It was once one of the biggest Christian Contemporary Music stations in North America. On February 1, it will be the North Texas home for Educational Media Foundation’s “K-LOVE” Christian AC noncommercial network.
Thus brings to a close a 24-year run at 94.9 MHz in Dallas-Fort Worth for KLTY.
That’s because K-LOVE, the nation’s omnipresent CCM offering, is taking over the facility. Until now, it has only been available on the HD2 signal of Air1 Network-focused KYDA-FM 101.7 in Azle, Tex., a Class C in the far northwestern portion of the Metroplex.
The change is tied to Salem Media Group‘s end-of-2024 transaction that sees Educational Media Foundation acquire 7 radio stations for $80 million.
And, it brings K-LOVE to a market that is home to north-of-Dallas KAWA-FM, home to WayFM, and Worship Music-focused KCBI-FM.
KLTY has been a ratings leader in Dallas. Alas, Salem made a strategic move to focus solely on spoken word programming, resulting in the sale of this station along with stations branded as “The Fish.” WFHM-FM in Cleveland and KKFS-FM in the Sacramento market will also become “K-Love” member stations, as is KBIQ-FM in Colorado Springs. KFSH-FM in Anaheim-Santa Ana, Calif.; and WFSH-FM in Atlanta will become Air1 affiliates, with KFSH duplicating service heard on KKLQ-FM 100.3.
On its Facebook page, KLTY shared its pending close-down with its loyal listeners.
With “heavy hearts,” KLTY said, “We are so incredibly blessed to have had the honor to serve each of you in North Texas for the last 40 years. We’ve gotten to know you at KLTY Christmas Wish broadcasts, Celebrate Freedom, live remotes and over the phones throughout the years. You’ve listened since you were a kid and now your kids listen and in some cases, [your] grandkids now listen!”
Indeed, KLTY’s roots date to 1985. However, a late September 1986 format change brought secular Top 40 music to Dallas under the “Y95” moniker. That lasted until 1991. However, Marcos Rodriguez in April 1989 brought KLTY back at 94.1 MHz, creating a legendary radio station that defined CCM music across the 1990s. John Borders and his Sunburst Media would acquire the station in March 1999 for $63.3 million. In July 1999, at the height of the trading frenzy seen after the Telecommunications Act of 1996’s signing into law by President Clinton, he sold the facility to Mac Tichenor Jr.’s Hispanic Broadcasting Corp. for $65 million. But, the intellectual property of KLTY would be parked at a north-of-Dallas facility at 100.7 MHz — albeit temporary.
That’s because a plan to get KLTY on its very first home of 94.9 MHz was underway; that facility’s Class C 99kw signal uses a centrally located tower in Cedar Hill, Tex.
By the start of 2001, KLTY was making itself home at 94.9 MHz. And, it again became a giant of CCM music.
Now, staffers are planning a special “Goodbye KLTY” event happening on January 25 from 1pm-3pm at Compass Church Colleyville. “We’d love to hug your neck and say goodbye,” KLTY said as it is also planning a special farewell broadcast for January 31.
“Thank you for allowing us into your lives on this journey! To God be the Glory!”
