KABX-FM
{{short description|Radio station in Merced, California}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = KABX-FM
| logo =
| city = Merced, California
| area = California Central Valley
| branding = K 97.5
| airdate = {{Start date and age|1975|12|18}} (as KMYT)
| frequency = 97.5 MHz
| format = Adult Contemporary
| erp = 8,800 watts
| haat = {{Convert|354|m|ft|sp=us}}
| class = B
| facility_id = 41173
| coordinates = {{nowrap|{{coord|37|26|44|N|120|8|37|W|region:US-CA_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}}}
| callsign_meaning =
| former_callsigns = KMYT (1975–1989)
| affiliations = Jones Radio Network
| operator =
| owner = Stephens Media Group
| licensee = SMG-Merced, LLC
| sister_stations = KBRE, KHTN, KLOQ-FM, KUBB, KYOS
| webcast = [https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KABX Listen Live]
| website = [https://www.975kabx.com/ 975kabx.com]
| licensing_authority = FCC
}}
KABX-FM (97.5 MHz, "K97.5") is a commercial radio station in Merced, California. It is owned by Stephens Media Group, through licensee SMG-Merced, LLC. KABX-FM airs an adult contemporary radio format, switching to Christmas music for part of November and December. Its studios are on West 19th Street in Merced.
KABX is a Class B FM station. Its transmitter and tower are on Shultz Mountain, off California State Route 140 in Catheys Valley.[https://radio-locator.com/info/KABX-FM?loc=36.96341%2C-120.06732&locn=Madera%2C%20California Rdio-Locator.com/KABX-FM] KABX-FM can be heard over a large part of California's Central Valley, from Modesto to Fresno.
History
=Beautiful Music and Adult Contemporary=
The station signed on the air on {{Start date and age|1975|12|18}}.[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1977/C%20Section%20Radio%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201977%20P-6.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1977 page C-22. Retrieved Jan. 31, 2025.] Its original call sign was KMYT, airing an automated beautiful music format. It was the FM sister station to KYOS 1480 AM. The studios were at the KYOS transmitter site.
The station broadcast in FM stereo and it used the slogan "K-Might, The Mighty Sounds of Stereo." At the end of 1999, the station's tower was relocated to Shultz Mountain in Catheys Valley to improve its signal coverage. Over the years, it added more vocals, eventually making the transition to soft adult contemporary.
On August 27, 2011, KABX-FM adjusted its format and became mainstream adult contemporary as "The New K 97.5--Favorites of Yesterday and Today." Under the guidance of AC programming consultant Gary Berkowitz, the station used JAM jingles and voiceovers from Jim Merkel.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} It was owned by Mapleton Communications, with stations in California, Oregon and Washington state.
=Acquisition by Stephens Media=
On July 1, 2019, Mapleton Communications announced its intent to sell its remaining 37 stations to the Stephens Media Group.{{cite news|last=Venta|first=Lance|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/178504/stephens-media-group-acquires-37-stations-from-mapleton-communications/|title=Stephens Media Group Acquires 37 Stations From Mapleton Communications|date=1 July 2019|website=Radio Insight|access-date=4 July 2019}} Stephens began operating the station that same day under a local marketing agreement (LMA).
The sale was consummated on September 30, 2019. The price tag was $21 million.
References
{{Reflist}}
Previous logo
Image:kabx.jpg (KABX's logo under previous "Oldies 97.5" branding)
External links
{{FM station data|41173|KABX-FM}}
- [https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=73286 FCC History Cards for KABX-FM]
{{Merced Radio}}
{{Adult Contemporary Radio Stations in California}}
Category:Mainstream adult contemporary radio stations in the United States
Category:Mass media in Merced County, California
Category:Radio stations established in 1979
Category:1979 establishments in California
{{California-radio-station-stub}}