KHFI-FM
Encyclopedia
KHFI-FM is an Austin
, Texas
radio station playing Top 40 (CHR)
and licensed
to Georgetown, Texas
, with an ERP of 100,000 Watts from a transmitter
site near West Lake Hills, Texas
.
(FCC) approved a power upgrade and a new transmitter site was constructed near Sandy Creek at Lake Travis and the frequency was changed to 96.5 becoming "96.5, The Fox" (KQFX Georgetown). Later the station changed to an oldies format, moved frequencies to 96.7 MHz at 100,000 watts and moved its tower to its current location near West Lake Hills, Texas
.
In September 1990, the struggling Oldies 96.7 signed off the air to make room for the new (K-96.7 KHFI) KHFI-FM Georgetown call letters and its Top 40 format, which was moved from 98.1 MHz then known as the popular "K-98.1." K-98.1 became dislocated when the owners of KVET/KASE took the frequency for KVET-FM
, which began simulcasting of KVET. The Austin 98.1 frequency is now occupied by Clear Channel Austin sister station, KVET-FM
Austin
("98.1 KVET, The Genuine Austin Original"), playing Classic Texas and Nashville Country, news, University of Texas
sports, and Paul Harvey
.
K-98 KHFI was originally on 98.3 MHz at a much lower power. 98.3 KHFI was in fact the very first FM station licensed to Austin in 1956 and was a classical-music station taking advantage of the new hi-fi technology called FM radio hence the KHFI callsign. A decade later KHFI-FM began its long and well known existence as a Top 40 station. Shortly after, some of the people who had managed the station's classical format got together and founded non-commercial KMFA
89.5 FM which is still on the air today.
In 1978, KHFI changed format to Disco 98. This was in the wake of Saturday Night Fever
and actually improved ratings over the album rock format that it replaced. Dick Oppenheimer purchased KHFI from Lin Broadcasting in 1980 and the station returned to top 40 as K98 with Dave Jarrott in the mornings. Radio Legend Chuck Dunaway was PD and did afternoon drive. K98 achieved tremendous ratings, including #1 in Austin for many ratings periods and #6 nationwide 12+. The morning show with Dave Jarrott, Darlene Lewis and Keith Jacobs scored an unbelievable 54 share in 1982. The ratings domination continued for many years in the 1980s.
In 1992 KHFI dropped the K-96.7 moniker and just identified as 96.7 KHFI. By this time, KHFI-FM is one of the first large market stations purchased by Clear Channel Communications
outside of San Antonio, Texas
, then only a small company.
Of note, local Austin Television station KXAN TV-36 started operation as KHFI-TV in 1965 then on channel 42. KHFI-TV was co-owned with 98.3 KHFI-FM and KHFI 970 AM. The AM license was later sold and is now 970 KIXL
Del Valle, Texas
.
In August 2001 KHFI re-launched as "The New 96-7 KISS-FM
". Today, 96-7 KISS-FM (KHFI-FM) is a popular Austin Top 40 station that complements sister station KPEZ. It leads in its target 18–34 female demographic with its successful Bobby Bones Morning Show with polarizing co-host and stunt man "Lunchbox".
The current morning show has been named "Austin Radio Personality Of The Year" for 4 years running. The award is given yearly at the Austin Music Awards. In 2008 the Bobby Bones Show received its first award for "Austin Radio Program of the Year."
In May 2005, KHFI-FM became the third commercial Austin radio station to begin broadcasting using HD Radio
technology. Now all five Clear Channel Austin FM stations offer this service. KHFI also was named "Austin Radio Station of the Year" in March 2008.
"Weekdays:"
"Weekends:"
Former:
.
KHFI shares a building with sister stations KASE-FM
, KPEZ-FM
, KVET, and KVET-FM
.
In 2002, the KHFI-FM studio and offices were moved to Penn Field along with the other five Clear Channel Austin stations from two separate locations. KHFI-FM then shared a ninth-floor facility with KPEZ-FM
in a downtown Austin office building off of Barton Springs Road.
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
radio station playing Top 40 (CHR)
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
and licensed
City of license
A city of license or community of license, in American and Canadian broadcasting, is the community that a radio station or television station is officially licensed to serve by that country's broadcast regulator....
to Georgetown, Texas
Georgetown, Texas
Georgetown is a city and also the county seat of Williamson County, Texas, United States with a population of 47,400 at the 2010 census. Southwestern University, founded in 1840, is the oldest university in Texas and is located in Georgetown, about 1/2 mile east of the historic square...
, with an ERP of 100,000 Watts from a transmitter
Transmitter
In electronics and telecommunications a transmitter or radio transmitter is an electronic device which, with the aid of an antenna, produces radio waves. The transmitter itself generates a radio frequency alternating current, which is applied to the antenna. When excited by this alternating...
site near West Lake Hills, Texas
West Lake Hills, Texas
West Lake Hills is a city in Travis County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,116 at the 2000 census, and 3,021 in the 2005 census estimate. The city of West lake Hills is a relatively wealthy suburb of Austin, located on the west side of Austin on the edge of the Hill Country...
.
History
KHFI's current 96.7 transmitter originally began operation as 96.7 KGTN Georgetown in the early 1980s. KGTN was originally a low power "rim-shot" station north of Austin licensed to Georgetown, hence the "GTN" in the call letters. The Federal Communications CommissionFederal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
(FCC) approved a power upgrade and a new transmitter site was constructed near Sandy Creek at Lake Travis and the frequency was changed to 96.5 becoming "96.5, The Fox" (KQFX Georgetown). Later the station changed to an oldies format, moved frequencies to 96.7 MHz at 100,000 watts and moved its tower to its current location near West Lake Hills, Texas
West Lake Hills, Texas
West Lake Hills is a city in Travis County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,116 at the 2000 census, and 3,021 in the 2005 census estimate. The city of West lake Hills is a relatively wealthy suburb of Austin, located on the west side of Austin on the edge of the Hill Country...
.
In September 1990, the struggling Oldies 96.7 signed off the air to make room for the new (K-96.7 KHFI) KHFI-FM Georgetown call letters and its Top 40 format, which was moved from 98.1 MHz then known as the popular "K-98.1." K-98.1 became dislocated when the owners of KVET/KASE took the frequency for KVET-FM
KVET-FM
KVET-FM is an Austin, Texas radio station operating a Country format. It is licensed to Austin, Texas with an ERP of 49,800 watts from a transmitter site near West Lake Hills, TX, and is owned by Clear Channel Radio....
, which began simulcasting of KVET. The Austin 98.1 frequency is now occupied by Clear Channel Austin sister station, KVET-FM
KVET-FM
KVET-FM is an Austin, Texas radio station operating a Country format. It is licensed to Austin, Texas with an ERP of 49,800 watts from a transmitter site near West Lake Hills, TX, and is owned by Clear Channel Radio....
Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
("98.1 KVET, The Genuine Austin Original"), playing Classic Texas and Nashville Country, news, University of Texas
Texas Longhorn Athletics
Texas Longhorns athletics programs include the extramural and intramural sports teams of The University of Texas at Austin. These teams are referred to as the Texas Longhorns , taking their name from the Longhorn cattle that were an important part of the development of Texas, and are now the...
sports, and Paul Harvey
Paul Harvey
Paul Harvey Aurandt , better known as Paul Harvey, was an American radio broadcaster for the ABC Radio Networks. He broadcast News and Comment on weekday mornings and mid-days, and at noon on Saturdays, as well as his famous The Rest of the Story segments. His listening audience was estimated, at...
.
K-98 KHFI was originally on 98.3 MHz at a much lower power. 98.3 KHFI was in fact the very first FM station licensed to Austin in 1956 and was a classical-music station taking advantage of the new hi-fi technology called FM radio hence the KHFI callsign. A decade later KHFI-FM began its long and well known existence as a Top 40 station. Shortly after, some of the people who had managed the station's classical format got together and founded non-commercial KMFA
KMFA-FM
KMFA FM 89.5 is an Austin, Texas radio station playing classical music and licensed in Austin, Texas with an effective radiated power of 40,000 watts. It is currently under ownership of Capitol Broadcasting Association...
89.5 FM which is still on the air today.
In 1978, KHFI changed format to Disco 98. This was in the wake of Saturday Night Fever
Saturday Night Fever
Saturday Night Fever is a 1977 drama film directed by John Badham and starring: John Travolta as Tony Manero, an immature young man whose weekends are spent visiting a local Brooklyn discothèque; Karen Lynn Gorney as his dance partner and eventual friend; and Donna Pescow as Tony's former dance...
and actually improved ratings over the album rock format that it replaced. Dick Oppenheimer purchased KHFI from Lin Broadcasting in 1980 and the station returned to top 40 as K98 with Dave Jarrott in the mornings. Radio Legend Chuck Dunaway was PD and did afternoon drive. K98 achieved tremendous ratings, including #1 in Austin for many ratings periods and #6 nationwide 12+. The morning show with Dave Jarrott, Darlene Lewis and Keith Jacobs scored an unbelievable 54 share in 1982. The ratings domination continued for many years in the 1980s.
In 1992 KHFI dropped the K-96.7 moniker and just identified as 96.7 KHFI. By this time, KHFI-FM is one of the first large market stations purchased by Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008...
outside of San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
, then only a small company.
Of note, local Austin Television station KXAN TV-36 started operation as KHFI-TV in 1965 then on channel 42. KHFI-TV was co-owned with 98.3 KHFI-FM and KHFI 970 AM. The AM license was later sold and is now 970 KIXL
KIXL
KIXL is a Catholic talk radio station in Del Valle, Texas, broadcasting to the Austin-Round Rock area of Texas on 970 kHz AM. KIXL is a Relevant Radio owned-and-operated station station, owned by the Starboard Media Foundation....
Del Valle, Texas
Del Valle, Texas
Del Valle is an unincorporated community in southeastern Travis County, Texas, United States. It is about miles southeast of Downtown Austin, and is part of the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area...
.
In August 2001 KHFI re-launched as "The New 96-7 KISS-FM
KISS-FM (brand)
KISS-FM is the brand name of a Top 40 music format heard on FM radio stations in many cities in the United States . Clear Channel Communications claims ownership of the KISS-FM brand and operates most KISS-FM formatted stations, though not KISS-FM in San Antonio, Texas itself .-Origin and...
". Today, 96-7 KISS-FM (KHFI-FM) is a popular Austin Top 40 station that complements sister station KPEZ. It leads in its target 18–34 female demographic with its successful Bobby Bones Morning Show with polarizing co-host and stunt man "Lunchbox".
The current morning show has been named "Austin Radio Personality Of The Year" for 4 years running. The award is given yearly at the Austin Music Awards. In 2008 the Bobby Bones Show received its first award for "Austin Radio Program of the Year."
In May 2005, KHFI-FM became the third commercial Austin radio station to begin broadcasting using HD Radio
HD Radio
HD Radio, which originally stood for "Hybrid Digital", is the trademark for iBiquity's in-band on-channel digital radio technology used by AM and FM radio stations to transmit audio and data via a digital signal in conjunction with their analog signals...
technology. Now all five Clear Channel Austin FM stations offer this service. KHFI also was named "Austin Radio Station of the Year" in March 2008.
On-air staff
Current:"Weekdays:"
- The Bobby Bones ShowBobby Bones ShowThe Bobby Bones Show is a morning radio show broadcast in Austin, Texas, on 96.7 KISS FM and syndicated in Wichita, Kansas, Amarillo, Texas, Lubbock, Texas, Augusta, Georgia, Waco, Texas, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Bobby Bones is accompanied by co-hosts Lunchbox, Amy, Carlos, and Alayna. Jay Shannon...
- Bobby Bones
- Lunchbox
- Amy
- Carlos
- Alayna
- Traffic: Anne HudsonAnne HudsonAnne Hudson is a television host on Music and Entertainment Television, the afternoon traffic reporter for Clear Channel Austin Cluster , and the Mid-Day show host on Gap Broadcasting station KIXS 108 in Victoria, Texas. Anne hosted Music Fest Host in 2007, 2008, and 2009 in Steamboat Springs, CO...
- Cruz
- The Kane Show
- Kane
- Sarah
- Sammy
- Erik
- Jo Jo
"Weekends:"
- Sisanie
- Boy Toy Jesse
- Billy the Kidd
- JJ
- Brad B.
Former:
- Steven Craig Brown
- Tony Cortez
- Geoff Davis
- Joel Davis
- John Dillon
- Jim Rose
- Chuck Dunaway
- Bonnie Garcia
- Roger WWW Garrett
- Jeff Haze
- Bill Hickok
- Keith Jacobs
- Dave Jarott
- Barry Kaye
- David Kee
- Chris Kelly
- Nick Koster
- Darlene Lewis
- Tom Maxwell
- McGregor (Benn)
- Bob Penny
- CK Preston
- Tom Rivers
- Dave Starr
- Robb Stewart
- Peter Stewart
- Bill Tate
- Ed Volkman
- Bill Waldrop
- Larry Winston
- Angela Wright
- Allen Price
- Karen Clauss
- Mark Ryan
- Buck Naked
Studio location
The Clear Channel Radio Austin studios are in an industrial, yet trendy business complex in "SoCo" south central Austin within walking distance of St. Edward's UniversitySt. Edward's University
St. Edward's University is a private Roman Catholic institution of higher learning located south of Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas. The university offers a liberal arts education and its campus is located on a hill overlooking the city of Austin. The campus's most notable landmark is Main...
.
KHFI shares a building with sister stations KASE-FM
KASE-FM
KASE-FM is an Austin, Texas radio station operating a Country format. It is licensed to Austin, Texas with an ERP of 100,000 Watts at 100.7 MHz from a transmitter site near West Lake Hills, TX, and is owned by Clear Channel Radio....
, KPEZ-FM
KPEZ-FM
KPEZ, known on-air as "102.3 The Beat", is a radio station licensed to and serving Austin, Texas, operating a Hip Hop format. The station broadcasts with an ERP of 26,000 watts from a transmitter site near Sunset Valley, TX and is owned by Clear Channel Radio....
, KVET, and KVET-FM
KVET-FM
KVET-FM is an Austin, Texas radio station operating a Country format. It is licensed to Austin, Texas with an ERP of 49,800 watts from a transmitter site near West Lake Hills, TX, and is owned by Clear Channel Radio....
.
In 2002, the KHFI-FM studio and offices were moved to Penn Field along with the other five Clear Channel Austin stations from two separate locations. KHFI-FM then shared a ninth-floor facility with KPEZ-FM
KPEZ-FM
KPEZ, known on-air as "102.3 The Beat", is a radio station licensed to and serving Austin, Texas, operating a Hip Hop format. The station broadcasts with an ERP of 26,000 watts from a transmitter site near Sunset Valley, TX and is owned by Clear Channel Radio....
in a downtown Austin office building off of Barton Springs Road.