KBBX-FM

KBBX-FM (97.7 FM, "Lobo 97.7") is a radio station broadcasting a Regional Mexican format.[1] Licensed to Nebraska City, Nebraska, United States, the station serves the Omaha and Lincoln metropolitan areas. The station is currently owned by Flood Communications of Omaha, LLC.[2] KBBX's studios are located on John Galt Boulevard in Omaha, while its transmitter is located just north of Weeping Water, Nebraska.

KBBX-FM
CityNebraska City, Nebraska
Broadcast areaOmaha, Nebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska
Frequency97.7 MHz
BrandingLobo 97.7 FM
Programming
FormatRegional Mexican
Ownership
OwnerFlood Communications of Omaha, LLC
History
First air date1980
Former call signsKNCY-FM (1980-1995)
KOSJ (1995-1998)
KESY (1998-1999)
KQCH (1999-2002)
Technical information
Facility ID47957
ClassC1
ERP100,000 watts
HAAT298 meters
Links
WebcastListen Live
Websitelobo977.com

History

The station signed on in 1980 as KNCY-FM, and aired an easy listening format. In February 1995, KNCY flipped to a rock format as KNBQ; however, this would only last a short time. In September 1995, the station flipped to smooth jazz as KOSJ. The flip brought the format back to the market for the first time since 1991, when KKCD flipped to classic rock.[3] The format, however, still was not met with acceptance in the market. On January 9, 1998, the frequency became home to KESY's soft AC format after their former frequency flipped to modern AC as KSRZ.[4][5] On May 21, 1999, the station flipped to a rhythmic-leaning Top 40 format, branded as "Channel 97.7", and adopted new call letters KQCH.[6][7] Despite the station's limited signal, KQCH was a ratings success.[8]

As part of a major format shuffle, on May 3, 2002, at Noon, KQCH's format moved to the more powerful 94.1 FM frequency. After a week of simulcasting, and airing a loop redirecting listeners to the new frequency, on May 10, 97.7 adopted sister KBBX's regional Mexican format as "Radio Lobo." The station would adopt the KBBX call letters on the same day as the switch.[9]

In 2004, KBBX won the prestigious Crystal Award from the National Broadcasters Association for outstanding community service. Radio Lobo was the very first Spanish radio station in American history to win this award. Each spring and fall for the past 11 years, Radio Lobo coordinates and hosts Nebraska's only Bilingual Latino Career Fair. Businesses and services that need to hire bilingual employees of all levels get to meet hundreds of bilingual Latinos looking progress in their careers.

Journal Communications later sold the station to Connoisseur Media in 2006, and then to Flood Communications in 2014.[10]

Achievements

2004- Crystal Award from the National Broadcasters Association for outstanding community service.

2005- Nebraska Broadcasters Association awarded KBBX-FM the Gold Award for service to Business Industry, Government or Education.

2006- KBBX-FM helped raise $79,054 for The Kids of St. Judes.

2007- Barrientos Scholarship Foundation Third Annual Latino Heritage Awards named KBBX-FM Business of the Year.

2012- KBBX-FM received Station of the Year by Medallas de Cortez.

2012- Omaha mayor Jim Suttle proclaimed March 22, 2012 Radio Lobo Day.

2015- Greater Omaha Chambers awarded KBBX-FM with the Small Business Award.

KBBX-FM also helps the Children's Miracle Network Radiothon and for years has gained recognition from the Children's Hospital and Medical Center.

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References
  1. "KBBX-FM Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  2. "Station Information Profile". Arbitron. Archived from the original on 2010-03-01.
  3. Jim Minge, "Smooth FM joins market," The Omaha World-Herald, September 9, 1995.
  4. Jim Minge, "Smooth jazz format gone," The Omaha World-Herald, January 10, 1998.
  5. Jim Minge, "Star 104 up, running," The Omaha World-Herald, January 17, 1998.
  6. Jim Minge, "Ratings dip dropped off," The Omaha World-Herald, May 22, 1999.
  7. http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1999/RR-1999-05-28.pdf
  8. Kristi Wright, "Radio ratings elevate 97.7 to top of local heap," The Omaha World-Herald, August 17, 2000.
  9. Kristi Wright, "Spanish station increases reach by going to FM," The Omaha World-Herald, May 4, 2002.
  10. Dane Stickney, "Spanish radio station in Omaha has new owner," The Omaha World-Herald, September 30, 2006.
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