KMVE explained

KMVE
City:California City, California
Area:Antelope Valley
Branding:K-Mix 106.3 Simulcast
Airdate:May 22, 1999
Frequency:106.9 MHz
Format:Top 40 (CHR) (KGMX simulcast)
Erp:2,350 watts
Haat:159m (522feet)
Class:A
Facility Id:33526
Former Callsigns:KCEL (1997–2009)
Owner:High Desert Broadcasting
Licensee:High Desert Broadcasting LLC
Sister Stations:KCEL, KGMX, KKZQ, KOSS, KQAV, KUTY
Licensing Authority:FCC

KMVE (106.9 FM) is a commercial radio station that is licensed to California City, California, United States and serves the Antelope Valley area. The station is owned by High Desert Broadcasting and broadcasts a top 40 format as a simulcast of KGMX.

History

The station first signed on May 22, 1999 as KCEL (106.9 K-Cell). Owned by Kathryn J. Efford, it aired a variety format focusing on jazz, country music, and oldies.[1] KCEL hosted many local specialty shows from its studios in California City, including one on Wednesday evenings that showcased rock music.

In September 2003, KCEL switched to a full-time oldies format. This lasted until the following month, when Efford sold the station to High Desert Broadcasting for $500,000.[2] The new owner then flipped KCEL to a regional Mexican format.

On January 1, 2009, KCEL swapped frequencies with sister station KMVE on 96.1 FM. With the move, 106.9 FM assumed the KMVE call letters and began airing a classic hits format now branded as "Classic Top 40 106.9".

In 2011, High Desert Broadcasting assigned KMVE to Mojave Radio LLC, owned by Keith Yokomoto, for $100.[3] The station retained the classic hits format.

In June 2019, KMVE dropped classic hits and began simulcasting sister station KGMX (106.3 FM) and its top 40 format.

Notes and References

  1. Directory of Radio Stations in the U.S. . Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2000 . R.R. Bowker . D-40 . 0-8352-4285-4 . 0000-1511 . 71-649524 . New Providence, New Jersey . 2000 . January 8, 2019 .
  2. Transactions at a Glance . Radio & Records . 6 . October 10, 2003 . January 8, 2019 .
  3. News: Clear Channel Sells Virginia AM . All Access . All Access Music Group . January 3, 2011 . January 8, 2019 .