KSWG
 | |
| City | Wickenburg, Arizona |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Phoenix metropolitan area |
| Branding | Real Country 96.3 |
| Frequency | 96.3 MHz |
| First air date | 1996 |
| Format | Classic Country |
| ERP | 6,400 watts |
| HAAT | 197.0 meters (646.3 ft) |
| Class | C3 |
| Facility ID | 11216 |
| Owner | Barna Broadcasting LLC |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | 963RealCountry.com |
KSWG (96.3 MHz) is a commercial FM radio station licensed to Wickenburg, Arizona. It is owned by Barna Broadcasting Company and airs a classic country radio format, using the moniker "Real Country 96.3." The station is considered a rimshot broadcaster because its transmitter is more than 50 miles from downtown Phoenix, Arizona. KSWG's signal is primarily heard in northwest suburbs of the Phoenix market.
The studios and offices are on West Wickenburg Way in Wickenburg.[1] The transmitter is off South Vulture Mine Road, also in Wickenburg.[2]
History
KFMA
The staton began as KFMA, broadcasting Modern Rock music programming on 93.7 FM.
When Circle S gave up those call letters, a broadcaster in Tucson took them, partially because of the buzz KFMA had created before leaving the air.
KMEO
In 1993, the format was changed to Easy Listening along with a change of call letters to KMEO (Cameo). KMEO-AM-FM (now KIDR and KMXP) had been a long-time leader in the Phoenix radio market, broadcasting easy listening music for several decades at AM 740 and FM 96.9. When those stations switched formats in the early 1990s, this station hoped to capture many of its listeners.
KBSZ
In 1995, the format was changed to new-age music, along with a change of call letters to KBSZ. The station was known as “The Breeze”. KBSZ sponsored new-age concerts in Phoenix. It was the low audience turnout of the last concert and declining ad sales that forced Circle S to abandon the new-age format.
It was during this time KBSZ switched from 93.7 MHz to 94.1 and increased power.
KSWG
In July 1996, it adopted its current format, Classic Country as KSWG. In 2006, the station started using a translator station on 96.3 to be heard throughout Phoenix metro. Years later the main station in Wickenburg changed frequencies to that dial position of 96.3 FM.