KKLA-FM (99.5
MHz
The hertz (symbol: Hz) is the unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI), equivalent to one event (or cycle) per second. The hertz is an SI derived unit whose expression in terms of SI base units is s−1, meaning that one he ...
, "99.5 KKLA") is a
commercial
Commercial may refer to:
* a dose of advertising conveyed through media (such as - for example - radio or television)
** Radio advertisement
** Television advertisement
* (adjective for:) commerce, a system of voluntary exchange of products and s ...
radio station
Radio broadcasting is transmission of audio (sound), sometimes with related metadata, by radio waves to radio receivers belonging to a public audience. In terrestrial radio broadcasting the radio waves are broadcast by a land-based radi ...
licensed
A license (or licence) is an official permission or permit to do, use, or own something (as well as the document of that permission or permit).
A license is granted by a party (licensor) to another party (licensee) as an element of an agreeme ...
to
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...
and serving the
Greater Los Angeles area. The station is owned by the
Salem Media Group
Salem Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SALM; formerly Salem Communications Corporation) is an American radio broadcaster, Internet content provider, and magazine and book publisher formerly based in Camarillo, California (moved most operations to Irv ...
and broadcasts a
Christian talk and teaching format. The KKLA-FM studios are located in
Glendale and the transmitter is located atop
Mount Wilson.
History
The 99.5 FM frequency in Los Angeles has been home to two stations operating under separate licenses, both broadcasting a
Christian radio format.
KHOF (1956–1985)
Originally owned by Pastor Ray Schoch's Faith Center Church in
Glendale, California, the station signed on November 13, 1956, with the
call letters
In broadcasting and radio communications, a call sign (also known as a call name or call letters—and historically as a call signal—or abbreviated as a call) is a unique identifier for a transmitter station. A call sign can be formally assigne ...
KHOF.
During the 1960s and 1970s, programming consisted of various
syndicated ministries and programming produced by Faith Center. In 1975,
Gene Scott
William Eugene Scott (August 14, 1929 – February 21, 2005) was an American minister and teacher who served for almost 50 years as a pastor and broadcaster in Los Angeles, California. He pastored the Faith Center and Wescott Christian Center ...
took over Faith Center and moved properties including KHOF to strictly in-house programming. Some stations were sold. By 1980, Scott's
sermons aired around-the-clock. The
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent agency of the United States federal government that regulates communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable across the United States. The FCC maintains jurisdicti ...
canceled KHOF's license in September 1982, citing improper conduct on the part of Faith Center, including misappropriation of fundraising proceeds.
KKLA-FM (1985–present)
KKLA-FM operates on a license separate from that of the former KHOF, first issued in October 1985 to
Salem Communications
Salem Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SALM; formerly Salem Communications Corporation) is an American radio broadcaster, Internet content provider, and magazine and book publisher formerly based in Camarillo, California (moved most operations to Irv ...
subsidiary New Inspiration Broadcasting with the call sign KKLA. At that time, the station launched with a
contemporary Christian music (CCM) format part of the day and Christian
talk and teaching the rest of the day. By 1987, the majority of KKLA's programming consisted of the latter. The station eliminated Christian music by 1990; this void was filled by
KFSG (96.3 FM) which began airing a CCM format for most of its broadcast day.
In 1995, the station's call letters changed to KKLA-FM. This was done to accommodate sister station
KLFE (1240 AM) in
San Bernardino
San Bernardino (; Spanish for "Saint Bernardino") is a city and county seat of San Bernardino County, California, United States. Located in the Inland Empire region of Southern California, the city had a population of 222,101 in the 2020 cen ...
, which changed its callsign to KKLA and
simulcast
Simulcast (a portmanteau of simultaneous broadcast) is the broadcasting of programmes/programs or events across more than one resolution, bitrate or medium, or more than one service on the same medium, at exactly the same time (that is, simulta ...
KKLA-FM until 1999.
During part of the day Monday through Saturday, KKLA-FM broadcasts local Christian call-in talk shows that discuss a mix of religious and
conservative political issues. At all other times and all day Sunday, the station airs
ministries and teaching programs from speakers such as
J. Vernon McGee
John Vernon McGee (June 17, 1904 – December 1, 1988) was an American ordained Presbyterian minister, pastor, Bible teacher, theologian, and radio minister.
Biography Childhood, education, and early ministry
McGee was born in Hillsboro, Tex ...
,
John F. MacArthur
John Fullerton MacArthur Jr. (born June 19, 1939) is an American Protestant pastor and author known for his internationally syndicated Christian teaching radio and television program ''Grace to You''. He has been the pastor of Grace Community Chu ...
, and
Hank Hanegraaff.
KKLA-FM claims to be the most-listened-to Christian talk radio station in the United States.
Awards
KKLA-FM was honored by the
National Association of Broadcasters as its Religious/Gospel station of the year in 1995.
References
External links
FCC History Cards for KKLA*
*
{{coord, 34.224, N, 118.063, W, type:landmark_region:US_source:FCC, display=title
KLA
Christian radio stations in California
Talk radio stations in the United States
Radio stations established in 1985
1985 establishments in California
Salem Media Group properties