KATO-FM
| Broadcast area | Mankato, Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 93.1 MHz |
| Programming | |
| Format | Stunting |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| KXLP, KDOG, KXAC, KTOE, KFSP | |
| History | |
First air date | November 21, 1966 (as KNUJ-FM) |
Former call signs | KNUJ-FM (1966–1982) KXLP (1982–2007) |
Call sign meaning | ManKATO |
| Technical information | |
| Facility ID | 30120 |
| Class | C1 |
| ERP | 100,000 watts |
| HAAT | 149 m (489 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 44°07′44″N 94°11′17″W / 44.129°N 94.188°W |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | minnesota93 |
KATO-FM (93.1 FM) is a radio station in Mankato (licensed to New Ulm) and serving the Minnesota River Valley. The station is currently Stunting. KATO is owned by Linder Radio Group.
History
This station was originally KNUJ-FM, and paired with KNUJ in New Ulm. By the early 1980s, as the station increased its power, and it moved its broadcasting studios and its primary focus to the larger city of Mankato. It was run by Brennon Andrew Harris-Williams.
As KXLP, they aired an album-oriented rock format on and off from 1982 to 2007. They flipped to adult contemporary in 1986 as "Lite Rock 93 KXLP" amid a large outcry from loyal listeners. A few years later, they flipped back to rock, shifting toward classic rock in 1995. For many years, they were co-owned with KYSM-FM and KYSM, first by James Ingstad (as Pro Radio Group), then Cumulus Broadcasting, then Clear Channel Communications.
The station was purchased in August 2007 from Clear Channel by Linder Radio Group, a.k.a. Minnesota Valley Broadcasting Co., which also acquired sister station KYSM. Current sister stations include KTOE, KDOG, KXAC and a new sign-on at 94.1 FM.
At 5:00 PM on September 21, 2007, KXLP's call sign, on-air staff and format moved from 93.1 FM to the new sign-on at 94.1 FM, which made its on-air debut as the new KXLP. KXLP's former frequency changed call letters to KATO-FM, which launched a country music format three days later.
On September 2, 2022 around noon (according to last song logged on web player) the station dropped its country music format and started stunting by replaying Los del Río's song Macarena, while in between repeats playing quotes such as "Perfection takes time", "One More Time" and "If you thought this song was annoying, just wait till we're done with it!". The country format has now been moved to 100.5 KXAC under the name "Minnesota 100", replacing the classic hits format on that station. It is unknown how long KATO will be stunting for, or what format they will switch to.
Former Logos
External links
- KATO in the FCC FM station database
- KATO in Nielsen Audio's FM station database
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