KBAC

For the comic book series written by Kurt Busiek, see Astro City.
KBAC
City of license Las Vegas, New Mexico
Broadcast area Santa Fe, New Mexico
Branding Radio Free Santa Fe
Slogan "A World of Music"
Frequency 98.1 (MHz)
First air date 1989
Format Adult Album Alternative
ERP 100,000 watts
HAAT 316 meters
Class C
Owner Hutton Broadcasting
Sister stations KLBU, KQBA, KTRC, KVSF (AM), KVSF-FM
Webcast Listen Live
Website KBAC website

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

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.

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 its 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. Since 2007 the 98.1 frequency in Albuquerque has been home to translator K251AU making it nearly impossible to pick up KBAC there.

KBAC was owned by Clear Channel, however it was sold to Christian broadcaster Educational Media Foundation in March 2007. The employees had attempted to buy the station from EMF, but on May 23, 2007 it was purchased by Hutton Broadcasting which had just purchased KWRP 101.5 and KLBU 102.9. The station's format is not likely to change under the new ownership. 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 had a smooth jazz format but had switched to simulcasting the public radio format from KSFR 90.7. 101.1 became the new home of KSFR while EMF took ownership of 90.7 (now KQLV) and moved it into Albuquerque.

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Coordinates: 35°22′19″N 105°22′05″W / 35.372°N 105.368°W