KPEL-FM

Last updated

KPEL-FM
Broadcast area Lafayette metropolitan area
Frequency 96.5 MHz
Programming
Format News-Talk
Network Fox News Radio
Affiliations Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Premiere Networks
Westwood One
Compass Media Networks
KATC-TV Weather
Ownership
Owner
KFTE, KHXT, KMDL, KPEL, KROF, KTDY
History
First air date
May 1, 1993;32 years ago (1993-05-01) (as KFTE)
Former call signs
KFTE (1992–2010)
Call sign meaning
PELican State
Technical information [1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID 59288
Class C2
ERP 42,000 watts
HAAT 163 meters (535 ft)
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen Live
Website kpel965.com

KPEL-FM (96.5 FM) is a radio station in the United States. Licensed to Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, KPEL-FM serves the Lafayette metropolitan area with a news/talk format. It is owned by Townsquare Media.

Contents

Initially signing on with call sign KFTE in 1993, KPEL-FM was a music station for its first 17 years. After having easy listening and oldies formats, KFTE had an alternative rock format branded "Planet Radio 96.5" until changing to KPEL-FM and news/talk in 2010. Since 2001, KPEL-FM has been owned by Townsquare Media and its predecessor Regent Communications.

History

As KFTE (1991–2010)

A construction permit was first issued for a new 96.5 MHz FM station on April 19, 1991. [2] JBC Inc. (doing business as ComCorp of Lafayette License Corporation) was the owner. [3] Licensed on November 15, 1992, the station first signed on with call sign KFTE on May 1, 1993. Its format was easy listening. [4] [5]

In July 1993, the Mid-Acadiana Broadcasting Corporation purchased KFTE. The price tag was $517,750 plus debt cancellation from ComCorp. [6] KFTE began using the brand "Cool 96.5" in 1994. [7]

Beer wholesale company Schilling Distributing Company purchased KFTE and KMDL for a combined $1.55 million in 1994. [8] [9] In 1996, Schilling changed the format of KFTE from easy listening to 1970s oldies. [10] [11]

In 1996, ComCorp bought back KFTE, along with KMDL, from Schilling Distributing. The total price was nearly $4.5 million. [12] On January 22, 1997, ComCorp fliped KFTE's format to alternative rock, with the brand "Planet Radio 96.5". [13] [11]

On August 29, 2001, Regent Communications (later Townsquare Media) reached an agreement to buy KFTE and six other radio stations from ComCorp. The price was over $39 million. [14]

As KPEL-FM (2010–present)

On June 25, 2010, KFTE switched call signs and formats with KPEL-FM at 105.1 MHz. KFTE's rock format moved to 105.1, while KPEL-FM's news/talk format moved to 96.5 MHz. [15]

In June 2020, early afternoon host Carol Ross decided to end her program and leave the station. [16] On March 15, 2025, KPEL-FM began carrying Erick Erickson on weekdays from WSB Atlanta. [17]

Programming

KPEL-FM has local news and talk shows during the daytime, in addition to national news updates from Fox News Radio and nationally syndicated programs including The Erick Erickson Show , The Mark Levin Show , and The Ramsey Show . [18]

Weekends feature specialty lifestyle shows, such as The Kim Komando Show and The Car Doctor, and paid programming. [19] KPEL-FM also broadcasts Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns men's basketball and baseball games. [20] [21]

Technical information

Licensed to Breaux Bridge, KPEL-FM broadcasts from a 167.6-meter transmitter located in Youngsville at 42 kW of effective radiated power. [2]

References

  1. "Facility Technical Data for KPEL-FM". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. 1 2 "KPEL-FM". FCC Data. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  3. "New FM Full Power Construction Permit Application". FCC. March 13, 1987. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  4. Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1994 (PDF). Broadcasting Publications. 1994. p. B-157. Retrieved February 16, 2025 via World Radio History.
  5. Darbonne, Nissa (May 1, 1993). "Blessing will hopefully put end to radio tower disasters" . The Daily Advertiser. Lafayette. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  6. "CBS And Cox Swap Dallas, Tampa FMs In $25 Million Double Duopoly Deal" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1004. August 6, 1993. p. 9. Retrieved February 16, 2025 via World Radio History.
  7. "Briefly" . The Daily Advertiser. December 18, 1994. p. B-10. Retrieved May 31, 2025 via Newspapers.com.
  8. Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1995 (PDF). Broadcasting Publications. 1995. p. B-173. Retrieved February 16, 2025 via World Radio History.
  9. "Lafayette firm buys 2 Breaux Bridge stations". The Advocate. Baton Rouge. May 3, 1994. p. 1-C. Retrieved February 16, 2025 via NewsLibrary.
  10. Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1996 (PDF). 1996. p. B-178. Retrieved February 16, 2025 via World Radio History.
  11. 1 2 "Lafayette, LA FM Radio Directory". 100,000 Watts. Archived from the original on May 18, 2000. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  12. "Emmis Now A Potent Arch Rival" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1171. November 8, 1996. p. 8. Retrieved February 16, 2025 via World Radio History.
  13. Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1998 (PDF). Broadcasting Publications. 1998. p. D-188. Retrieved February 16, 2025 via World Radio History.
  14. "Money briefs". The Times-Picayune. August 30, 2001. p. 6. Retrieved February 16, 2025 via NewsLibrary.
  15. Venta, Lance (June 25, 2010). "Bunch of changes in Lafayette, LA". Radio Insight. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  16. [https://www.insideradio.com/people_moves/carol-ross/article_e1eec39a-acb5-11ea-ba9d-2357e5313f72.html InsideRadio.com "People Moves: Carol Ross"
  17. InsideRadio.com "News Bites: Erick Erickson" March 12, 2025. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
  18. "On Air (Monday)". KPEL-FM. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  19. "On Air (Saturday)". KPEL-FM. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  20. "2024 Baseball Schedule". University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  21. "2023-24 Men's Basketball Schedule". University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Retrieved February 16, 2025.