KLSS-FM

Last updated
KLSS-FM
Klss-logo.jpg
Broadcast area Mason City
Frequency 106.1 MHz
BrandingStar 106
Programming
Format Top 40/CHR
Affiliations Premiere Networks
Ownership
Owner
KRIB, KIAI, KYTC, KGLO
History
First air date
November 1, 1967
Former call signs
KLSS (1967-1985)
Technical information
Facility ID 47094
Class C1
ERP 100,000 watts
HAAT 96 meters (315 ft)
Links
Webcast Listen Live
Website mystar106.com

KLSS-FM (106.1 MHz) is a radio station in North Central Iowa airing a Top 40 format. The station is licensed to Mason City, Iowa, and is owned by Alpha Media. [1] Studios are located on Yorktown Pike in east Mason City, and its transmitter is located on 260th Street, just outside the Mason City city limits.

Contents

History

The concept for KLSS-FM was an idea of country music station KSMN owner Hayward Talley, who filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission to add an FM station in 1966; however, it could not build it at its AM transmitter site due to short-spacing to another station in Waterloo. [2] The new station was approved in May 1967 and planned to broadcast KSMN during daytime hours while extending its service at night. [3] KLSS officially debuted on November 1, 1967, with an easy listening format. [4]

In 1984, Talley sold KSMN and KLSS to Hedberg Broadcasting of Blue Earth, Minnesota. [5] KSMN initially retained its country music format, but began simulcasting KLSS full-time (and also adopted the KLSS call letters, with the "-FM" suffix being added as well) on March 1, 1985. [6] [7] The two stations simulcasted until KLSS (AM) was divested to the University of Northern Iowa and became KRNI in September 1990. This was due to Hedberg reaching a deal to buy KRIB (1490 AM), and FCC rules of the time not allowing ownership of multiple AM or FM stations in the same area. [8] [9] [10]

In 1997, Three Eagles Broadcasting bought the station. In 2014, KLSS-FM was sold to Digity, LLC. Two years later, Alpha Media acquired Digity, LLC, including KLSS-FM, for $264 million. [11] [12]

Initially, KLSS aired an easy listening format, but over time, it would evolve to adult contemporary, and then hot adult contemporary by the 1990s. By the early 2010s, KLSS evolved to its current Top 40/CHR format, though their playlist was dayparted by featuring more rhythmic songs during the evening and overnight hours. In addition, the station carries the syndicated "XYZ with Erik Zachary" weekday evenings, the 80s and 90s versions of Backtrax USA on Saturdays and Sundays, and the Hot AC version of American Top 40 on Sunday mornings.

The current "Star 106" branding was adopted in May 1999.

In May 2024, program director, operations manager and midday host Jared Allen was let go from the station after 18 years due to staffing cuts initiated by Alpha Media. On June 5, KLSS began airing Westwood One's "Hits Now!" format. [13] [14]

Children's Miracle Network Radiothon

KLSS hosts the Children's Miracle Network Radiothon each October, which raises money for the Children's Miracle Network and the University Of Iowa Children's Hospital and helps kids and families in need of major medical care. [15] [16]

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References

  1. ↑ KLSS-FM, fcc.gov. Accessed December 27, 2015.
  2. ↑ "KSMN FM request submitted". Globe-Gazette. Mason City, Iowa. November 8, 1966. p. 17. Archived from the original on February 28, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "KSMN given FM permit". Globe-Gazette. Mason City, Iowa. May 12, 1967. p. 20. Archived from the original on February 28, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "KLSS" (PDF). Broadcasting Yearbook. 1970. p. B-76. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-02-20. Retrieved 2022-02-28– via World Radio History.
  5. ↑ "KLSS, KSMN sold". Globe-Gazette. Mason City, Iowa. February 29, 1984. p. 18. Archived from the original on February 28, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "New owner takes over radio stations". Globe-Gazette. Mason City, Iowa. May 1, 1984. p. 3. Archived from the original on February 28, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "KLSS on AM, too". Globe-Gazette. Mason City, Iowa. March 1, 1985. p. 3. Archived from the original on February 28, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ McMahon, Steve (April 11, 1990). "Competitor purchases KRIB radio". Globe-Gazette. Mason City, Iowa. p. A1, A2. Archived from the original on February 28, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ McMahon, Steve (July 22, 1990). "KLSS donates AM station to local public radio". Globe-Gazette. Mason City, Iowa. p. C13. Archived from the original on February 28, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "New UNI-operated radio station begins broadcasting". The Courier. Waterloo, Iowa. September 9, 1990. p. D7. Archived from the original on February 28, 2022. Retrieved February 28, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
  11. ↑ "Alpha Media/Digity Sale Price & Details". RadioInsight. 2015-08-12. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  12. ↑ "Alpha Closes Digity Deal". RadioInk. 2016-02-25. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  13. ↑ Alpha Media Continues to Purge Programming, On-Air Staffs in Midwest Markets
  14. ↑ Hits Now! (Top 40-CHR) | Westwood One
  15. ↑ "Home". mystar106.com.
  16. ↑ "Home". discovernorthiowa.com.

43°08′31″N93°06′40″W / 43.142°N 93.111°W / 43.142; -93.111

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