KPEZ

KPEZ(102.3FM"102.3 The Beat" ) is acommercialradio stationinAustin, Texas.It is owned byiHeartMediaand airs arhythmic contemporaryradio format.It shares studios with four other iHeart stations in the Penn Field complex in theSouth Congressdistrict (or "SoCo" ) of south central Austin, nearSt. Edward's University.KPEZ has aneffective radiated powerof 26,000watts,broadcasting from atransmittersite off Brodie Lane inSunset Valley, Texas.

KPEZ

Austin, Texas
Broadcast area	Greater Austin
Frequency	102.3MHz(HD Radio)
Branding	102.3 The Beat
Programming
Format	Rhythmic Top 40
Subchannels	HD2:Pride Radio
Affiliations	iHeartRadio Compass Media Networks Premiere Networks
Ownership
Owner	iHeartMedia (iHM Licenses, LLC)
Sister stations	KASE-FM KHFI-FM KVET KVET-FM
History
First air date	August 13, 1976(1976-08-13)
Former call signs	KMXX (1976–82)
Call signmeaning	Reference to a prior easy listening format
Technical information
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	11935
Class	C2
ERP	26,000watts
HAAT	209 meters (686 ft)
Transmitter coordinates	30.224°N 97.828°W/30.224; -97.828
Links
Public license information	Public file LMS
Webcast	Listen live(viaiHeartRadio) Listen live(HD2)
Website	thebeatatx.iheart

"The Beat" station brand has for many years been associated with theR&Bandhip hop musicgenres in the Austinradio market.It originated on 104.3 in 1998, first as KQBT, and later KXBT (nowKLQB). It later moved to 104.9 (nowKTXX) before that station switched formats in 2008. Clear Channel Communications picked up the branding one year later and placed it on 105.9 KFMK before swapping formats with KPEZ in 2010.

History

Early years

On August 13, 1976, the 102.3 frequency firstsigned onas KMXXIt was owned by Dynamic Communications of Austin and playedRegional Mexican music.KMXX was Austin's first full-time Spanish language radio station on the FM dial. The president and general manager was Roberto C. Villanueva, making it a rare FM station in a large market under the control of Hispanic management.

KMXX's Spanish-language format lasted only about a year before the station switched tourban contemporarymusic. With less than 1,000 watts ERP, KMXX had a hard time competing with other stations in Austin, some of them running up to 100,000 watts ERP.

Clear Channel ownership

In 1982, the station was bought bySan Antonio-based Clear Channel Communications, the forerunner to present day owneriHeartMedia.Thecall signwas changed to KPEZ and the format switched toeasy listeningmusic as "EZ 102". In the 1980s, power was increased to 3,000 watts, but the signal was still weak in parts of Austin and its suburbs.

In the late 1980s, KPEZ switched formats toclassic rock,becoming "Z 102." In 1989, it increased power to 26,000 watts from a new tower off Brodie Lane in Southwest Austin, providing better coverage of the city and its suburbs. In the fall of 2004, KPEZ became "Channel 102-3" airing a classic-leaningadult album alternative(AAA) format, dubbed "World Class Rock." On December 16, 2005, the AAA format was dropped, and afterstuntingwithChristmas music,KPEZ flipped to aChristian Contemporary musicformat as "102.3 The River."

Format switch with 105.9

In 1998, Clear Channel launched 105.9 KFMK, a new stationlicensedtoRound Rock, Texas.In 2010, as Clear Channel was going into private ownership, FCC ownership regulations required that the Austin cluster spin off one of its stations. There were plans underway to move KFMK into theAloha Trust LLCfor a future sale.On May 21, 2010, Clear Channel announced that it would move KFMK's urban format to the 102.3 frequency, taking advantage of its more powerful signal. The switch took place on May 31, 2010. The Christian Contemporary format, heard on the 102.3 frequency, moved to 105.9. KFMK was later purchased byCrista Ministries,which specializes in contemporary Christian radio stations. KFMK became Contemporary Christian "Spirit 105.9" in April 2010.

KPEZ HD2

Until 2018, KPEZ's HD2 channel carried continuous rebroadcasts ofAmerican Top 40countdown shows from the era whenCasey Kasemwas the host. The HD2 subchannel currently carries iHeart'sPride Radio,a mix of pop anddance musicandEDM,aimed at Austin's gay community.

Personalities

Current:

• Frankie V. (Afternoons)
• Tino Cochino (Nights)
• Mikey V (Weekends)

External links

• Official website
• Facility details for Facility ID 11935 (KPEZ)in theFCCLicensing and Management System
• KPEZinNielsen Audio's FM station database