Houston’s first Spanish-language radio station has a new owner, as Texas-based religious broadcaster Iglesia Cristiana Restauracion has agreed to purchase AM radio station KLVL and its associated FM translator from Siga Broadcasting Corporation, pending FCC approval.
KLVL, branded as Radio Vision, broadcasts Spanish-language Christian programming and serves the Greater Houston area, while licensed to Pasadena, Tex. The station operates on 1480 kHz AM and is relayed via FM translator K235CS at 94.9 FM, extending its coverage into northwest Houston, including Cypress-Fairbanks and Jersey Village.
KLVL transmits with 5,000 watts during the day and reduces power to 500 watts at night.
Founded on May 5, 1950, by civic leader and entrepreneur Felix Hessbrook Morales, KLVL’s call letters – La Voz Latina – reflect its original mission to deliver culturally relevant news, music, and education to Houston’s growing Hispanic community. The station remained in the Morales family until 1997, when it was sold to Siga.
Siga owns and operates multiple Houston-area radio stations, primarily focused on Spanish-language radio and financial news/talk programming.
The agreement between Iglesia Cristiana Restauracion Y Vida and Siga outlines a total purchase price of $2 million, financed over 18 years at a 7% interest rate, with monthly payments of $15,687.46. The APA allocates $1,000,000 for real estate, $250,000 for personal property, including all transmitting equipment, and $750,000 for the station licenses.
Additional provisions include monthly invoicing for reimbursements, late penalties, and requirements that tie real estate ownership to the full payment of both station licenses. A final payment of $1,584,807.90 is due by May 31, 2025, with 20% of that amount held in escrow with the Law Offices of Justin D. Hayes until the FCC consents to the license transfer.
