 | |
| Broadcast area | Oxnard-Ventura, California |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 95.1MHz |
| Branding | 95.1 KBBY |
| Programming | |
| Format | Adult contemporary |
| Affiliations | Compass Media Networks Westwood One |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| KHAY,KRUZ,KVYB | |
| History | |
First air date | December 27, 1962 (as KUDU-FM) |
Former call signs | KUDU-FM (1962–1973) KBBY (1973–1993) |
Call sign meaning | K-BaBY (former progressive rock format) |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 7745 |
| Class | B |
| ERP | 12,500watts |
| HAAT | 267 metres (876 feet) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen Live Listen Live via iHeartRadio |
| Website | 951kbby.com |
KBBY-FM (95.1MHz, "95-1 KBBY") is a commercialradio station that islicensed toVentura, California and serves theOxnard–Ventura, California area. The station is owned byCumulus Media and broadcasts anadult contemporary music format.
The station firstsigned on December 27, 1962, as KUDU-FM, simulcastingAM sister stationKUDU.[2] Owned by Tri-Counties Public Service Inc., it was the firstautomatedtop 40 station in Southern California.
In 1969, KUDU-FM switched its call letters to KBBY and flipped to aprogressive rock format with the branding "K-Baby".[3][4] Launched by John Hendrix andKACY-FM veteran Ron Herron, KBBY had the largestshare among rock stations in the Ventura–Santa Barbara–Oxnard radio market within one year. K-Baby lasted only four years as the station reverted to top 40 programming in 1973.
Over the next two decades, KBBY underwent several format and ownership changes. In late 1978, Tri-Counties Public Service sold KBBY and KBBQ to Forrest Broadcasting Co. for $1.2 million;[5] the new owner flipped KBBY to acountry music format. In July 1986, Forrest Radio sold KBBY and its AM sister station, then known as KOGO, to New York–based ownership group Ventura Broadcasting Associates for $3 million.[6] The station then adopted anadult contemporary format. That group would in turn sell the combo in 1989 to Buena Ventura Inc., headed by George Duncan, for $6.7 million.[7]
The station's call sign became KBBY-FM on September 17, 1993, to accommodate its AM counterpart adopting the KBBY calls.[8] In December 1996, Buena Ventura Inc. sold KBBY-FM to McDonald Media Group for $6.6 million, bringing it under common ownership with fellow Ventura-based stationsKVEN andKHAY.[9]
KBBY-FM once again changed hands in December 1999 as part ofCumulus Media's purchase of McDonald Media Group. The $41 million, eight-station transaction marked Cumulus' entry into the Pacific states.[10] Upon completion of the sale, Cumulus immediately flipped KBBY-FM's format tohot adult contemporary, rebranding the station "B95.1".
In April 2015, KBBY-FM reverted to its previous adult contemporary format and adopted the branding "95-1 KBBY".[11][12]
As of July 2019, Dave Randall hosts the weekday midday timeslot. He has previously worked with other Southern California radio stations, including Ventura County'sKCAQ in the early 1990s andKNX andKRTH in Los Angeles.[13] Bill Michaels is the weekday afternoon drivetime host.[12]Syndicated programming on KBBY-FM includesThe Bob and Sheri Show in morning drive,The John Tesh Radio Show weeknights,[14] and both the 1980s and 1990s editions ofBacktrax USA on Saturday evenings.
KBBY-FM plays Christmas music from late November through Christmas Day. In the mid-2010s, the station employed a round-the-clock holiday format. As of 2016, this 24/7 format was discontinued in favor of adding Christmas songs to the station's regular playlist for the season, as well playing all-Christmas music on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
34°06′47″N119°03′36″W / 34.113°N 119.060°W /34.113; -119.060