KWME

KWME (92.7 FM) is a radio station.[1] Licensed to Wellington, Kansas, United States, the station serves the Wichita, Kansas area. The station is currently owned by Rocking M Media, LLC.[2]

KWME
CityWellington, Kansas
Broadcast areaWichita, Kansas
Frequency92.7 MHz
BrandingJammin' 92.7
Programming
FormatRhythmic oldies
Ownership
OwnerRocking M Media, LLC
Sister stationsKIBB, KKGQ, KKLE, KLEY, KVWF
History
First air date1979 (as KZED)
Former call signsKZED (1979-1990)
Former frequencies93.5 MHz (1979-2011)
Technical information
Facility ID31894
ClassC3
ERP14,000 watts (CP: 50,000 watts)
HAAT130 meters

History

After many years on 93.5 FM, the station moved to 92.7 FM in December 2011, following KANR's move to 99.7 FM.

On July 2, 2018, KWME dropped its classic hits format and began stunting with all-Patriotic music as "92.7 The Patriot." On July 4, at Noon, KWME flipped to Rhythmic AC as "92.7 The Blast", launching with "Jump Around" by House of Pain. The flip marks the return of an adult-oriented rhythmic format to the market for the first time since now-sister station KKGQ shifted from Rhythmic to Hot AC in October 2015. The playlist includes a wide range of hip hop, R&B and dance hits from the late 1970s to the early 2010s, with no currents.[3]

On March 29, 2019, Rocking M announced they would sell KWME and its five sister stations in the Wichita/Wellington/Winfield area to Allied Media Partners, a local group owned by Matt Baty and Tommy Castor, for $6.2 million. Allied Media Partners would take over the stations via a local marketing agreement on April 1.[4] The FCC approved the sale in late May; however, the sale was not consummated due to Allied Media Partners' condition that Rocking M would clear all liens and outstanding debt on the stations in order for the sale to be completed. The completion date would be delayed a few more times, with a final scheduled completion date of October 31. On September 23, 2019, Envision, who owns the building that housed the station's studios, would lock the doors, denying staff members access to the station and offices; the non-profit organization claims that Rocking M was behind in their lease agreement. In response, Rocking M would take each station off the air that day as well.[5] A week later, Allied Media Partners announced it would cease operations, and let go all employees, putting the future of the stations in jeopardy.[6] On October 11, Envision would file a lawsuit against Rocking M in Harvey County District Court, claiming that Rocking M did not meet a payment schedule related to KKGQ's sale in 2017 and owes the company money (Envision is seeking $1.25 million plus interest, costs and attorneys’ fees). It also wants a sheriff's sale of property related to the station and demands that Rocking M deliver all collateral to Envision.[7] On November 6, Envision would file a second lawsuit against Rocking M in Sedgwick County District Court for failing to vacate the building that houses their station's studios, along with leaving behind damaged property and failing to pay rent for parking spaces.[8] In return, Rocking M would file a complaint with the FCC, hoping that the agency would force Envision to allow access back to the stations' studios, as well as to fine the company. In addition, Rocking M has stated that it hopes to still sell KWME and its five sister stations.[9][10]

During the last week of January 2020, KWME would return to the air, operating from studios in Wellington, and picked up the syndicated "Jammin' Radio" rhythmic oldies format from Envision Radio Networks (not related to the non-profit Envision) as "Jammin' 92.7."[11][12]

(KWME's logo under previous 93.5 frequency)

References
  1. "KWME Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  2. "Station Information Profile". Arbitron. Archived from the original on 2010-03-01.
  3. 92.7 The Blast Explodes Into Wichita Radioinsight - July 2, 2018
  4. Allied Media Partners Acquires Six in Wichita from Rocking M Media
  5. Wichita Cluster Silenced as Allied Buy Implodes
  6. Sale Conflict Takes Wichita Cluster Off the Air
  9. Wichita Cluster Off-Air with Purchase of Stations Now in Jeopardy
  10. FCC Pulled Into Battle Over Rocking M's Silent Wichita FMs
  11. https://radioinsight.com/headlines/184012/rocking-m-media-revives-two-of-its-wichita-stations/
  12. https://www.kansas.com/news/business/biz-columns-blogs/carrie-rengers/article239856058.html
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.