KTBG

KTBG (90.9 FM) is a listener supported radio station in Warrensburg, Missouri, United States, serving the Kansas City, Missouri market. It is currently owned by Public Television 19, Inc., the holding company for the area's PBS member television station, KCPT. Known as "The Bridge," it airs an adult album alternative format. The sale of KTBG to PT19 was announced in April 2013, and after FCC approval, the actual transfer occurred Tuesday, December 17, 2013 immediately after KTBG’s 7pm broadcast of All Things Considered.[1][2]

KTBG
CityWarrensburg, Missouri
Broadcast areaKansas City Metropolitan Area
Frequency90.9 MHz
BrandingThe Bridge
Programming
FormatAdult album alternative
Ownership
OwnerPublic Television 19, Inc.
Sister stationsKCPT
History
Former call signsKCMW
Technical information
ClassC1
ERP100,000 watts
HAAT166.8 meters
Transmitter coordinates38°57′30″N 94°06′44″W
Links
Websitebridge909.org

History

KTBG signed on April 1, 1962 as KCMW under the ownership of the Central Missouri State College (now University of Central Missouri.) In 1971 it began airing National Public Radio and jazz programming under the ownership of the University of Central Missouri. In August 2001, the station adopted its current call letters and switched to the current format. The first song played after NPR's Morning Edition was "Some Bridges" by Jackson Browne.

For years, KCMW (now KTBG) operated from a 443-foot tower on the Johnson/Lafayette County line. As a result, even though it operated at 97,000 watts, it only provided secondary coverage of Kansas City itself and was marginal at best west of the Missouri River. This was likely necessary to protect the University of Kansas' KJHK at adjacent 90.7.

On April 18, 2013 the University of Central Missouri Board of Governors signed a letter of intent to transfer ownership of KTBG to Public Television 19, owner of KCPT.[2] Kliff Kuehl, CEO and President of KCPT, indicated that while some changes would take place to KTBG once the transfer was approved by the FCC, the station would maintain its current music format.[1]

After the transfer to KCPT, the KTBG broadcast studios were moved to the KCPT building in Kansas City, and KTBG's transmitter was moved to a new tower 20 miles closer to Kansas City. Although still relatively short, at 547 feet, it still improved reception in the Kansas City metro. The reported sale price for the station was $1.1 million cash, plus an additional $550,000 in "in kind" services.[3]

Format

KTBG airs several music programs, including World Cafe, Eclectic Cafe, and Blues Quest. The station focuses on newer music.

For a long time, KTBG also aired Morning Edition, Weekend Edition and All Things Considered because the area's main NPR station, KCUR, only provides rimshot coverage of the eastern portion of the market. Many of the Kansas City stations must conform their signals to protect Whiteman Air Force Base in Knob Noster, near Warrensburg. Unusually for an NPR station, it aired football and basketball games of the University of Central Missouri Mules.

When KCPT took over the station, all NPR programming (except World Cafe), as well as UCM sports programming, were dropped from the schedule.[1]

References
  1. "Why is KCPT buying the 90.9 FM frequency?" (PDF). KCPT website. 23 April 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  2. "Intention to transfer ownership of UMC's KTBG to KCPT announced today" (PDF). 19 April 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  3. Mook, Ben (19 April 2013). "Kansas City pubTV buys Triple A music station". Current.org website. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
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