KCLU (AM)

KCLU (1340 AM) is a non-commercial radio station licensed to and serving Santa Barbara, California. The station airs a public radio format simulcasting FM sister station KCLU-FM. KCLU is rebroadcast on FM translator station K272DT (102.3 FM) in Santa Barbara. The two stations form part of a five-signal network owned by California Lutheran University.

See also: KCLU-FM
KCLU
CitySanta Barbara, California
Broadcast areaSanta Barbara, California
BrandingKCLU Santa Barbara
Slogan"NPR for The California Coast"
Frequency1340 kHz
Translator(s)102.3 MHz K272DT Santa Barbara, California
First air date1946
FormatPublic radio
Power650 watts
ClassC
Facility ID10327
Transmitter coordinates34°25′7″N 119°41′10″W
Call sign meaningK California Lutheran University
Former call signsKLDZ (1998)
KIST (1998)
KXXT (1998-2000)
KIST (2000-2003)
KTLK (2003-2005)
KIST (2005-2008)
AffiliationsNPR
OwnerCalifornia Lutheran University
Sister stationsKCLM, KCLU-FM
WebcastListen Live
Websitewww.kclu.org

History

The station first signed on in 1946 as KIST under the ownership of Harry C. Butcher. It was affiliated with the NBC Radio Network.[1] In 1958, Butcher sold KIST to Western States Radio — a group consisting of A.R. Ellman, A.C. Morici, and station manager Karl A. Rembe — for $197,500.[2][3]

For many years, especially in the 1960s and 1970s, KIST was a premier top 40 music station. Under the ownership of Joseph Patterson "Patt" Wardlaw, Jr., who purchased Western States Radio in 1960,[4] KIST not only played the popular music of the day but also claimed one of the finest news broadcasting teams in the Santa Barbara area. The station won awards from the Southern California Broadcasters Association for its coverage of the Sycamore Fire in 1977. Each on-air disc jockey and many of the support staff carried two-way mobile radios in their vehicles; these enabled instant on-scene news reporting. The KIST staff from this era included program director Hal Bates, music director Dick Williams (since deceased), news director Patrick C. Riley, and chief engineer Doug Allan. On-air personalities included morning drive host Baron Ron Herron, reporter Ed Foley, and disc jockeys Tom Payne, Jack Kinney, Mike Hennie, Jim Cordes (aka Jim Evans), Frank Catalano, and Steve Dezormo (since deceased). Station bumper stickers of the time read, "Get KIST 1340!"

In the early 1980s (1983-1984), KIST began broadcasting in C-QUAM AM Stereo. By the early 1990s, KIST had changed its format to oldies. In March 1993, RSB Communications sold KIST and KMGQ to Channel Islands Broadcasting for $850,000.[5] Three years later, in September 1996, Channel Islands Broadcasting sold the combo to Engles Enterprises for $3.5 million.[6][7]

In September 1997, Engels sold KIST to Jacor Communications for $850,000;[8] Jacor subsequently was absorbed by Clear Channel Communications. The new owner changed the station's call letters to KLDZ. Soon it became all-sports outlet KXXT branded "XTRA Sports 1340". One of the station's on-air hosts was Jim Rome, a graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara. On March 29, 2000, the call sign was changed back to KIST.

On August 8, 2003, the call sign was again changed, this time to KTLK. This change accompanied a format flip to progressive talk radio, part of national rollout of the format by Clear Channel.[9] Those call letters remained in place until February 3, 2005, when they were changed back to KIST for a third time.

On January 11, 2007, Clear Channel sold all of its radio stations in Santa Barbara, including KIST, to Rincon Broadcasting, headed by John Hearne, for $17.3 million.[10] The new owner immediately donated KIST to the Santa Barbara Community Broadcasting Company.[11]

On June 19, 2008, R & R Radio, LLC announced it had sold KIST to California Lutheran University for $1.44 million.[12][13][14] On October 7, the university, owner of National Public Radio affiliate KCLU-FM, converted the station to non-commercial educational status and changed its call letters to KCLU. On October 28, Rincon Broadcasting picked up the KIST call and format on KBKO (1490 AM, now KOSJ).

References
  1. "Directory of Standard Broadcasting Stations of the United States" (PDF). Broadcasting/Telecasting 1948 Yearbook Number. Broadcasting Publications Inc. 1948. p. 94. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  2. "Changing Hands" (PDF). Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications Inc. May 5, 1958. p. 68. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  3. "For the Record" (PDF). Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications Inc. June 2, 1958. p. 92. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  4. "For the Record" (PDF). Broadcasting. Broadcasting Publications Inc. May 2, 1960. p. 98. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  5. "Interep Firms Show Ins, Outs of Mergers; Eagle Change Hovers; KMEL Staff Switches" (PDF). Billboard. March 20, 1993. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  6. "New Age Sells Miami Combo; Evergreen Picks Up Philly Pair" (PDF). Radio and Records. September 27, 1996. p. 8. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  7. "For The Record" (PDF). Radio and Records. October 4, 1996. p. 10. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  8. "SFX Acquires Nashville Trio" (PDF). Radio and Records. September 5, 1997. p. 6. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
  9. "Liberal Talk Gets Boost From CC" (PDF). Radio and Records. September 3, 2004. p. 3. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  10. Mackie, Drew (January 11, 2007). "Clear Channel Sells Santa Barbara Stations". Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  11. "Buyer Spins Off Two CC Santa Barbara Stations To Non-Profit". All Access. All Access Music Group. January 16, 2007. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  12. "Media 8-7". Santa Barbara Independent. August 7, 2008. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  13. "Media 8-14". Santa Barbara Independent. August 14, 2008. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  14. "College Buys KIST-A/Santa Barbara". All Access. All Access Music Group. June 19, 2008. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
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