October 19, 1971. p. 3A. Retrieved September 6, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "KCFS Begins Broadcasting At Noon Monday". Argus-Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. September 10, 1972. p. 2A. Retrieved September 6, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "KCFS-FM taps gospel rock". Argus-Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. April 29, 1978. p. 5A. Retrieved September 6, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "KCFS increased power". Argus-Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. December 9, 1981. p. 8D. Retrieved September 6, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ Huey, Gah Y. (November 20, 1986). "In tune: Budding area DJS are a hit". Argus-Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. pp. 9A, 14A . Retrieved September 6, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  10. 1 2 Keyes, Bob (February 11, 1993). "Metal scene shifts: Bad Daddy to split, Freeloaders are back". Argus-Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. Venture 13. Retrieved September 6, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ Busek, Brian (July 2, 1985). "Odd setup puts KCSD on air". Argus-Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. 1A. Retrieved September 6, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ Grauvogl, Ann (December 15, 1992). "Radio dial may soon include another country choice". Argus-Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. 1D. Retrieved September 6, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ Kranz, David (January 24, 1995). "Name change reflects school's hope to grow". Argus-Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. p. 1D. Retrieved September 6, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ Kirschenmann, Jay (January 11, 2008). "Out in the real world: Students promote local music at college radio stations". Argus-Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. pp. 2D, 3D . Retrieved September 6, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ Becker, BryAnn (February 22, 2009). "Where's college radio headed? Stations embrace broadcasting freedom by offering community programs, local music and more". Argus-Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. pp. 1F, 2F . Retrieved September 6, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "Sioux Falls University Sells Its Station". Inside Radio. September 9, 2015.
  17. ↑ Venta, Lance (May 29, 2015). "Station Sales Week Of May 29". RadioInsight. Archived from the original on September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  18. ↑ Venta, Lance (February 20, 2019). "Sioux Falls Station Sale Dispute Moves To Federal Court". RadioInsight.
  19. ↑ Venta, Lance (June 14, 2015). "FCC Applications 6/14". RadioInsight.
  20. ↑ Venta, Lance (November 10, 2015). "Badlands Pawn Sets KBAD Sioux Falls Launch Details". RadioInsight.
  21. 1 2 Venta, Lance (September 24, 2017). "94.5 KBAD Sioux Falls Goes Dark As Owner's Dollar Loan Business Becomes Illegal". RadioInsight.
  22. ↑ Schwan, Jodi (October 12, 2016). "Ratings return for local radio stations: Executives don't agree on data's significance". Argus-Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. pp. Sioux Falls Business Journal 8, 9 . Retrieved September 6, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  23. ↑ Fugleberg, Jeremy J. (September 25, 2017). "Chuck Brennan pulls plug on Badlands empire". Argus-Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. pp. 1A, 5A . Retrieved September 6, 2024– via Newspapers.com.
  24. ↑ "Catholic Radio Station Buys License, Equipment From KBAD". KELOLAND.com. April 25, 2018. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Brennan accused of fraud, misconduct in new federal lawsuit". KSFY-TV . February 18, 2019. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  26. ↑ "Programming Schedule". Real Presence Radio. Archived from the original on June 13, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 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.