KBAC

Infobox radio station
name= KBAC


city= Las Vegas, New Mexico
area= Santa Fe, New Mexico
format= Adult Album Alternative
frequency= 98.1 (MHz)
branding= "Radio Free Santa Fe"
slogan= "A World of Music"
erp= 100,000 watts
class= C
airdate= 1989
owner= Hutton Broadcasting
website= http://www.kbac.com|

KBAC (98.1 FM, "Radio Free Santa Fe") is a commercial radio station located in Las Vegas, New Mexico, broadcasting to the Santa Fe, New Mexico, area. KBAC airs an adult album alternative music format.

KBAC has a playlist that is more eclectic then other commercial adult album alternative radio stations; airing a wide range of music from blues, acoustic, reggae, jazz, alternative, world music.

History

KBAC first signed on in 1989 and has always had an eclectic music format but has only been known as "Radio Free Santa Fe" since 1996. Prior to that it leaned more toward an Alternative rock format. It was purchased by Clear Channel in 2000 but was able to continue running it's eclectic format. In 2002, Clear Channel moved KBAC to the 104.1 frequency which made the station more easily available in Albuquerque. However Clear Channel was not impressed with the results and added more classic rock tracks to the format attempting to get better ratings in Albuquerque. This also got complaints from its long time listeners and in late 2003 KBAC moved back to 98.1. Clear Channel had moved the classic rock format that had previously been on 104.1 (KLSK-FM) to 98.1 until KBAC returned. KBAC has had translators in Albuquerque in the past but it can no longer be heard in Albuquerque. KBNM based in Belen, currently uses the 98.1 frequency in Albuquerque.

KBAC was owned by Clear Channel, however it was sold to Christian broadcaster Educational Media Foundation in March 2007. The employees had attempted to buy the station from EMF, [http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/58063.html] but on May 23, 2007 it was purchased by Hutton Broadcasting which had just purchased KWRP 101.5 and KLBU 102.9. The station's format is not likely to change under the new ownership. [http://sfreporter.com/articles/publish/outtake-052307-guerrilla-radio.php] KBAC has been locally programmed since 1989 and has also been involved with the local community. EMF has also purchased KSFQ 101.1 FM which had a smooth jazz format but had switched to simulcasting the public radio format from KSFR 90.7. 101.1 became the new home of KSFR while EMF will take ownership of 90.7.

References

* [http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/58063.html Group seeks local ownership of KBAC]
* [http://sfreporter.com/articles/publish/outtake-052307-guerrilla-radio.php Guerrilla Radio]

External links

* [http://www.kbac.com KBAC official website]
*FMQ|KBAC
*FML|KBAC
*FMARB|KBAC