KKDO

{{short description|Radio station in Fair Oaks–Sacramento, California}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}}

{{Infobox radio station

| name = KKDO

| logo = KKDO radio logo.png

| logo_upright = .8

| city = Fair Oaks, California

| country = US

| area = Sacramento metropolitan area

| branding = Alt 94-7

| frequency = {{frequency|94.7|MHz}} {{HD Radio}}

| airdate = {{start date and age|1970|11|25}}

| language = English

| format = Alternative rock

| subchannels = HD2: Channel Q

| erp = {{val|25000|u=watts|fmt=commas}}

| haat = {{convert|99|m|ft|sp=us}}

| coordinates = {{coord|38.673|N|121.332|W|type:landmark_region:US-CA_source:FCC}}

| class = B1

| licensing_authority = FCC

| facility_id = 6810

| callsign_meaning = "Radio"

| former_callsigns = {{ubl|KNIS (1970–1990)|KRWR (1990–1992)|KIZS (1992–1994)|KTHX (1994–1997)|KBYA (1997)|KSSJ (1997–2010)}}

| owner = Audacy, Inc.

| licensee = Audacy License, LLC

| sister_stations = {{hlist|KIFM|KRXQ|KSEG|KSFM|KUDL}}

| webcast = {{Audacy.com|alt947}}

| website = {{url|https://www.audacy.com/alt947}}

}}

KKDO (94.7 FM) is a commercial radio station licensed to Fair Oaks, California, and serving the Sacramento metropolitan area radio market. The station is branded "Alt 94-7" and it programs an alternative rock radio format. The Audacy, Inc. outlet has its transmitter off Rosebud Lane in Citrus Heights. Its studios are located in North Highlands (with a Sacramento address).

KKDO broadcasts in the HD Radio format. Its HD2 subchannel carries "Channel Q", an Audacy format of LGBTQ talk and EDM dance music.{{cite web|url=http://www.insideradio.com/free/entercom-launches-lgbtq-talk-format-on-radio-com-hd-radio/article_1ea7a948-cdea-11e8-93c1-63de17b39336.html|title=Entercom Launches LGBTQ Talk Format On Radio.com, HD Radio.|website=Insideradio.com}}

History

=As a Carson City station: 1970-1998=

Western Inspirational Broadcasters was incorporated in 1962 to construct a new religious radio station. In 1969, land was acquired on McClelland Peak near Virginia City, Nevada, for the construction of a tower;{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/nevada-state-journal-you-should-know-br/153707993/|date=October 26, 1969|page=13|first=Peg|last=Ward|title=You Should Know: Broadcasts Stress Christian Principles|newspaper=Nevada State Journal|location=Reno, Nevada|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 21, 2024}} the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted the necessary construction permit on December 30, 1969.{{Cite web|url=https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=73378|title=FCC History Cards for KKDO (as KNIS)|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}} KNIS—"Nevada's Inspirational Station"{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/nevada-state-journal-religious-radio-sta/153707793/|date=November 26, 1972|page=3|first=Lona|last=White|title=Religious Radio Station Overcomes Obstacles|newspaper=Nevada State Journal|location=Reno, Nevada|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 21, 2024}}—made its first broadcast on 94.7 MHz on November 25, 1970.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/reno-gazette-journal-audience-picks-up-o/153707731/|date=July 27, 1985|pages=1D, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/reno-gazette-journal-knis/153707719/ 2D]|first=Joe|last=DeChick|title=Audience picks up on religious station's signals|newspaper=Reno Gazette-Journal|location=Reno, Nevada|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 21, 2024}} The original studios were in a trailer.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/nevada-state-journal-religious-radio-sta/153707804/|date=September 27, 1970|page=6|first=Peg|last=Ward|title=Religious Radio Station Awaits Federal OK|newspaper=Nevada State Journal|location=Reno, Nevada|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 21, 2024}} Programming included Christian music, talk, and public affairs.{{r|Reno850727}}

In 1988, Western Inspirational obtained a construction permit for the non-commercial 91.3 MHz frequency in Carson City. It sold the existing 94.7 facility, which could be converted to commercial authorization, to Sapphire Broadcasting of Washington, D.C.,{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/reno-gazette-journal-pam-everett-quits-k/153707890/|date=September 1, 1989|pages=1D, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/reno-gazette-journal-left-koh-job/153707902/ 5D]|first=Joe|last=DeChick|title=Pam Everett quits KOH to seek degree in criminal justice|newspaper=Reno Gazette-Journal|location=Reno, Nevada|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 21, 2024}} The KNIS call letters and programming moved to 91.3 when the frequency change occurred in October 1989.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/reno-gazette-journal-todays-best-bets/153708270/|date=October 21, 1989|page=1D|title=Today's Best Bets|newspaper=Reno Gazette-Journal|location=Reno, Nevada|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 21, 2024}}

The 94.7 frequency returned as a commercial station under the call sign KRWR in June 1990, using a Satellite Music Network–programmed adult contemporary format.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/reno-gazette-journal-kwnz-still-no-1-ra/153707918/|date=July 10, 1990|page=2E|title=KWNZ still No. 1 radio station|newspaper=Reno Gazette-Journal|location=Reno, Nevada|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 21, 2024}} The owner of Sapphire, Tom Gammon, immediately applied to the FCC proposing to move KRWR to Fair Oaks, California, in the Sacramento market. The FCC accepted the proposal for hearing opposite applications from other regional radio stations.{{Cite news|pages=8, 14|work=Radio & Records|id={{ProQuest|1017221094}}|title=Gammon's Sacramento Move-In Surfaces At FCC|date=July 27, 1990}}

While the station remained in the Carson City–Reno area, it changed call signs twice. In April 1992, it became KIZS "Kiss Country", which was managed by Americom Inc. under a local marketing agreement (LMA) alongside KODS (103.7 FM).{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/reno-gazette-journal-radiotv-notes/153804719/|date=July 10, 1992|page=2E|title=Radio/TV Notes|newspaper=Reno Gazette-Journal|location=Reno, Nevada|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 22, 2024}} The station flipped to a hybrid of classic rock and talk on September 27, 1993, branding as "Jaws FM".{{Cite news|work=Radio & Records|page=28|title=Street Talk|date=October 8, 1993}}{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/reno-gazette-journal-laughs-talk-on-kiz/153806138/|date=September 30, 1993|page=6E|first=Mike|last=Sion|title=Laughs, talk on KIZS-FM|newspaper=Reno Gazette-Journal|location=Reno, Nevada|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 22, 2024}}

The second change of call sign and format was precipitated by the 1994 acquisition of KTHX-FM 101.7 by Sunbelt Communications Company. Sunbelt, owner of KRNV television, planned to replace the alternative rock programming of "The X" with an all-news radio format.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103581941/plug-again-may-be-pulled-on-kthx/|date=March 29, 1994|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103581987/kthx/ 6A]|first=Wayne R.|last=Melton|title=Plug again may be pulled on KTHX|newspaper=Reno Gazette-Journal|location=Reno, Nevada|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 17, 2022|archive-date=June 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617015040/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103581941/plug-again-may-be-pulled-on-kthx/|url-status=live}} The changeover to a new format was originally slated for May 1, but delays in hiring a team to run the news station gave the outgoing KTHX a temporary reprieve{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103582498/x-gets-one-more-month/|date=April 23, 1994|page=1E|first=Wayne R.|last=Melton|title='X' gets one more month|newspaper=Reno Gazette-Journal|location=Reno, Nevada|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 17, 2022|archive-date=June 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617015139/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103582498/x-gets-one-more-month/|url-status=live}} until July 11, when the new KRNV-FM debuted.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103584133/24-hour-all-news-radio-station-hits-the/|date=July 9, 1994|page=1E, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103584157/ 4E]|first=Wayne R.|last=Melton|title=24-hour all-news radio station hits the airwaves Monday: All news, all day|newspaper=Reno Gazette-Journal|location=Reno, Nevada|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 17, 2022|archive-date=June 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612065730/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103584133/24-hour-all-news-radio-station-hits-the/|url-status=live}}

A month after The X disappeared at 101.7 MHz, the manager of KIZS announced his station was negotiating to take on its format and airstaff, leading to 800 phone calls in support of the idea.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/reno-gazette-journal-x-fans-reach-out/153805017/|date=August 9, 1994|page=1E|first=Wayne R.|last=Melton|title='X' fans reach out|newspaper=Reno Gazette-Journal|location=Reno, Nevada|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 22, 2024}} On August 25, 1994, KTHX and the alternative format debuted at 94.7.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103582568/947-fm-marks-spot-for-the-x/|date=August 23, 1994|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103900266/ 6A]|first=Wayne R.|last=Melton|title=94.7 FM marks spot for 'The X'|newspaper=Reno Gazette-Journal|location=Reno, Nevada|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 17, 2022|archive-date=June 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617015139/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103582568/947-fm-marks-spot-for-the-x/|url-status=live}} In April 1996, Scott Seidenstricker of Fresno, California, acquired the intellectual property of The X from Americom and took over the LMA with Sapphire.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/reno-gazette-journal-kthx-may-lose-dial/103582768/|date=December 30, 1996|pages=1E, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/reno-gazette-journal-kthx/103582806/ 6E]|first=Wayne|last=Melton|title=KTHX may lose dial position for third time|newspaper=Reno Gazette-Journal|location=Reno, Nevada|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 22, 2024}}

=Move-in to Sacramento and smooth jazz format=

File:Kssj.jpg

In December 1996, Sapphire Broadcasting sold KTHX to the Susquehanna Radio Corporation in a $14.95 million purchase, with the company intending to make the Fair Oaks move to place the frequency in the Sacramento market.{{cite news|work=Radio & Records|title=KTHX-FM Carson City, Nev. (to be Fair Oaks, Calif.)|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1996/BC-1996-12-16.pdf|date=December 16, 1996|access-date=July 16, 2017}} Seidenstricker was left needing in the medium term a new frequency to air The X.{{r|Reno961230}} On January 7, 1997, The X found its new frequency: 100.1 MHz, which was owned by Americom.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/reno-gazette-journal-the-x-makes-its-m/153806854/|date=February 7, 1997|page=1E|first=Wayne|last=Melton|title='The X' makes its move Monday|newspaper=Reno Gazette-Journal|location=Reno, Nevada|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 22, 2024}}

Meanwhile, Susquehanna was immediately speculated to be seeking to sell or trade KTHX for a station elsewhere.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-channel-13s-miller-t/153806797/|date=January 18, 1997|page=C7|first=Dan|last=Vierria|title=Channel 13's Miller to head newsroom: Promises an 'aggressive plan' for sweeps|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=Sacramento, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 22, 2024}} This transpired in July 1997, when Entercom purchased KTHX from Susquehanna.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-upn-programs-to-trek/79732655/|date=July 26, 1997|page=Scene 7|first=Dan|last=Vierria|title=UPN programs to trek to Channel 31|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=Sacramento, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 22, 2024}}

The move-in of 94.7 was completed on January 1, 1998, with the relaunch of the station as KSSJ. It assumed the smooth jazz format and call sign previously on 101.9 MHz, which was sold to Spanish-language radio company EXCL Communications.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-get-ready-to-reprogra/132554861/|date=December 9, 1997|page=C5|first=Dan|last=Vierria|title=Get ready to reprogram your preset buttons for FM favorites|newspaper=The Sacramento Bee|location=Sacramento, California|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=August 22, 2024}}

=Alternative rock: 2010-present=

On March 3, 2010, the KSSJ website, as well as e-mails sent to station listeners, indicated that the format would change at noon that day. Management stated "the audience for the station can no longer sustain the business of the station".{{cite web |url=http://www.radio-info.com/news/another-smooth-jazz-station-falls-sacramentos-kssj-947 |title=Another smooth jazz station falls: Sacramento's KSSJ (94.7) |date=March 3, 2010 |work=Radio-Info.com }}{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

At 12:01 p.m. on March 3, KSSJ switched to a gold-based alternative rock format, branded as "Radio 94-7". The call letters were also changed to KKDO.[http://www.fox40.com/news/headlines/ktxl-news-entercom-kssj0303,0,7440375.story KSSJ Signs Off In Sacramento, Becomes "Radio 94.7"]{{Cite web |url=http://www.news10.net/life/entertainment/story.aspx?storyid=76471&catid=37 |title=RADIO 94.7 debuts on Wednesday | News10.net |access-date=March 3, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100305222416/http://www.news10.net/life/entertainment/story.aspx?storyid=76471&catid=37 |archive-date=March 5, 2010 |url-status=dead }} The first song on "Radio" was Smashing Pumpkins' "Today". This is a return to the alternative rock format for Sacramento after longtime alternative station and sister station KWOD flipped to all-90s music in 2009.

On April 6, 2018, KKDO rebranded as "Alt 94-7", this time adopting a more current-based Alternative presentation in line with Entercom's "Alt" branding.[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/167659/radio-94-7-sacramento-rebrands-as-alt-94-7/ Radio 94.7 Sacramento as Alt 94.7] Radioinsight - April 6, 2018 In September 2020, the station added DJs syndicated from other alternative stations across the country as part of a nationalization of the format by Entercom.{{cite web | url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/197652/entercoms-new-alternative-on-air-lineups/ | title=Entercom's New Alternative On-Air Lineups }}

KKDO-HD2

On October 11, 2018, KKDO launched a dance/EDM format on its HD2 subchannel, branded as "Out Now".[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/171093/entercom-debuts-out-now-lgbtq-hd-network-in-five-markets/ Entercom Debuts Out Now LGBTQ HD Network in Five Markets] Radioinsight - October 11, 2018 On November 1, 2018, the station rebranded as "Channel Q".

Previous Logo

References

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