KNML

Infobox Radio station
name = KNML-AM


city = Albuquerque, New Mexico
area = Albuquerque, New Mexico
branding = "610 AM: The Sports Animal"
slogan =
airdate =
frequency = 610 kHz
format = Sports/Talk
power = 5 kW
erp =
class = B
callsign_meaning = ANiMaL
former_callsigns =
owner = Citadel Broadcasting
sister_stations = KKOB (AM), KKOB-FM, KDRF, KMGA, KRST, KTBL
webcast =
website = [http://610thesportsanimal.com/ 610thesportsanimal.com]
affiliations = ESPN Radio (7AM-Noon)

KNML (610 kHz) is an American radio station in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is owned by Citadel Communications and has a sports talk format called "The Sports Animal". The station was the home of Don Imus until April 12, 2007 and is the home of Jim Rome middays.

Programming

The station features some coverage of University of New Mexico sports teams (mostly women's basketball) but the bulk of UNM coverage is handled by 770 KKOB. The program director was Ian Martin, who had worked for the station since 1999. He started as a simple board op and hosted his own morning talk show, heard by dozens daily... He suddenly quit the week of 7/15/08.

Erik Gee is an afternoon host. Jackie Fultz is the promotion director since September 2007. The station has seen a dramatic increase in ratings since. Charles Underwood (a promotion assistant) is one of Albuquerque's finest. The station has a long history of servicing local sports play by play and information.

Previous program directors include: Andrew Paul (now in Boise) and Dennis Glasgow. Other personalities who made names for themselves on this station include: Gary Herron, Dom Zarella, Jeff Lukas, Blake Taylor, Bob Clark (KKOB), and Mike Powers (KRQE). The Sports Animal's success eventually forced another local sports station, KDEF, run by Henry Tafoya to shut down and sell to Disney.

History

The Sports Animal began in 1994 on KRZY-AM 1450. In 1996 KRZY was sold to a Spanish language broadcaster. Citadel moved the format to 1050 AM with the KNML callsign. In 2000 it moved to its current home at 610 AM the second strongest AM signal in Albuquerque. 610 AM was once used as an AM simulcast of KZRR-FM as KZSS-AM for nearly a decade. In 1997 it began running a "personal achievement" format until 1999 when it was traded off for the 95.1 FM frequency with KSVA. Citadel then traded KHTL 920 AM for 610 AM.

External links

* [http://www.610thesportsanimal.com KNML station website]
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