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Coordinates: 35°12′43″N 106°27′00″W / 35.212°N 106.450°W / 35.212; -106.450
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{{short description|Contemporary hit radio station in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States}}
{{short description|Contemporary hit radio station in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox radio station
{{Infobox radio station
| name = KOBQ
| name = KOBQ
| logo = KOBQ.png
| logo = KOBQ.png
| city = [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]]
| city = [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]]
| area = [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]]
| area = [[Albuquerque metropolitan area]]
| branding = ''93-3 The Q''
| branding = ''93-3 The Q''
| frequency = 93.3 [[MHz]]
| slogan = Albuquerque's #1 Hit Music Station
| airdate = August 1, [[1967 in radio|1967]] (as KOB-FM)
| frequency = 93.3 [[MHz]]
| airdate = August 1, [[1967 in radio|1967]] (as KOB-FM)
| format = [[Contemporary hit radio|Top 40 (CHR)]]
| erp = 21,500 watts
| format = [[Contemporary hit radio|Top 40 (CHR)]]
| haat = {{convert|1,265|m|ft|sp=us}}
| erp = 21,500 [[watt]]s
| coordinates =
| haat = {{convert|1,265|m|ft|sp=us}}
| coordinates =
| class = C
| facility_id = 11250
| class = C
| facility_id = 11250
| callsign_meaning =
| callsign_meaning =
| former_callsigns = KOB-FM (1967-1986)<br>KKOB-FM (1986-2019)<ref>[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=73428 History Cards for KOBQ], fcc.gov. Retrieved September 7, 2017.</ref><ref>[http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=11250&Callsign=KOBQ11250 Call Sign History], fcc.gov. Retrieved September 7, 2017.</ref>
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|KOB-FM (1967–1986)|KKOB-FM (1986–2019)<ref>[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=73428 History Cards for KOBQ], fcc.gov. Retrieved September 7, 2017.</ref><ref>[http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=11250&Callsign=KOBQ11250 Call Sign History], fcc.gov. Retrieved September 7, 2017.</ref>}}
| affiliations =
| affiliations = [[Westwood One]]
| owner = [[Cumulus Media]]
| owner = [[Cumulus Media]]
| licensee = Radio License Holding CBC, LLC
| licensee = Radio License Holding CBC, LLC
| sister_stations = [[KDRF]], [[KKOB (AM)|KKOB]], [[KKOB-FM]], [[KMGA]], [[KNML]], [[KRST]], [[KTBL]]
| sister_stations = [[KDRF]], [[KKOB (AM)|KKOB]], [[KKOB-FM]], [[KMGA]], [[KNML]], [[KRST]], [[KTBL]]
| webcast = {{listen live|http://www.933theq.com}}
| webcast = {{listen live|https://player.listenlive.co/22411}}
| website = [http://www.933theq.com 933theq.com]
| website = [https://www.933theq.com 933theq.com]
}}
}}


'''KOBQ''' is an [[FM broadcasting|FM]] [[radio station]] based in [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]], owned by [[Cumulus Media]]. It broadcasts on 93.3 [[MHz]] and has a [[Top 40]] format. Its studios are located in [[Downtown Albuquerque]] and the transmitter tower is located atop [[Sandia Mountains|Sandia Crest]] east of the city.
'''KOBQ''' (93.3 [[FM broadcasting|FM]]) is a [[commercial radio|commercial]] radio station in [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]]. It is owned by [[Cumulus Media]] and broadcasts a [[Contemporary hit radio|top 40 (CHR)]] [[radio format]], branded as "93-3 The Q". Its radio studios and offices are in [[Downtown Albuquerque]].


KOBQ has an [[effective radiated power]] (ERP) of 21,500 watts. The [[transmitter]] is atop [[Sandia Peak]].<ref>[https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/finder?sr=Y&s=C&call=Kobq&nav=home Radio-Locator.com/KOBQ]</ref>
Its [[brand]] is "93-3 The Q - Albuquerque's #1 Hit Music Station." The station plays Top 40 music.


==History==
==History==
===Beautiful music===
In 1964 Hubbard Broadcasting Inc. applied to the Federal Communications Commission to build a new FM radio station to operate alongside KOB AM and [[KOB-TV]]. The station was originally planned to broadcast by Fall of that year with an antenna erected on the AM tower and duplicate the AM programming.<ref>https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/156671401/</ref> The station would sign on August 14, 1967 as '''KOB-FM''', and would feature a completely automated format operating from 6:30 am to midnight of "modern, stereophonic music performed by the top recording artists of the day". Selections included "bright uptempo sounds" in the morning to jazz and [[light classical music|light classical]] in the evenings. KOB-FM would also be the first station to broadcast from atop [[Sandia Crest]]. The broadcast range at the time was determined to be about 150 miles. Management stated: "The decision to program from the transmitter atop the mountain stems from the fact that stereophonic programming material relayed to a transmitter via microwave results in a reproduction of lower sound quality".<ref>https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/156844739/</ref> KOB-FM would continue to air "background music" through the end of the 1970s.<ref>https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/157951039/</ref>
In 1964, Hubbard Broadcasting Inc. applied to the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) for a [[construction permit]] to build a new FM radio station to operate alongside [[KKOB (AM)|KOB]] and [[KOB-TV]]. The FM station was originally planned to begin broadcasting by Fall of that year with an antenna erected on the AM tower, and was slated to [[simulcast]] the AM programming.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/156671401/|title = Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico on May 5, 1964 · Page 12}}</ref> It [[sign on|signed on]] the air on August 14, 1967, as KOB-FM.


Instead of simulcasting KOB, KOB-FM featured a completely [[broadcast automation|automated]] format, operating from 6:30&nbsp;a.m. to midnight. It played "modern, stereophonic music performed by the top recording artists of the day". Selections included "bright uptempo sounds" in the morning. [[Jazz]] and [[light classical music]] were heard in the evenings. KOB-FM was the first station to broadcast from atop [[Sandia Crest]]. The broadcast range at the time was determined to be about 150 miles. Management stated: "The decision to program from the transmitter atop the mountain stems from the fact that stereophonic programming material relayed to a transmitter via microwave results in a reproduction of lower sound quality".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/156844739/|title = Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico on August 14, 1967 · Page 6}}</ref> From the late 1960s until 1981, KOB-FM carried a [[beautiful music]] format, still largely automated.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/157951039/|title = Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico on August 5, 1981 · Page 12}}</ref>
August 1981 saw a shift in programming, as KOB-FM would change to an [[adult contemporary]] format.<ref>https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/157951039/</ref> KOB-FM would become one of the highest rated stations throughout the 1980s and would see more competition by 1985.<ref>https://www.newspapers.com/clip/41242546/two-more-stations-seek-slice-of-kob/</ref> However, KOB-FM continued to dominate the market for many years.<ref>https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/158352262/</ref> In October 1986, Hubbard sold KOB AM and FM to Price Communications for $16.5 million. The call letters were changed to '''KKOB-FM''' with no changes in programming.<ref>https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/157631011/</ref> The stations would later be acquired by Fairmont Communications. Fairmont would sell both stations to Citadel Communications in late 1993 for $9 million.<ref>https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Duncan-American-Radio/Duncan-1993-Fall.pdf page 9</ref> Citadel would also acquire [[KMGA]], which had a soft AC format, forming an FM duopoly. KKOB-FM, by this time, would be airing a [[hot adult contemporary]] format.


===Adult contemporary===
The then-KKOB-FM's first shift to mainstream top 40 came in 1999, playing "Today's Best Music", rivaling the newly launched KCHQ-FM, "Channel 105.1", which returned the top 40 format to the market after a six-year absence. Both stations were often head-to-head in the ratings until November 2000, when KCHQ had shifted to a 1980s’ hits format. However, in January 2001, KKOB-FM would also switch to a 1980s format, putting the two stations in competition once again. KKSS, which had been facing a fierce rhythmic battle with KYLZ-FM, would become the area's mainstream top 40 outlet a few weeks later, but in November 2002, KKSS was sold to Hispanic Broadcasting and had returned to rhythmic top 40. KCHQ had dropped the 1980s format in the Fall of 2001, but the format continued to lose steam on KKOB-FM. Therefore, on Christmas Day, 2002, KKOB-FM would return to the top 40 format and had also returned to using the three-letter 'KOB' ID in its branding.
August 1981 saw a shift in programming, as KOB-FM changed to an [[adult contemporary]] format.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/157951039/|title = Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico on August 5, 1981 · Page 12}}</ref> KOB-FM became one of the highest rated FM stations throughout the 1980s.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/41242546/two-more-stations-seek-slice-of-kob/|title = Two More Stations Seek Slice of KOB Market|newspaper = Albuquerque Journal|date = October 25, 1985|page = 13}}</ref> New FM competitors began broadcasting, but KOB-FM continued to dominate the market for many years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/158352262/|title = Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico on January 12, 1988 · Page 7}}</ref>


In October 1986, Hubbard sold KOB-AM-FM to Price Communications for $16.5 million. The call letters were changed to KKOB-FM with no changes in programming.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/157631011/|title = Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico on October 28, 1986 · Page 15}}</ref> The stations were later acquired by Fairmont Communications. Fairmont sold both stations to Citadel Communications in late 1993 for $9 million.<ref>https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Duncan-American-Radio/Duncan-1993-Fall.pdf page 9</ref> Citadel would also acquire [[KMGA]], which had a [[Soft AC]] format, which created an FM duopoly of KKOB-FM and KMGA. The acquisition prompted KKOB-FM to pick up the tempo and become a [[hot adult contemporary]] station.
On November 15, 2019, KKOB-FM rebranded as "93.3 The Q" (with the new call-sign '''KOBQ''') with no change in format. The change was made in part to avoid confusion with sister station KKOB, as it had made more emphasis on its recently added FM translator at 94.5&nbsp;MHz.<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/181804/kkob-fm-rebrands-as-93-3-the-q/ KKOB-FM Rebrands as 93.3 The Q]</ref> The KKOB-FM call letters were reassigned to 96.3 FM (formerly [[KKOB-FM|KBZU]]) on January 6, 2020, when that station began simulcasting the news/talk format of KKOB.

===Top 40 and 1980s hits===
KKOB-FM's first shift to Mainstream [[Top 40]] came in 1999. It started using the slogan "Today's Best Music", rivaling the newly launched KCHQ-FM, "Channel 105.1", which returned the top 40 format to the market after a six-year absence. Both stations were often head-to-head in the ratings until November 2000, when KCHQ shifted to a 1980s hits format.

In January 2001, KKOB-FM also switched to a 1980s format, putting the two stations in competition once again. KKSS, which had been facing a fierce [[rhythmic contemporary]] battle with KYLZ-FM, become the area's Mainstream Top 40 outlet a few weeks later. In November 2002, KKSS was sold to Hispanic Broadcasting and returned to Rhythmic Top 40. KCHQ had dropped the 1980s format in the fall of 2001, but the format continued to lose steam on KKOB-FM. On December 25, 2002, KKOB-FM returned to the Top 40 format and once again was using the three-letter "KOB" identification in its branding.

===KOBQ===
On November 15, 2019, "93.3 KOB FM" rebranded as "93.3 The Q", using a new call sign KOBQ, but with no change in format. The change was made in part to avoid confusion with sister station KKOB AM, who recently added an [[FM translator]] at 94.5&nbsp;MHz.<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/181804/kkob-fm-rebrands-as-93-3-the-q/ KKOB-FM Rebrands as 93.3 The Q]</ref> The KKOB-FM call letters were reassigned to 96.3 FM (formerly [[KKOB-FM|KBZU]]) on January 6, 2020, when that station began simulcasting the news/talk format of KKOB.


==References==
==References==
Line 43: Line 53:
==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.933theq.com 93.3 The Q official website]
*[http://www.933theq.com 93.3 The Q official website]
{{FM station data|KOBQ}}
{{FM station data|11250|KOBQ}}


{{Albuquerque Radio}}
{{Albuquerque Radio}}
{{Santa Fe Radio}}
{{Contemporary Hit Radio Stations in New Mexico}}
{{Contemporary Hit Radio Stations in New Mexico}}
{{Cumulus Media}}
{{Cumulus Media}}

Latest revision as of 18:29, 13 October 2024

KOBQ
Broadcast areaAlbuquerque metropolitan area
Frequency93.3 MHz
Branding93-3 The Q
Programming
FormatTop 40 (CHR)
AffiliationsWestwood One
Ownership
Owner
KDRF, KKOB, KKOB-FM, KMGA, KNML, KRST, KTBL
History
First air date
August 1, 1967 (as KOB-FM)
Former call signs
  • KOB-FM (1967–1986)
  • KKOB-FM (1986–2019)[1][2]
Technical information
Facility ID11250
ClassC
ERP21,500 watts
HAAT1,265 meters (4,150 ft)
Links
WebcastListen live
Website933theq.com

KOBQ (93.3 FM) is a commercial radio station in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is owned by Cumulus Media and broadcasts a top 40 (CHR) radio format, branded as "93-3 The Q". Its radio studios and offices are in Downtown Albuquerque.

KOBQ has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 21,500 watts. The transmitter is atop Sandia Peak.[3]

History

[edit]

Beautiful music

[edit]

In 1964, Hubbard Broadcasting Inc. applied to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a construction permit to build a new FM radio station to operate alongside KOB and KOB-TV. The FM station was originally planned to begin broadcasting by Fall of that year with an antenna erected on the AM tower, and was slated to simulcast the AM programming.[4] It signed on the air on August 14, 1967, as KOB-FM.

Instead of simulcasting KOB, KOB-FM featured a completely automated format, operating from 6:30 a.m. to midnight. It played "modern, stereophonic music performed by the top recording artists of the day". Selections included "bright uptempo sounds" in the morning. Jazz and light classical music were heard in the evenings. KOB-FM was the first station to broadcast from atop Sandia Crest. The broadcast range at the time was determined to be about 150 miles. Management stated: "The decision to program from the transmitter atop the mountain stems from the fact that stereophonic programming material relayed to a transmitter via microwave results in a reproduction of lower sound quality".[5] From the late 1960s until 1981, KOB-FM carried a beautiful music format, still largely automated.[6]

Adult contemporary

[edit]

August 1981 saw a shift in programming, as KOB-FM changed to an adult contemporary format.[7] KOB-FM became one of the highest rated FM stations throughout the 1980s.[8] New FM competitors began broadcasting, but KOB-FM continued to dominate the market for many years.[9]

In October 1986, Hubbard sold KOB-AM-FM to Price Communications for $16.5 million. The call letters were changed to KKOB-FM with no changes in programming.[10] The stations were later acquired by Fairmont Communications. Fairmont sold both stations to Citadel Communications in late 1993 for $9 million.[11] Citadel would also acquire KMGA, which had a Soft AC format, which created an FM duopoly of KKOB-FM and KMGA. The acquisition prompted KKOB-FM to pick up the tempo and become a hot adult contemporary station.

Top 40 and 1980s hits

[edit]

KKOB-FM's first shift to Mainstream Top 40 came in 1999. It started using the slogan "Today's Best Music", rivaling the newly launched KCHQ-FM, "Channel 105.1", which returned the top 40 format to the market after a six-year absence. Both stations were often head-to-head in the ratings until November 2000, when KCHQ shifted to a 1980s hits format.

In January 2001, KKOB-FM also switched to a 1980s format, putting the two stations in competition once again. KKSS, which had been facing a fierce rhythmic contemporary battle with KYLZ-FM, become the area's Mainstream Top 40 outlet a few weeks later. In November 2002, KKSS was sold to Hispanic Broadcasting and returned to Rhythmic Top 40. KCHQ had dropped the 1980s format in the fall of 2001, but the format continued to lose steam on KKOB-FM. On December 25, 2002, KKOB-FM returned to the Top 40 format and once again was using the three-letter "KOB" identification in its branding.

KOBQ

[edit]

On November 15, 2019, "93.3 KOB FM" rebranded as "93.3 The Q", using a new call sign KOBQ, but with no change in format. The change was made in part to avoid confusion with sister station KKOB AM, who recently added an FM translator at 94.5 MHz.[12] The KKOB-FM call letters were reassigned to 96.3 FM (formerly KBZU) on January 6, 2020, when that station began simulcasting the news/talk format of KKOB.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ History Cards for KOBQ, fcc.gov. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  2. ^ Call Sign History, fcc.gov. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  3. ^ Radio-Locator.com/KOBQ
  4. ^ "Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico on May 5, 1964 · Page 12".
  5. ^ "Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico on August 14, 1967 · Page 6".
  6. ^ "Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico on August 5, 1981 · Page 12".
  7. ^ "Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico on August 5, 1981 · Page 12".
  8. ^ "Two More Stations Seek Slice of KOB Market". Albuquerque Journal. October 25, 1985. p. 13.
  9. ^ "Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico on January 12, 1988 · Page 7".
  10. ^ "Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico on October 28, 1986 · Page 15".
  11. ^ https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Duncan-American-Radio/Duncan-1993-Fall.pdf page 9
  12. ^ KKOB-FM Rebrands as 93.3 The Q
[edit]

35°12′43″N 106°27′00″W / 35.212°N 106.450°W / 35.212; -106.450