KHFI-FM

Coordinates: 30°19′19″N 97°48′04″W / 30.322°N 97.801°W / 30.322; -97.801
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KHFI-FM
Broadcast areaAustin-Round Rock
Frequency96.7 MHz (HD Radio)
Branding96-7 KISS-FM
Hot Spot (HD2)
Programming
FormatTop 40 (CHR)
Ownership
Owner
KASE-FM, KPEZ-FM, KVET, KVET-FM
History
First air date
March 1, 1972 (as KGTN-FM)
Former call signs
KGTN (1972-7/1987)
KQFX (1987-1990)
Call sign meaning
K Hi-Fi
Technical information
Facility ID11948
ClassC1
ERP100,000 watts
HAAT290 meters
Links
WebcastListen Live!
Website967kissfm.com

KHFI-FM (known as "96-7 KISS-FM") is an Austin, Texas radio station playing Top 40 (CHR) and licensed to Georgetown, Texas. Owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. (formerly Clear Channel Communications until September 2014), it broadcasts with an ERP of 100,000 Watts from a transmitter site near West Lake Hills, Texas. It shares studios with four other sister stations in the Penn Field complex in the South Congress district (or "SoCo") of south central Austin within walking distance of St. Edward's University; it has broadcast here since 2002 after moving from a downtown Austin office building off of Barton Springs Road.

History

The 96.7 Frequency

former logo

What is now KHFI originally began operation as KGTN-FM on March 1, 1972. KGTN was originally a small low power "rim-shot" station serving only Georgetown, and was the full time companion to then daytime only KGTN (now KZNX in Creedmoor). In 1987, the FCC approved a power upgrade to serve all of Austin and a new transmitter site was constructed near Sandy Creek at Lake Travis and the frequency was changed to 96.5 becoming "96.5 The Fox" (KQFX Georgetown). Later, the station changed to an oldies format, moved frequencies back to 96.7 MHz, increased power to 100,000 watts, and moved its tower to its current location near West Lake Hills, Texas.

In September 1990, the struggling "Oldies 96.7" signed off the air to make room for KHFI and its Top 40 format, which was moved from 98.1 FM, then known as the popular "K-98.1." K-98.1 became dislocated when the owners of KVET/KASE took the frequency for KVET-FM, which began simulcasting KVET, which continues today.

The KHFI callsign

KHFI was originally on 98.3 MHz at a much lower power. 98.3 KHFI was in fact the very first FM station licensed to Austin in 1956 and was a classical-music station taking advantage of the new hi-fi technology called FM radio hence the KHFI callsign. A decade later KHFI-FM began its long and well known existence as a CHR/Top 40 station. Shortly after, some of the people who had managed the station's classical format got together and founded non-commercial KMFA 89.5 FM which is still on the air today.

In 1978, KHFI changed format to "Disco 98 FM". This was in the wake of Saturday Night Fever and actually improved ratings over the album rock format that it replaced. Dick Oppenheimer purchased KHFI from Lin Broadcasting in 1980 and the station returned to its top 40 roots, this time as "The All New K98 FM". The original K98 FM lineup features Dave Jarrott in the mornings, and radio legend Chuck Dunaway was PD and did afternoon drive. K98 achieved tremendous ratings, including #1 in Austin for many ratings periods and #6 nationwide 12+. The K98 morning show with Dave Jarrott, Darlene Lewis and Keith Jacobs scored an unbelievable 54 share in 1982. The ratings domination continued for many years in the 1980s.

In 1992 KHFI dropped the "K96 FM" moniker and just identified as 96.7 KHFI. By this time, KHFI-FM is one of the first large market stations purchased by Clear Channel Communications outside of San Antonio, Texas, then only a small company.

Of note, local Austin Television station KXAN TV-36 started operation as KHFI-TV in 1965 then on channel 42. KHFI-TV was co-owned with 98.3 KHFI-FM and KHFI 970 AM. The AM license was later sold and is now 970 KIXL Del Valle, Texas.

In August 2001 KHFI re-launched as "The New 96-7 KISS-FM". Today, 96-7 KISS-FM (KHFI-FM) is a popular Austin Top 40 station that complements sister station KPEZ. It leads in its target 18–34 female demographic with its successful "Bobby Bones Morning Show" with polarizing co-host and stunt man "Lunchbox". In February 2013, the show was relaunched as a Country music-oriented show, and moved its flagship studios to WSIX in Nashville. As a result, the Austin affiliate was changed to sister station KASE-FM. Bones was replaced on KHFI with "Elvis Duran and the Morning Show", which is syndicated from WHTZ in New York City.

The current morning show has been named "Austin Radio Personality Of The Year" for 4 years running.[1][2][3][4] The award is given yearly at the Austin Music Awards. In 2008 the Bobby Bones Show received its first award for "Austin Radio Program of the Year."[4]

In May 2005, KHFI-FM became the third commercial Austin radio station to begin broadcasting using HD Radio technology.[citation needed] Now all five Clear Channel Austin FM stations offer this service. KHFI also was named "Austin Radio Station of the Year" in March 2008.[4]

References

  1. ^ "2004-05 Austin Music Awards". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
  2. ^ "2005-06 Austin Music Awards". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
  3. ^ "2006-07 Austin Music Awards". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-09-27.
  4. ^ a b c "2007-08 Austin Music Awards". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 2008-09-27.

External links

30°19′19″N 97°48′04″W / 30.322°N 97.801°W / 30.322; -97.801

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