KBQI

Last updated
KBQI
KBQI LOGO TN.png
Broadcast area Albuquerque metropolitan area
Frequency 107.9 MHz (HD Radio)
BrandingBig I 107.9
Programming
Format Country music
Subchannels HD2: Classic country "98.1 The Bull"
Affiliations Premiere Networks
Ownership
Owner
KABQ, KABQ-FM, KPEK, KTEG, KZRR, K251AU, K265CA
History
First air date
April 27, 1979;45 years ago (April 27, 1979) (as KFMG)
Former call signs
  • KFMG (1979–1991)
  • KAMX (1991–1994)
  • KTEG (1994–2000)
Call sign meaning
AlBuQuerque Interstate (see below)
Technical information [1]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 4706
Class C
ERP 22,500 watts
HAAT 1,259 meters (4,131 ft)
Translator(s) 98.1 K251AU (Albuquerque, relays HD2)
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen Live
HD2: The Bull Listen Live
Website bigi1079.iheart.com
HD2: thebullabq.iheart.com

KBQI (107.9 FM, "Big I 107.9") is a commercial radio station in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It carries a country music format and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. It carries two syndicated shows on weekdays, The Bobby Bones Show in morning drive time and After Midnite with Granger Smith overnight. The studios are on Masthead Street in northeast Albuquerque.

Contents

KBQI is a Class C station with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 22,500 watts. The transmitter tower is atop Sandia Crest east of the city. KBQI broadcasts using HD Radio technology. It airs a classic country format on its HD-2 subchannel, "The Bull," which feeds FM translator K251AU at 98.1 MHz.

History

KFMG

This station signed on the air on April 27, 1979;45 years ago. The original call sign was KFMG and it aired an album oriented rock (AOR) format programmed by Frank Felix. KFMG featured a tight playlist of about 250 titles, the most popular researched songs. Felix wanted to create a more mass appeal rock sound as proven by the success of 106.7 KBPI in Denver. [2]

Rock programmer Carey Curelop later assumed program director duties. The station became the top rated station among its target audience. [3] KFMG, branded as "Rock 108", continued to be one of Albuquerque's top rock stations for much of the 1980s. [4]

In May 1985, KFMG and its AM sister station KAMX 1520 were sold to Coastal Communications for $2,125,000. [5] By the end of the 1980s, KFMG experienced declining ratings falling further behind rival KZRR "94 Rock". In 1990, it faced a new competitor, KRBL 98.5 (now KABG). KRBL edged past KFMG in the Fall 1990 Arbitron ratings. [6]

KAMX-FM

In early March 1991, KFMG flipped to a hot adult contemporary format with most of the rock airstaff let go. [7] With the switch to Hot AC, the station changed its call letters to KAMX-FM, branded as "Mix 107.9".

Mix was not be a strong performer in the market. In June 1994, Coastal Communications sold KAMX-AM-FM to Bengal Communications for $750,000. Bengal also purchased easy listening outlet KKJY 100.3 (now KPEK) for $1.5 million. [8] On October 17, 1994, KAMX-FM began stunting with a gag format made up of sound effects.

KTEG

On October 19 at 5pm, KAMX-FM switched to modern rock. [9] Meanwhile, KAMX 1520 discontinued its simulcast. [10] A month later, the FM station's call letters changed to KTEG and it branded as "107.9 The Edge, Albuquerque's New Rock Alternative." The new format quickly improved ratings for the station, putting in the top 10 while becoming the leading rock station in the market for a while. [11]

In March 1996, Bengal sold KTEG, KDZZ 1520 and KHTZ 100.3 to Trumper Communications for $7.4 million. [12] In June of that year, Trumper also purchased KZRR 94.1 and AM simulcast KZSS 610, along with classic rock outlet KLSK 104.1. [13] While KTEG's modern rock sound was unchanged, KZRR shifted to a mainstream rock format. In addition, Trumper flipped 100.3 to a modern adult contemporary format. That consequentially created fragmentation in the alternative format.

KBQI

In August 1999, Trumper sold its the Albuquerque cluster (which now included 95.1 added earlier in the year). The buyer was San Antonio-based Clear Channel Communications and the price tag was $55.5 million. [14]

After entering the Albuquerque radio market, Clear Channel decided to challenge the top-rated station country station, 92.3 KRST. It launched a new country sound on 107.9 FM. In July 2000, KTEG was moved to 104.7 (recently purchased from Continental Communications) to make way for a new station on 107.9 FM, KBQI. [15]

KBQI took its branding, "Big I 107-9", from the I-40 and I-25 interchange near downtown Albuquerque that is locally known as "the Big I". At the time of the station's launch, the "Big I" was at the start of a major reconstruction project which finished in May 2002.

To kick off the country music format, former 92.3 KRST morning personalities Tony Lynn and Myles Copeland began hosting the morning shift on KBQI. This helped to make KBQI competitive with KRST, which had once dominated the country format in the Albuquerque market. Tony and Myles were the wake-up team for 11 years until they were let go in October 2011. [16] They were replaced by the syndicated Bobby Bones Show, which airs on most iHeart country stations.

HD Radio

In February 2006, the station began broadcasting in the HD Radio format. On its HD-2 digital subchannel, it launched a country variety sound.

On June 21, 2013, the HD-2 subchannel started airing a classic country music format. The classic country sound began re-broadcasting on FM translator K251AU at 98.1 FM. [17] [18]

Previous formats

call lettersformatnametime period
KFMG Album Oriented Rock Rock 1081979-1991
KAMX Hot AC Mix 107.91991-1994
KTEG Modern Rock The Edge1994-2000

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KJEB</span> Classic hits radio station in Seattle

KJEB is a commercial radio station in Seattle, Washington. It broadcasts a classic hits radio format and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. The radio studios and offices are in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood northwest of downtown.

KQKS is a Rhythmic Top 40 radio station, licensed to Lakewood, Colorado. It is owned by Audacy, Inc. and serves the Denver-Boulder metropolitan area. KQKS features a musical mix of R&B, hip hop and rhythmic pop hits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KAZR</span> Radio station in Pella–Des Moines, Iowa

KAZR is a commercial FM radio station licensed to Pella, Iowa, and serving the Des Moines metropolitan area. It is owned by Saga Communications, and is operated as part of its Des Moines Radio Group, with studios located on Locust Street in Des Moines. KAZR airs a mainstream rock radio format, known as "Lazer 103.3".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KKSS</span> Rhythmic contemporary hit radio station in Santa Fe, New Mexico

KKSS is a commercial radio station licensed to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and broadcasting to the Santa Fe and Albuquerque metropolitan area. KKSS airs an urban-leaning rhythmic contemporary radio format branded as "Kiss 97.3". Owned by American General Media, its radio studios and offices are in Northeast Albuquerque.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WRQK-FM</span> Active rock radio station in Canton, Ohio

WRQK-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to serve Canton, Ohio, featuring a mainstream rock format known as "Rock 106.9". Owned by iHeartMedia, the station serves both the Canton and Akron metro areas and is the local affiliate for The House of Hair with Dee Snider. WRQK-FM's studios are in North Canton, while the transmitter is in Canton. In addition to a standard analog transmission, WRQK-FM broadcasts in HD Radio, and is available online via iHeartRadio.

KCFX is a radio station broadcasting a classic rock format. Licensed to the suburb of Harrisonville, Missouri, it serves the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. The station is currently owned by Cumulus Media. The station's studios are located in Overland Park, Kansas, and the transmitter is in Kansas City’s East Side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KTKX</span> Radio station in Terrell Hills, Texas

KTKX is a commercial radio station, licensed to Terrell Hills, Texas, and serving the San Antonio metropolitan area. KTKX is owned by Cox Radio, positioned between two other Cox stations. KTKX has a pop-leaning classic rock radio format, while sister stations KISS-FM airs an active rock format with some harder-edged classic rock titles, and KONO-FM plays classic hits, including some classic rock songs that also scored on the Top 40 charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KTEG</span> Alternative rock radio station in Santa Fe, New Mexico

KTEG is a radio station broadcasting an alternative rock format. Licensed to Santa Fe, New Mexico, it serves the Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico metropolitan area. The station is currently owned by iHeartMedia, Inc.. Its studios are located in Northeast Albuquerque and the transmitter tower is located west of Los Alamos, New Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KDRF</span> Radio station in Albuquerque, New Mexico

KDRF is a radio station in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is owned by Cumulus Media and has an adult hits format as "Ed FM" and uses the slogan "Playing Stuff We Like." Its studios are located in Downtown Albuquerque and the transmitter tower is located atop Sandia Crest east of the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KRST</span> Radio station in Albuquerque, New Mexico

KRST is a commercial radio station in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is owned by Cumulus Media and airs a country music radio format. The radio studios and offices are located in Downtown Albuquerque.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KKRG-FM</span> Radio station in Santa Fe, New Mexico

KKRG-FM is a radio station licensed to Santa Fe, New Mexico, covering the Albuquerque area and northern New Mexico. It is currently owned by American General Media. Its studios are located in Northeast Albuquerque and the transmitter tower is located west of Los Alamos, New Mexico. Syndicated programming includes Brooke & Jeffrey in the morning and Liveline with Mason at night.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KZRR</span> Radio station in Albuquerque, New Mexico

KZRR is a commercial radio station in Albuquerque, New Mexico, broadcasting to the Albuquerque-Santa Fe, New Mexico, area. KZRR airs a mainstream rock radio format and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. The radio studios and offices are in Northeast Albuquerque.

KMGA is a commercial radio station licensed to Albuquerque, New Mexico. The station is owned by Cumulus Media and broadcasts an adult contemporary radio format. For much of November and December it switches to Christmas music. The radio studios and offices are in Downtown Albuquerque.

KNFZ is a radio station licensed to the suburb of Bosque Farms, New Mexico, and serving the Albuquerque metropolitan area. The station is owned by Encouragement Media Group, through licensee Educational Radio Foundation of East Texas, Inc. KKTH broadcasts a 100,000-watt signal from a site close to Belen, nearly 35 miles south of Albuquerque sending a signal that is a bit weak with some static on many radios in much of the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KRZY-FM</span> Radio station in Santa Fe, New Mexico

KRZY-FM is a Spanish-language Grupero and Cumbia music formatted radio station programmed by satellite, serving the Albuquerque, New Mexico, area. It is branded as "La Suavecita 105.9". It is owned by Entravision which also owns local television stations KLUZ, a Univision affiliate, and KTFQ, an Unimás affiliate. It is licensed to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KPEK</span> Hot adult contemporary radio station in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

KPEK is a commercial radio station located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. KPEK airs a hot adult contemporary music format branded as "The Peak". Owned by iHeartMedia, Inc., its studios are located in Northeast Albuquerque and the transmitter tower is atop Sandia Crest east of the city.

KYFV is a non-commercial radio station located in Armijo, New Mexico, broadcasting to the Albuquerque, New Mexico, area. It is owned by and affiliated with the Bible Broadcasting Network featuring bible teachings and traditional hymns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KBNM-LP</span> Radio station in Belen, New Mexico

KBNM-LP is a low-powered FM radio station based in Belen, New Mexico broadcasting at 100 watts. KBNM airs an oldies music format. It is owned by Tix For Kids, a non-profit group that raises money to buy tickets to concerts and other events for sick children.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KWEN</span> Radio station in Tulsa, Oklahoma

KWEN is a commercial radio station in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The station is owned by Cox Media Group and airs a country music radio format. The studios and offices are on Memorial Drive in Tulsa. The transmitter is on Route 97 in Sand Springs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">K251AU</span> FM translator radio station in Albuquerque, New Mexico

K251AU is an FM translator radio station that serves the Albuquerque, New Mexico area. It broadcasts at 98.1 MHz with a 165 watt signal from atop Sandia Crest, sending a somewhat strong signal into much of the city. Its studios are located in Northeast Albuquerque.

References

  1. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for KBQI". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ↑ https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1970s/1979/RR-1979-10-19.pdf page 48
  3. ↑ https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/80s/1980/BB-1980-07-26.pdf page 23
  4. ↑ https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Duncan-American-Radio/Duncan-1975-1992/Albuquerque.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  5. ↑ https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1985/BC-1985-05-20.pdf page 90
  6. ↑ https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1991/BB-1991-02-02.pdf page 25
  7. ↑ https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/90s/91/RR-1991-03-15-OCR-Page-0030.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  8. ↑ https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/M-Street-Journal/M-Street-1994-06.pdf page 20
  9. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/157875154/ Sound Effects Usher In New FM Music Format
  10. ↑ Stark, Phyllis (November 5, 1994). "Vox Jox". Billboard . Vol. 106, no. 45. p. 118.
  11. ↑ https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Duncan-American-Radio/Duncan-1995-Summer.pdf page 10
  12. ↑ https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1996/R&R-1996-03-29.pdf page 8
  13. ↑ https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/M-Street-Journal/M-Street-1996-06.pdf page 6
  14. ↑ https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/M-Street-Journal/M-Street-1999-08.pdf page 5
  15. ↑ https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/M-Street-Journal/M-Street-2000-07.pdf page 40
  16. ↑ http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/tony-lynn--myles-show-cancelled
  17. ↑ "Albuquerque's Classic Country on the Move". 16 June 2013.
  18. ↑ http://www.hdradio.com/station_guides/widget.php?id=70 HD Radio Guide for Albuquerque

35°12′43″N106°27′00″W / 35.212°N 106.450°W / 35.212; -106.450

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.