KBHT (1590 AM "Kicker 99.3") is a commercial radio station, paired with an FM relay translator, broadcasting a classic country radio format.[3] Licensed to Mexia, Texas, the station serves the Waco metropolitan area. The station is currently owned by M&M Broadcasters, Ltd.[4] Its studios are in Waco, and its transmitter is located in Mexia.

KBHT
Broadcast areaWaco metropolitan area
Frequency1590 kHz
BrandingKicker 99.3[1]
Programming
FormatClassic country
Ownership
Owner
  • M&M Broadcasters, Ltd.
  • (Gary L. Moss)
History
First air date
May 23, 1956 (as KBUS)
Former call signs
  • KBUS (1956–1984)
  • KYCX (1984–1987)
  • KRQX (1987–2010)
  • KLRK (2010–2019)
  • KEKR (2019-2024)
Call sign meaning
K Bellmead HoT (city of license and former format at 104.9)
Technical information[2]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID21493
ClassD
Power2,500 watts day
65 watts night
Transmitter coordinates
31°41′10.00″N 96°27′18.00″W / 31.6861111°N 96.4550000°W / 31.6861111; -96.4550000
Translator(s)See § Translator
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen Live
Websitewww.listentexas.com

Translator

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Broadcast translator for KEKR
Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info Notes
K257GO 99.3 FM Waco, Texas 147224 250 126 m (413 ft) D LMS First air date: August 12, 2013 (as 99.1 K256BW)

History

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On May 23, 1956, the station signed on as KBUS.[5] It was owned by Bi-Stone Broadcasting, and was a 500 watt daytimer, required to leave the air after sunset.

On February 29, 2012, the then-KLRK changed its format to adult hits, branded as "101.3 Bob FM", also broadcasting on FM translator K267AI 101.3 FM in Moody, Texas.[6]

On February 28, 2013, KLRK changed its format to Regional Mexican music, branded as "La Caliente."[7]

On April 18, 2014, KLRK changed back to dance hits, branded as "101.3 Party".[8]

On February 3, 2015, KLRK changed its format to adult contemporary music and rebranded as "Mix 101.3".

On August 20, 2016, KLRK switched to a simulcast of adult contemporary-formatted KBHT 104.9 FM in Bellmead. 1590 switched again to adult hits, as "Bob-FM" simultaneously with 104.9 FM. Ironically, 1590 and 104.9 were reunited as a result, having once been independently programmed AM and FM sister stations, owned by the Groveton Family, and still broadcasting from Downtown Mexia.[9]

During the summer of 2018, KLRK began airing the national Fox Sports Radio feed and reimaged as "Fox Sports 1590."

The station changed its call sign to KEKR on November 28, 2019.

On January 19, 2020, KEKR changed its format from sports (which moved to KBHT-HD3) to classic country, branded as "Kicker 99.3".[10]

On July 2, 2023, KEKR began simulcasting its classic country format on KBHT 104.9 FM Bellmead/Waco and rebranded as "Kicker 104.9".[11]

On July 15, 2024, "Kicker 104.9" reverted to "Kicker 99.3", remaining on this station and its translator, while 104.9 broke away from the simulcast to assume the format of 92.9 KRMX, after that facility was sold to new ownership.

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References

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  1. ^ https://www.facebook.com/KickerCountry/ [user-generated source]
  2. ^ "Facility Technical Data for". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. ^ "KBHT Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  4. ^ "Station Information Profile". Arbitron. Archived from the original on 2010-03-01.
  5. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1958 page B-378
  6. ^ Bob & Shooter Hit Waco
  7. ^ Waco's Bob Becomes Caliente
  8. ^ A Party Starts in Waco
  9. ^ M&M Moves Three Waco Stations Radioinsight - August 22, 2016
  10. ^ Fox Sports Central Texas Moves as Kicker Replaces Magic in Waco Radioinsight - January 19, 2020
  11. ^ Kicker Replaces Star in Waco Radioinsight - July 2, 2023
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