KBME (AM)
Broadcast area | Greater Houston |
---|---|
Frequency | 790 kHz |
Branding | Sportstalk 790 |
Programming | |
Language(s) | English |
Format | Sports radio |
Network | Fox Sports Radio |
Affiliations | |
Ownership | |
Owner |
|
KQBT, KODA, KPRC, KTBZ-FM, KTRH, KXYZ | |
History | |
First air date | 1944 |
Former call signs | KTHT (1944–70) KULF (1970–82) KKBQ (1982–98) |
Former frequencies | 1230 kHz (1944–51) |
Call sign meaning | The Best Music Ever Made (Former slogan during the adult standards format era) |
Technical information | |
Facility ID | 23082 |
Class | B |
Power | 5,000 watts |
Transmitter coordinates | 29°54′54″N 95°27′42″W / 29.91500°N 95.46167°W |
Repeater(s) | 94.5 KTBZ-FMHD2 (Houston) |
Links | |
Webcast | Listen live (via iHeartRadio) |
Website | sportstalk790 |
KBME (790
History
Early years
The station first went on the air as KTHT in 1944. It moved from 1230 kHz to the current 790 kHz in 1948. The frequency switch allowed KNUZ (now KCOH) to sign on at 1230 kHz. During the 1960s, KTHT was known as "Demand Radio 79", playing pop music.
In August 1970, it became
In June 1982,
Program director John Lander hosted the morning show, called the "Q-Zoo", and took the station to the top of the Houston ratings after one rating period - a feat unheard of for an AM music station in the 1980s. KKBQ would add an FM simulcast on 92.9 FM on December 29, 1982. KKBQ was among the first AM stations in the city to broadcast in AM stereo, originally using the Kahn ISB system, and then later switching to the Motorola C-QUAM system.
Programming on KKBQ and
The Sports Animal
On January 1, 2005, the station flipped to an all sports station, as "790 ESPN Radio, the Sports Animal."[3][4] Houston sports talk legend Charlie Pallilo helped launch the new sports station and remained with the station for almost 12 years. The ESPN affiliation lasted until January 2007, when the network moved its programming to Cumulus Media-owned KFNC/97.5. At that point, KBME's sports talk programming shifted to a mix of local shows and programs from Fox Sports Radio, including the launch in late 2009 of "Matt & Adam in the Morning," a morning show hosted by Matt Jackson and Adam Wexler, who both moved over from KILT.[5] "Matt & Adam" became "The Big Show" in fall 2011, when Lance Zierlein joined Jackson and Wexler. Previous hosts on KBME include Brad Davies, Carl Dukes, Ted Deluca, John Lopez, David Dalati, Tom Franklin.
During Hurricane Katrina's aftermath, The Sports Animal was an affiliate of United Radio Broadcasters of New Orleans, originating from WWL-AM, and parent company Clear Channel's New Orleans radio stations. The Sports Animal simulcasted their aftermath coverage as a public service to those who may have evacuated to the Houston area, and continued to do so until November 2005.[6]
Live sports programming
KBME is the flagship station for
Beginning with the
Astros coverage is also livestreamed on iHeartRadio; however due to MLB rules, it is blacked out beyond the station's coverage area.
References
- The Houston Chronicle, January 23, 1998.
- ^ http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1998/RR-1998-07-31.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- The Houston Chronicle, October 26, 2004.
- ^ http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-10-29.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ 610's Wexler and Jackson moving to 790 sports radio, Houston Chronicle
- ^ http://tophour.com/audio/New%20Orleans%20LA/fm0957_2005-09_wtkl_ccuomo_urbno.mp3 (mentions KBME during ID)
- ^ "Rockets shift radio allegiance from KILT to KBME," from Houston Chronicle, 6/27/2012
- ^ "Astros switch radio flagship to KBME," from Houston Chronicle, 2/5/2013
External links
- KBME in the FCC AM station database
- KBME in Nielsen Audio's AM station database
- FCC History Cards for KBME