KECH-FM
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Branding | KECH 95.3 FM |
Programming | |
Format | Classic rock |
Affiliations | Westwood One |
Ownership | |
Owner |
|
History | |
First air date | November 21, 1988 |
Former call signs | KWRU (1988, CP) |
Call sign meaning | KEtCHum |
Technical information | |
Facility ID | 1163 |
Class | C1 |
ERP | 2,500 watts |
HAAT | 583 meters |
Transmitter coordinates | 43°38′37″N 114°23′53″W / 43.64361°N 114.39806°W |
Links | |
Webcast | Listen Live |
Website | kech95fm.com |
KECH-FM (95.3
History
The station was originally assigned the KWRU call sign by the FCC on February 16, 1988; it was to be a not-for-profit community radio station. When funding for the venture failed, it was acquired by Ketchum Radio, which built it out as commercial station KECH-FM and signed it on November 21, 1988.[2][3] Ketchum Radio was a partnership headed by local resident Chris Haugh, and staff members including Larry Mott, Michael Hess (aka Dallas Dobro), and others, with Gary Stivers handling the news duties.[2] Disc jockeys included Rob Hunter, Sadie Word, and other local talent. The call letters were chosen as a result of a contest, where listeners were asked to pick the call sign for the station. One listener chose KECH (short for the neighboring town of Ketchum). The listener won an all-expenses-paid trip to Belize.
In 1994, Ketchum Radio sold the station to another local operator, Scott Parker's Alpine Broadcasting, Ltd., who owned/operated the station for ten years as its flagship station. Alpine, also based in Ketchum went on to grow to a 15 station group in other resort markets, including Jackson Hole Wyoming, Sun Valley, Island Park and Idaho Falls Idaho, Taos and Angel Fire New Mexico, Big Sky, Whitefish & West Yellowstone Montana and Kailua-Kona & Hilo Hawaii. Alpine sold most of its stations to Chaparral Broadcasting, Inc. In 2020, Parker also built 1400 AM KHLY in Hailey ID and 103.7 FM KSUN in Sun Valley — moving that station across state from Pocatello, Idaho (formerly KPTO).
Chaparral sold KECH-FM and seven other stations to Rich Broadcasting for $3.7 million; the transaction was consummated on April 1, 2013.
Rich Broadcasting sold KECH-FM, three other stations, and a translator to Richard Mecham's Magic Valley Media, LLC effective September 17, 2019 for $475,000.
"KECH-95", (as it is known locally) continues to be the leading station in the Wood River Valley (Blaine County, ID) with local personalities and its service to community affairs.
References
- ^ "KECH-FM Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
- ^ a b Neiwert, Barbara (November 20, 1988). "KECH hits the airwaves Monday in the Magic Valley". Times-News. p. B1. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- ^ "KECH Call Sign History". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
External links
- KECH in the FCC FM station database
- KECH in Nielsen Audio's FM station database