KKBZ
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = KKBZ
| logo =
| city = Auberry, California
| area = Fresno, California
| branding = Caliente 105.1
| frequency = 105.1 MHz {{HD Radio}}
| airdate = July 12, 1992 (as KSLK)
| format = Hispanic rhythmic
| erp = 4,700 watts
| haat = {{convert|234|m|ft|sp=us}}
| class = B1
| licensing_authority = FCC
| facility_id = 38455
| coordinates = {{coord|36|56|54.8|N|119|29|12.5|W|region:US-CA_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| callsign_meaning = "Blaze" (previous branding)
| former_callsigns = KXDR (1990–1992, CP)
KSLK (1992–1994)
KGST-FM (1994–1995)
KLBN (1995–2008)
| affiliations = United Stations Radio Networks
| owner = Lotus Communications
| licensee = Lotus Fresno Corp.
| sister_stations = KLBN, KSEQ, KHIT-FM, KGST
| webcast =
| website = [https://caliente1051.com caliente1051.com]
}}
KKBZ (105.1 FM, "Caliente 105.1") is an American radio station broadcasting a Hispanic rhythmic format. Licensed to Auberry, California, the station serves the greater Fresno/Clovis area. The station is currently owned by Lotus Communications.{{cite web|url=http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=KKBZ |title=KKBZ Facility Record |work=United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division }} Its studios are located just north of downtown Fresno.
History
The station was assigned call sign KXDR on July 12, 1990. On March 27, 1992, the station changed its call sign to KSLK, on October 7, 1994, to KGST-FM, on August 1, 1995, to KLBN, and on May 5, 2008, to the current KKBZ. At that time, the station picked up what would be its most prominent format, active rock as "105.1 The Blaze". The station made headlines when they fired their very popular morning show "Jen Lipp in the Morning," hosted by largely popular morning rock DJ Jennifer Lipp and co-hosted by a new-to-the business Kris DeVold. The station got major backlash from social media as well as local press. They then cycled through a syndicated morning show out of Sacramento only to eventually return to an all-music morning.
On May 3, 2023 KKBZ rebranded as "Rock 105.1".[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/251691/kkbz-extinguishes-its-blaze-but-continues-to-rock/ KKBZ Extinguishes Its Blaze But Continues to Rock] Radioinight - May 3, 2023
On March 1, 2025 at Midnight, after signing off the rock format with "Sad But True" by Metallica, KKBZ flipped to a hybrid Spanish/English language rhythmic contemporary format as "Caliente 105.1". The first song on "Caliente" was "Baile Inolvidable" by Bad Bunny.[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/295699/fresnos-blaze-turns-caliente/ Fresno's Blaze Turns Caliente] Radioinsight - March 2, 2025
Previous Programming
The previous weekday lineup included music in the mornings followed by a 105-minute commercial-free music block. The mid-day shift allows listeners to make requests and win concert tickets, prizes, and food. Sixx Sense with Nikki Sixx of Mötley Crüe airs overnight. Weekends included Dee Snider with a 2-hour show called House Of Hair which features hair and metal bands from the 1980s. In 2016, the station was made an affiliate for the Los Angeles Rams.
Previous logos
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://caliente1051.com/ Caliente 105.1 official website]
{{FM station data|38455|KKBZ}}
{{Fresno Radio}}
{{Lotus Communications}}
Category:Radio stations established in 1990
Category:1990 establishments in California
Category:Lotus Communications stations
{{California-radio-station-stub}}