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KPRC (AM)

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For the former TV sister station, seeKPRC-TV.

KPRC
Broadcast areaGreater Houston
Frequency950kHz
BrandingKPRC 950 AM
Programming
FormatTalk radio
Affiliations
Fox News Radio
Ownership
Owner
KBME,KODA,KQBT,KTBZ-FM,KTRH,KXYZ
History
First air date
May 9, 1925;
99 years ago(1925-05-09)
Call signmeaning
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID9644
ClassB
Power
  • 7,000 wattsday
  • 4,300 wattsnight
Transmitter coordinates
29°54′55″N95°27′48″W/ 29.91528°N 95.46333°W/29.91528; -95.46333
Repeater(s)94.5KTBZ-HD3(Houston)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen live(viaiHeartRadio)
Websitekprcradio.iheart

KPRC(950kHz) is a broadcast radio station in the United States licensed toHouston, Texas,KPRC has atalk radioformat and is owned byiHeartMedia.KPRC broadcasts mostlyconservative talk radioshows and originatesWalton & JohnsonandThe Jesse Kelly Showand most hours begin withFox News Radio.Additionally, KPRC broadcastsUniversity of Houstonsports.

KPRC first signed on in 1925 as the radio station of theHouston Post-Dispatch.For much of its history, KPRC was afull servicestation featuring news, music, sports and entertainment. KPRC was also the flagship station for theHouston Astrosbaseball team from its 1962 founding to 1980 and again from 1990 to 1995. After decades of being aMOR musicstation for much of the 1970s, KPRC became a full-time news and talk station in 1977. The station was owned by the family ofHouston Post-DispatchfounderWilliam P. Hobbybefore being sold to Sunbelt Broadcasting, a company partially owned by futurelieutenant governorDan Patrick,in 1992. Sunbelt then sold KPRC to Clear Channel Communications (nowiHeartMedia) in 1995.

History

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Early history (1923–1941)

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In 1923,Houston Post-DispatchownerRoss S. Sterlingmet Alfred P. Daniel, a radio instructor at a Houston YMCA whose students included Sterling's son Ross Sterling Jr. The elder Sterling and Daniel discussed starting a new radio station affiliated with thePost-Dispatch.William P. Hobby,president and publisher of thePost-Dispatch,asked Sterling to launch the radio station.[2]

Before a500 wattWestinghouse Electrictransmitter arrived in Houston, Sterling Jr. died. In 1925, when the World Advertising Convention was to be held in Houston featuring U.S. Commerce SecretaryHerbert Hoover,Daniel again talked to Sterling Sr. about the radio station idea. Sterling agreed, and the radio station was created in three weeks.[3]On May 9, 1925, their radio station KPRC signed-on on 1010 kHz with 500 watts of power, with Daniel as the station's first announcer and program director. Guests on the opening broadcast included William P. Hobby, Texas poet laureate Judd Mortimer Lewis, and the First Garrison Band of Mexico.[3]The call signs stood for "Kotton Port Rail Center", a reference to the cotton trade.[2]

Broadcasting from the "Skyline Studios" at the 22-storyHouston Post-Dispatchbuilding in downtown Houston, KPRC featured daily live music and a daily children's storytelling show hosted by Lewis,Uncle Judd's Kiddies' Hour.[4][5]

In 1927, it interrupted its scheduled programming to give out dispatches for theHouston Police Department.[6]That year, KPRC moved from 1010 to 920 kHz.[7]: 3 [8]Tex Ritterhad a Saturday show on KPRC in the late 1920s singing original country ballads.[9]

KPRC co-founded the Texas Quality Network (TQN) in 1934 with three of the other top radio stations in Texas:WBAPinFort Worth,WFAAinDallas,andWOAIinSan Antonio.[10][11]Connecting the four stations by telephone line, TQN enabled them to make simultaneous broadcasts of the same program. The four stations also provided over 100 kW of power combined at night.[10]TQN featured sports and music programs sponsored by various local businesses, for instance football games sponsored byHumble OilandThe Light Crust Doughboys,a country music show.[12]By 1935, KPRC became a member of theNBC Radio Network.[13]

KPRC increased its power tenfold to 5 kW in 1936. Then in 1937, KPRC andKTRHco-installed what was the second transmitter in the world that could send waves from two stations at the same time.[10]

Move to 950 kHz, additions of FM and TV stations (1941–1958)

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KPRC moved to its current frequency of950kHzon May 22, 1941, under the terms of theNorth American Regional Broadcasting Agreement(NARBA).[7]: 9 TheHouston Postlater expanded into FM radio and television, starting with foundingKPRC-FMin 1946.[14][15]In 1950, theHouston Postpurchased KLEE-TV and renamed itKPRC-TV.[16]

Construction began in 1952 for a new $400,000 facility for operating the KPRC AM, FM, and TV stations.[17]

Sale of FM station, MOR format (1958–1977)

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TheHouston Postsold KPRC-FM in 1958.[18]

In the 1960s and much of the 1970s, KPRC had amiddle of the road(MOR) music format.[19][20]A 1966 advertisement claimed that the station had the largest news staff of any Houston radio station and 20 billboards that had lights connected by telephone lines to its newsroom. The billboard lights shined when KPRC had news broadcasts.[19]

DuringHurricane Carlain September 1961, KPRC AM and TV broadcast live coverage for 113 straight hours, starting three days before the hurricane reached land; KPRC AM was the flagship station among nearly 40 affiliates of the Gulf Coast Hurricane Warning Network.[21]

In 1962, KPRC broadcast the inaugural season of theHouston Colt.45s,a newMajor League Baseballteam.[22]When the Colt.45s became theHouston Astrosin 1965, KPRC continued broadcasting the games, withGene ElstonandLoel Passehired as announcers.[23]Other sports programming in the 1960s includedUniversity of Houston basketball,Rice University basketball,andSouthwest Conferencefootball.[24][25]

Billboardmagazine's Radio Response Ratings survey in April 1965 found that KPRC had the highest ratings among stations that playedpop standardsalbums, in all time slots from morning to late evening.[24]The strong ratings continued into 1966, when KPRC began adding comedy shows and jazz music.[25]

The KPRC TV and AM stations moved to a new $3.2 million, 86,000 square foot facility on March 22, 1972. Former U.S. PresidentLyndon B. Johnsonvisited the dedication ceremony that day.[26]

In the spring 1976Arbitronsurvey, KPRC ranked tenth in the Houston/Galveston market with an average 15,100 listeners per week.[27]Having reduced music programming in recent years, KPRC changed its programming in 1976 to have talk shows during the day and music in evenings.[28]

Change from music to talk, final years under Hobby ownership (1977–1992)

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Beginning in 1977, KPRC dropped music and changed to a news/talk station. KPRC showed improvement in the spring 1977 Arbitron ratings from a year ago, this time averaging 17,200 listeners per week and ranking eighth in Houston/Galveston.[29]

In 1979, KPRC hiredAnita Martinias sports director. She was reportedly the first woman to become a radio sports director in a major media market.[30]

After the1980 season,KPRC lost the Astros broadcasting rights toKENRin1981.[31][32]

In 1983, the Hobby family corporation was renamedH&C Communications,and it sold theHouston Postto theToronto Sun Publishing Corporation.[33][34][35]

After decades of being affiliated with NBC, KPRC changed to theCBS Radio Networkin February 1988.[36]

Ten years after the last game broadcast on KPRC, the Houston Astros signed a new contract with KPRC in November 1990 following a mutual agreement with previous stationKTRHto end their contract one year early.[37]

Further sales, shift to conservative talk (1992–present)

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KPRC and sister stationKSEVwere branded together as "SuperTalk" for much of the 1990s.

In October 1992, H&C Communications announced the sale of KPRC AM to Sunbelt Broadcasting Company for $3.5 million, with the sale being finalized in February 1993.[38][39]With that acquisition, formerKHOUsports directorDan Patrickbecame general manager and part-owner of both KPRC and sister stationKSEV.[38][40]He had his own talk show on KPRC until 2000.[40][41]

KPRC had been declining in the ratings leading up to the purchase by Sunbelt, ranked 16th in the Houston/Galveston market in fall 1992. Following the sale closing, in an effort to make the two stations more competitive againstKTRH,Patrick announced changes to the KPRC and KSEV schedules to focus onconservative talk radioeffective April 5, 1993. Branded as "Supertalk Radio", both stations would simulcastThe Rush Limbaugh Show;KPRC also added commentary segments byPaul HarveyandJim Hightowerand a sports talk show co-hosted byHouston Chroniclecolumnist Ed Fowler and play-by-play announcer John O'Reilly,Sports Page.[42][43]

Then in March 1994, Patrick hired former Houston mayorKathy Whitmire,aDemocrat,to host a nightly show. Patrick commented: "Whitmire will lend some balance. She's a liberal-to-moderate Democrat, and I think to have a female liberal Democrat on the air will be neat."[44]That show would be short lived. In July, Whitmire accepted an offer to become president and CEO ofJunior Achievementeffective September 6.[45]

Sunbelt, in turn, sold KPRC and KSEV to Clear Channel Communications in 1995 for a combined $26.8 million, ending nearly 70 years of local ownership for KPRC.[46][47]

Following the1995 Houston Astros season,KPRC lost the Astros broadcasting rights in January 1996 toKILT,a sports station then owned byWestinghouse Broadcasting.[48][49]Among the Astros' stated reasons for the change of affiliation were a perceived stronger signal from KILT and the sports format allowing for more promotion of the team, in contrast to KPRC moving some games to KSEV when there were conflicts with regularly scheduled talk shows likeRush Limbaugh.[48]However, Patrick disputed the Astros' claim about KILT having a stronger signal due to both stations having 5 kW of power.[50]Eventually, theHouston Chroniclereported in April 1996 that due to listener complaints about poor reception of KILT inMontgomery County(specificallyThe WoodlandsandConroe), the Astros radio network added Conroe stationKJOJ.[51]

Beginning around December 1998, KPRC hired formerApollo 7astronautWalter Cunninghamto host a nightly 8 p.m. show,Liftoff to Logic.[52][53]

On August 29, 2000, Patrick resigned from KPRC after seven years as general manager and talk show host.[54]KPRC subsequently addedThe Dr. Laura Program.[55]

KPRC was branded "Talk Radio 950 KPRC" from 2001 to 2007.

In March 2001, KPRC re-branded as "Talk Radio 950 KPRC".[56]That month,Chris Bakerjoined as a new afternoon drive host.[57]In another programming change,Ian Punnettreplaced Cunningham as 8 p.m. host around February 2001.[58]

Baker moved to sister station KTRH effective November 15, 2004.[59]

Logo of KPRC's previous "The 9-5-0 Radio Mojo" brand used from 2007 to 2013.

On July 30, 2007, KPRC became the new flagship station for theWalton & Johnsonmorning show, which moved fromCumulus Media's Houston rock stationKIOL.[60][61]Beginning August 2007, KPRC rebranded as "The 9-5-0 Radio Mojo", with Chris Baker returning to supplement his other show on KTRH and nationally syndicated shows includingThe Dave Ramsey Show,Mancow,andThe Phil Hendrie Show.[62][60]Also in 2007, KPRC began carrying news updates fromFox News Radio.[63]

Previous KPRC logo from 2013 to 2019.

On March 17, 2013, KPRC dropped the Radio Mojo brand and became known as "KPRC AM 950, Houston's More Stimulating Talk Radio".[64]

On July 28, 2014, KPRC signed a contract to broadcastUniversity of Houstonfootballandmen's basketball.[65]KPRC and the University of Houston renewed their contract in August 2020.[66]

Programming

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Most hours begin with national news fromFox News Radio.[67]On weekdays, KPRC broadcasts locally and nationally produced talk shows. Two nationally syndicated shows,Walton & JohnsonandThe Jesse Kelly Show,originate from KPRC.[61][68][69]National programming on weekdays includes theGlenn Beck Radio ProgramandCoast to Coast AM.[68]On weekends, KPRC has mostly brokered time programs purchased by local businesses.[70]

KPRC also broadcasts local sports, specificallyHouston Cougars footballandHouston Cougars men's basketballgames from theUniversity of HoustonandTexas Longhorns men's basketballfrom theUniversity of Texas at Austin.[66][71]

Technical information

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The station's studios are located near theWest Loop FreewayinUptown Houston.[72]

KPRC transmits with 7,000 watts day and 4,300 watts at night; its signal isdirectionalat night. Thetransmittersite is located at 3000 Hansom Road in Houston.[73]

References

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Works cited
  • Schroeder, Richard (1998).Texas Signs On: The Early Days of Radio and Television(PDF).College Station: Texas A&M University Press.ISBN0-89096-813-6.
Notes
  1. ^"Facility Technical Data for KPRC".Licensing and Management System.Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^abSchroeder 1998,p. 39.
  3. ^abSchroeder 1998,pp. 39–40.
  4. ^Schroeder 1998,p. 40.
  5. ^"Kotton Port Rail Center [advertisement circa 1925]"(PDF).KPRC Radio.RetrievedDecember 24,2022– via National Radio Club.
  6. ^Johnson, Thomas A."A History of the Houston Police Department"(PDF).Houston Police Department. p. 4.RetrievedDecember 24,2022– via U.S. Department of Education.
  7. ^ab"KPRC (AM) history cards".FCC.RetrievedDecember 24,2022.
  8. ^Schroeder 1998,p. 61.
  9. ^"Law's Loss Is Country's Gain".Billboard.Vol. 80, no. 49. December 7, 1968. p. 43.RetrievedDecember 25,2022– via Google Books.
  10. ^abc"Radio".Handbook of Texas.Texas State Historical Association. December 10, 2016.RetrievedDecember 24,2022.
  11. ^Schroeder 1998,pp. 95–100.
  12. ^Schroeder 1998,pp. 96–99.
  13. ^Broadcasting 1935 Yearbook(PDF).Washington: Broadcasting Publications. p. 58.RetrievedDecember 25,2022– via World Radio History.
  14. ^"142 FM Stations Operating in 33 States"(PDF).Broadcasting-Telecasting.Vol. 32, no. 3. January 20, 1947. p. 42.RetrievedDecember 24,2022– via World Radio History.
  15. ^"FCC Actions"(PDF).Broadcasting-Telecasting.Vol. 31, no. 18. November 4, 1946. p. 76.RetrievedDecember 24,2022– via World Radio History.
  16. ^Schroeder 1998,p. 172.
  17. ^"KPRC Center Will Cost $400,000"(PDF).Broadcasting-Telecasting.Vol. 42, no. 18. May 5, 1952. p. 56.RetrievedDecember 24,2022– via World Radio History.
  18. ^"Three Sales Filed at FCC"(PDF).Broadcasting.Vol. 55, no. 14. October 6, 1958. p. 10.RetrievedDecember 24,2022– via World Radio History.
  19. ^ab1966 Broadcasting Yearbook(PDF).Washington: Broadcasting Publications. 1966. p. B-149 – via World Radio History.
  20. ^1976 Broadcasting Yearbook(PDF).Washington: Broadcasting Publications. p. C-195.RetrievedDecember 24,2022– via World Radio History.
  21. ^"Radio-tv keeps date with Hurricane Carla"(PDF).Broadcasting.Vol. 61, no. 12. September 18, 1961. pp. 60–61.RetrievedDecember 25,2022– via World Radio History.
  22. ^"Baseball broadcast billings $83 million"(PDF).Broadcasting.Vol. 62, no. 10. March 5, 1962. p. 42.RetrievedDecember 25,2022– via World Radio History.
  23. ^"Majors get $25 million for '65 rights"(PDF).Broadcasting.Vol. 68, no. 9. March 1, 1965. p. 49.RetrievedDecember 25,2022– via World Radio History.
  24. ^ab"Radio Response Rating".Billboard.Vol. 77, no. 17. April 24, 1965. p. 24.RetrievedDecember 25,2022– via Google Books.
  25. ^ab"Laughing It Up Programming Makes KPRC Tops in Pop sLP's".Billboard.Vol. 78, no. 10. March 5, 1966. pp. 20, 24, 26.RetrievedDecember 25,2022– via Google Books.
  26. ^"Johnson lauds KPRC-TV, television in general"(PDF).Broadcasting.Vol. 82, no. 13. March 27, 1972. p. 40.RetrievedDecember 24,2022– via World Radio History.
  27. ^"The top 25 formats in radio"(PDF).Broadcasting.Vol. 91, no. 13. September 27, 1976. pp. 45–46.RetrievedDecember 24,2022– via World Radio History.
  28. ^"Mediatrix Market Profile: Houston"(PDF).1987. p. 74.RetrievedDecember 25,2022– via World Radio History.
  29. ^"The Many Worlds of Radio 1977"(PDF).Broadcasting.Vol. 93, no. 4. July 25, 1977. pp. 64–66.RetrievedDecember 24,2022– via World Radio History.
  30. ^"Getting Better Ratings At News/Talk Stations"(PDF).Radio & Records.November 23, 1979. p. 6.RetrievedDecember 25,2022– via World Radio History.
  31. ^"Baseball 1981"(PDF).Broadcasting.Vol. 100, no. 9. March 2, 1981. p. 50.RetrievedDecember 25,2022– via World Radio History.
  32. ^"Baseball! Rights go out of the park"(PDF).Broadcasting.Vol. 98, no. 10. March 10, 1980. p. 36.RetrievedDecember 25,2022– via World Radio History.
  33. ^Hamilton, Martha M. (July 20, 1983)."Houston Post Put Up for Sale".The Washington Post.RetrievedDecember 25,2022.
  34. ^"Toronto Sun will acquire Houston Post Co".United Press International. October 17, 1983.RetrievedDecember 25,2022.
  35. ^"KPRC Radio Promotional Film (1958)".Texas Archive.RetrievedDecember 25,2022.Under "More Information" section: "Following the sale of the Houston Post in 1983, the family reorganized their broadcast holdings as H&C Communications."
  36. ^"CBS signing"(PDF).Broadcasting.Vol. 114, no. 7. February 15, 1988. p. 126.RetrievedDecember 25,2022– via World Radio History.
  37. ^Blount, Terry (November 27, 1990)."Radio contracts resolve Astros-Rockets conflict".Houston Chronicle.RetrievedDecember 25,2022– via Newslibrary.
  38. ^abParks, Louis B. (October 23, 1992)."KSEV owner buys KPRC".Houston Chronicle.RetrievedDecember 25,2022– via Newslibrary.
  39. ^"Station Trading"(PDF).Broadcasting.Vol. 123, no. 6. February 8, 1993. p. 47.RetrievedDecember 25,2022– via World Radio History.
  40. ^ab"Dan Patrick".SuperTalk 950 KPRC. Archived fromthe originalon January 8, 2001.RetrievedDecember 25,2022.
  41. ^"Program Schedule".SuperTalk KPRC and KSEV. Archived fromthe originalon August 15, 2000.RetrievedDecember 26,2022.
  42. ^Parks, Louis B. (February 26, 1993)."KSEV, KPRC take conservative route".Houston Chronicle.RetrievedDecember 25,2022– via Newslibrary.
  43. ^Blount, Terry (August 11, 1993)."Fowler talk show switching to KPRC".Houston Chronicle.RetrievedDecember 25,2022– via Newslibrary.
  44. ^"A new career move/Former mayor Whitmire to host radio talk show".Houston Chronicle.March 11, 1994.RetrievedDecember 25,2022– via Newslibrary.
  45. ^"Whitmire to Leave RIPA for Junior Achievement Presidency".Rice University. July 27, 1994.RetrievedDecember 26,2022.
  46. ^"Station Trading"(PDF).Broadcasting.Vol. 125, no. 9. February 27, 1995. p. 44.RetrievedDecember 25,2022– via World Radio History.
  47. ^Hassell, Greg (October 19, 1994)."Radio stations KPRC, KSEV sold".Houston Chronicle.RetrievedDecember 25,2022– via Newslibrary.
  48. ^abThompson, Carlton (January 5, 1996)."KILT makes deal to become Astros' flagship for 3 seasons".Houston Chronicle.RetrievedMay 14,2023– via Newslibrary.
  49. ^Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1996(PDF).New Providence, New Jersey: R.R. Bowker. 1996. p. B-412.ISBN0835237257– via World Radio History.
  50. ^Thompson, Carlton (January 12, 1996)."KPRC's Patrick says Astros' brass has signals crossed".Houston Chronicle.RetrievedMay 14,2023– via Newsbank.
  51. ^Thompson, Carlton (April 21, 1996)."Static in the air over Astros broadcast".Houston Chronicle.RetrievedMay 14,2023– via Newslibrary.
  52. ^"Programming Line-Up".December 8, 1998. Archived fromthe originalon January 17, 1999.RetrievedDecember 26,2022.
  53. ^"Walt Cunningham".KPRC. Archived fromthe originalon August 16, 2000.RetrievedDecember 26,2022.
  54. ^McDaniel, Mike (August 31, 2000)."Dan Patrick makes 'a clean break' with radio station".Houston Chronicle.RetrievedDecember 26,2022.
  55. ^"Program Schedule".KPRC. Archived fromthe originalon October 11, 2000.RetrievedDecember 26,2022.
  56. ^"TALKRADIO 950 KPRC".Talkradio 950 KPRC. Archived fromthe originalon March 2, 2001.RetrievedDecember 26,2022.
  57. ^Connelly, Richard (March 29, 2001)."Right-Wing Revolt".Houston Press.Archived fromthe originalon August 19, 2004.RetrievedDecember 26,2022.
  58. ^"Program Schedule".KPRC. Archived fromthe originalon February 3, 2001.RetrievedDecember 26,2022.
  59. ^Pugh, Clifford (November 10, 2004)."Baker, Duncan head to KTRH in lineup change".Houston Chronicle.Archived fromthe originalon November 13, 2004.RetrievedDecember 26,2022.
  60. ^ab"Walton & Johnson Make New Home at 'Radio Mojo' KPRC".All Access.July 23, 2007.RetrievedDecember 28,2021.
  61. ^abGuy, Andrew Jr. (August 1, 2007)."KIOL's Walton, Johnson swap stations".Houston Chronicle.RetrievedDecember 28,2021.
  62. ^"Broadcast Schedule".The 9-5-0 Radio Mojo. Archived fromthe originalon August 4, 2007.RetrievedDecember 28,2021.
  63. ^Broadcasting/Cable Yearbook 2007(PDF).New Providence, New Jersey: R.R. Bowker LLC. 2007. p. D-497 – via World Radio History.
  64. ^Venta, Lance (March 18, 2013)."KPRC Houston Rebrands".Radio Insight.RetrievedDecember 28,2021.
  65. ^"KPRC To Air University Of Houston Football, Men's Basketball".All Access.July 29, 2014.RetrievedDecember 28,2021.
  66. ^ab"KPRC/Houston Extends Deal To Air U. Of Houston Cougars Football, Men's Basketball".All Access.August 6, 2020.RetrievedDecember 28,2021.
  67. ^"Station Finder".Fox News Radio.RetrievedDecember 25,2022.Select Texas under "State" and "5 Minute News" under "Show" in drop-down menus.
  68. ^ab"On-Air Schedule [Tuesday]".KPRC AM 950.RetrievedDecember 25,2022.
  69. ^"Key Networks Launches Jesse Kelly Into Syndication".All Access.February 20, 2020.RetrievedDecember 25,2022.
  70. ^"On Air Schedule [Saturday]".KPRC AM 950.RetrievedDecember 25,2022.
  71. ^"Longhorn Radio Network: Radio Affiliates".University of Texas. July 27, 2013.RetrievedMay 5,2024.
  72. ^"Contact".KPRC AM 950.RetrievedDecember 25,2022.
  73. ^"KPRC-AM".Radio-Locator.RetrievedMay 5,2024.
[edit]
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