KWVE-FM

Last updated
KWVE-FM
Broadcast area Orange County; Inland Empire; Northern San Diego County
Frequency 107.9 MHz (HD Radio)
BrandingK-Wave 107.9 FM & 1110 AM
Programming
Format Christian talk and teaching
Ownership
Owner
KWVE, KSDW, KWTH
History
First air date
November 16, 1971;52 years ago (1971-11-16)
Former call signs
KAPX (1971–1977)
Call sign meaning
"K-Wave" (station's moniker)
Technical information [1]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 8410
Class B
ERP 530 watts
HAAT 1,156 meters (3,793 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
 33°42′40.00″N117°31′55.00″W / 33.7111111°N 117.5319444°W / 33.7111111; -117.5319444
Repeater(s) 1110 KWVE (Pasadena)
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen Live
Website kwve.com
A previous branding of the station as seen on a bumper sticker. KWVE bumper sticker.jpg
A previous branding of the station as seen on a bumper sticker.

KWVE-FM (107.9 MHz) is a commercial radio station licensed to San Clemente, California, and broadcasting to Orange County, the Inland Empire and Northern San Diego County. It airs a Christian talk and teaching radio format, known as "K-Wave". The station is owned by Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, with its studios in the church-owned KWAVE Building on West MacArthur Boulevard in Santa Ana.

Contents

KWVE-FM is a Class B FM station with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 530 watts. The transmitter is atop Santiago Peak in Rancho Santa Margarita. [2] KWVE is simulcast on KWVE (1110 AM) within the Greater Los Angeles area; most KWVE programming is also heard on KSDW (88.9 FM) in Temecula.

Programming

Talk and Teaching

KWVE-FM airs talk and teaching programs, some hosted by Calvary Chapel pastors, some from national religious leaders. Hosts include Jim Daly, Rick Warren, David Jeremiah, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, Greg Laurie, Alistair Begg, J. Vernon McGee, Joni Eareckson Tada, James Dobson and Chuck Swindoll.

Two hours of Christian-oriented children's programming airs on Saturday mornings. [3] Praise and worship music, which once had been part of KWVE's format, is now found on a separate channel on the station's website. While hosts may ask for donations to their non-profit ministries, and Calvary Chapel is also non-profit, KWVE-FM is a commercial radio station, airing advertisements between shows.

The K-Wave Radio Network

K-Wave operates several other feeds in the Southwestern United States.

Together they create at least secondary coverage to almost all of Southern California, from San Diego to Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

The church acquired several of these stations on August 11, 2011. They were previously owned and programmed by other ministries affiliated with the Calvary Chapel fellowship of churches.

Calvary Chapel entered an agreement with The Walt Disney Company to acquire KRDC in June 2023. [4] The sale closed on September 8 of that year, and the AM signal switched to a simulcast of KWVE-FM. The AM signal gives KWVE enhanced coverage in the northern and western areas of the Los Angeles area, including Los Angeles proper, and as far north as Ventura County, where the main signal on 107.9 FM is weak. [5] An application to change the call sign of the AM station to KWVE was granted on September 12. [6]

History

MOR and beautiful music

The El Camino Broadcasting Corporation received a construction permit to build a new FM station at 107.9 MHz. The station signed on the air on November 16, 1971, as KAPX, airing a middle of the road format. [7]

Radio Apex bought KAPX in November 1977 and changed its call sign to KWVE, becoming a beautiful music station known as K-Wave. It played quarter-hour sweeps of mostly instrumental music with some soft vocals. By the early 1980s, KWVE was a commercial adult contemporary music station. It was getting poor ratings, except in the evening drive slot when it played cutting-edge punk rock and new wave music which pulled high Arbitron numbers.

Christian radio

In 1982, KWVE sold the 7 p.m. to midnight timeslot to Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. The church also bought time on KWVE on Sundays from 5 a.m. to noon. In 1984, the station fired most of its disc jockeys and went to automated music programming. [8] In 1985, Calvary Chapel bought the station. The Calvary offer beat two competing bidders because it was an all-cash offer. [8]

The church took over on April 15, 1985. Calvary Chapel expanded the Christian programming to its current 24-hour format while retaining the KWVE call sign and K-Wave brand. KWVE-FM advertises itself as "The Wave of Living Water", in reference to its wave-themed moniker and to the New Testament phrase "living water", a term for salvation through Jesus Christ.

KWVE call letters

For most of its existence, the station's call sign was simply KWVE, without the FM suffix. That changed in 2009 when Calvary Chapel purchased a defunct Christian AM radio station, KGDP in Oildale, California, and renamed it KWVE (now KGSV), simulcasting the FM signal into the Bakersfield radio market. As a result, the original KWVE was legally renamed KWVE-FM.

KWVE-FM is sometimes confused with a similarly named secular smooth adult contemporary radio station in Los Angeles, KTWV 94.7 FM. That station is known as "94.7 The Wave" and owned by Audacy. Then-owner Metromedia converted rock-formatted KMET to KTWV and "The Wave" on February 14, 1987, nearly two years after the launch of KWVE-FM's current Christian format. Both stations emphasize their FM frequencies to distinguish themselves from each other. KWVE-FM keeps on hand in its broadcast booth KTWV's request line and business numbers as a courtesy to listeners mistakenly calling into the wrong station.

25th anniversary

On April 15 and 16, 2010, Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa celebrated the 25th anniversary of its purchase of KWVE-FM and the station's Christian talk and music format with two evening concerts in the church sanctuary. The concerts featured Love Song, a Christian rock band founded at Calvary Chapel and popular during the Jesus Movement of the early 1970s, and messages from senior pastor Chuck Smith.

Website attacked by hackers

Beginning on October 17, 2010 visitors to KWVE-FM's website began complaining on the station's Facebook fan page that they could not access either the home page or the Flash Player live stream. The station replied that the web server experienced a hacker attack and the entire site had to be taken down while they cleared the hardware of malignant code and rebuilt the site "from the ground up". As of November 1 the site and live stream were back in operation. [9]

Calvary Chapel Music Channel

On August 7, 2011 KWVE-FM announced on its website and Facebook page the creation of the Calvary Chapel Music Channel, a commercial-free iTunes channel streaming the station's music 24 hours a day. [10]

Emergency Alert System

KWVE-FM was the Local Primary station of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) for Orange County until 2023. All radio stations and cable systems in the area must relay emergency information and required monthly tests from KWVE-FM, when activated.

On September 15, 2009, the Federal Communications Commission fined Calvary Chapel $5,000 for a botched EAS test on October 19, 2008. On that date, the station conducted a Required Monthly Test (RMT) by mistake, instead of the scheduled Required Weekly Test. The operator aborted the test midway through, leading the station to fail to broadcast a code to indicate the end of the test, causing all stations and cable systems in the area to broadcast KWVE-FM's programming until those stations took their equipment offline or their EAS equipment had timed out (after two minutes). [11]

After the fine was levied, many state broadcast associations in the United States submitted a joint letter to the FCC, protesting against the fine, saying that the FCC could have handled the matter better. [12] On November 13, 2009, the FCC rescinded its fine against KWVE-FM, but had still admonished the station for broadcasting an unauthorized RMT, as well as omitting the code to end the test. [13]

On September 21, 2017, a glitch during a test conducted by KWVE caused the station to accidentally omit the end-of-message tone, which caused portions of Chuck Swindoll's Insight for Living program to accidentally be relayed to local cable providers. In the audio relayed, Swindoll was heard quoting a Biblical verse, 2 Timothy 3:1, and stating that "extremely violent times" would come, which led viewers hearing the audio out of context to believe that it had been hacked to inform of an impending apocalypse. [14] [15] [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emergency Alert System</span> Method of emergency broadcasting in the United States

The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is a national warning system in the United States designed to allow authorized officials to broadcast emergency alerts and warning messages to the public via cable, satellite and broadcast television and AM, FM and satellite radio. Informally, Emergency Alert System is sometimes conflated with its mobile phone counterpart Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), a different but related system. However, both the EAS and WEA, among other systems, are coordinated under the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). The EAS, and more broadly IPAWS, allows federal, state, and local authorities to efficiently broadcast emergency alert and warning messages across multiple channels. The EAS became operational on January 1, 1997, after being approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in November 1994, replacing the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS), and largely supplanted Local Access Alert systems, though Local Access Alert systems are still used from time to time. Its main improvement over the EBS, and perhaps its most distinctive feature, is its application of a digitally encoded audio signal known as Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME), which is responsible for the characteristic "screeching" or "chirping" sounds at the start and end of each message. The first signal is the "header" which encodes, among other information, the alert type and locations, or the specific area that should receive the message. The last short burst marks the end-of-message. These signals are read by specialized encoder-decoder equipment. This design allows for automated station-to-station relay of alerts to only the area the alert was intended for.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ESPN Radio</span> Sports radio network

ESPN Radio, which is alternatively branded platform-agnostically as ESPN Audio, is an American sports radio network and extension of the ESPN television network. It was launched on January 1, 1992, under the banner "SportsRadio ESPN". The network is based at the ESPN campus in Bristol, Connecticut, with multiple studio facilities nationwide, along with home studios. The network airs a regular schedule of daily and weekly programming as well as live radio play-by-play of sporting events.

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

KWVE is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Pasadena, California, serving Greater Los Angeles as a simulcast of Christian talk and teaching station KWVE-FM. The station is operated by Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, who acquired the station on September 8, 2023.

KTWV is a commercial radio station licensed to Los Angeles, California, and broadcasting to the Greater Los Angeles area. The station is owned by Audacy, Inc., and airs an urban adult contemporary radio format. KTWV has studios on Wilshire Boulevard in the Miracle Mile district of Los Angeles. As "94.7 The Wave," the station was known for pioneering the smooth jazz radio format in the late 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KRLA</span> Radio station in Glendale, California

KRLA "AM 870 The Answer" is a commercial radio station broadcasting a conservative talk radio format. Licensed to Glendale, California, it serves Greater Los Angeles and Southern California. The station is owned by Salem Media Group, which also owns 99.5 KKLA-FM which features a Christian talk and teaching format, and 95.9 KFSH-FM with a contemporary Christian music format.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WPPN</span> Radio station in Des Plaines, Illinois

WPPN is a radio station licensed to Des Plaines, Illinois, that targets the Chicago metropolitan area. WPPN broadcasts a Spanish AC format. WPPN is owned by TelevisaUnivision through its Uforia Audio Network subsidiary. The station's studios are located at 625 North Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago, and its transmitter is located in Arlington Heights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KLHT (AM)</span> Radio station

KLHT is a non-commercial AM radio station in Honolulu, Hawaii, with a Christian talk and teaching format. The station is owned by Calvary Chapel of Honolulu, Inc., with studios and offices on Komo Mai Drive in Aiea. Its on-air branding is "K-Light 1040 AM" and its slogan is "The Pure Light of Hawaii."

KBRT is a Southern Californian radio station. It airs a Christian talk and teaching radio format and is owned by Crawford Broadcasting. It is licensed to Costa Mesa, California, and serves Los Angeles and Orange counties and can be heard in The Inland Empire and San Diego County. National religious leaders heard on K-Brite include David Jeremiah, Alistair Begg, Joyce Meyer, Charles Stanley and Rick Warren. The radio studios and business offices are on Airway Avenue in Costa Mesa.

WJWD is a non-commercial FM radio station licensed to Marshall, Wisconsin and serving the Madison metropolitan area. It is owned by the Calvary Radio Network, an Indiana nonprofit corporation based in Valparaiso, Indiana. WJWD broadcasts that network's lineup of Christian talk and teaching programs with some Contemporary Christian music, mostly modern praise and worship and Christian rock and pop. Calvary Radio is the radio outreach of several non-denominational churches focused on the "inerrancy of the Bible" and the "expository teaching from Genesis to Revelation".

KWYZ is a U.S. radio station licensed to serve Everett, Washington. The station, which began broadcasting in 1957, is owned by Radio Hankook, Inc. Jean J. Suh, the owner of Radio Hankook, is a pioneer in Korean-language radio programming in the United States.

KKDD is a radio station in San Bernardino, California. The station is owned by Relevant Radio, Inc. It airs a Catholic talk format for the Inland Empire region of Southern California including Riverside and San Bernardino.

WVBV or Hope-FM 90.5 is a Christian radio station in Medford Lakes, New Jersey on 90.5 FM. The station's primary focus is teaching the Bible and playing Christian music. The station is owned by Hope Christian Church of Marlton. Many of their teaching programs are produced by Calvary Chapel pastors, although they also run programs from other churches. The music is of the praise and worship variety which they hope will "lead one into the worship of God without attracting too much attention to the music itself."

KALI-FM is a Vietnamese language radio station licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to serve the community of Santa Ana, California, United States. KALI airs musical and entertainment shows. This station directly competes with KVNR 1480 AM, which also airs Vietnamese-language programming.

KGSV is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Oildale, California, and serving the Bakersfield metropolitan area. The station is owned by XL Media (CA) Inc., and airs a South Asian radio format known as "Radio Punjab." Affiliated stations carry the same programming in San Francisco, Sacramento and other West Coast cities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KGDP-FM</span> Radio station in Santa Maria, California

KGDP-FM is a non-commercial radio station that is licensed to Santa Maria, California and broadcasts to the Santa Maria—Lompoc area. The station is owned by Family Life Broadcasting and airs a contemporary Christian music format as an affiliate of Family Life Radio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KRKS-FM</span> Radio station in Lafayette, Colorado

KRKS-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to Lafayette, Colorado, and serving the Denver-Boulder market and the Denver metropolitan area. The station is owned and operated by the Salem Media Group and it airs a Christian talk and teaching radio format. Its studios and offices are located on South Vaughn Way in Aurora, and the transmitter is located on Lee Hill, northwest of Boulder. KRKS-FM is co-owned AM 990 KRKS. Together, they are known as "The Word." While both KRKS stations broadcast a Christian Talk/Teaching format, they program each station differently.

KRTM is a Christian radio station licensed to Banning, California, and serving the Palm Springs radio market. The station is owned by Penfold Communications, Inc.

KVLI is a commercial AM radio station that is licensed to Lake Isabella, California, United States. The station is owned by Danny and Kait Hill, through Hill Broadcasting, and broadcasts a Classic Country radio format, known as "Outlaw Country"

KWTH is a non-commercial, listener-supported radio station broadcasting a Christian radio format. It is licensed to Barstow, California, and is owned by the New Life Christian School, with the license held by Advance Ministries, Inc. KWTH mostly simulcasts the programming of sister station KWVE-FM San Clemente, with studios on West MacArthur Boulevard in Santa Ana.

KSDW is a Christian radio station licensed to Temecula, California, and serving the Temecula Valley and San Diego County. The station is owned and operated by Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, and studios are co-located in Santa Ana with sister station KWVE-FM.

References

  1. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for KWVE-FM". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ↑ Radio-Locator.com/KWVE
  3. ↑ "KWVE Programming". Archived from the original on 2006-02-18. Retrieved 2006-04-19.
  4. ↑ "Disney Exits Radio With KRDC Sale - RadioInsight". 2023-06-12. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  5. ↑ Moore, Zachary (2023-09-08). "KWAVE 107.9 FM Increases Broadcast Coverage With The Acquisition Of A New AM Station". KWAVE. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
  6. ↑ "Draft Copy « Licensing and Management System « FCC". enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  7. ↑ "KAPX (107.9 FM)". Los Angeles Times. August 2, 1977. Retrieved June 22, 2019.
  8. 1 2 Lewis, Randy (January 4, 1985). "Chapel Buys KWVE-FM; To Switch to Religious Format". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 22, 2019.
  9. ↑ K-Wave Listener fan page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KWVE107.9?ref=ts Retrieved 1 November 2010.
  10. ↑ "Calvary Chapel Music Channel" page at KWVE-FM website, http://cc-music-channel.kwve.com/ Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  11. ↑ FCC document: "In the Matter of Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, Inc., FM Radio Station KWVE San Clemente, California: NOTICE OF APPARENT LIABILITY FOR FORFEITURE", Adopted: September 15, 2009 Released: September 17, 2009
  12. ↑ "Radio Magazine: "State Broadcast Associations Appeal KWVE EAS Fine to FCC", October 9, 2009". Archived from the original on June 2, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Radio Magazine: "FCC Dismisses KWVE EAS Fine", November 17, 2009". Archived from the original on July 15, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  14. ↑ "End-of-world prediction interrupts TV broadcasts in Orange County". Orange County Register. 2017-09-21. Retrieved 2017-09-30.
  15. ↑ "End-of-world message on TV was just glitch from a test of the Emergency Alert System". Orange County Register. 2017-09-23. Retrieved 2017-09-30.
  16. ↑ Bever, Lindsey (2017-09-22). "'Extremely violent times will come!': Ominous emergency alert was just a TV test gone awry". Washington Post. ISSN   0190-8286 . Retrieved 2017-09-30.
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.