KATO-FM
This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2022) |
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Broadcast area | Mankato, Minnesota |
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Frequency | 93.1 MHz |
Branding | 93.1 KATO Hits |
Programming | |
Format | Classic hits |
Ownership | |
Owner |
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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 | katohits |
KATO-FM (93.1 MHz) is a radio station in Mankato (licensed to New Ulm) and serving the Minnesota River Valley. The station airs a classic hits radio format. 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 p.m. 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, KATO's country format was moved to sister station KXAC as Minnesota 100, and the station began stunting with “Macarena” over the Labor Day weekend. On September 6 at 6 a.m., the station flipped to classic hits as 93.1 KATO Hits; the station primarily focuses on hits from the 1980's and 1990's.[1] The first song played on 93.1 KATO Hits was Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley.[2]
References
- ^ "KATO Hits Launches after Macarena Stunt in Mankato". RadioInsight. Retrieved 2022-09-05.
- ^ Inquired by calling the station the day of switching
Former logos
External links
- KATO in the FCC FM station database
- KATO in Nielsen Audio's FM station database