KTMB (FM)

KTMB
Broadcast areaAnchorage, Alaska
Frequency102.1 MHz
BrandingClassic Hits 102.1
Programming
FormatClassic hits
Ownership
OwnerOhana Media Group
KBBO-FM, KBYR, KFAT, KMBQ-FM, KXLW
History
First air date
November 6, 1961
Former call signs
KBYR-FM (1961–1966)
KAMU (1966–1969)
KWKO (1969–1973)[1]
KJZZ (1973–1980)[2]
KRKN (1980–1986)[3]
KPXR (1986–1994)
KKRO (1994–2002)
KDBZ (2002–2014)
Technical information[4]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID28647
ClassC3
ERP23,000 watts
HAAT25 meters (82 ft)
Links
Public license information
Websiteclassichits1021.com

KTMB (102.1 MHz, "Classic Hits 102.1") is a commercial FM radio station licensed in Anchorage, Alaska, United States. The station is owned by Ohana Media and broadcasts a classic hits format. KTMB's studios are located in Downtown Anchorage and its transmitter is in the city's Bayshore district. It is unique among Anchorage radio stations in that it has no live disc jockeys and guarantees to tell listeners the name and artist of every song played.

History

The station first signed on November 6, 1961, as KBYR-FM. The station went silent for a time after the 1964 Alaska earthquake; it became KAMU in 1966 and KWKO in 1969.[5] From 1967 to 1973, KAMU/KWKO broadcast an easy listening format.[1] During this period, the station's main program was Night Flight. As Anchorage was a major stopover point for various airlines' intercontinental routes, the show featured a unique opening simulating a jet in takeoff mode. Station owner Joe O'Hearn welcomed listeners as the "captain" of the program, and flight attendants representing various international airlines recited safety procedures in their native languages as well as in English.[6]

The station changed its call sign to KJZZ in 1973,[2] then to KRKN in 1986.[3] From 1986 to 1994, the station held the call letters KPXR. In March 1994, the station became KKRO, broadcasting classic rock as "Arrow"[7] until 2002. In 1997, Ingstad AK Broadcasting, Inc. sold KKRO to Williams Broadcasting, Inc. for $850,000.[8]

Logo for KDBZ as 102.1 The Buzz until 2011.
Logo for KDBZ as 102.1 The Peak from 2011 to 2014.

On September 7, 2011, at 12:01 a.m., the then-KDBZ changed its format from hot adult contemporary (branded as "102.1 The Buzz") to adult album alternative (AAA), branded as "102.1 The Peak".[9]

Logo for KTMB as "Oldies 102.1"

On March 7, 2014 KDBZ flipped to classic hits and rebranded as "Oldies 102.1".[10] The station also changed its call sign to KTMB.

References

  1. ^ a b Mitchell, Elaine B., ed. (1973). Alaska Blue Book (First ed.). Juneau, Alaska: Alaska Department of Education, Division of State Libraries. p. 135.
  2. ^ a b Mitchell, Elaine B., ed. (1975). Alaska Blue Book (Second ed.). Juneau, Alaska: Alaska Department of Education, Division of State Libraries. p. 157.
  3. ^ a b Eppenbach, Sarah; Foster, Scott, eds. (1983). Alaska Blue Book (Sixth ed.). Juneau, Alaska: Alaska Department of Education, Division of State Libraries. p. 195.
  4. ^ "Facility Technical Data for KTMB". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  5. ^ "History Cards for KTMB". Federal Communications Commission. (Guide to reading History Cards)
  6. ^ O'Hearn, Joe. "KWKO Fm Stereo 102.1 Anchorages home of "Night Flight"". Anchorage Memories. Mike and Mary Dougherty. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  7. ^ "Format Changes & Updates" (PDF). The M Street Journal. Vol. 11, no. 10. New York City: M Street Corporation. March 9, 1994. p. 1. ISSN 1052-7109. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  8. ^ "Proposed Station Transfers" (PDF). The M Street Journal. Vol. 14, no. 35. Madison, Tennessee: M Street Corporation. September 3, 1997. p. 7. ISSN 1052-7109. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  9. ^ Venta, Lance (September 6, 2011). "Anchorage Buzzing No More". RadioInsight. RadioBB Networks. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  10. ^ Venta, Lance (March 13, 2014). "Anchorage's Peak Flips to Oldies". RadioInsight. RadioBB Networks. Retrieved September 22, 2019.

61°07′08″N 149°53′49″W / 61.119°N 149.897°W / 61.119; -149.897