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KPEL-FM

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KPEL-FM
Broadcast areaLafayette metropolitan area
Frequency96.5 MHz
Programming
FormatNews-Talk
NetworkFox News Radio
AffiliationsLouisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Premiere Networks
Westwood One
Compass Media Networks
KATC-TV Weather
Ownership
Owner
KFTE, KHXT, KMDL, KPEL, KROF, KTDY
History
First air date
May 1, 1993; 32 years ago (1993-05-01) (as KFTE)
Former call signs
KFTE (1992–2010)
Call sign meaning
PELican State
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID59288
ClassC2
ERP42,000 watts
HAAT163 meters (535 ft)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen Live
Websitekpel965.com

KPEL-FM (96.5 FM) is a radio station in the United States. Licensed to Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, KPEL-FM serves the Lafayette metropolitan area with a news/talk format. It is owned by Townsquare Media.

Initially signing on with call sign KFTE in 1993, KPEL-FM was a music station for its first 17 years. After having easy listening and oldies formats, KFTE had an alternative rock format branded "Planet Radio 96.5" until changing to KPEL-FM and news/talk in 2010. Since 2001, KPEL-FM has been owned by Townsquare Media and its predecessor Regent Communications.

History

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As KFTE (1991–2010)

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A construction permit was first issued for a new 96.5 MHz FM station on April 19, 1991.[2] JBC Inc. (doing business as ComCorp of Lafayette License Corporation) was the owner.[3] Licensed on November 15, 1992, the station first signed on with call sign KFTE on May 1, 1993. Its format was easy listening.[4][5]

In July 1993, the Mid-Acadiana Broadcasting Corporation purchased KFTE. The price tag was $517,750 plus debt cancellation from ComCorp.[6] KFTE began using the brand "Cool 96.5" in 1994.[7]

Beer wholesale company Schilling Distributing Company purchased KFTE and KMDL for a combined $1.55 million in 1994.[8][9] In 1996, Schilling changed the format of KFTE from easy listening to 1970s oldies.[10][11]

In 1996, ComCorp bought back KFTE, along with KMDL, from Schilling Distributing. The total price was nearly $4.5 million.[12] On January 22, 1997, ComCorp fliped KFTE's format to alternative rock, with the brand "Planet Radio 96.5".[13][11]

On August 29, 2001, Regent Communications (later Townsquare Media) reached an agreement to buy KFTE and six other radio stations from ComCorp. The price was over $39 million.[14]

As KPEL-FM (2010–present)

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On June 25, 2010, KFTE switched call signs and formats with KPEL-FM at 105.1 MHz. KFTE's rock format moved to 105.1, while KPEL-FM's news/talk format moved to 96.5 MHz.[15]

In June 2020, early afternoon host Carol Ross decided to end her program and leave the station.[16] On March 15, 2025, KPEL-FM began carrying Erick Erickson on weekdays from WSB Atlanta.[17]

Programming

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KPEL-FM has local news and talk shows during the daytime, in addition to national news updates from Fox News Radio and nationally syndicated programs including The Erick Erickson Show, The Mark Levin Show, and The Ramsey Show.[18]

Weekends feature specialty lifestyle shows, such as The Kim Komando Show and The Car Doctor, and paid programming.[19] KPEL-FM also broadcasts Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns men's basketball and baseball games.[20][21]

Technical information

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Licensed to Breaux Bridge, KPEL-FM broadcasts from a 167.6-meter transmitter located in Youngsville at 42 kW of effective radiated power.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for KPEL-FM". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ a b "KPEL-FM". FCC Data. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  3. ^ "New FM Full Power Construction Permit Application". FCC. March 13, 1987. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  4. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1994 (PDF). Broadcasting Publications. 1994. p. B-157. Retrieved February 16, 2025 – via World Radio History.
  5. ^ Darbonne, Nissa (May 1, 1993). "Blessing will hopefully put end to radio tower disasters". The Daily Advertiser. Lafayette. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  6. ^ "CBS And Cox Swap Dallas, Tampa FMs In $25 Million Double Duopoly Deal" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1004. August 6, 1993. p. 9. Retrieved February 16, 2025 – via World Radio History.
  7. ^ "Briefly". The Daily Advertiser. December 18, 1994. p. B-10. Retrieved May 31, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1995 (PDF). Broadcasting Publications. 1995. p. B-173. Retrieved February 16, 2025 – via World Radio History.
  9. ^ "Lafayette firm buys 2 Breaux Bridge stations". The Advocate. Baton Rouge. May 3, 1994. p. 1-C. Retrieved February 16, 2025 – via NewsLibrary.
  10. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1996 (PDF). 1996. p. B-178. Retrieved February 16, 2025 – via World Radio History.
  11. ^ a b "Lafayette, LA FM Radio Directory". 100,000 Watts. Archived from the original on May 18, 2000. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  12. ^ "Emmis Now A Potent Arch Rival" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1171. November 8, 1996. p. 8. Retrieved February 16, 2025 – via World Radio History.
  13. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1998 (PDF). Broadcasting Publications. 1998. p. D-188. Retrieved February 16, 2025 – via World Radio History.
  14. ^ "Money briefs". The Times-Picayune. August 30, 2001. p. 6. Retrieved February 16, 2025 – via NewsLibrary.
  15. ^ Venta, Lance (June 25, 2010). "Bunch of changes in Lafayette, LA". Radio Insight. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  16. ^ [https://www.insideradio.com/people_moves/carol-ross/article_e1eec39a-acb5-11ea-ba9d-2357e5313f72.html InsideRadio.com "People Moves: Carol Ross"
  17. ^ InsideRadio.com "News Bites: Erick Erickson" March 12, 2025. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
  18. ^ "On Air (Monday)". KPEL-FM. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  19. ^ "On Air (Saturday)". KPEL-FM. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  20. ^ "2024 Baseball Schedule". University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  21. ^ "2023-24 Men's Basketball Schedule". University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
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