Jump to content

KKSF

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected fromKKSF (AM))

For the San Francisco radio station formerly licensed as KKSF-FM, seeKOSF.
KKSF
Broadcast areaSan Francisco Bay Area
Frequency910kHz
BrandingThe Bay Area’s BIN 910
Programming
FormatBlack-oriented news
AffiliationsBlack Information Network
Ownership
Owner
KIOI,KISQ,KMEL,KNEW,KOSF,KYLD
History
First air date
July 25, 1922;101 years ago(1922-07-25)
Former call signs
  • KLX (1922–1959)
  • KEWB (1959–1966)
  • KNEW (1966–2012)
Call signmeaning
San Francisco
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID59966
ClassB
Power
  • 20,000watts(day)
  • 5,000 watts (night)
Transmitter coordinates
37°53′45″N122°19′25″W/ 37.89583°N 122.32361°W/37.89583; -122.32361
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen live(viaiHeartRadio)
Websitebayarea.binnews.com

KKSF(910 kHz) is acommercialAMradio stationlicensedtoOakland, Californiaand serving theSan Francisco Bay Area.The station is owned byiHeartMediaand has anall-news radioformat,with programming from the co-ownedBlack Information Network(BIN). Thestudiosare located on Townsend Street inSan Francisco'sSoMadistrict.

The station'stransmitterand two-tower arrayare located onPoint IsabelinRichmond,on theSan Francisco Bay.[2]KDIAutilizes one of KKSF's two towers during the day. KKSF transmits with 20,000wattsduring the day and 5,000 watts at night, using adirectional antennaat all times. Because radio waves travel farther at night, KKSF must reduce its power after sunset to protect other stations onAM 910from interference.

History[edit]

KLX[edit]

From its debut in 1922 until November 1923, KLX shared facilities at theOakland Hotelwith Preston D. Allen's KZM.[3]

KKSF was founded by theOakland Tribunenewspaper. Starting in early 1922, the Tribune supplied content for Preston D. Allen's station,KZM,located on top of theOakland Hotel.Following a suggestion by Allen, the newspaper decided to establish its own broadcasting station, and on May 3, 1922, it was issued a license for a new station with the randomly assignedcall lettersKLX. This authorization specified operation on the standard "entertainment" wavelength of 360 meters (833kilocycles).[4]KLX's firstsign-onoccurred at 7:30 p.m. on July 25, 1922.[5]

For the first year and a half, KLX shared the studios and transmitter at the Oakland Hotel with KZM. Engineer Roswell Smith remembered that "they used to shut down the transmitter as KZM, and take to the air a half hour later as KLX".[6]As part of the cooperative effort, theHeraldarranged to upgrade the KLX's 5-watt transmitter by installing two more powerful transmitters, which were named for characters in theToonerville Folkscomic strip:50-watt "Little Jimmie", and 250-watt "Powerful Katrinka."[7]

Initially, the 360-meter wavelength was the only "entertainment" frequency available, so stations within various regions had to develop time sharing agreements providing for each station to broadcast for a few hours each week. By November 1, 1922, there were twelve "San Francisco Bay District" stations sharing time on 360 meters, and, after KZM ceded its original hours, KLX was assigned 7:00–7:30 p.m. daily except Sunday, plus 10:00–11:00 a.m. Sunday and 8:00–9:00 p.m. Tuesday.[8]

In the fall of 1923, KLX moved to its own studio on the 20th floor of the recently completedTribune Towerat Thirteenth and Franklin, it would stay there for thirty years. An antenna was strung between the tops of the Tribune and Oakland Bank buildings, and the transmitter was upgraded to 500 watts.[6]

The station later moved to 590 kHz. The transmitter power was increased to 1,000 watts by the 1930s, with the station moving to 880 kHz. With the implementation of theNorth American Regional Broadcasting Agreement(NARBA) in 1941, KLX moved to its current frequency of 910 kHz. In 1952, the transmitter was moved to the San Francisco Bay shoreline and increased to 5,000 watts. In late 1956, KLX moved to the Bermuda Building on Franklin Street.

KLX was owned for three decades byJoseph R. Knowland,owner and publisher ofThe Oakland Tribunenewspaper.[9]To pay off campaign debts related to U.S. SenatorWilliam Knowland's unsuccessful 1958 campaign forGovernor of California,the Knowland family sold the station to the former publisher ofCollier'smagazine (which had ceased publication in December 1956).[10]

Top 40 KEWB[edit]

KLX became KEWB on June 7, 1959. KEWB was owned by Crowell Collier Broadcasting until 1966. KEWB switched toTop 40hits, pitting it against existing San Francisco Top 40 stationsKYAandKOBY.KYA outlasted KEWB, while KOBY couldn't keep up and eventually changed call letters to KKHI, as "The HIGH Spot on Your Radio Dial", playingmiddle of the road music.It later switched toclassical music.

Guided by programmer Chuck Blore, KEWB began the same on-air approach implemented atLos Angelessister stationKFWB,and adopted the slogan "Color Radio - Channel 91". KEWB played the current best-selling hits, added amusing format elements, and employed energetic, funnydisc jockeys.Chris Borden's weekend show was a "pool party," complete with sound effects:Casey Kasemdropped in wild tracks,Gary Owenswas a stream of one-liners, Bobby Dale was frantic, and Ron Lyons was acerbic. It proved to be a winning combination.

During the early 1960s, KEWB was famous for its on-air slogan "Boss Radio", using the then-current slang for "cool". The station was considered the launching pad for the radio careers of Casey Kasem, "The Real"Don Steele,andRobert W. Morgan.Gary Owens did a humorous morning show at KEWB. He eventually moved it to KFWB, and in the 1960s was featured as the "announcer" on TV'sRowan & Martin's Laugh-In.

Casey Kasem did the evening show using the moniker "Casey at the Mike," after the famousbaseballpoem "Casey at the Bat".He had been using wild tracks between records, but the General Manager told him to stop. Without that gimmick, he looked around the station for inspiration. Finding the 1962 edition of 'Who's Who in Popular Music' in a waste basket, he conceived of relating music trivia to the audience between the songs, which led eight years later to the development of the successful"American Top 40"show format upon which he built his later career. A decade later, KNEW was the show'sBay Areanetwork affiliate,so Casey was again heard on "Channel 91".

Morgan went by his last name while working the morningdrive timeat KEWB. Steele worked afternoon drive. Both had short stays, both joiningBill Drake's new "Boss Radio" atKHJ,Los Angeles. Drake's conversion of San Francisco'sKFRCto the same format would bring an end to KEWB's Top 40 era.

Other notable KEWB personalities included Don McKinnon, Buck Herring, "Honest" John Trotter, Art Nelson, Bobby Dale, Perry Roberts, Chris Borden, Jim Wayne,Michael Jackson,and Ken Knox. KEWB DJs Ron Lyons and Ron Reynolds returned during the KNEW years.

Talk KNEW[edit]

The twin tower array of KKSF

In 1966, the station was purchased byMetromedia Broadcasting,which changed the station'scall signto KNEW, purchased from aSpokanestation for $75,000. Metromedia wanted to match its New York station's call lettersWNEW.Starting with an all-night talk show hosted by Joe Dolan, Metromedia ended the Top 40 music format and switched to controversy-focusedtalk radio,based in elaborate new waterfront studios at 66Jack London Squarein thePort of OaklandBuilding. The studio featured extensive space for tours of some of Metromedia ownerJohn Kluge's art collection (also displayed atKTTVin Los Angeles).

However, KNEW found it couldn't compete againstABC Radio's long-established news-talk stationKGO.In 1969, Metromedia switched to playingadult standards,with personality DJs. The station continued to struggle, as they were now competing against market powerhouseKSFO.

Oldies Channel 91[edit]

In 1971, general manager Ken Gaines was transferred to KNEW from Metromedia'sClevelandstationWHK.Gaines and new program director John L. Hawkins quickly evolved KNEW to a fast-paced format ofadult contemporaryandoldiesmusic hosted by humorous DJs. Hawkins restored the nickname "Channel 91" and on-air elements echoing its earlier days as Top 40 rocker KEWB. KNEW recorded new stationjinglesusing the original KEWB melody.

The KNEW staff featured several KEWB veterans including Ron Lyons and Ron Reynolds, board operator Carl "The Caterpillar" Dahlstrom (a nickname given him by Gary Owens), and Casey Kasem's former board operator Jim Tharp. Newcomers to the air team included Bill Collins from WHK, and "Tall" Tom Campbell fromKYAandKLOK.Program director John Hawkins did shows on weekends. Other KNEW air personalities during this period include Hal Pickens, Bob Raleigh, Harry Stephens (Osibin), and Eddie Alexander.

In 1972, KNEW general manager Ken Gaines and program director John Hawkins devised a "relationships" talk show that candidly focused on issues important to, and only accepted calls from, women. Hawkins named the show "California Girls" and created a special edit of the Beach Boys song as the theme. They launched the idea as a variation on a Sunday morning public affairs show already hosted by Don Chamberlain, a part-time/weekend KNEW newscaster. Word spread rapidly that KNEW had "sex talk" on the radio, and the show was soon moved to weekdays 9AM - Noon where it became a popular and talked about feature.San Francisco Chroniclecolumnist Herb Caen wrote that he walked the entire length of Market Street listening to California Girls, and he didn't miss a word -— yet he didn't have a radio. The station was on in all the stores. Later, KNEW added evening show "California Guys" just for men, hosted by Dee Merritt. Hawkins extended the branding to the "greatest hits" music format, calling it "California Gold".

During the years 1966-1977, KNEW was considered one of the Bay Area's top news stations, known for its aggressive field reporting. Led by News Director Gil Haar (Eugene Gelhaar), the veteran news team included Knowles Robertson, Ron Baker, Barney Lee (continuing from the KEWB days) and Mike Forrest.

Country music[edit]

Though "Channel 91" was quite popular, the early 1970s recession and oil crisis made it difficult to get sufficient advertising to support the large operation. Eventually, Metromedia decided it could make more money by adopting a simpler, less-competitivecountry musicformat that was working for sister stationKLACinLos Angeles.

In July 1974, KNEW's format changed to "California Country" music, led by new general manager Bill Ward, who was also GM of KLAC. Gaines, Hawkins, Lyons, Reynolds, Campbell, and others left the station. Bill Collins remained with KNEW as a country music DJ, working the mid-day shift. Other airstaff members included morning man Frank Terry and music director Steve Leader in the afternoon slot.[11]

In the 1990s, the format became classic country. In September 1997, the station changed from local DJs to the satellite-fed "Real Country"syndicatednetwork. In August 1998, the station dropped country tosimulcastco-ownedKIOI,anadult contemporarystation.

Return to talk[edit]

"Talk 910 KNEW" logo from 2003 to 2010.

KNEW became the flagship over-the-air affiliate ofCNET Radioon January 14, 2000, offering technology news and talk 24 hours a day.[12]Under that format, the station simulcasted nationally onXM Satellite Radiochannel 130. Also in 2000, the station was acquired by Clear Channel Communications, the forerunner to current owneriHeartMedia.

In 2003, the station dropped CNET and became a generaltalk radiostation branded "Talk 910." Programming includedSacramento-basedArmstrong & Gettyin mornings,The Glenn Beck Program,and nationally syndicatedThe Savage NationwithMichael Savage,for which KNEW was theflagship stationbeginning in July 2003.[13][14]

On September 10, 2009, KNEW dropped "The Savage Nation" and replaced it withJohn and Kenfrom co-owned Los Angeles stationKFI.[15]The station explained its decision: "We have decided to go in a different philosophical and ideological direction, featuring more contemporary content and more local information."[16]

Clear Channel rebranded KNEW to "Fox Newsradio 910" on July 6, 2010, with the slogan "The Bay Area's Home ofFox News Radio."Accompanying that change, Fox News Radio'sJohn Gibsonreplaced John and Ken in afternoon drive.[17][18]Later in 2010, 910 began carrying "The Dave Ramsey Show"and"The Alan Colmes Show".[19][20]

KKSF NewsTalk 910[edit]

"Talk 910" logo from 2012 to 2016; an earlier variant of this logo used "NewsTalk".

As part of a far-reaching programming realignment, KNEW obtained the rights to "The Rush Limbaugh Show,"previously on KSFO. KNEW was rebranded as KKSF" NewsTalk 910, "effective January 3, 2012. The KKSF call sign was last used at103.7 on the FM dial,best known as aSmooth Jazzstation on that frequency. The Sacramento-basedArmstrong & Gettyprogram remained in the morning commute period, whileLen TillemandGil Grossreplaced John Gibson in the afternoon.Gene Burns' "Dining Around" program got a spot on Saturday.Bill Wattenburg's syndicated show got a spot on Sunday nights. Tillem, Gross, Burns, and Wattenburg became available whenKGOterminated many talk show hosts as part of a shift to a news and information format. KKSF also picked up the syndicatedTom Sullivanshow during middays. Tillem and Burns were the only local hosts on the station. Len Tillem left the station at the end of March 2013, and Gene Burns died at the end of May 2013. Rush Limbaugh's daily syndicated program moved from KKSF to AM 960 (which was now using the KNEW call letters), and later returned to KSFO.[21]

ESPN Deportes[edit]

Logo as an ESPN Deportes affiliate

On July 22 2016, KKSF dropped its talk format and switched to Spanish-language sports using theESPN Deportes RadioNetwork.[22]Initially, the station was programmed by Deportes Media under alocal marketing agreement(LMA). (Deportes Media had previously operated previous ESPN Deportes Radio affiliate 860KTRB.) By November 2016, iHeartMedia resumed operating KKSF in-house, retaining ESPN Deportes programming for several more months.[23]

Progressive talk[edit]

Logo as "Real Talk 910"

On June 11, 2018, KKSF switched toprogressive talk,branded as "Real Talk 910."[24]The progressive talk format had previously been heard on KNEW (960 AM) until that station switched to business news as an affiliate ofBloomberg Radio.

KKSF's progressive talk programming on weekdays includedStephanie Miller,Thom Hartmann,Randi Rhodes,Rick Unger, andClark Howard.Rev.Jesse Jacksonalso hosted a weekend show. For world and national news, the station picked upNBC News Radio,which is run by parent company iHeartMedia.

Black Information Network[edit]

On June 29, 2020, fifteen iHeart stations in markets with large African American populations, including KKSF, beganstuntingwith African American speeches, interspersed with messages such as "Our Voices Will Be Heard" and "Our side of the story is about to be told," with a new format slated to launch on June 30.[25][26]That day, KKSF, along with the other fourteen stations, became the launch stations for theBlack Information Network,an African American-orientedall-newsnetwork. This change positioned the station in competition withEntercom(nowAudacy)’s heritage all-news stationsKCBS/KFRC-FM.[27]

References[edit]

  1. ^"Facility Technical Data for KKSF".Licensing and Management System.Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^"KKSF-AM 910 kHz - Oakland, CA".radio-locator.com.
  3. ^KLX and KZM schedules,Oakland (California) Tribune,November 22, 1923, page 14.
  4. ^"New Stations",Radio Service Bulletin,June 1, 1922, page 3. Three month Limited Commercial license, serial #695, issued to Tribune Publishing Company for operation on 360 meters for a three month period.
  5. ^"Pinch Hitter for Katrinka Heard Tonight",Oakland (California) Tribune,July 25, 1922, page 30.
  6. ^ab"The History of KLX and KZM Oakland, California"by John Schneider, 1996 (theradiohistorian.org)
  7. ^"Tribune Will Broadcast From Coast to Coast",Oakland Tribune,July 23, 1922, page 8A.
  8. ^"Central California Broadcasting Schedule---Effective Nov. 1, '22"( "San Francisco Bay District" section),Radiomagazine, December 1922, page 36.
  9. ^Broadcasting Yearbook 1935 page 22
  10. ^Broadcasting Yearbook 1961-1962 page B-21
  11. ^"Creative College".Billboard.March 19, 1977. p. SF4.RetrievedJanuary 13,2020.
  12. ^"AMFM, CNET Create 'All-Tech' Format"(PDF).R&R.January 7, 2000.RetrievedNovember 11,2022.
  13. ^"Schedule".Talk 910 KNEW. Archived fromthe originalon January 3, 2005.RetrievedSeptember 17,2017.
  14. ^"Savage says he's sorry -- but stays fired".San Francisco Chronicle.July 9, 2003.Archivedfrom the original on December 17, 2005.RetrievedMay 10,2020.
  15. ^Garofoli, Joe (September 11, 2009)."Michael Savage hangs up on us:" Why don't you call Mao Zedong? He's your boss "".San Francisco Chronicle Politics Blog.Archived fromthe originalon September 14, 2009.RetrievedSeptember 17,2017.
  16. ^"Michael Savage off the air in S.F."San Francisco Chronicle.September 11, 2009.RetrievedSeptember 17,2017.
  17. ^"KNEW Replaces John And Ken With John Gibson".AllAccess.com.July 6, 2010.RetrievedSeptember 17,2017.
  18. ^Talk910 (July 6, 2010)."Welcome one & all to the Bay Area's exclusive home for Fox News Radio!!!!".Twitter.RetrievedSeptember 17,2017.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. ^"Program Schedule".Fox Newsradio 910. Archived fromthe originalon April 30, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 17,2017.
  20. ^"Dave Ramsey Added At KNEW/San Francisco".AllAccess.com.August 4, 2010.RetrievedSeptember 17,2017.
  21. ^"Clear Channel moving Rush Limbaugh from KFI to revamped KTLK".Los Angeles Times.December 5, 2013.
  22. ^KKSF Abandons Talk For ESPN DeportesRadioinsight - July 22, 2016
  23. ^Venta, Lance (November 11, 2016)."ESPN Deportes Dallas Update".RadioInsight.RetrievedOctober 13,2018.
  24. ^Liberal Talk Returns to San FranciscoRadioinsight - June 11, 2018
  25. ^"iHeartMedia Launches Black Information Network - RadioInsight".
  26. ^"Several iHeartMedia Stations Stunting With Speeches, New Format To Be Announced Tomorrow".All Access.June 29, 2020.RetrievedJune 30,2020.
  27. ^"iHeartMedia Debuts All-News BIN: Black Information Network".All Access.June 30, 2020.RetrievedJuly 1,2020.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=KKSF&oldid=1229904871"