KKGM
Broadcast areaDallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
Frequency1630 kHz
BrandingDallas' BIN
Programming
Language(s)English
FormatBlack-oriented news
AffiliationsBlack Information Network
Ownership
Owner
History
First air date
2002 as KNAX
Former call signs
KBCM (1998-1999)
KOME (1999-2001)
KNAX (2001-2004)
Call sign meaning
Kingdom's Key to Gospel Music (former format)
Technical information
Facility ID87147
ClassB
Power10,000 watts day
1,000 watts night
Transmitter coordinates
32°48′36″N 97°07′26″W / 32.81000°N 97.12389°W / 32.81000; -97.12389
Translator(s)97.5 MHz K248DS (Fort Worth)
Links
WebcastListen live (via iHeartRadio)
Websitedallas.binnews.com

KKGM (1630 AM) is an iHeartMedia radio station licensed to Fort Worth, Texas, and serving the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The station broadcasts an African American targeted news format, as one of two local affiliates, along with KHVN (AM 970), of the national Black Information Network.

History

KKGM originated as the expanded band "twin" of an existing station on the standard AM band. On March 17, 1997 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that eighty-eight stations had been given permission to move to newly available "Expanded Band" transmitting frequencies, ranging from 1610 to 1700 kHz, with KHVN in Fort Worth authorized to move from 970 to 1630 kHz.[1]

An application for the new expanded band station was filed in 1997, which was issued a Construction Permit the next year. This was assigned the call letters KBCM on March 6, 1998, which was changed to KOME on January 15, 1999, and to KNAX on March 20, 2001.[2][3] The station began regular service in July 2002, initially with a Spanish religious format as "Radio Christiana"'[4]

The FCC's initial policy was that both the original station and its expanded band counterpart could operate simultaneously for up to five years, after which owners would have to turn in one of the two licenses, depending on whether they preferred the new assignment or elected to remain on the original frequency.[1] However, this deadline has been extended multiple times, and both stations have remained authorized. One policy the FCC has generally enforced is that the original stations and their expanded band counterparts must remain under common ownership,[5][6] so in subsequent sales the two stations have been paired together.

KNAX applied for a move to Euless and for call letters "KHEV", but went with KKGM instead in 2004 with a Southern Gospel format. KKGM later switched to an all-talk format in 2011 as "Better Life Radio" with a mix of christian talk and conservative programming, including the controversial Alex Jones show,[7] before changing back to a mix of Southern Gospel music along with featured talk a year later.

On December 2, 2020, iHeartMedia announced its purchase of KKGM and KHVN from Mortenson Broadcasting for $950,000, including its translators, K221GV (92.1 MHz) and K237HD (95.3 MHz). This included a Local marketing agreement (LMA) that took effect on January 2, 2021, continuing until full consummation. The purchase allowed iHeartMedia to max out its DFW cluster threshold of allowable station holdings.[8] On December 24, it was announced that both stations would become affiliates of the Black Information Network on January 2, 2021, ending the black gospel formats.[9][10]

On January 2, 2021, KKGM (erroneously identified as "KKMG" during top of hour legal IDs) and KHVN began stunting with 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 the new Black Information Network (BIN) format officially launching on January 4 at Noon. The purchase was consummated on March 31, 2021.

References

  1. 1 2 "FCC Public Notice: Mass Media Bureau Announces Revised AM Expanded Band Allotment Plan and Filing Window for Eligible Stations" (FCC DA 97-537), March 17, 1997.
  2. ↑ Call Sign History for 1630 kHz (Facility ID: 87147)
  3. ↑ "Mass Media Bureau Call Sign Actions" (Report No. 348) January 25, 1999 (FCC.gov)
  4. ↑ "Dallas-Fort Worth AM Station History: KNAX" by Mike Shannon (dfwretroplex.com)
  5. ↑ "In re: WHLY(AM), South Bend, Indiana" (FCC DA 13-600, released April 3, 2013)
  6. ↑ "Re: WDDD (AM) Application for Consent to Assignment of AM Broadcast Station License" (August 23, 2010 correspondence from Peter H. Doyle, Chief, FCC Audio Division, Media Bureau. Reference Number 1800B3-TSN)
  7. ↑ KKGM-AM Lineup (pulled from archive.org)
  8. ↑ iHeartMedia Acquires Two Dallas Area AMs - Radio Insight (published December 2, 2020)
  9. ↑ 2020 Post Christmas Format Change Watchlist - Radio Insight (published December 24, 2020)
  10. ↑ Dallas' BIN 1630 - Official Website

32°48′35″N 97°07′24″W / 32.80972°N 97.12333°W / 32.80972; -97.12333

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