KISS-FM

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the radio station in San Antonio, Texas. For the branding owned by iHeartMedia, Inc., see KISS-FM (brand). For other radio stations with similar names, see Kiss FM (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with KIIS-FM.
KISS-FM
KISS-FM Logo.png
CitySan Antonio, Texas
Broadcast areaGreater San Antonio
Frequency99.5 MHz (HD Radio)
Branding99.5 KISS
Programming
Language(s)English
FormatActive rock
SubchannelsHD2: Classic rock (KTKX simulcast)
Ownership
OwnerCox Media Group
(CMG NY/Texas Radio, LLC)
History
First air date
December 9, 1946 (1946-12-09)[1]
Call sign meaning
The word kiss
Technical information
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID34976
ClassC0
ERP100,000 watts
HAAT453 meters (1,486 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
29°16′30″N 98°15′54″W / 29.275°N 98.265°W / 29.275; -98.265
Repeater(s)106.7 KTKX-HD2 (Terrell Hills)
Links
Public license information
Profile
LMS
WebcastListen live
Websitekissrocks.com

KISS-FM (99.5 MHz) is a commercial FM radio station in San Antonio, Texas. It airs an active rock radio format and is owned by the Cox Media Group. The studios and offices are located on Datapoint Drive in Northwest San Antonio near the South Texas Medical Center complex.

KISS-FM has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 100,000 watts, the maximum for non-grandfathered FM stations.[2] The transmitter site is on Elmendorf-Lavernia Road in Elmendorf, amid the towers for several San Antonio TV and FM stations.

History[]

Early years[]

In December 1946, the station first signed on the air.[3] It was owned by The Walmac Company, along with sister station KMAK (now KSLR). KMAK and KISS-FM simulcasted their programming, mostly from the Mutual Broadcasting System. The schedule included dramas, comedies, news, sports and big band broadcasts, during the "Golden Age of Radio."

The simulcast ended in the late 1960s, as the Federal Communications Commission encouraged AM-FM combos to offer separate programming. KISS-FM began carrying a beautiful music format, including instrumental cover versions of popular songs as well as Broadway and Hollywood show tunes.

'Past KMAC/KISS D.J.s/hosts (Accurate but not a complete list - There may be some misspellings. DO NOT REMOVE THESE ACCURATE, HISTORICAL DJ LISTINGS) 

'

•Joe "the Godfather" Anthony •Louis J. Roney (Lou Roney) •Tom "T-Bone" Scheppke •Debbie "The Electric Lady" Alcocer •John Lisle •Steve Hahn •Kelley Kendall •Brian Kendall •John Dodge •Jave "The Wave" Patterson •Jason Lee Tipton "The Tiptonizer" •Chuck Stanley •Joshua Enriquez •Wes Burleson •King Castleberry •Perry Kalison •Matt Kelley •Frank Young •Quinn •Gary Davenport •Tempie Lindsay •David Aguilar •Leif "Loose Leif" Calberg •Juan Felan •Nancy Gray •CJ Cruz •Sandy Castle •Jabreel Khalid •Mike Shaw •Mark Champion •Greg Shawver •Alfie •Tripp Reeb •Greg "The Fitz" Fitzgerald •Donnie Meals •Bobby Reyes •Teamo Therapy •Dawn Bridgewater •Art Garza •Ron James •Kevin Vargas •LA Lloyd •Tracy Barnes •Mike Anthony "McBeasty"

Switch to Rock[]

KISS-FM's format changed to free form progressive rock in the late 1970s. In the 1980s, the playlist stressed hit albums as the station segued to album-oriented rock. During the early years, KISS-FM DJs were mostly given a free rein; many brought in their own vinyl albums, producing their own shows within a looser rock ballad and heavy metal format. The most notable past KISS/KMAC DJs/personalities were Joe "The Godfather" Anthony and Lou Roney, who worked together for many years.

With KISS-FM's hard-edged rock format, San Antonio became known as the "Heavy Metal Capital Of The World." Scores of bands can attribute their first and subsequent successes to airplay at KISS-FM. Stone City Attractions & Jam Productions were the notable concert promoters.

Co-owned KMAC broadcast show tunes, opera, as well as religious programs such as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir until noon, when the AM station would simulcast the rock format heard on KISS-FM. At 6 p.m., KMAC would switch away from the simulcast and broadcast rock and progressive country till signing off at midnight. In those earlier years, KISS-FM signed off at midnight each night. "Spread The Word" was the popular window sticker slogan & on-air moniker during the 1970s and 1980s.

Over the years, the owners of the radio station included the Capitol Broadcasting Company, The Rusk Corporation and current owners Cox Media Group. In 1987, Adams Radio bought KISS-FM for $13 million.[4]

Brief tenure with Oldies[]

The rock format was set aside for a year and a half. In May 1990, KISS-FM flipped to oldies as "99.5 KISS Oldies." The Rusk Corporation, which owned KSMG (a competing oldies station at the time) bought KISS-FM and KOOL (AM) from Adams Broadcasting Corporation in November 1991. Rusk began simulcasting KSMG on both 99.5 FM and 930 AM.

Return to Rock[]

On December 31, 1991, the rock music format returned to KISS-FM, this time with an Active Rock format.

In 1997, KISS-FM was acquired by Cox Radio.[5] As of 2012, the station's format was described as Mainstream Rock, although it has gone back to Active Rock in recent years.[6] Despite being considered a mainstream rock reporter by Mediabase, KISS-FM has typically been an active rock station, according to Nielsen BDS.

KISS-FM call letters[]

KISS-FM is the legal call sign issued to this station by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). It has had the call letters since its founding in 1946. The KISS-FM call sign is not related to the "KISS-FM" brand name used by iHeartMedia, Inc. iHeart uses the moniker "Kiss-FM" on many of its Top 40/CHR stations and a few using other formats. It originated with Los Angeles's KIIS-FM, which has called itself KIIS-FM since 1975.

Despite San Antonio being the headquarters city of iHeartMedia, the company seems to have a gentlemen's agreement not to have a KISS-FM-branded station in the city, while Cox has not attempted to claim rights on the branding despite holding the official KISS-FM call letters from the FCC.[7] Of note, Cox owns WALR-FM, an urban adult contemporary station in its home city of Atlanta, which utilizes the "KISS-FM" branding. iHeart has KISS-FM stations in Los Angeles, Chicago (WKSC), Dallas (KHKS), Boston (WXKS-FM) and other cities.

Awards[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Radio Station Increases Power". San Antonio Light. February 13, 1947. p. 1. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  2. ^ FCC.gov/KISS-FM
  3. ^ Information from the Broadcasting Yearbook 1950 page 298
  4. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1992 page B-331
  5. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2010 page D-543
  6. ^ http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1992/RR-1992-01-03.pdf
  7. ^ Nichols, Lee (Nov. 30, 2001). Naked City. The Austin Chronicle.
  8. ^ Bailey, W. Scott (Jun. 27, 2001). KISS-FM wins top Radio & Records honors. San Antonio Business Journal.

External links[]

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