KBLU
Encyclopedia
KBLU is an American
commercial radio station
in Yuma, Arizona
. It airs a news
/talk
format which includes syndicated programs such as Dr. Laura, and Coast to Coast AM
from Premiere Radio Networks
.
on the AM dial. It was a NBC affiliate and operated with 250 watts during the day and 100 watts at night. KYUM moved to 1240 AM on March 29, 1941, then to 560 AM with 1000 watts full-time on March 29, 1951. By the late 1960s, the station had come under the ownership of Combined Communications.
Radio station KBLU signed on September 6, 1959 as a 500 watt, daytime-only station at 1320 AM. It was founded by Robert Crites, and, with its television sister station, KBLU-TV (now KSWT
), became part of Eller Telecasting in the late 1960s. The station had a top 40 music format and was affiliated with NBC radio in the 1970s.
In 1969, Eller Telecasting sought to merge with Combined Communications. The FCC
approved the merger on October 22, 1969, but required that Combined Communications divest itself of either KBLU or KYUM. Due to a stronger signal and favorable dial position, the parent company chose to keep the 560 AM license and to donate the 1320 AM license to Arizona Western College
so that it could start its own radio station, KAWC
. The KBLU call sign and intellectual unit transferred to 560 AM.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
commercial radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
in Yuma, Arizona
Yuma, Arizona
Yuma is a city in and the county seat of Yuma County, Arizona, United States. It is located in the southwestern corner of the state, and the population of the city was 77,515 at the 2000 census, with a 2008 Census Bureau estimated population of 90,041....
. It airs a news
News Radio
News Radio can refer to:* NewsRadio, the NBC sitcom which aired from 1995–1999.* News radio, the all-news or news/talk radio format....
/talk
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
format which includes syndicated programs such as Dr. Laura, and Coast to Coast AM
Coast to Coast AM
Coast to Coast AM is a North American late-night syndicated radio talk show that deals with a variety of topics, but most frequently ones that relate to either the paranormal or conspiracy theories. It was created by Art Bell and is distributed by Premiere Radio Networks. The program currently...
from Premiere Radio Networks
Premiere Radio Networks
Premiere Networks is an American radio network. It is the largest syndication company in the United States based on popularity of programming...
.
History
The station holds the oldest active radio license in the Yuma market, first signing on March 3, 1940 as KYUM at 1210 kilocyclesHertz
The hertz is the SI unit of frequency defined as the number of cycles per second of a periodic phenomenon. One of its most common uses is the description of the sine wave, particularly those used in radio and audio applications....
on the AM dial. It was a NBC affiliate and operated with 250 watts during the day and 100 watts at night. KYUM moved to 1240 AM on March 29, 1941, then to 560 AM with 1000 watts full-time on March 29, 1951. By the late 1960s, the station had come under the ownership of Combined Communications.
Radio station KBLU signed on September 6, 1959 as a 500 watt, daytime-only station at 1320 AM. It was founded by Robert Crites, and, with its television sister station, KBLU-TV (now KSWT
KSWT
KSWT is a television station serving the Yuma, Yuma/El Centro, California market. Licensed to Yuma, it serves as a CBS affiliate. It broadcasts locally in digital on VHF channel 13, and is owned by the Pappas Telecasting Companies of Visalia, California under the name Pappas Telecasting of...
), became part of Eller Telecasting in the late 1960s. The station had a top 40 music format and was affiliated with NBC radio in the 1970s.
In 1969, Eller Telecasting sought to merge with Combined Communications. The FCC
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
approved the merger on October 22, 1969, but required that Combined Communications divest itself of either KBLU or KYUM. Due to a stronger signal and favorable dial position, the parent company chose to keep the 560 AM license and to donate the 1320 AM license to Arizona Western College
Arizona Western College
Arizona Western College is a public community college located in Yuma, Arizona, United States. AWC offers classes in San Luis, Somerton, Marine Corp Air Station , Wellton, Dateland, and La Paz....
so that it could start its own radio station, KAWC
KAWC (AM)
KAWC is a College radio station broadcasting a News/Talk and Information format. Licensed to Yuma, Arizona, USA, the station serves the Yuma area. The station is currently owned by Arizona Western College and features programing from National Public Radio and Public Radio International....
. The KBLU call sign and intellectual unit transferred to 560 AM.
Notable alumni
Alumni include:- Dr. Don Sainte-Johnn
- Dan Clancey
- Robert Crites
- Dick Davis
- Gary Anderson
- Lou DobbsLou DobbsLouis Carl "Lou" Dobbs is an American journalist, radio host, television host on the Fox Business Network, and author. He anchored CNN's Lou Dobbs Tonight until November 2009 when he announced on the air that he would leave the 24-hour cable news television network.He was born in Texas and lived...
- Lee Smith
- Hank Tester