KLBG (FM)

KLBG
Broadcast areaSalina, Kansas
Frequency95.5 MHz
BrandingSmoky Hills Rock 95.5
Programming
FormatMainstream rock
Ownership
Owner
  • Christofer Shank
  • (Ad Astra per Aspera Broadcasting, Inc.)
KMCP, KMPK
History
First air date
1988 (as KQNS-FM)
Former call signs
KQNS-FM (1985–2007)
KVOB (2007–2023)[1]
Former frequencies
95.9 MHz (1988–1993)
Technical information[2]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID3483
ClassC3
ERP15,500 watts
HAAT127 meters (417 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
38°40′00″N 97°41′30″W / 38.66667°N 97.69167°W / 38.66667; -97.69167
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen live
Websitewww.adastraradio.com/klbg

KLBG (95.5 FM) 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.[3]

History

KLBG started as KQNS-FM in September 1986, then located on 95.9 FM with an ERP of 1.3 kW. At the time, the station aired an easy listening format, and was branded as "Q96." On January 5, 1993, KQNS flipped to a mainstream rock format, branded as "95.9 The Rock."[4] In April 1994, the station moved to 95.5 FM and upgraded their power to 15.5 kW.[5] In September 1994, B-B Broadcasting bought the station from Jerry Davies, who owned KNGL and KBBE in McPherson. On January 13, 1997, the station flipped to adult contemporary as "Star 95.5".[6] In August 2002, Waitt Media bought the station, and rebranded the station as "Lite Rock 95.5." In addition, the station began airing the "Hits & Favorites" format from Citadel Media (now Cumulus Media Networks).[7] In 2005, the station switched satellite feeds to Westwood One's AC format. In 2006, the station rebranded as "OZ 95". In 2007, the station flipped to adult hits, branded as "Bob FM". The station was assigned the KVOB call sign by the Federal Communications Commission on December 1, 2007.[1] A year later, the station switched to Sparknet Communications' national feed of "Jack FM", again retaining the adult hits format.

On December 25, 2012, at Midnight, the station flipped to active rock, branded as "95.5 The Rock." The station began carrying the "Rock 2.0" feed from Dial Global. Due to a technical error, the Jack FM feed and the new format were both heard simultaneously until it was corrected the following day.[8][9]

The station aired several weekend specialty programs, such as "The House of Hair with Dee Snider", and "Racing Rocks with Riki Rachtman". KVOB also broadcast several local sports teams, including Smoky Valley High School, Bethany College, and the Salina Sirens roller derby. It also aired the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series via the Motor Racing Network and Performance Racing Network.

KVOB would fall silent in March 2022.[10]

As part of then-owner Rocking M Media's bankruptcy reorganization, in which 12 stations in Kansas would be auctioned off to new owners, it was announced on October 31, 2022 that Hutchinson-based Ad Astra Per Aspera Broadcasting was the winning bidder for KVOB and Larned-based KSOB and KNNS for $152,000. While the bankruptcy court had approved the purchase, the sale was officially filed to the FCC on January 9, 2023. Ahead of the closure of the sale, Ad Astra per Aspera had applied a new KLBG call sign for the station, which took effect on March 1.[11][12][13][14]

On January 13, 2023, KVOB would return to the air, this time simulcasting then-sister station KZUH's Top 40/CHR format. Upon Ad Astra per Aspera assuming control of the stations on March 31, 2023, KLBG returned to a mainstream rock format, now branded as "Smoky Hills Rock 95.5."[15]

References

  1. ^ a b "Call Sign History". FCC Media Bureau CDBS Public Access Database. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
  2. ^ "Facility Technical Data for KLBG". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. ^ "Station Information Profile". Arbitron. Retrieved July 14, 2009.
  4. ^ "Radio station shifts to classic rock music," The Salina Journal, February 6, 1993.
  5. ^ "KQNS-FM to boost power, move on dial," The Salina Journal, April 10, 1994.
  6. ^ Chris Koger, "The Rock to fill local Top 40 void," The Salina Journal, December 28, 1996.
  7. ^ ""lite rock" brings yesterday's, today's hits to Salina market," The Salina Journal, August 18, 2002.
  8. ^ KVOB Rocks in Salina
  9. ^ https://www.facebook.com/955TheRock/posts/137745316381624 [user-generated source]
  10. ^ FCC Silent FM Broadcast Stations List
  11. ^ Four Operators to Split 12 Stations Auctioned Off by Rocking M Media
  12. ^ The Rocking M Asset Auction Concludes
  13. ^ Rocking M Auction Opens Window to Kansas Broadcasters to Grow Their Reach
  14. ^ "Draft Copy « License Modernization « FCC".
  15. ^ Ad Astra Relaunches Kansas Trio


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