KPEL-FM (96.5 FM) is a commercial broadcast radio station licensed to Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. Owned by Townsquare Media, it serves the Lafayette metropolitan area with a news/talk format.[2] Its studios are located on Bertrand Road in Lafayette, and its transmitter is located in Abbeville, Louisiana.

Founded in 1992 with call sign KFTE, the station originally had music formats, including alternative rock from 1997 to 2010. The station changed to its present call sign KPEL-FM and news/talk format in 2010.

History

As KFTE (1992–2010)

A construction permit was first issued for station KFTE on 96.5 MHz on April 19, 1991.[3] JBC Inc. (doing business as ComCorp of Lafayette License Corporation) founded KFTE.[4] On November 15, 1992, KFTE first signed on the air with an easy listening format.[5]

In July 1993, Mid-Acadiana Broadcasting Corporation purchased KFTE for $517,750 plus debt cancellation from ComCorp.[6]

Beer wholesale company Schilling Distributing Company purchased KFTE and KMDL for a combined $1.55 million in 1994.[7][8] In 1996, Schilling changed the format of KFTE from easy listening to 1970s oldies, with the brand "Cool 96".[9][10]

ComCorp bought back KFTE, along with KMDL, from Schilling for a total price of nearly $4.5 million in 1996.[11] On January 22, 1997, ComCorp reformatted KFTE to alternative rock, with the brand "Planet Radio 96.5".[12][10]

On August 29, 2001, Regent Communications (later Townsquare Media beginning in 2010) reached an agreement to buy KFTE and six other radio stations for over $39 million from ComCorp.[13]

As KPEL (2010–present)

On June 25, 2010, KFTE switched call signs and formats with 105.1 KPEL-FM, taking on KPEL's news/talk format.[14]

Programming

On weekdays, KPEL-FM has a morning news show and local talk shows in the afternoon drive hours, along with syndicated programs including The Moon Griffon Show, The Dan Bongino Show, and The Mark Levin Show, along with hourly updates from Fox News Radio.[15]

The station also broadcasts most Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns men's basketball and baseball games.[16][17]

References

  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for KPEL-FM". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ "Station Information Profile". Arbitron. Archived from the original on March 1, 2010.
  3. ^ "KPEL-FM". FCC Data. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  4. ^ "New FM Full Power Construction Permit Application". FCC. March 13, 1987. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  5. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1994 (PDF). Broadcasting Publications. 1994. p. B-157. Retrieved February 16, 2025 – via World Radio History.
  6. ^ "CBS And Cox Swap Dallas, Tampa FMs In $25 Million Double Duopoly Deal" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1004. August 6, 1993. p. 9. Retrieved February 16, 2025 – via World Radio History.
  7. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1995 (PDF). Broadcasting Publications. 1995. p. B-173. Retrieved February 16, 2025 – via World Radio History.
  8. ^ "Lafayette firm buys 2 Breaux Bridge stations". The Advocate. Baton Rouge. May 3, 1994. p. 1-C. Retrieved February 16, 2025 – via NewsLibrary.
  9. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1996 (PDF). 1996. p. B-178. Retrieved February 16, 2025 – via World Radio History.
  10. ^ a b "Lafayette, LA FM Radio Directory". 100,000 Watts. Archived from the original on May 18, 2000. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  11. ^ "Emmis Now A Potent Arch Rival" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1171. November 8, 1996. p. 8. Retrieved February 16, 2025 – via World Radio History.
  12. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1998 (PDF). Broadcasting Publications. 1998. p. D-188. Retrieved February 16, 2025 – via World Radio History.
  13. ^ "Money briefs". The Times-Picayune. August 30, 2001. p. 6. Retrieved February 16, 2025 – via NewsLibrary.
  14. ^ Venta, Lance (June 25, 2010). "Bunch of changes in Lafayette, LA". Radio Insight. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  15. ^ "On Air (Monday)". KPEL-FM. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  16. ^ "2024 Baseball Schedule". University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  17. ^ "2023-24 Men's Basketball Schedule". University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KPEL-FM
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