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Kale
KALE began broadcasting on the 1st of April 1950 with just 1,000 watts of power on the AM 900 kilohertz frequency, a modest start for what would become the dominant voice of the Tri-Cities. The station was originally owned by Yakima Broadcasting Corp and operated from a transmitter site at Road 68 in Pasco, Washington, far removed from the bustling city centers of today. In those early days, the signal struggled to penetrate the vast agricultural landscape of Eastern Washington, yet it found a loyal audience among farmers and local business owners who relied on the clear, crackling voice of the news department. The news team quickly distinguished itself, winning numerous regional and statewide Society of Professional Journalists awards that set a high standard for local journalism in the Pacific Northwest. This early commitment to quality reporting laid the groundwork for a reputation that would eventually make KALE a household name in the region.
The AM Zenith
During the early to mid-1970s, KALE reached its zenith as an AM station, consistently ranking at or near the top of the age 18-to-49 ratings block and frequently leading the market in sales billings. The station operated with a Top-40 radio format that resonated deeply with the youth culture of the era, creating a cultural touchstone for teenagers and young adults in the Tri-Cities area. Sterling Recreation Organization owned the station during this golden age, and later Revitalization Partners took the helm before New Northwest Broadcasters purchased the property. The news department's dominance was not just a ratings victory but a community institution, with reporters covering local events with a depth that few other stations could match. This period of success was cut short as listeners began migrating from AM to FM during the latter 1970s and early 1980s, forcing the station to adapt or risk obsolescence in a rapidly changing media landscape.
The Format Shuffle
In the 1970s, the station was owned by Sterling Recreation Organization and later by Revitalization Partners, before New Northwest Broadcasters purchased the station, setting the stage for a series of format changes that would define its modern identity. The station switched to a more adult contemporary format in the early 1980s, a move that reflected the shifting tastes of its audience as they moved away from the Top-40 sound. In December 2010, Townsquare Media announced it was acquiring 12 stations owned by New Northwest Broadcasters, but the Federal Communications Commission stopped the plan in July 2011, citing concerns over the proposed use of a divestiture trust. The agency dismissed five sets of applications that would have reassigned the radio station licenses, leaving the future of KALE in limbo for months. This regulatory hurdle forced the station to rethink its strategy and eventually led to a sale to Ingstad Radio Washington, which agreed to purchase the stations at a discount of about $6.7 million for all 12 properties.
When did KALE begin broadcasting in Richland Washington?
KALE began broadcasting on the 1st of April 1950 with 1,000 watts of power on the AM 900 kilohertz frequency. The station originally operated from a transmitter site at Road 68 in Pasco, Washington.
Who owned KALE during its golden age in the 1970s?
Sterling Recreation Organization owned KALE during the early to mid-1970s when the station reached its zenith as an AM station. Revitalization Partners later took the helm before New Northwest Broadcasters purchased the property.
What is the current format of KALE as of 2022?
KALE changed its format to contemporary Christian and branded as 106.1 The Bridge on the 17th of June 2022. This change was part of a broader strategy by Stephens Media Group to serve the faith-based community in the Tri-Cities.
Where are the current studios of KALE located?
KALE moved to its current home at 4304 S. 24th Ave in Kennewick in 2012. The station previously operated from 310 W. Kennewick Ave. and North Columbia Center Blvd. in Kennewick.
How many times did KALE change its format between 2016 and 2018?
KALE changed its format four times between 2016 and 2018 including switches to adult contemporary and classic hits. The station rebranded as Big 106.1 on the 26th of December 2017 and flipped back to adult contemporary on the 26th of July 2018.
KALE's broadcast studios have moved multiple times, starting at the transmitter site at Road 68 in Pasco, Washington, before relocating to 218 W. Kennewick Ave. in Kennewick. In 1978, the studios moved again to 310 W. Kennewick Ave. when KALE's FM station, KIOK, FM 94.9, was licensed and began broadcasting, occupying the former site of the historic Benton Theatre. The site at 310 W. Kennewick Ave. was also owned by Sterling Recreation Organization at the time, adding a layer of historical significance to the location. After broadcasting from North Columbia Center Blvd. in Kennewick for several years, KALE moved to its current home at 4304 S. 24th Ave in Kennewick in 2012, marking a new chapter in its physical presence. Each move reflected the station's evolving needs and the changing landscape of the Tri-Cities area, from a small town to a growing metropolitan region.
The Branding Wars
On the 24th of February 2016, KALE changed its format to adult contemporary, branded as 106.1 More FM, and simulcast on FM translator K291BS 106.1 FM Richland, Washington, in an attempt to capture a broader audience. The station switched formats again on the 19th of September 2016, from adult contemporary to classic hits, branded as Classic Hits 106.1, swapping formats with KKSR 95.7 Walla Walla. On the 26th of December 2017, after stunting with Christmas music through the holiday season, KALE rebranded as Big 106.1, a move that was met with mixed reactions from longtime listeners. The station flipped back to adult contemporary on the 26th of July 2018, branded again as 106.1 More FM, but the format's second tenure was short-lived, as the station began stunting with Christmas music again on October 31 of that year. The Brooke & Jubal morning show remained on the station during this period, providing a sense of continuity amidst the chaos of constant rebranding.
The Faithful Shift
On the 17th of June 2022, KALE changed its format from adult contemporary to contemporary Christian, branded as 106.1 The Bridge, marking a significant departure from its previous identity as a general entertainment station. This change was part of a broader strategy by Stephens Media Group, which had acquired the station through a series of complex transactions involving Ingstad Radio Washington and Townsquare Media. The station now serves as a voice for the faith-based community in the Tri-Cities, offering programming that reflects the values and interests of its new audience. The transition was not without its challenges, as longtime listeners who had tuned in for music and news found themselves with a different kind of content. However, the station's commitment to serving its community remained strong, and it continued to provide a platform for local voices and stories.
The Ownership Odyssey
The ownership history of KALE is a testament to the volatile nature of the radio industry, with the station passing through the hands of Yakima Broadcasting Corp, Sterling Recreation Organization, Revitalization Partners, New Northwest Broadcasters, Townsquare Media, and Ingstad Radio Washington. In November 2011, a Fargo, N.D., radio owner paid more than $6 million to purchase 12 stations in the Tri-Cities and Yakima currently owned by New Northwest Broadcasters, including KALE. Ingstad Radio Washington agreed to purchase at a discount more than $16 million in debt owed by Seattle-based New Northwest Broadcasters from a creditor, CIT Group. The Tri-Cities stations included in the sale were KUJ-FM, a Top-40 hits station; KIOK-FM, a country station; KEGX-FM, a classic rock station; KTCR, talk radio; KKSR-FM, a variety hits station; and KALE, a FOX Sports affiliate. The Yakima stations were KXDD-FM, a country station; KRSE-FM, a variety hits station; KJOX, an ESPN affiliate; KARY-FM, an oldies station; KBBO, a news radio station; and KHHK-FM, a contemporary hit music station. This complex web of ownership changes has shaped the station's identity and direction over the decades.