KNCI
 | |
| Broadcast area | Sacramento, California |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 105.1 MHz (HD Radio) |
| Branding | New Country 105.1 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Country HD2: Classic Country HD3: KHTK Simulcast |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| Operator | Bonneville International |
| KHTK, KYMX, KZZO | |
| History | |
First air date | February 21, 1960 (as KHIQ) |
Former call signs | KHIQ (1960-1973) KEWT (1973-1984) KSKK (1984-1985 KRAK-FM (1985-1994) |
Call sign meaning | Nationwide Communications, Inc. (former owners) |
| Technical information | |
| Facility ID | 20353 |
| Class | B |
| ERP | 50,000 watts |
| HAAT | 152 meters |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | kncifm.cbslocal.com |
KNCI (105.1 FM, "New Country 105.1") is a commercial radio station in Sacramento, California, United States. Formerly owned by CBS Radio, it is currently in a divestiture trust resulting from Entercom's merger with CBS Radio, and is being operated by Bonneville International pending its sake to a third-party. The station carries a country music format, alongside a classic country format known as The Ranch and a simulcast of sports talk KHTK on HD Radio subchannels.
Its transmitter is located in Folsom, and its studios are in North Sacramento (just north of the American River).
History
105.1 FM signed on the air on February 21, 1960 as KHIQ. In the 1970s and early 1980s, that station had a "beautiful music" format and the call letters were KEWT. It was automated using the Cart-O-Matic system, popular in the late 1970s. The then rival KAER 92.5 Country music station was the only FM station competing with the AM giant KRAK featuring DJs Joey Mitchell, Racin' Rick Stewart and Big Jim Hall. Management decided to give KAER a challenge and try the Country Market with KEWT, changing the call letters to KSKK. It was a huge success. After a short while, KAER dumped the country format and started playing Adult Contemporary, which turned out to be a successful venture for them. Later, KSKK became KRAK-FM. In February 1994, KRAK and rival KNCI swapped frequencies.[1]
KNCI has had a ratings boost since management changes in late 2010, and in May, Pat & Tom in the Morning was #1 in the morning ratings for every demographic.[citation needed]
On February 2, 2017, CBS Radio announced it would merge with Entercom (which locally owns KKDO, KUDL, KSEG, KRXQ, and KIFM; the company formerly owned KDND until it shut the station down and turned in its license to the Federal Communications Commission two days later).[2] On October 10, CBS Radio announced that as part of the process of obtaining regulatory approval of the merger, KNCI would be one of sixteen stations that would be divested by Entercom, along with sister stations KYMX, KZZO, and KHTK (KSFM would be retained by Entercom).[3] On November 1, Entercom announced that Bonneville will begin operating KNCI, KYMX, KZZO and KHTK via a local marketing agreement when the merger of CBS and Entercom closed on November 17, while their licenses will be place into a divestiture trust pending a sale to a different owner within 180 days.[4][5][6]
HD channels
KNCI offers two HD Radio subchannels. Its HD2 station, known as "The Ranch," features classic country hits and a weekly country gospel music. Its HD3 channel is a simulcast of Sports Talk KHTK.[7]
References
- ^ http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1994/RR-1994-03-04.pdf
- ^ CBS Radio to Merge with Entercom
- ^ Venta, Lance (October 10, 2017). "Entercom Narrows Down 16 Stations To Be Divested To Complete CBS Radio Merger". RadioInsight. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
- ^ Entercom LMAs Sacramento & San Francisco Stations to Bonneville
- ^ "Entercom Receives FCC Approval for Merger with CBS Radio". Entercom. November 9, 2017. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
- ^ Venta, Lance (November 17, 2017). "Entercom Completes CBS Radio Merger". Radio Insight. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
- ^ Sacramento HD radio guide
External links
- Official website
- Facility details for Facility ID KNCI ({{{2}}}) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- {{{2}}} in Nielsen Audio's FM station database
- Template:FCC History Cards