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| Broadcast area | Las Vegas metropolitan area |
| Frequency | 98.5MHz (HD Radio) |
| Branding | 98.5 KLUC |
| Programming | |
| Format | Top 40 - CHR |
| Subchannels |
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| Ownership | |
| Owner |
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| History | |
First air date | 1963; 62 years ago (1963) |
Former call signs | KRBO-FM (CP - 1961–62) |
Call sign meaning | "Lucky" |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 47744 |
| Class | C |
| ERP | 100,000 watts |
| HAAT | 360 meters (1,180 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 36°00′29″N115°00′22″W / 36.008°N 115.006°W /36.008; -115.006 |
| Translator | HD3: 98.1 K251BS (North Las Vegas) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast |
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| Website | |
KLUC-FM (98.5MHz) is acommercial radio station inLas Vegas, Nevada, airing aTop 40/CHRformat. Owned byAudacy, Inc., the station's studios are on South Tenaya Way at West Warm Springs Road inSpring Valley, using a Las Vegas address.
KLUC-FM is aClass C station. It has aneffective radiated power (ERP) of 100,000 watts, the maximum for most stations.[2] Itstransmitter is off Mountain Tower Road, atopBlack Mountain inHenderson.[3] KLUC-FM broadcasts usingHD Radio technology. Its HD2subchannel carries asports betting format from theBetMGM Network. The HD3 subchannel airs aRegional Mexican music format known as "Fiesta 98.1", which feedsFM translatorK251BS at 98.1 MHz.[4]
Rainbow, Inc., owner of KRBO 1050 AM (laterKXST 1140 AM), obtained aconstruction permit for a new FM radio station in Las Vegas on March 22, 1961. The unbuilt station, originally dubbed KRBO-FM, was sold along with the AM station to Meyer (Mike) Gold the next year. The AM station switched itscall sign to KLUC, standing for "Lucky", a popular word in the gambling city of Las Vegas.
The FM stationsigned on the air as KLUC-FM in 1963.[5] In its early years, KLUC-FM largelysimulcast its AM sister station, which was adaytimer. When KLUC 1050 had to go off the air at night, KLUC-FM continued broadcasting. KLUC-FM was powered at less than 6,000 watts, a fraction of its current output. The studios were first located on Industrial Road and later W Hacienda Ave and the stations werenetwork affiliates ofCBS Radio.[6]
The two stations were acquired by the KLUC Broadcasting Company in 1970.[5] The company was renamed Western Cities Broadcasting in 1979 to reflect its station holdings in Las Vegas;Tucson, Arizona; andSacramento, California.[5] As more people acquired FM receivers, KLUC-FM grew in popularity. Western Cities was able to make the station's Top 40 format a ratings and revenue leader, starting in the late 1970s.[7][8]
Western Cities was acquired byNationwide Communications in 1985.[9] Nationwide Communications was a subsidiary ofNationwide Insurance.
In 1996, KLUC-FM and KXNO (the former KLUC AM) were sold by Nationwide for $11 million toAmerican Radio Systems ofBoston. At the time, Nationwide noted that owning stations in Las Vegas did not fit its corporate strategy of concentrating on owning broadcast properties in the nation's 25 largestmedia markets.[10]
KLUC-FM continued to play a slightly broader mix than a typical Top 40 station. It was also the recognized primary commercial outlet forurban contemporary andrhythmic music in the city, playing more rap in evenings.[11] In 1998, American Radio Systems merged withCBS Radio. Around the same time, KLUC-FM returned to a more mainstream Top 40 direction.
On February 2, 2017, CBS Radio announced it would merge withEntercom.[12] The merger was approved on November 9, 2017, and was consummated on November 17.[13][14] In 2021, Entercom changed its name to Audacy, Inc.
Weekdays begin with Chet Buchannan and Mikalah Gordon. Buchanan has done mornings on KLUC-FM since 1999. Gordon had previously hosted mornings onChannel Q, Audacy'sLGBTQ channel and is a formerAmerican Idol contestant.[15] In afternoondrive time, Bru is heard.
The station carries twonationally syndicated programs on weekdays:The Julia Show with Julia Lepidi is aired in middays, while theTino Cochino Show airs in evenings.[16]
"Our company's current strategy is to own and operate stations in the nation's top 25 radio markets, and Las Vegas, a fast-growing area, doesn't fit that profile," Nationwide Communications owner Steve Berger said.