KHFI-FM

Last updated
KHFI-FM
Broadcast area Greater Austin
Frequency 96.7 MHz (HD Radio)
Branding96-7 KISS-FM
Programming
Language(s) English
Format Top 40/CHR
Subchannels
Affiliations Premiere Networks
iHeartRadio
Ownership
Owner
History
First air date
March 1, 1972;52 years ago (1972-03-01)
Former call signs
KGTN-FM (1972–87)
KQFX (1987–90) [1]
Former frequencies
96.5 MHz (1987–1989)
Call sign meaning
K Hi-Fi (High Fidelity)
Technical information [2]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 11948
Class C1
ERP 100,000 watts
HAAT 290 meters (950 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
 30°19′19″N97°48′04″W / 30.322°N 97.801°W / 30.322; -97.801
Translator(s) HD2: 103.1 K276EL (Austin)
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen live (via iHeartRadio)
HD2: Listen live (via iHeartRadio)
Website www.967kissfm.com
HD2: 1031austin.iheart.com

KHFI-FM (96.7 MHz) is a commercial radio station licensed to Georgetown, Texas, and serving the Greater Austin radio market. Owned by iHeartMedia, Inc., it airs a Top 40/CHR radio format, branded as "KISS-FM." It shares studios and offices with other iHeart stations in the Penn Field complex in the South Congress district (or "SoCo") of south central Austin within walking distance of St. Edward's University. It had previously been located in a downtown Austin office building off Barton Springs Road.

Contents

KHFI-FM broadcasts with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 100,000 watts, from a transmitter located off Waymaker Way in Austin, amid numerous towers for other FM and TV stations. KHFI-FM broadcasts in the HD Radio format. [3]

History

KGTN-FM and KQFX

former logo KHFI-FM.gif
former logo

96.7 signed on from Georgetown as KGTN-FM on March 1, 1972. [4] It was co-owned with KGTN (1530 AM, now KZNX), the town's daytime-only AM station, and broadcast with 3,000 watts, [5] providing nighttime service to extend KGTN's broadcast day. [6]

In 1986, KGTN-AM-FM was sold to Joyner Broadcasting, which owned three stations in Illinois, for $5 million. [7] The next year, Capitol Broadcasting Company of Birmingham, Alabama, bought the adult contemporary-formatted FM alone and announced plans to move it toward Austin. [8] The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved a power upgrade for the station to 28,500 watts, enough to cover Austin and its close-in suburbs; a new transmitter site was constructed near Sandy Creek at Lake Travis and the frequency was changed to 96.5 MHz. The station became classic hits-formatted "96.5 The Fox", KQFX. [9] [10] Later, the station changed to an oldies format and moved its frequency back to 96.7 MHz in order to avoid interference issues with a Houston station. [11] A final signal upgrade to 100,000 watts was completed at the beginning of 1990. [12]

KHFI-FM moves down

In May 1990, Joyner reacquired KQFX, along with a station in his home market of Raleigh, North Carolina, for a total of $13 million. [13] The transaction's timing turned out to be instrumental in determining the future course of 96.7. At the same time, at 98.1 MHz, KHFI-FM (now KVET-FM) was being purchased by Spur Austin. In September, Spur reached a deal—the second ever radio local marketing agreement—to simulcast KVET on the 98.1 frequency, displacing contemporary hits outlet KHFI-FM ("K-98"). Joyner moved to fire the entire airstaff of the underperforming KQFX and brought the entire airstaff, format and call letters of KHFI-FM to 96.7 MHz, creating "K96.7". [14]

In 1992, KHFI dropped the "K96.7" moniker and began calling itself "The New 96.7 KHFI"; at the same time, new owners The Rusk Corporation leased out KBTS (93.3 FM), KHFI's direct competitor, and turned it into KMXX, "Mix 93.3". [15] At the end of that year, KHFI-FM was bought by San Antonio-based Clear Channel Communications for $3.5 million. [16]

In August 2001, KHFI re-launched as "96.7 KISS-FM"; Clear Channel owns the rights to the KISS-FM brand, which it utilizes for Top 40 stations in Los Angeles, Boston and other cities. Today, iHeart has the 18-34 year-old demographic for contemporary music in Austin covered, with KHFI playing mainstream Top 40, while sister station KPEZ ("102.3 The Beat") airs rhythmic contemporary music.

The Bobby Bones Show

In 2002, KHFI became the flagship station for The Bobby Bones Show , syndicated by Premiere Networks, an iHeart subsidiary. Bones, based at KHFI's studios, was named "Austin Radio Personality of the Year" for 4 years running. [17] [18] [19] [20] The award is given yearly at the Austin Music Awards. In 2008, The Bobby Bones Show received its first award for "Austin Radio Program of the Year." [20] Also that year, KHFI was named "Austin Radio Station of the Year." [20]

In February 2013, The Bobby Bones Show was relaunched as a country music show. In addition, Bones moved to Nashville, making iHeart-owned WSIX-FM his new flagship station. As a result, Bones' Austin affiliate became co-owned KASE-FM.

Bones was replaced on KHFI with Elvis Duran and the Morning Show , which is syndicated by Premiere Networks from WHTZ in New York City. In February 2016, the morning show was changed to The Billy The Kidd Morning Show, featuring local DJs Billy the Kidd and Anne Hudson as hosts. [21]

HD Radio

In 2024, KHFI-HD2 began broadcasting translator station 103.1 K276EL, which airs an 1980s hits format branded "103.1 Austin's 80s Station". The station features longtime Austin morning personality Sandy McIlree’s syndicated “The Sandy Show” weekday mornings, hosted by McIlree and his wife Tricia. McIlree is best known for his long run co-hosting mornings on KAMX with JB Hager from 1995 to 2013. [22] 103.1 K276EL was originally broadcast on the HD2 sub-channel of sister station KVET-FM.

Broadcast translator for KHFI-HD2
Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) HAAT Class Transmitter coordinatesFCC info
K276EL103.1 FM Austin, Texas 140611250364.8  m (1,197  ft)D 30°19′24″N97°48′00″W / 30.32333°N 97.80000°W / 30.32333; -97.80000 LMS

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WGCI-FM</span> Urban contemporary radio station in Chicago

WGCI-FM is an urban contemporary radio station that is licensed to Chicago, Illinois, serving the Chicago metropolitan area and Northwest Indiana. It is owned and operated by iHeartMedia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KBPA</span> Radio station in Austin, Texas

KBPA is a commercial radio station licensed to Austin, Texas, United States. Owned by Sinclair Telecable and operated under the name Waterloo Media, it broadcasts an adult hits radio format. Its radio studios and offices are located along Interstate 35 in North Austin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WYLD-FM</span> Urban adult contemporary radio station in New Orleans

WYLD-FM is a commercial radio station in New Orleans, Louisiana, and one of the highest-rated radio stations in the market. It airs an urban adult contemporary radio format and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. The studios and offices are located in Downtown New Orleans. It carries the syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show weekdays from co-owned Premiere Networks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WYNK-FM</span> Country music radio station in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

WYNK-FM – branded 101.5 WYNK – is a commercial country radio station licensed to serve Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Owned by iHeartMedia, the station covers the Baton Rouge metropolitan area and is the local affiliate for The Bobby Bones Show. The WYNK studios are located in Baton Rouge, while the station transmitter resides in nearby Plaquemine. Besides a standard analog transmission, WYNK is available online via iHeartRadio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KSNR</span> Radio station in Fisher, Minnesota–Grand Forks, North Dakota

KSNR is a commercial radio station serving the Grand Forks, North Dakota area broadcasting a country music format. Licensed to Fisher, Minnesota, KSNR first began broadcasting in 1976 under the call sign KOSN in Thief River Falls. The station is currently owned by iHeartMedia. The station's main competitor is Leighton Broadcasting's 97 KYCK.

WTAR is a commercial radio station licensed to Norfolk, Virginia, and serving the Hampton Roads radio market. WTAR is owned and operated by Sinclair Telecable, Inc. It broadcasts an talk radio format as "TalkRadio 96.5 & 850 WTAR". WTAR's studios and offices are on Waterside Drive in Norfolk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KJCE</span> Radio station in Rollingwood, Texas

KJCE is a commercial radio station licensed to Rollingwood, Texas, and serving the Greater Austin radio market. The station airs a talk radio format and is owned by Audacy, Inc. The radio studios and offices are on Westbank Drive, off Loop 360, near Westlake High School. The transmitter is off Johnny Morris Road, near Loyola Lane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KVET (AM)</span> Radio station in Austin, Texas

KVET is an AM radio station in Austin, Texas. It is owned by iHeartMedia, and carries a sports radio format with both local sports shows and programming from Fox Sports Radio.

KASE-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to Austin, Texas, owned by iHeartMedia and airing a country music radio format. It shares studios and offices with four sister stations in the Penn Field complex in the South Congress district of south central Austin, within walking distance of St. Edward's University. KASE-FM's transmitter site is off Waymaker Way in Austin, amid towers for other FM and TV stations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KVET-FM</span> Radio station in Austin, Texas

KVET-FM is a commercial FM radio station licensed to Austin, Texas. It is owned by iHeartMedia and airs a gold-based country music radio format. KVET-FM shares studios and offices with other iHeart sister stations in the Penn Field complex in Austin's South Congress district near St. Edward's University. The transmitter is off Buckman Mountain Road in Austin, amid the towers of other local FM and TV stations.

KZNX is a radio station licensed to Creedmoor, Texas. It airs a Spanish regional Mexican radio format, simulcast on two FM frequencies. The station's transmitter is off Dale Overton Road in the Thoroughbred Estates neighborhood of Del Valle, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WJET (AM)</span> News/talk radio station in Erie, Pennsylvania

WJET branded as Jet Radio 1400 is a commercial AM radio station in Erie, Pennsylvania. It broadcasts a talk radio format and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. WJET's studios are in the Boston Store building in downtown Erie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KHEY-FM</span> Radio station in El Paso, Texas

KHEY-FM is a commercial radio station in El Paso, Texas. It airs a country music radio format and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. The station carries the syndicated Bobby Bones Show on Monday through Saturday mornings, and After Midnight with Granger Smith overnight. The rest of the weekday schedule features local DJs. The studios and offices are on North Mesa Street in West Central El Paso.

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

KZII-FM, known as "102-5 Kiss FM" is a top 40 (CHR) formatted radio station serving Lubbock, Texas. The station is owned by Townsquare Media. Its studios and transmitter are located in south Lubbock.

KIXL is a Catholic talk radio station in Del Valle, Texas, United States, broadcasting to the Austin-Round Rock area. KIXL has been a Relevant Radio owned-and-operated station since 2005. Prior to ownership by Relevant Radio, KIXL was a locally-programmed Christian station for nearly 30 years. KIXL also simulcasts its programming on FM translator stations K280GN 103.9 MHz Austin and K286CX 105.1 MHz Round Rock.

WQIK-FM is a commercial radio station in Jacksonville, Florida. The station is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc., and airs a country radio format. Overnight, WQIK carries the syndicated CMA After Midnite Show with Cody Alan and the Bobby Bones Show on Sunday evenings. WQIK-FM is unusual in the radio industry as a station that has kept its original call sign and format for more than half a century.

KOSY-FM is a radio station licensed to Anamosa, Iowa, and serving the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area. It airs a sports radio format and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. The station's studios are at "Broadcast Park" near the intersection of Collins Road and Old Marion Road NE in Cedar Rapids.

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

KTSN is a daytimer AM radio station licensed to Lockhart, Texas, and serving the Austin metropolitan area. It is owned by Township Media, LLC, a non-profit organization. KTSN broadcasts a hybrid radio format of adult album alternative and Americana, branded as "Sun Radio". The studios and offices are on Manchaca Road in Austin. Sun Radio seeks listener donations on the air and on its website.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KQLA</span> Radio station in Ogden, Kansas

KQLA is a radio station licensed to Ogden, Kansas. It broadcasts to the Junction City-Manhattan-Fort Riley area broadcasting with an ERP of 41,000 watts. The station is owned by Eagle Communications, which also owns stations KJCK and KJCK-FM, as well as 25 radio stations throughout Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KZAI</span> Air1 radio station in Balcones Heights, Texas

KZAI is a radio station broadcasting a Christian Worship format through the nationally programmed Air1 network. The station is licensed to Balcones Heights, Texas, United States, and serves the San Antonio area. The transmitter is located in San Antonio proper, due north of downtown and adjacent to Interstate 10. KZAI is owned by the Educational Media Foundation.

References

  1. ↑ Callsign history for KHFI-FM Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for KHFI-FM". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. ↑ HDradio.com/stations/Austin
  4. ↑ "Georgetown FM Station To Open". The Austin Statesman. March 1, 1972. p. 34. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  5. ↑ "History Cards for KHFI-FM". Federal Communications Commission. (Guide to reading History Cards)
  6. ↑ "New FM Station Signs On". The Cameron Herald. March 6, 1972. p. 1. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Changing Hands" (PDF). Broadcasting. June 16, 1986. p. 71. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  8. ↑ Herndon, John (March 10, 1987). "Buyout brings KGTN to Austin". Austin American-Statesman. p. B6. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  9. ↑ Herndon, John (August 16, 1987). "KQFX premieres with adult rock format". Austin American-Statesman. p. Show World 10. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  10. ↑ Herndon, John (December 27, 1987). "Signaling change: Market growth may transform Austin radio in new year". Austin American-Statesman. p. Show World 18. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  11. ↑ Herndon, John (January 22, 1989). "Country KASE tops surveys for more than 2 years". Austin American-Statesman. p. Show World 18. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  12. ↑ Herndon, John (January 14, 1990). "KLBJ-AM shifts focus from personalities to issues". Austin American-Statesman. p. Show World 18. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Transactions: Joyner Visits Capitol, Pays $13.1 Million For FM Tour" (PDF). Radio & Records. May 11, 1990. p. 10. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Austin's Flip-Flop Formats" (PDF). Radio & Records. September 14, 1990. p. 58. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Street Talk" (PDF). Radio & Records. June 5, 1992. p. 30. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Changing Hands" (PDF). Broadcasting. January 11, 1993. p. 64. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  17. ↑ "2004-05 Austin Music Awards". The Austin Chronicle . Retrieved 2008-09-27.
  18. ↑ "2005-06 Austin Music Awards". The Austin Chronicle . Retrieved 2008-09-27.
  19. ↑ "2006-07 Austin Music Awards". The Austin Chronicle . Retrieved 2008-09-27.
  20. 1 2 3 "2007-08 Austin Music Awards". The Austin Chronicle . Retrieved 2008-09-27.
  21. ↑ Venta, Lance (February 24, 2016). "Billy The Kidd & Anne Hudson To Host Mornings at 96.7 Kiss-FM Austin". RadioInsight. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  22. ↑ Venta, Lance (August 27, 2021). "iHeartMedia Launches Austin's 80s Station". RadioInsight. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
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.