KBAC-FM

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KBAC

City of license	Las Vegas, New Mexico
Broadcast area	Santa Fe, New Mexico
Branding	Radio Free Santa Fe
Slogan	A World of Music
First air date	1989
Frequency	98.1 (MHz)
Format	Adult Album Alternative
ERP	100,000 watts
Class	C
Owner	Clear Channel Communications
Website	www.kbac.com

KBAC is a commercial radio station located in Las Vegas, New Mexico broadcasting to the Santa Fe, New Mexico area on 98.1 FM. KBAC airs an adult album alternative music format branded as "Radio Free Santa Fe".

KBAC has a playlist that is more eclectic then other commercial adult album alternative radio stations; airing a wide range of music from blues, acoustic, reggae, jazz, alternative, world music.

Ownership and current sale

KBAC is currently owned by Clear Channel, however it was sold to Christian broadcaster Educational Media Foundation in March 2007. The employees are now trying to buy the station from EMF.[1] KBAC has been locally programmed since 1989 and has also been involved with the local community. EMF has also purchased KSFQ 101.1 FM which currently has a smooth jazz format but will likely switch to the "K-Love" Christian adult contemporary music network run by EMF soon.

[edit] History

KBAC first signed on in 1989 and has always had an eclectic music format but has only been known as "Radio Free Santa Fe" since 1996. Prior to that it leaned more toward an Alternative rock format. It was purchased by Clear Channel in 2000 but was able to continue running it's eclectic format. In 2002, Clear Channel moved KBAC to the 104.1 frequency which made the station more easily available in Albuquerque. However Clear Channel was not impressed with the results and added more classic rock tracks to the format attempting to get better ratings in Albuquerque. This also got complaints from its long time listeners and in late 2003 KBAC moved back to 98.1. Clear Channel had moved the classic rock format that had previously been on 104.1 (KLSK-FM) to 98.1 until KBAC returned. KBAC has had translators in Albuquerque in the past but it can no longer be heard in Albuquerque. KBNM based in Belen, currently uses the 98.1 frequency in Albuquerque.