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KLUC-FM (98.5 MHz) is a commercial radio station in Las Vegas, Nevada, airing a Top 40/CHR format. Owned by Audacy, Inc., the station's studios are on South Tenaya Way at West Warm Springs Road in Spring Valley, using a Las Vegas address.

KLUC-FM is a Class C station. It has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 100,000 watts, the maximum for most stations.[2] Its transmitter is off Mountain Tower Road, atop Black Mountain in Henderson.[3] KLUC-FM broadcasts using HD Radio technology. Its HD2 subchannel carries a sports betting format from the BetQL Network. The HD3 subchannel airs a Regional Mexican music format known as "Fiesta 98.1," which feeds FM translator K251BS at 98.1 MHz.[4]

History

Early years

Rainbow, Inc., owner of KRBO 1050 AM (later KXST 1140 AM), obtained a construction permit for a new FM radio station in Las Vegas on March 22, 1961. The unbuilt station, originally dubbed KRBO-FM, was sold along with the AM station to Meyer (Mike) Gold the next year. The AM station switched its call sign to KLUC, standing for "Lucky," a popular word in the gambling city of Las Vegas.

The FM station signed on the air as KLUC-FM in 1963; 61 years ago (1963).[5] In its early years, KLUC-FM largely simulcast its AM sister station, which was a daytimer. When KLUC 1050 had to go off the air at night, KLUC-FM continued broadcasting. KLUC-FM was powered at less than 6,000 watts, a fraction of its current output. The studios were on Industrial Road and the stations were network affiliates of CBS Radio.[6]

Top 40

The two stations were acquired by the KLUC Broadcasting Company in 1970.[5] The company was renamed Western Cities Broadcasting in 1979 to reflect its station holdings in Las Vegas; Tucson, Arizona; and Sacramento, California.[5] As more people acquired FM receivers, KLUC-FM grew in popularity. Western Cities was able to make the station's Top 40 format a ratings and revenue leader, starting in the late 1970s.[7][8]

Western Cities was acquired by Nationwide Communications in 1985.[9] Nationwide Communications was a subsidiary of Nationwide Insurance.

Changes in ownership

In 1996, KLUC-FM and KXNO (the former KLUC AM) were sold by Nationwide for $11 million to American Radio Systems of Boston. At the time, Nationwide noted that owning stations in Las Vegas did not fit its corporate strategy of concentrating on owning broadcast properties in the nation's 25 largest media markets.[10]

KLUC-FM continued to play a slightly broader mix than a typical Top 40 station. It was also the recognized primary commercial outlet for urban contemporary and rhythmic music in the city, playing more rap in the evenings.[11] In 1998, American Radio Systems merged with CBS Radio. Around the same time, KLUC-FM returned to a more mainstream Top 40 sound.

On February 2, 2017, CBS Radio announced it would merge with Entercom.[12] The merger was approved on November 9, 2017, and was consummated on November 17.[13][14] In 2021, Entercom changed its name to Audacy, Inc.

Personalities

Weekdays begin with Chet Buchannan and Mikalah Gordon. Buchanan has done wake-ups on KLUC-FM since 1999. Gordon had previously hosted mornings on Channel Q, Audacy's LGBTQ channel and is a former American Idol contestant.[15] In afternoon drive time, Bru is heard.

The station carries two nationally syndicated programs on weekdays. The Julia Show with Julia Lepidi is in middays.[16] And the Tino Cochino Show airs in the evening.

Former logos

References

  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for KLUC-FM". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ FCC.gov/KLUC
  3. ^ Radio-Locator.com/KLUC
  4. ^ Radio-Locator.com/K251BS
  5. ^ a b c FCC History Cards for KLUC-FM
  6. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1967 page B-100. Retrieved Aug. 8, 2024.
  7. ^ Duncan, James E. (2004). "Las Vegas" (PDF). An American Radio Trilogy – via World Radio History.
  8. ^ Searl, Hanford (October 21, 1978). "KLUC Rides Rock, Research And Personality To Vegas Ratings" (PDF). Billboard. p. 23 – via World Radio History.
  9. ^ Wilkinson, Bud (October 26, 1984). "Sale of broadcasting group affects 4 Arizona stations". Arizona Republic. Phoenix, Arizona. p. F1. Retrieved May 21, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Business In Brief". Las Vegas Review-Journal. March 18, 1996. p. 1D. ProQuest 260085707. "Our company's current strategy is to own and operate stations in the nation's top 25 radio markets, and Las Vegas, a fast-growing area, doesn't fit that profile," Nationwide Communications owner Steve Berger said.
  11. ^ "Las Vegas Vital Statistics" (PDF). Billboard. December 4, 1999. p. 96 – via World Radio History.
  12. ^ CBS Radio to Merge with Entercom
  13. ^ "Entercom Receives FCC Approval for Merger with CBS Radio". Entercom. November 9, 2017. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  14. ^ Venta, Lance (November 17, 2017). "Entercom Completes CBS Radio Merger". Radio Insight. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  15. ^ InsideRadio.com "People Moves - Mikalah Gordon" April 3, 2024. Retrieved Aug. 8, 2024.
  16. ^ InsideRadio.com "Audacy National Talent Julia Lepidi Signs Multi-Year Extension" June 28, 2023. Retrieved Aug. 8, 2024.
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