KIRS (FM)
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox radio station
| logo =
| name = KIRS
| airdate = {{start date|1999|1|20}}
| frequency = 107.7 MHz
| city = Stockton, Missouri
| area =
| format = Christian
| owner = VCY America, Inc.
| licensee =
| erp = 11,700 watts
| haat = {{convert|146|m|ft|sp=us}}
| branding =
| facility_id = 78693
| coordinates = {{Coord|37.52363|-93.87794|format=dms|display=inline,title|type:landmark_region:US-MO}}
| class = C3
| webcast = [https://www.vcyamerica.org/listen/ Listen Live]
| website = https://www.vcyamerica.org/
| callsign_meaning =
| former_callsigns = KRLK (1998–2005)
KRWP (2005–2019)
| sister_stations =
| licensing_authority= FCC
}}
KIRS is a radio station licensed to Stockton, Missouri, broadcasting on 107.7 MHz FM. The station is owned by VCY America, Inc.[http://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?list=0&facid=78693 KIRS] fcc.gov. Retrieved November 15, 2012
History
The station signed on January 20, 1999,{{cite book|title=Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2009|year=2009|page=D-332|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/2009/Radio-GA-MT-BC-YB-2009.pdf|format=PDF|accessdate=November 23, 2018}} as KRLK, broadcasting a classic country format branded as "The Lake".{{cite news|title=Format Changes & Updates|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/M-Street-Journal/M-Street-1999-02.pdf|accessdate=November 24, 2018|work=The M Street Journal|date=February 10, 1999|page=2|format=PDF}} Cumulus Media bought the station from Galen Gilbert for $850,000 in 2004.{{cite news |author1=BIA Financial Networks |title=Changing Hands |url=https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/changing-hands-101954 |accessdate=November 24, 2018 |work=Broadcasting & Cable |date=February 1, 2004 |language=en-us}} The call letters changed to KRWP on February 2, 2005.{{cite web |title=Call Sign History (KRWP) |url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=78693&Callsign=KIRS |website=CDBS Public Access |publisher=Federal Communications Commission |accessdate=November 24, 2014}} The station initially relied on programming from Jones Radio Networks; in later years, KRWP was a full service station, with classic country music being supplemented with a tradio program and high school sports coverage.{{cite news |last1=Venta |first1=Lance |title=Cumulus Takes Missouri Station Dark |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/122620/cumulus-takes-missouri-station-dark/ |accessdate=November 24, 2018 |work=RadioInsight |date=January 24, 2018}}
Cumulus' acquisition of the station was part of its plan to move KMAJ-FM, a Topeka, Kansas, radio station it owned on the same frequency, to the Kansas City market, which would have required KRWP to reduce its power. The KMAJ-FM move was called off in 2006, after Cumulus' purchase of Susquehanna Radio Corporation, as the move would have given it too many FM radio stations in Kansas City.
On January 17, 2018, KRWP went off the air without any notice from Cumulus.[https://cedarrepublican.com/news/cumulus-as-quiet-as-the-lake-since-closing-station/article_941f71c8-008c-11e8-a8aa-3fe749c6e1ed.html Cumulus as quiet as 107.7 The Lake since closing station] Cumulus had earlier indicated that, following the Federal Communications Commission's repeal of rules requiring a local main studio, KRWP would close its local facilities and transfer its operations to Cumulus' Kansas City studios. VCY America agreed to buy the station for $100,000 on September 19, 2018; upon the completion of the sale, the station would convert to noncommercial operation and broadcast VCY's Christian radio programming.{{cite news |last1=Buus |first1=Stephen |title=KRWP sold, to become Christian station |url=https://cedarrepublican.com/news/krwp-sold-to-become-christian-station/article_d6ad9e0c-c67a-11e8-96a9-677f2b6f8626.html |accessdate=November 24, 2018 |work=Cedar County Republican |date=October 3, 2018 |language=en}} The sale was consummated on January 10, 2019, at which point VCY America changed the station's call sign to KIRS.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{FM station data|78693|KIRS}}
{{Religious Radio Stations in Missouri}}
Category:Radio stations established in 1999
Category:1999 establishments in Missouri
{{Missouri-radio-station-stub}}