KBRE
{{short description|Radio station in Merced, California}}
{{for|the Atwater, California radio station that held the call sign KBRE at 92.5 FM from 2002 to 2016|KMZR}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = KBRE
| logo = 105.7 The Bear.jpg
| logo_size = 200px
| city = Merced, California | country = US
| area = Merced metropolitan area
| branding = 105.7 The Bear
| frequency = 1660 kHz
| translator = 105.7 K289CB (Los Banos)
| airdate = {{start date and age|2000|5|p=y}}
| format = Active rock/alternative rock
| power = {{ubl|10,000 watts day|1,000 watts night}}
| class = B
| facility_id = 87180
| coordinates = {{nowrap|{{coord|37|16|41|N|120|37|35|W|region:US_type:city}}}}
| callsign_meaning = Bear
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|KAXW (1998–2002)|KTIQ (2002–2016)}}
| operator =
| owner = Stephens Media Group
| licensee = SMG-Merced, LLC
| sister_stations = KABX-FM, KHTN, KLOQ-FM, KUBB, KYOS
| webcast = [https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/index.cfm?stationCallSign=KBRE Listen Live]
| website = [https://www.1057thebear.com/ 1057thebear.com]
| affiliations = Compass Media Networks
| licensing_authority = FCC
}}
KBRE (1660 AM) is a commercial radio station in Merced, California. It is owned by the Stephens Media Group, through licensee SMG-Merced, LLC.[https://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/amq?call=kbre&arn=&state=&city=&freq=530&fre2=1700&type=0&facid=&class=&list=0&ThisTab=Results+to+This+Page%2FTab&dist=&dlat2=&mlat2=&slat2=&NS=N&dlon2=&mlon2=&slon2=&EW=W&size=9 FCC.gov/KBRE] It plays a mix of active rock and alternative rock, calling itself "105.7 The Bear". Programming is also heard on 250 watt FM translator 105.7 K289CB in nearby Los Banos.[https://radio-locator.com/info/K289CB-FX Radio-Locator.com/K289CB]
The AM station is powered at 10,000 watts by day, 1,000 watts at night, using a non-directional antenna. The AM transmitter is off South Bert Crane Road in Atwater.[https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/finder?call=kbre&x=0&y=0&sr=Y&s=C Radio-Locator.com/KBRE]
History
KBRE began as the "expanded band" twin to a station on the standard AM band. On March 17, 1997, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that eighty-eight stations had been given permission to move to newly available "expanded Band" transmitting frequencies, ranging from 1610 to 1700 kHz, with then-KLOQ in Merced authorized to move from 1580 kHz to 1660 kHz.[https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uva.x004848309&view=1up&seq=276 "FCC Public Notice: Mass Media Bureau Announces Revised AM Expanded Band Allotment Plan and Filing Window for Eligible Stations"] (FCC DA 97-537), March 17, 1997.
The FCC's initial policy was that both the original station and its expanded band counterpart could operate simultaneously for up to five years, after which owners would have to turn in one of the two licenses, depending on whether they preferred the new assignment or elected to remain on the original frequency. It was decided to shut down the standard band station, and on August 13, 2004, the license for original station, now KVVY, on 1580 kHz was cancelled.[https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/publicFacilityDetails.html?facilityId=65376 Facility details for Facility ID 65376 (KVVY)] in the FCC Licensing and Management System
A construction permit for the expanded band station was assigned the call letters KAXW on January 9, 1998. The station signed on the air in May 2000.[https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/2000/D-Radio-All-BC-YB-2000-2.pdf Information] from the Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2000 page D-51 It was owned by Clarke Broadcasting and aired a spanish-language adult contemporary format.
=Sports radio=
On February 12, 2002, the station changed its call sign to KTIQ.{{cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/publicFacilityDetails.html?facilityId=87180 |title=KBRE Call Sign History in the FCC Licensing and Management System |work=United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division }} It continued to carry a sports format, known as "The Ticket" (indicated by the letters "TIQ"). In late 2007/early 2008, the station switched to Spanish-language Christian radio as "Amistad Christiana".
=Switch to rock=
=Acquisition by Stephens Media=
On July 1, 2019, Mapleton Communications announced its intent to sell its remaining 37 stations to 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. The sale was consummated on September 30, 2019 at a price of $21 million.
Former logo
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{AM station data|87180|KBRE}}
{{clear}}
{{Active Rock Radio Stations in California}}
{{Merced Radio}}
Category:2000 establishments in California
Category:Active rock radio stations in the United States