KISM

From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

KISM
Broadcast area
Frequency92.9 MHz (HD Radio)
Branding92.9 KISM
Programming
FormatClassic rock
Subchannels
Ownership
Owner
  • Saga Communications
  • (Saga Broadcasting, LLC)
KAFE, KGMI, KPUG
History
First air date
March 1960 (1960-03) (as KGMI-FM)
Former call signs
  • KGMI-FM (1960–1970)
  • KVGM (1970–1973)
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID34469
ClassC
ERP50,000 watts
HAAT744 meters (2,441 ft)
Translator(s)HD3: 98.9 K255DC (Bellingham)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen Live
Listen Live (HD3)
Websitekism.com
989kbay.com (HD3)

KISM (92.9 FM) is a commercial radio station in Bellingham, Washington, United States. The station's transmitter is on Mount Constitution on Orcas Island, within Moran State Park.[2] KISM is run by the Cascade Radio Group, owned by Saga Communications. It airs a classic rock format.

KISM serves Northwest Washington with a strong signal that reaches into Greater Vancouver and Victoria in Canada and can also be heard in Seattle's northern suburbs, as well as the Olympic Peninsula.

History

[edit]

In March 1960, the station first signed on as KGMI-FM.[3] It was owned by International Good Music, Inc., serving as the FM counterpart to KGMI (790 AM). The two stations simulcast their programming. It switched to KVGM in 1970.

In 1973, it began airing an automated Top 40 format, changing to its current call sign, KISM.[4]

In 1998, Saga Communications purchased KISM and KGMI for $9.8 million.[5]

HD Radio

[edit]

KISM's third HD Radio channel carries a classic hits format branded "98.9 K-Bay", in reference to FM translator K255DC (98.9 FM). The "K-Bay" programming had previously been carried on KBAI (930 AM) from 2017 until the AM station's closure 2024.[6]

Broadcast translator for KISM-HD3
Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) Class Transmitter coordinates FCC info
K255DC 98.9 FM Bellingham, Washington 142903 250 D 48°46′33.4″N 122°26′29.6″W / 48.775944°N 122.441556°W / 48.775944; -122.441556 (K255DC) LMS

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for KISM". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ Radio-Locator.com/KISM
  3. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1963 page B-195
  4. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1974 page B-224
  5. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2000 page D-477
  6. ^ Venta, Lance (March 22, 2024). "Saga Surrenders Bellingham AM". RadioInsight. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
[edit]

48°40′47″N 122°50′29″W / 48.6798°N 122.8413°W / 48.6798; -122.8413