KXXF
KXXF (105.3 FM) is a radio station licensed to the city of Winnie, Texas. It began broadcasting in 1989 under the call sign KRTX, licensed to Galveston. KXXF is owned and operated by Excel Media, L.L.C., a company founded by John Walton (co-host of the regionally syndicated Walton & Johnson talk show, which airs on the station). Its studios are located in Beaumont and its transmitter is in Winnie.
City | Winnie, Texas |
---|---|
Broadcast area | Beaumont/Port Arthur, Texas |
Branding | 105.3 Free |
Slogan | The Greatest Hits of All Time |
First air date | 1989 (as 104.9 KRTX in Galveston) |
Format | Classic hits |
Language(s) | English |
ERP | 50,000 watts |
HAAT | 150 meters (490 ft) |
Class | C2 |
Facility ID | 479 |
Call sign meaning | KXX Free |
Former call signs | KRTX (1987–1996) KLTP (1996–1998) KLTO (1998–2004) KPTI (2004–2009) KPTY (2009–2014) |
Owner | Estate of John Walton (Excel Media, L.L.C.) |
Webcast | Listen Live |
Website | freefm.net |
History
105.3 FM (then 104.9) was assigned the call sign KRTX on July 14, 1987 and was licensed to Galveston. On July 19, 1996, the call sign was changed to KLTP. The call sign was changed to KLTO on August 1, 1998. On November 8, 2004, the call sign was changed to KPTI and the station was now simulcasting sister station KPTY which was broadcasting on 104.9 FM in Deer Park, Texas. The station was completely re-constructed after being totally destroyed by Hurricane Ike in September 2008.
On February 28, 2014, Excel Media purchased KPTY from Univision[1] for a purchase price of $525,000, and changed its call letters to KXXF on March 21, 2014.[2]
On April 8, 2014, KXXF ended stunting of running non-stop "The Walton & Johnson Show" episodes and launched a Texas-focused adult hits format (encompassing country, blues, rock, and classic hits) branded as "105.3 Free", and continuing to utilize The Walton & Johnson Show for AM drive.
On August 16, 2017, Jim King (Jim King of the Road) was hired by John Walton to host Middays (10 am to 3 pm, M-F). King's show began airing on KXXF in mid-September, 2017.
On September 4, 2017, the station moved from adult hits to classic country while keeping the "105.3 Free" branding.
Owner John Walton died July 1, 2019.[3]
On December 1, 2019, KXXF became a classic hits station, adding more rock and pop oldies to its playlist.
References
- Marcucci, Carl (March 7, 2014). "KPTY-FM sale closed in Texas". Radio Business Report. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
- "Call Sign History". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
- Walton & Johnson Show Host John Walton Has Died RadioInsight, July 2, 2019
External links
- Query the FCC's FM station database for KXXF
- Radio-Locator information on KXXF
- Query Nielsen Audio's FM station database for KXXF