By day, KMIA is powered at 27,500 watts. But because 1210 AM is a clear channel frequency, KMIA must reduce power at night to only 220 watts to minimize interference to other stations.[2] KMIA uses a directional antenna at all times. Programming is also heard on 150 watt FM translatorK221FJ at 92.1 MHz in Tacoma, Washington, 250 watt FM translator K253CG at 98.5 MHz in Seattle, Washington, and 250 watt FM translator K271BS at 102.1 MHz in Auburn, Washington.
History
Edward and June Garre were the founders of this station, which began as KASY in 1958. It originally broadcast on 1220 AM as a 250 watt daytimer. It ran a Middle of the Road music format. The station was sold in October 1989.[3]
Viacom bought the station, with 1210 becoming a simulcast of Oldies station 97.3 KBSG-FM. The AM station became KBSG (AM). Entercom bought KBSG-AM-FM in 1996. The simulcast lasted until around 2002, when KBSG (AM) flipped to a business format as KNWX (the former call sign of 770 KTTH). That lasted until 2003, when KNWX switched to an all-news radio format, using programming from AP Radio News.
In December 2004, after Bustos Media bought the station, 1210 switched to a Regional Mexican format, first as KWMG and later as KTBK. In September 2010, Bustos transferred most of its licenses to Adelante Media Group as part of a settlement with its lenders.[4] The station switched to a Spanish popular hits format on November 7, 2011, calling itself "Latino 1210" and operating under the call letters of KMIA.
Logo as La Zeta 1210
Effective December 10, 2014, Bustos Media reacquired KMIA, along with eight other stations and a translator, from Adelante Media for $6 million. On December 31, 2014, KMIA returned to a Regional Mexican format, branded as "La Zeta 1210".
In March 2020, Bustos Media took KMIA silent, notifying the FCC that the COVID-19 pandemic made it economically unviable to keep the station on the air. Bustos characterized the shutdown as temporary.[6] The station eventually returned to the air.
