Previous logo
(KWME's logo under previous 93.5 frequency) 
| Broadcast area | Wichita, Kansas |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 92.7 MHz |
| Branding | Classic Hits 92.7 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Classic hits |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| KBOB-FM, KKLE, KLEY, KMMM, KSMM, KVWF | |
| History | |
First air date | 1979 (as KZED) |
Former call signs | KZED (1979–1990) |
Former frequencies | 93.5 MHz (1979–2011) |
| Technical information [1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 31894 |
| Class | C3 |
| ERP | 14,000 watts |
| HAAT | 130 meters |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | Official website |
KWME (92.7 FM) is a radio station. [2] Licensed to Wellington, Kansas, United States, the station serves the Wichita, Kansas area. The station is currently owned by Murfin Media, through licensee My Town Media Inc. [3]
What is now KWME officially signed on the air in 1979 as KZED, and broadcasting on 93.5 FM. KZED changed its call sign to KWME in 1990. The station moved to 92.7 FM in December 2011, following KANR's move to 99.7 FM. This was part of a multi-station move, where KCVW (94.3 FM), owned by Bott Radio Network, would upgrade its signal to improve its coverage in Wichita; this resulted in Andover station KDGS (93.9 FM) and Eureka station KOTE (93.5 FM) swapping frequencies in October 2014.
Rocking M Media bought KWME and sister station KLEY from Gordon Johnson in 2015.
On July 2, 2018, KWME dropped its then-classic hits format (branded as "SuperHits 92.7") and began stunting with all-Patriotic music as "92.7 The Patriot." On July 4, at Noon, KWME flipped to Rhythmic AC as "92.7 The Blast", launching with "Jump Around" by House of Pain. The flip marked the return of an adult-oriented rhythmic format to the market for the first time since now-former sister station KKGQ shifted from Rhythmic to Hot AC in October 2015. The playlist included a wide range of hip hop, R&B and dance hits from the late 1970s to the early 2010s, with no currents. [4]
On March 29, 2019, Rocking M announced they would sell KWME and its five sister stations in the Wichita/Wellington/Winfield area to Allied Media Partners, a local group owned by Matt Baty and Tommy Castor, for $6.2 million. Allied Media Partners would take over the stations via a local marketing agreement on April 1. [5] The FCC approved the sale in late May; however, the sale was not consummated due to Allied Media Partners' condition that Rocking M would clear all liens and outstanding debt on the stations in order for the sale to be completed. The completion date would be delayed a few more times, with a final scheduled completion date of October 31. On September 23, 2019, Envision, who owns the building that housed the station's studios, would lock the doors, denying staff members access to the station and offices; the non-profit organization claims that Rocking M was behind in their lease agreement. In response, Rocking M would take each station off the air that day as well. [6] A week later, Allied Media Partners announced it would cease operations, and let go all employees, putting the future of the stations in jeopardy. [7] On October 11, Envision filed a lawsuit against Rocking M in Harvey County District Court, claiming that Rocking M did not meet a payment schedule related to KKGQ's sale in 2017 and owed the company money (Envision is seeking $1.25 million plus interest, costs and attorneys’ fees). It also wanted a sheriff's sale of property related to the station and demanded that Rocking M deliver all collateral to Envision. [8] On November 6, Envision filed a second lawsuit against Rocking M in Sedgwick County District Court for failing to vacate the building that houses their station's studios, along with leaving behind damaged property and failing to pay rent for parking spaces. [9] In return, Rocking M filed a complaint with the FCC, hoping that the agency would force Envision to allow access back to the stations' studios, as well as to fine the company. In addition, Rocking M has stated that it hopes to still sell KWME and its five sister stations. [10] [11] On August 28, 2020, the Harvey County District Court ruled in favor of Envision, awarding the company $1.2 million plus interest for what it said was Rocking M's breach of contract. [12]
On February 11, 2020, KWME returned to the air, operating from studios in Wellington, and picked up the syndicated "Jammin' Radio" rhythmic oldies format from Envision Radio Networks (not related to the non-profit Envision), rebranding as "Jammin' 92.7." [13] [14] A month later, on March 15, KWME fell silent again due to technical issues with their studio-to-transmitter link. A suspension of operations/silent temporary authority filing was not submitted until October 2020, with Rocking M citing the aforementioned technical issues, as well as a shortage of operating funds, along with inadvertence from the company's marketing and facilities manager, as the reasons behind the request. The STA request was approved on November 25, 2020. Rocking M had until March 14, 2021 to return KWME to air; as of February 23, 2021, KWME resumed broadcasting, this time airing an unbranded adult hits format (from Local Radio Networks' "Mix" format). [15] [16]
On December 23, 2021, Rocking M agreed to a Consent Decree with a $7,000 fine to settle the license renewal applications for KWME, KIBB, KVWF, KKLE and KLEY, and to complete the sale of KKGQ to Pinnacle Media. Rocking M admitted in its license renewal applications that all six stations were silent for periods of time without STA’s filed or granted by the FCC. As part of the Consent Decree, the stations will all be given conditional one year license renewals as opposed to the usual seven year term. [17] On March 26, 2022, Rocking M filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, claiming $1,307,696.75 in assets and $22,365,886.40 in liabilities owed between its four holding companies. Bankruptcy attorney Sharon Stolte of Sandberg Phoenix & von Gontard, who is representing the company, told The Wichita Eagle that, “We filed on Saturday, and we are hoping to reorganize. We will sell some of the stations that we find are not profitable, and we will reorganize the debt with the remaining stations.” In addition, the lawsuit between Rocking M and Allied Media Partners will go to trial in June 2022. [18] [19] [20]
On July 29, Rocking M announced they would partner with Patrick Communications to market and engage a sale of Rocking M's Wichita, Wellington and Winfield stations (including KWME), as well as 7 other stations in Kansas, through an auction; bids were then accepted until September 27, with the auction set to take place in October. [21] On October 31, it was announced that Pittsburg-based MyTown Media, doing business as Murfin Media, was the winning bidder for KWME and Rocking M's Wichita, Wellington and Winfield stations for $1.18 million; the company was also the winning bidder for two stations in Liberal and Pratt. While the bankruptcy court has approved the purchases, the sale was officially filed with the FCC on February 2, 2023. [22] [23] [24] [25]
The sale to MyTown Media was approved by the FCC on March 29, 2023, and was consummated on May 12. [26]
On June 29, 2023, at 2:45 p.m., after playing "Sunroof" by Nicky Youre, and a few minutes of silence, KWME flipped back to classic hits, branded simply as "Classic Hits 92.7", with "Love Bites" by Def Leppard being the first song played. On October 3, KWME rebranded as "92.7 The River". It soon reverted back to the "Classic Hits 92.7" branding. The station is, once again, competing against Audacy's KEYN. [27] [28]
(KWME's logo under previous 93.5 frequency)
Cumulus Media, Inc., is a broadcasting company of the United States and is the second largest owner and operator of AM and FM radio stations in the United States ahead of Audacy and behind iHeartMedia. As of June 2019, Cumulus lists ownership of 428 stations in 87 media markets. It also owns and operates Westwood One. Its headquarters are located in Atlanta, Georgia. Its subsidiaries include Cumulus Broadcasting LLC, Cumulus Licensing LLC and Broadcast Software International Inc.
Audacy, Inc. is an American broadcasting company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1968 as Entercom Communications Corp., it is the second largest radio company in the United States, owning over 220 radio stations across 47 media markets.
KDND (107.9 MHz) was an FM radio station licensed to Sacramento, California, United States. The station first signed on in 1947 as KXOA-FM, an FM simulcast of AM station KXOA, before separating itself with distinct programming, including most prominently soft rock, adult contemporary, and classic hits formats. In July 1998, two years after the sale of the station to Entercom, the station switched to its final KDND call letters and contemporary hit radio format branded as 107.9 The End. At the time of the station's closing, KDND's studios were located in North Highlands, while its transmitter was located just north of the Sacramento city limits near Elverta.
WPST is a commercial radio station licensed to Trenton, New Jersey, airing a contemporary hit radio format. Owned by Townsquare Media, the station serves Central Jersey, the Delaware Valley, Philadelphia and its northern and eastern suburbs.
Nassau Broadcasting Partners LP was a company based in Princeton, New Jersey that owned radio stations in New England and the Mid-Atlantic United States. Nassau's stations, which included both AM and FM frequencies, were located in Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The company was owned and headed by Louis F. Mercatanti. Nassau was predominantly an operator of radio stations in medium and small markets. Nassau formerly owned radio station WCRB in Waltham, a Boston suburb, and located in the Boston market, the 11th largest radio market in the US, according to BIA Financial Network. However that station was sold to WGBH in 2009. Nassau operated radio stations in substantially all of the major formats. The company's most common format was classic rock/classic hits. On October 13, 2011 Nassau Broadcasting entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after their senior lenders petitioned for an involuntary Chapter 7 liquidation in September. The stations were auctioned to various bidders in May 2012 subject to bankruptcy judge and FCC approval. Nassau's last station, WPLY in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, lost its license in 2014 after having shut down in 2011.
KKGQ is an American 95 kW radio station operating in Wichita, and licensed to Newton, Kansas. KKGQ airs a sports talk format, branded as "ESPN Wichita 92.3." KKGQ's studios are located on McLean Boulevard in Wichita, and their transmitter is located on Cow Palace Road on the south side of Newton.
WIKE is a commercial radio station located in Newport, Vermont. It is owned by Vermont Broadcast Associates, Inc. and it broadcasts a classic rock format, simulcast from 106.3 WMTK in Littleton, New Hampshire. Both stations call themselves "The Notch." WIKE's programming is also heard on translator station W276DK in Derby Center.
WLIM is a radio station licensed to Medford, New York, broadcasting a Spanish news/talk radio format.
KIXR is a radio station licensed to Provo, Utah. The station originates from a studio located in Orem, Utah. The station airs a talk radio format. KIXR also has a sister station, 96.7 KUTN. The station is owned by Sanpete County Broadcasting Co.
KGHF is an American radio station broadcasting a classic country format in Wichita, Kansas. The station is licensed to Belle Plaine, Kansas.
KVWF is a radio station licensed to Augusta, Kansas, United States. The station serves the Wichita area. The station is currently owned by MyTown Media. The station's studios are located in downtown Wichita and the transmitter is in Andover.
KBOB-FM is a radio station licensed to Haven, Kansas, the station serves the Wichita area, and airs an adult hits format under the "Bob FM" branding. The station is currently owned by parent corporation, Murfin Media, through daughter corporation and licensee, My Town Media Inc. The station's studios are located in downtown Wichita, and the transmitter is near Colwich, Kansas.
KLEY is an AM radio station broadcasting a classic hits format to the Wellington, Kansas, United States, area. The station is owned by My Town Media. 1130 AM is a clear-channel frequency shared by Canada and the United States.
KKLE is a radio station in Winfield, Kansas, and is owned by My Town Media Inc.
KLQR is a classic hits radio station in Larned, Kansas, near Great Bend.
KLBG is a commercial radio station licensed to serve Lindsborg, Kansas, United States. The station is owned by Christofer Shank, through licensee Ad Astra per Aspera Broadcasting, Inc.
KGBK is a commercial radio station licensed to serve Larned, Kansas, United States. The station is currently owned by Christofer Shank, through licensee Ad Astra per Aspera Broadcasting, Inc.
KZUH is a radio station licensed to Minneapolis, Kansas, United States, the station serves the Salina-Manhattan area. The station is currently owned by Great Plains Christian Radio, Inc.
KMMM is a radio station licensed to Pratt, Kansas, United States. The station airs a classic country format, and is currently owned by My Town Media Inc.
KZRS is a radio station licensed to Great Bend, Kansas. The station broadcasts a classic hits format and is owned by White Communications.