KIAI
{{distinguish|kiai}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = KIAI
| city = Mason City, Iowa
| country = US
| logo =
| area = Mason City, Iowa micropolitan area
| frequency = {{Frequency|93.9|MHz}}
| branding = 93.9 The Country Moose
| languages = English
| format = Country music
| affiliations = {{ubl|Premiere Networks|Westwood One|Performance Racing Network}}
| owner = Alpha Media
| licensee = Alpha 3E Licensee LLC
| sister_stations = KGLO, KLSS-FM, KRIB, KYTC
| airdate = {{start date and age|1985}}
| former_callsigns = KNIQ (1985–1991)
| former_frequencies = 93.5 MHz (1985-1992)
| callsign_meaning = Iowa
| licensing_authority = FCC
| facility_id = 30115
| class = C1
| erp = 100,000 watts
| haat = {{convert|241|m|ft|abbr=on|0}}
| coordinates = {{coord|43|10|04|N|93|06|05|W|region:US-IA_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| webcast = {{listenlive|https://www.alphamediaplayer.com/939kia}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.939kia.com/}}
}}
KIAI (93.9 FM) is a commercial radio station that serves the Mason City, Iowa micropolitan area. The station is owned by Alpha Media, through licensee Alpha 3E Licensee LLC,[http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/own_list.pl?Facility_id=30115 FCC Ownership database] and broadcasts a country music format. KIAI's studios are located on Yorktown Pike in eastern Mason City.
The station's transmitter and broadcast tower are located four miles east of Mason City along 280th Street in rural Cerro Gordo County. According to the Antenna Structure Registration database, the tower is {{convert|244|m|ft|abbr=on|0}} tall with the FM broadcast antenna mounted at the {{convert|229|m|ft|abbr=on|0}} level.[http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/AsrSearch/asrRegistration.jsp?regKey=100604 FCC Antenna Structure Registration database] The calculated Height Above Average Terrain is {{convert|241|m|ft|abbr=on|0}}.
History
B-Y Communications, the owner of KGLO (1300 AM), received approval for a construction permit for an FM station on 93.5 MHz in December 1984."FM station gets FCC's OK," The Globe-Gazette, December 15, 1984. The station received the KNIQ call letters on April 9, 1985. When KNIQ signed on in November 1985, it aired a Top 40/CHR format as “Q93.” KNIQ was sold to James Ingstad Broadcasting in March 1990.Steve McMahon, "KGLO, KNIQ stations sold for $2.3 million," The Globe-Gazette, April 6, 1990. In September 1991, the station flipped to its current country format as “The Country Moose.” On October 4, 1991, KNIQ changed callsigns to KIAI, and the station moved to its current 93.9 FM frequency in 1992.[http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=30115&Callsign=KIAI FCC Callsign History database]
James Ingstad Broadcasting sold KIAI to Cumulus Broadcasting in 1998.Kevin Baskins, "Radio Park sold," The Globe-Gazette, February 27, 1998. Two years later, Clear Channel Communications bought the station.Public notice required under 47 C.F.R. 73.3580, The Globe-Gazette, August 11, 2000. In 2007, Clear Channel sold the station to Three Eagles Broadcasting.Dick Johnson, "Radio stations change hands," The Globe-Gazette, April 11, 2007.Dick Johnson, "Radio stations change ownership, locations," The Globe-Gazette, September 7, 2007.Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2010, [https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/2010/D-2010-BC-YB-7.pdf page D-222] In 2014, KIAI was sold to Digity, LLC. Two years later, Alpha Media acquired Digity, LLC, including KIAI, for $264 million.{{Cite news|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/93286/alpha-media-acquires-digity/|title=Alpha Media/Digity Sale Price & Details|date=August 12, 2015|work=RadioInsight|access-date=May 28, 2018|language=en-US}}{{cite web|url=https://radioink.com/2016/02/25/alpha-closes-digity-deal/|title=Alpha Closes Digity Deal|work=RadioInk|date=February 25, 2016|access-date=May 28, 2018}}
In May 2024, morning show host Britt Bailey was let go from the station due to nationwide staffing cuts initiated by Alpha Media. In addition, other on-air staff were relegated to off-air roles, and the station went jockless. On June 5, KIAI began airing programming from Westwood One's "Hot Country" format.Robin McClelland, "Longtime radio voices silenced in North Iowa," The Globe-Gazette, June 1, 2024.[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/269522/alpha-media-continues-to-purge-programming-on-air-staffs-in-midwest-markets/ Alpha Media Continues to Purge Programming, On-Air Staffs in Midwest Markets][https://www.westwoodone.com/formats/music/hot-country/ Hot Country | Westwood One] KIAI was the North Iowa affiliate of "The Big Time" with Whitney Allen that aired in evenings, "After Midnite" with Granger Smith, Z-Max Racing Country on Sunday mornings, and Country Top 40 with Fitz on Sunday evenings.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{officialwebsite|https://www.939kia.com/}}
{{FM station data|30115|KIAI}}
{{Mason City Radio}}
{{Austin-Albert Lea Radio}}
{{Alpha Media}}
Category:Alpha Media radio stations
Category:Country radio stations in the United States
{{Iowa-radio-station-stub}}