KNDA (Odessa, Texas)
KNDA (1000 AM) was a radio station in Odessa, Texas, that served the Midland–Odessa metropolitan area. It aired Spanish-language formats throughout its 11-year history. In its final days, it was known as Qué Onda with a bilingual Tejano format.
| City | Odessa, Texas |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Midland-Odessa |
| Frequency | 1000 AM (kHz) |
| Branding | Qué Onda |
| Programming | |
| Format | Defunct (formerly Tejano) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | L & T Enterprises, Inc. |
| History | |
| First air date | September 26, 1980 |
| Last air date | June 16, 1991 |
| Former call signs | KJJT (1980–1989) |
| Call sign meaning | K (Qué) ONDA |
| Technical information | |
| Facility ID | 36070 |
| Class | D |
| Power | 1,000 watts (daytime only) |
History
1000 kHz went on the air as KJJT on September 26, 1980.[1] It was the first Spanish-language station for the Midland-Odessa area.[2]
In 1986, L & T Enterprises was sold by its original owners, Alfredo G. Levario and O.L.A., Inc., to Rubén Velásquez, though the station itself claimed that the sale had taken place in 1985[1] and news reporting stated the transfer was part of a foreclosure sale.[3] 1985 was also the year that KJJT gained its first Spanish-language competitor in the market, when 1310 KOYL flipped to Spanish-language programming under new ownership.[4]
KJJT became KNDA on April 20, 1989, the same day it relaunched as "Qué Onda", a bilingual station playing Tejano music.[3] However, the format failed to take off in Odessa, as it had in larger Texas cities. KNDA signed off for good on June 16, 1991,[5] citing a lack of interest in Tejano music and "other reasons" for the closure. Ector County records showed that L & T Enterprises had $57,000 in federal tax liens, related to employee payroll taxes, against the company.[5] KOZA, with which KNDA shared studio space, absorbed most of KNDA's 10 employees and began adding Tejano music to its programming.[5]
References
- "KJJT spreads the sounds of Spanish music through the air waves of the entire Basin". Odessa American. October 12, 1986. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
- Johnson, Corky (May 24, 1981). "Business waking up to Hispanic market". Odessa American. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
- Haglund, Kerry (June 4, 1989). "Station reaches out to bilingual audience". Odessa American. Retrieved June 25, 2019. (Continued)
- "KOYL-AM has new format". Odessa American. November 21, 1985. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
- Hobratschk, Martin (June 14, 1991). "Financial difficulties force KNDA to sign off". Odessa American. Retrieved June 25, 2019. (Continued)