KLTA-FM
KLTA-FM (98.7 FM (MHz), "Big 98.7") is a radio station based in Fargo, North Dakota, though licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to Moorhead, Minnesota, owned by Jim Ingstad's Radio FM Media. The station carries an Adult-oriented Top 40 (CHR) format. KLTA and Rhythmic CHR formatted HD2 translator W245CM "96.9 Hits FM" compete against heritage Top 40 (CHR) KOYY "Y94".
  | |
| City | Moorhead, Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Fargo-Moorhead |
| Frequency | 98.7 MHz (HD Radio) |
| Branding | Big 98.7 |
| Slogan | Today's Variety |
| Programming | |
| Format | Adult Top 40 (CHR) HD2: Rhythmic Top 40 (CHR) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Radio FM Media (Radio Fargo-Moorhead, Inc.) |
| Sister stations | K233CY, KBVB, KPFX, KQWB, KQWB-FM, KBMW, K245BY |
| History | |
| First air date | 1983 (as KKIB) |
| Former call signs | KKIB (1983–1984) |
| Former frequencies | 105.1 MHz (1983–2013) |
| Call sign meaning | LiTe Rock 105 (former branding of 105.1 FM, which was formerly KLTA) |
| Technical information | |
| Facility ID | 21191 |
| Class | C1 |
| ERP | 100,000 watts |
| HAAT | 177 meters (581 ft) |
| Translator(s) | 96.9 K245BY (Moorhead, relays HD2) |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Live (FM/HD1) Listen Live (HD2) |
| Website | big987.com (FM/HD1) 96.9 Hits FM (HD2) |
Its studios are located on 7th Avenue South in Fargo, while its transmitter is located near Sabin.
History
The station signed on as KKIB in 1983 as the flagship station of contemporary hit radio (Top 40) formatted Superstation Double K FM network, which was also broadcast on KKWS 105.9 FM in Wadena, Minnesota and KKVC in Valley City, North Dakota.
Lite Rock 105 (1984–2004)
In 1984, KLTA flipped to an Adult Contemporary format and rebranded as "Lite Rock 105", a name and format they would keep for 20 years. Dan Michaels and Jane Alexander began doing the morning show as the station began to rise in popularity. In 2001, the morning transitioned to Chris, John, and Jane in the morning. In 1989, KLTA started the Christmas Wish Program. The station asks for donations throughout the year to their Christmas Wish Charity (mainly at their "Wishburger" event in June and the Wish-a-thon in December), and then gives out $500 gifts to families in need throughout the month of December.
FM 105.1 (2004–2013)
In the early 2000s, KLTA's "Lite Rock" format was starting to turn into a Hot AC format. In January 2004, the station interspersed messages in between songs saying "January 19th, 7:20 am, Turn off the Lite". At that time, the station thanked Fargo-Moorhead for 20 years of listening, played a package of memories from the station from 1984 to then, and changed their name to FM 105.1 to reflect this change. FM had a dual meaning on this station, not only standing for Frequency Modulation, but also Fargo-Moorhead. Since then, the station's focus was to be an at-work station, playing hits from the 90's and new music currently charting at the time.
Ownership changes
In May 1999, Triad Broadcasting reached a deal to acquire this station (along with KQWB 1660 (Sports), KLTA 105.1 (Adult contemporary), KVOX 99.9 (Country), and KPFX 107.9 (Classic rock)) from brothers Jim and Tom Ingstad as part of a twelve-station deal valued at a reported $37.8 million.[1]
On November 30, 2012, Triad Broadcasting signed a Definitive Agreement to sell all 32 of their stations to Larry Wilson's L&L Broadcasting for $21 Million.[2] Upon completion of the sale on May 1, 2013, L&L in turn sold the Fargo stations to Jim Ingstad, who had just sold his competing cluster to Midwest Communications. An LMA (Local Marketing Agreement) was placed so Ingstad could take immediate control of the stations, and the sale became final July 2, 2013. The sale was worth $9.5 million.[3]
The end of FM 105.1 and debut of Big 98.7
On August 9, 2013, it was announced that on August 16, sister station KQWB would move to 105.1 and re-brand as Q105.1.[4] The final song on "FM 105.1" was "Closing Time" by Semisonic. After "Closing Time" ended, 105.1 was silent for about 15 seconds until KQWB began a simulcast on both frequencies.
At 5:00 pm that evening in the middle of "In the End" by Black Veil Brides, the music and simulcast faded on 98.7 and stunting for 98.7's new format began. At that point, 98.7 began identifying as KLTA, effectively completing a call sign swap with KQWB. 98.7 FM, meanwhile, began stunting using a "Wheel of Formats" which was spun at the top of every hour landing of formats including "Weird Al Radio" "Polka Radio" "Santa 98-7" and "TV Themes" and encouraging listeners to tune at 5 pm on August 19 for "something big". The station debuted with a Hot AC/Top 40 (CHR) hybrid format as "Big 98.7", directly competing against heritage CHR "Y94" (WDAY-FM 93.7). Big 98.7's first song was I Gotta Feeling by The Black Eyed Peas. The following morning, Jesse and Amanda with Pike in the Morning debuted on their new home, after leaving then sister station KVOX-FM a few weeks earlier. That same day, Cori Jensen began doing the midday shift, making her the only personality to carry over from FM 105.1.
HD Radio
In March 2015, KLTA began broadcasting in HD, making them the second commercial station in the Fargo-Moorhead market utilizing HD Radio after sister station KBVB. A week later on March 15, 2015, KLTA launched a rhythmic CHR-formatted HD2 sub-channel branded as "Hits 96.9" with a translator on K245BY 96.9 FM, operating from atop the Fargo High Rise Senior Center in downtown.[5]
Former KLTA DJs
- Pike
- Jax
- Alek OnThe-Radio (now at KKWF-FM)
- Scotty Matthews (now at KROC-FM)
- Big Dog (now at WDAY)
- Bo Janssen (now at KEGK)
- Chole D (now at WAZY)
- Chris Hanson (now at KBVB)
- Cori Jensen (now at KBVB)
- Harry Calahan
- Valerie Martin
- James Rabe (now at KYBA)
- Jamie Kayne
- Jane Alexander
- Jim Daniels
- John Austin (now at KBVB)
- Kyle Matthews
- Mia
- Mike Ray
- Tony Lorino (now at KZPT)
- "Broadway" Bill Lee (while "Superstation KK-FM"; now at WCBS-FM)
- Tim Richards
Station Staff
- Jesse & Amanda with Gordo in the morning (Weekday Mornings 5:30am-10am)
- Jesse James (Sat 2p-7p)
- Amanda Lea (Sun 6a-12p)
- Madi (Intern Daddy's Girl) (Mid-Days)
- Lil Raspy (Nights)
References
- Holmes, Alisa (May 24, 1999). "Changing Hands". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012.
- "Triad Sells To Larry Wilson's L&L". All Access. December 3, 2012.
- "Shuffle puts former KFGO owner in charge of longtime competitors". Fargo Forum. May 2, 2013.
- KQWB Changes Frequency But Keeps Format [All Access]
- Rhythmic CHR "96.9 Hits-FM" Launches in Fargo
External links
- KLTA in the FCC's FM station database
- KLTA on Radio-Locator
- KLTA in Nielsen Audio's FM station database