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KNBZ

Redfield, South Dakota
Broadcast area	Aberdeen, South Dakota
Frequency	97.7 MHz
Branding	Sunny 97.7
Programming
Format	Adult contemporary
Affiliations	Compass Media Networks Premiere Networks Westwood One
Ownership
Owner	Hub City Radio (Prairie Winds Broadcasting, Inc.)
Sister stations	KBFO, KGIM, KGIM-FM, KSDN, KSDN-FM
History
First air date	September 2, 1997
Former call signs	KAWO (7/1997-9/1997)
Technical information
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	84240
Class	C1
ERP	100,000 watts
HAAT	171 meters (561 feet)
Transmitter coordinates	45°12′30″N 98°40′20″W / 45.20833°N 98.67222°W / 45.20833; -98.67222
Links
Public license information	Public file LMS
Webcast	Listen live
Website	hubcityradio.com

KNBZ (97.7 FM, "Sunny 97.7") is a radio station in Aberdeen, South Dakota (licensed to serve Redfield). The station is owned by Prairie Winds Broadcasting, Inc. It airs an adult contemporary music format.

The station was assigned the KNBZ call letters by the Federal Communications Commission on September 2, 1997.

Notable weekday programming includes J Krenz (6am-10am), Bri Matthews (10am-2pm), Les Cummings (2pm-7pm) and the syndicated John Tesh program (7pm-Midnight). Featured weekend programs include Backtrax USA, Jim Brickman, The Weekly Pop 20, Dave Koz, The 70's Show with Cindy Barton. The station aired AT 10 with Casey Kasem.

Ownership, history and programming

In mid-1996, KGIM-AM was acquired by Pheasant Country Broadcasting, owned by Robert E. Ingstad and plans were made to launch two 100,000-watt FM counterparts. KGIM-FM 103.7 was launched June 12, 1997 with a country music format and branded Pheasant Country 103. KNBZ-FM 97.7 was launched July 20, 1999 with an Adult AC format and branded Z97. The majority of its programing (excluding a local morning show) came from ABC Radio's Best Hits Best Variety satellite format.

In the fall of 2004, as part of a reorganization by the Ingstad family, Aberdeen Radio Ranch Inc. (Robert J. Ingstad, co-president) agreed to acquire KGIM-AM/FM, KNBZ-FM and KQKD-AM from Robert E. Ingstad (Pheasant Country Broadcasting) The transaction price was not disclosed.

Late 2004, Aberdeen Radio Ranch's Rob and Todd Ingstad of Valley City, ND signed an agreement to acquire five Clear Channel-Aberdeen, SD stations: KKAA-AM, KSDN-AM/FM, KBFO-FM, KQAA-FM. In separate transactions, Aberdeen Radio Ranch agreed to convey the assets of three of its stations to other companies, leaving the Ingstads with six area stations: KGIM-AM/FM, KBFO-FM, KSDN-AM/FM and KNBZ-FM. The Sacramento-based Education Media Foundation picked up KQAA-FM. Oakland-based Family Stations acquired KKAA-AM and KQKD-AM. The studios were relocated from the Berkshire Plaza to a newly remodeled south highway 281 building that houses the KSDN-AM/FM transmitters. KNBZ-FM's format was changed to Oldies and rebranded Kool 97.7 to fill the void of the departed KQAA-FM.

In May 2006, Armada Media Corporation reached an agreement to acquire KBFO, KGIM, KGIM-FM, KNBZ, KSDN, and KSDN-FM from Aberdeen Radio Ranch for a reported $9.25 million. KNBZ-FM's format was changed once again from Oldies to Adult Contemporary and rebranded as Sunny 97.7.

On November 1, 2013, Prairie Winds Broadcasting, Inc. reached an agreement to acquire KBFO, KGIM, KGIM-FM, KNBZ, KSDN, and KSDN-FM from Armada Media for $5.3 million.

References

1. ^ "Call Sign History". FCC Media Bureau CDBS Public Access Database.
2. "Facility Technical Data for KNBZ". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
3. Bahr, Jeff (2006-01-26). "Changes coming to Aberdeen radio dial: More local shows, ESPN added; less political gabbers". Aberdeen American News.
4. "Station Information Profile". Arbitron. Archived from the original on 2010-03-01.
5. "Changes Ahead for Aberdeen, S.D., Radio Stations". Aberdeen American News. 1997-06-12.
6. Bahr, Jeff (2006-05-13). "$9.25 million paid for six Aberdeen radio stations". Aberdeen American News.
7. FCC https://licensing.fcc.gov/cdbs/CDBS_Attachment/getattachment.jsp?appn=101576266&qnum=5040&copynum=1&exhcnum=1. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)

External links

• KNBZ official website
• Facility details for Facility ID 84240 (KNBZ) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
• KNBZ in Nielsen Audio's FM station database

• Radio stations in South Dakota
• Mainstream adult contemporary radio stations in the United States
• Spink County, South Dakota
• Radio stations established in 1997