KBFB

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KBFB, "97.9 The Beat", is a Dallas/Fort Worth-based radio station with an Urban Contemporary musical format. It is owned by Radio One with sister station Urban AC KSOC-FM 94.5 "K-Soul". Its transmitter is located in Cedar Hill, Texas.

[edit] History

Before the Urban music began, it started out as KZEW The Zoo in 1973, playing classic and progressive rock music for almost 2 decades. In 1990, the station switched formats to a light rock station and changed branding to KKWM Warm 97.9. A Year later, the station changed callsign and station nickname again to KLRX Lite 97.9 while maintaining its light rock format.

In 1993, the station was bought by Infinity/CBS Radio and formats were switched back to progressive rock and rebranded KRRW Arrow 97.9. In 1997, the station switched formats back to soft rock/adult contemporary music and renamed KBFB B-97.9 before making its final change to mainstream hip-hop as 97.9 The Beat in 2000 after the station was sold to Radio One. Since The Beat's launch, the station has been in direct competition against longtime heritage Urban station KKDA. In addition to KKDA, they also have a competitor in Rhythmic Contemporary rival KZZA, which just shifted from a Hispanic Rhythmic direction and in early 2007 lured KBFB staffer DJ Miracle over to their station for nights.

And despite its Urban format, KBFB leaned more Rhythmic until recently (it is now on Radio & Records' Urban Contemporary Airplay panel). In the beginning, the station was home to Russ Parr in the Morning (of whom he started his radio career at defunct KJMZ in the Metroplex). Later, it was home to Steve Harvey in the mornings from 2003-2005 through a syndicated simulcast from its sister station in Los Angeles, KKBT (also nicknamed The Beat). Eventually, Radio One let Harvey go due to contract disputes (he is now on KRNB), and now KBFB is the flagship of the Rickey Smiley Morning Show.

[edit] Former Station Logos

Lite 97.9 logo used in 1991-1993.

Arrow 97.9 logo used in 1993-1997

B-97.9 logo used in 1997-2000.

[edit] External links

• Official website
• Query the FCC's FM station database for KBFB
• Radio Locator information on KBFB
• Query Arbitron's FM station database for KBFB
• DFWRadioArchives