KBIG-FM
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| Broadcast area | Los Angeles, California |
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| Branding | 104.3 KBIG |
| Slogan | "Upbeat Favorites, Fewer Commercials" |
| First air date | 1965 |
| Frequency | 104.3 (MHz) |
| Format | Hot AC |
| ERP | 65000 watts |
| Class | B |
| Owner | Clear Channel |
| Website | http://www.kbig.com |
KBIG-FM is an FM radio station in Los Angeles, California. The station plays a Hot AC format with a rhythmic lean. They are owned by Clear Channel.
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[edit] History
At one time KBIG was one of the highest-rated Beautiful music stations in the country. KBIG began broadcasting in 1952 as an AM radio station originating from Catalina Island off the coast of California. The call letters were named in honor of the station's original disc jockey, Carl "Mr. Big" Daily. They originally broadcast Big band and new music of the times. The AM station was sold to religious broadcasters and now operates as KBRT.
In the mid-1960s, KBIG began simulcasting its AM signal on the 104.3 FM frequency (where KBIG continues to broadcast today). As an FM station, KBIG broadcast the format for which the station is best known, Beautiful music, playing lush instrumentals and occasional vocal performances. KBIG also had its staff of "KBIG Singers", who would sing the station's jingles and also record their own albums to offer to listeners. One of the "KBIG Singers" was session singer Sally Stevens, who began her career at KBIG. The station was owned by Bonneville International for many years.
The Beautiful music format continued until 1987. At that time the station dropped its instrumentals and became a Soft AC station. In 1988 KBIG began mixing in more rock and roll oldies from 1964-1969 as well as hotter AC artists. They were still Gold Based AC at that point.
[edit] Logos
 KBIG-FM logo from 1995 to 1999 |
 KBIG-FM logo from 1999 to 2005 |
KBIG-FM logo from 2005 to the present |
[edit] The 'Upbeat' evolution
By 1990 KBIG began playing more current hits and less '60s music. By 1992 the '60s songs were dropped and KBIG was more of a Hot AC station (which is sort of the format KBIG continues to air today). By 1995 KBIG moved toward more of a mainstream AC to compete against rival KOST. Nicknamed K-BIG 104, KBIG is today home to morning host Charlie Tuna and to Disco Saturday Night, an all-night disco music program. Bonneville though decided to sell KBIG to Chancellor in 1996 but when Chancellor had too many other stations they sold KZLA 93.9 the Country station to Bonneville. In 1997 KBIG moved toward a Hot AC format. When Chancellor acquired Modern AC station KYSR and AC station KOST they kept KBIG a Hot AC format with a lean on uptempo Pop, '70s and '80s gold, uptempo AC currents, and Rhythmic pop.
In 2000 Chancellor merged with Clear Channel and so KBIG is now a Clear Channel station. On July 18, 2005, KBIG made major changes by cutting back on commercial time (concentrating on 30 minute music sweeps), dropped the jingles and the top of the hour IDs ( i.e."...It's 4 O'Clock In The West..." would no longer be heard), and tweaked their musical direction by focusing on less currents and more recurrents from the 1980s and 1990s, with most of the music leaning towards a rhythmic approach. They also began to read out the individual letters of the stations ID, K-B-I-G, instead of the K-BIG (kay-big).
In July 2006 KBIG also began expanding their Dance mixes to weekends. Usually the mixes are featured on its nightly programs "Boogie Night" (7PM to 12Mid Monday-Friday) and "Thump Radio" (12Mid to 3AM Monday-Friday). While some would suspect a shift to a Dance direction, KBIG management insists that there are no changes in the works.
On August 17, 2006, KBIG picked up new competition as Emmis Communications changed longtime Country music rival 93.9 KZLA to Adult Rhythmic Contemporary as "Movin' 93.9." The move now gives Los Angeles two stations with the same Rhythmic-sounding direction aimed at Adults, even though KBIG is technically an Adult Top 40.
Despite being a Rhythmic based radio station, KBIG is a loyal affiliate to the legendary Casey Kasem and his weekly Hot AC countdown, American Top 20, which runs Sunday morning from 7:00am-10:00am. KBIG morning man Charlie Tuna is also Casey's regular substitute host.
[edit] KBIG-HD2
On January 23, 2006, KBIG launched a HD2 subcarrier, which focuses exclusively on Disco and Dance hits from the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and today.
[edit] Current Lineup
12:00AM - 3:00AM Thump Radio with Mason Rothert
5:00AM - 9:00AM Charlie Tuna in the Morning
9:00AM - 2:00PM Kari Steele
2:00PM - 7:00PM Gary Spears
7:00PM - 12:00AM Boogie Nights with Christian Wheel
[edit] External link
| FM radio stations in the Los Angeles market (Arbitron #2, 25, and 120) | |
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(Arbitron #2) |
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San Bernardino (Arbitron #25) |
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(Arbitron #120) |
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