| City of license | Santa Barbara, California |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 1290 (kHz) |
| First air date | 1973 (as KKIO) |
| Format | Local News/Talk |
| ERP | 500 watts (day) 122 watts (night) |
| Class | D |
| Facility ID | 57731 |
| Callsign meaning | a portmanteau of: KZBN and KKSB (former callsigns) |
| Former callsigns | KESP (1984-1991) KKSB (1991-1995) KZBN (1995-2005) KRNP (March 2005-May 2005) |
| Owner | Santa Barbara Broadcasting, Inc. |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | NewsPress.com Radio |
KZSB (1290 AM) is a commercial radio station located in Santa Barbara, California. The station airs local news and talk, mainly from news reports of the Santa Barbara News-Press. It also airs BBC World Service reports at the top of each hour.
Previously, the station aired a nostalgia format and was owned by Bob Newhart before being sold to Santa Barbara Broadcasting, Inc. and adopting its current format.
When Bob Newhart owned 1290 AM in the late 1970s he called it KSBB and later KBRT or "K-BOB." In 2005, Newhart sold it to Santa Barbara Broadcasting Inc., owned by Dennis Weibling, and the call sign was changed to KZSB. Although Weibling is a friend of Santa Barbara News Press owner Wendy McCaw, the News Press does not actually own 1290 AM.
The station offers locally produced, block programmed talk shows hosted by local residents. KZSB also features CNN Headline News hourly.
The station went on the air in 1973 with a short-lived country music format. It was originally called KKIO -- "KK 10 - Country Radio 13" to indicate being close to the 1300 kHz or "13" dial on the AM band.
Country (1973-1984, 1991-1995)
Spanish Music (1984-1991)
Adult Standards (1995-2005)
Community/World Affairs (2005-Present)
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