KCAL-FM
{{short description|Radio station in Redlands, California}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = KCAL-FM
| logo = 96.7_KCAL_Rocks!_logo.png
| logo_upright = .8
| city = Redlands, California
| country = US
| area = Inland Empire
| frequency = {{Frequency|96.7|MHz}}
| branding = 96.7 KCAL Rocks
| languages = English
| format = Active rock
| owner = Anaheim Broadcasting
| licensee = SBR Broadcasting Corporation
| sister_stations = KOLA
| repeater = {{Radio Relay|96.7|KCAL-FM1|Twin Peaks}}
| airdate = {{Start date and age|1965}}
| former_callsigns =
| callsign_meaning = California
| licensing_authority = FCC
| facility_id = 59272
| class = A
| erp = 1,750 watts
| haat = {{convert|115|m|ft|sp=us}}
| webcast = {{listenlive|https://player.listenlive.co/42231/}}
| website = {{url|https://www.kcalfm.com/}}
}}
KCAL-FM (96.7 FM) is a commercial radio station licensed to Redlands, California, and broadcasting to the Inland Empire. The station is owned by Anaheim Broadcasting and airs an active rock format. The station's studios are on Orange Tree Lane in Redlands.
KCAL-FM is a Class A station. Its transmitter site is off Cloudland Truck Trail near Lake Arrowhead in the San Bernardino Mountains.[https://radio-locator.com/info/KCAL-FM Radio-Locator.com/KCAL-FM] Programming is simulcast on KCAL-FM1, a booster station in Twin Peaks.
History
=Early years=
KCAL-FM first signed on the air in 1965.{{cite periodical |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Annuals/Archive-BC-YB-IDX/60s-OCR-YB/1968-YB/1968-BC-YB-OCR-Page-0170.pdf |title=Directory of AM and FM Radio Stations in the U.S. |periodical=Broadcasting Yearbook |page=B-22 |year=1968 |access-date=December 14, 2018 |via=World Radio History}} It had a middle of the road (MOR) format. Originally owned by Southwest Broadcasting Company, it was the sister station of KCAL (1410 AM).
In 1969, KCAL-FM adopted a dayparted rock format, playing soft rock during daytime hours and harder album rock at night. This hybrid format, known as "The Rock Spectrum", was unique in the Inland Empire radio market. A prominent feature on KCAL-FM was a weekly program called Album Premiere, during which a newly released album was played Monday and Tuesday evenings – one side each evening. This eventually led to a switch to album-oriented rock (AOR) full-time in 1978.
=Changes in ownership=
In October 1986, Southwest Broadcasting sold KCAL-FM to San Bernardino Broadcasting, headed by Tim Sullivan, for $4 million; KCAL (AM) remained with Southwest.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/80s/86/RR-1986-10-17-OCR-Page-0010.pdf |title=Duncan Grabs Oppenheimer Group For $38 Million |magazine=Radio and Records |page=10 |date=October 17, 1986 |access-date=December 14, 2018 }} On January 1, 1987, control of the station passed to Anaheim Broadcasting, also led by Sullivan; that March, the new owner installed former KGGI program director Cliff Roberts in the same position at KCAL-FM.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/80s/87/RR-1987-03-20-OCR-Page-0010.pdf |title=Twin PD Changes In Riverside |magazine=Radio and Records |page=10 |date=March 20, 1987 |access-date=December 14, 2018 }}
During the 1990s, KCAL-FM adjusted its AOR format to active rock. The station mixes new and recent rock releases with hard-edged classic rock titles, going back as far as the early Rolling Stones and Steppenwolf.
In the late 1990s, the station began hosting a listener appreciation party known as the "KCAL Kegger". Held in the station's parking lot in Redlands three times a year, each party features live rock bands, local vendors, refreshments, and a beer garden; the station donated proceeds from beer sales to local charities.{{cite news |url=https://www.pe.com/2013/05/15/redlands-kcal-radio-station-to-throw-kegger/amp/ |last=Waldner |first=Erin |title=REDLANDS: KCAL radio station to throw kegger |newspaper=The Press-Enterprise |publisher=Southern California News Group |location=Riverside, California |date=May 15, 2013 |access-date=December 14, 2018 }} Each year's final Kegger includes a bikini pageant called "Miss KCAL".
=Tower topples=
On December 31, 2014, high winds in the San Bernardino Mountains toppled KCAL-FM's transmission tower, knocking the station off the air. The station resumed broadcasting two days later on the evening of January 2, 2015. Engineers were able to attach the station's transmission equipment to KFRG's tower temporarily.{{cite news |url=https://www.pe.com/2015/01/02/redlands-kcal-fm-back-on-the-air-after-storm-knocks-down-tower/ |last=Rokos |first=Brian |title=REDLANDS: KCAL-FM back on the air after storm knocks down tower |newspaper=The Press-Enterprise |publisher=Southern California News Group |location=Riverside, California |date=January 2, 2015 |access-date=December 14, 2018 }}
In January 2018, longtime KCAL-FM on-air personalities Michael "Stu-Man" Stewart, "Tiffany" Angelo, and James "Jimbo" Smith – the morning drive hosts collectively known as "STJ", and previously known as "The Morning Stiffy" — were dismissed from the station due to budget cuts. Morning show producer Steven Kono was also let go. Patrick Tish took over morning host duties.{{cite news |url=https://www.pe.com/2018/01/10/kcal-96-7-fms-stu-tiffany-and-jimbo-off-the-air/ |last=Larsen |first=Peter |title=Jimbo talks about exit from KCAL 96.7 FM along with longtime fellow DJs Stu and Tiffany |newspaper=The Press-Enterprise |publisher=Southern California News Group |location=Riverside, California |date=January 10, 2018 |access-date=December 14, 2018 }}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{officialwebsite|https://www.kcalfm.com/}}
- {{FM station data|59272|KCAL}}
{{Riverside-San Bernardino Radio}}
{{Active Rock Radio Stations in California}}
{{coord|34.198|N|117.287|W|type:landmark_region:US_source:FCC|display=title}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kcal-Fm}}
Category:1965 establishments in California
Category:Active rock radio stations in the United States
Category:Mass media in Riverside County, California
Category:Mass media in Riverside, California
Category:Mass media in San Bernardino County, California
Category:Mass media in San Bernardino, California
Category:Mass media in the Inland Empire