KFIO TimeLine

Transcribed by Xen Scott from the FCC microfiche files, November 15, 1994; additions updated by Bill Harms 8 July 2005

  • Listed in the 1 July 1921 Department of Commerce Radio Service Bulletin as licensed as a Special Land License with the call letters of 7YL. The licensee was North Central High School, Spokane, WA.
  • 2 May 1923 First licensed as a commercial broadcast station with the call letters KFIO. The licensee was North Central High School, Spokane, WA.
  • 12 Apr 1927 Granted a Temporary Permit for 1100kc with 100 watts.
  • 1 Jun 1927 Granted a license for 1220kc with 100 watts, shared with KFPY.
  • 20 Feb 1928 Granted 1220kc with 100 watts, shared with KFPY and probably KGY. On 11 Nov 1928 reallocated to 1230kc with 100 watts, daytime.
  • 23 Aug 1929 Voluntary assignment of license to Spokane Broadcasting Corp.
  • 8 Mar 1930 Granted 1120kc with 100 watts, daytime.
  • 24 Mar 1941 Under NARBA, they were granted 1150kc, 100 watts, daytime.
  • 17 Jul 1941 Granted a Construction Permit for 1230kc, 250 watts, unlimited. License to cover the Construction Permit granted 3/26/42.
  • 9 Jun 1950 Call letters changes to KSPO
  • 16 May 1950 Voluntary transfer of cont. of license corp. from Arthur L. Smith to Louis Wasmer.
  • 29 Aug 1950 Voluntary assignment of license to Louis Wasmer, eff. 8/31/50.
  • 24 Jul 1952 Voluntary assignment of license to D. Gene Williams and Delbert Bertholf, A Co-partnership, with the condition that Bertholf sever all connection with KGA. eff. 8/1/52.
  • 1 Oct 1952 Granted a Construction Permit for 1340kc, 250 watts, unlimited. License to cover the Construction Permit granted 1/26/53.
  • 6 Jun 1957 Granted a Construction Permit for 1230kc, 250 watts, unlimited. License to cover the Construction Permit granted 8/29/57.
  • 17 Jun 1957 Call letters changed to KLYK.
  • 26 Jun 1958 Voluntary assignment of license to KLYK, Inc., eff. 7/11/58.
  • 8 Apr 1959 Voluntary transfer of cont. of license corp. to Marie Storm Taft, Archie G. Taft, Jr. and W.D. Simpson.
  • 27 Apr 1962 Granted auth. to remain silent. There were extensions until 10/10/64 4/20/64 Voluntary assignment of license to D. Gene Williams, eff. 05/16/64.
  • 22 Sep 1964 Call letters changed to KSPO.
  • 8 Feb 1965 Invol. transfer of cont. of license corp. to Erleen S.Williams, Executrix of the Estate of D. Gene Williams, deceased, eff. 01/07/65.
  • 5 May 1965 Granted a Construction Permit for 1230kc, 250 watts, 1kw LS. License to cover the Construction Permit granted 11/19/65
  • 15 Jun 1965 Voluntary assignment of license to Delbert Bertholf, eff. 6/22/65.
  • 28 Apr 1967 Voluntary assignment of license to KSPO, Inc.
  • 22 Jan 1971 Voluntary assignment of license to Radio Spokane, Inc., eff. 3/1/71.
  • 25 Oct 1978 Voluntary transfer of cont. of license corp. to California Newspapers Inc., eff. 11/1/78.
  • 25 Feb 1980 Voluntary transfer of cont. of license corp. to W.A. Brown, B.B. Leibert, J.J. Craemer, N.S. Yoffie, et. al. (all stockholders).

KSBN's Web Site

KFIO Links

LINKS TO INDIVIDUAL
STATION HISTORIES

  • Emil Olson's station - Said to be the first station in Spokane to broadcast music
  • KFZ - Licensed by Doerr-Mitchell Company - The first licensed commercial broadcast station in Spokane
  • KOE - Licensed by the Spokane Chronicle Newspaper
  • KFDC/KFPY/KXLY - Humble beginnings to major market force
  • KHQ - 1922 to present
  • KFIO/KLYK/KSPO etc - Claims to be the oldest operating station in Spokane
  • KGA - Started in 1927
  • KREM - Started broadcasting in the late 1940's in Downtown Spokane. Become part of Dorothy Bullitt's King Broadcasting.
  • KNEW/KJRB - became Spokane's number one top 40 station in the 1960's.
  • KVNI - The Voice of North Idaho
  • KZUN Opportunity - "The Voice of Spokane Valley" from 1955 to 1985.
  • KCFA and KMBI - now owned and operated by the Moody Bible Institute.
  • KUDY etc
  • KPEG/KEZE/KCKO - Started out as an all-female station with the all announcers named Peg. Made a splash as a country station in the 1960's.
  • KLFF Mead - The short history of "Clef Radio"
  • KDNC/KXXR/KSVY - Started out on the Moran Prairie and ended up in the Spokane Valley.
  • KTWD - Spokane's first commercial FM only station and first FM Stereo station. Established in 1966 by Terry Denbrook.
  • KPBX - Started in George Cole's basement in the early 1970's. Now a major public radio station.

COMING SOON

  • Which station is the oldest station in Spokane? - Look here for the interesting answer

OTHER NEAT LINKS

  • Spokane Radio News Keep abreast of the current radio scene in Spokane.
  • Radio History on the Web Start here for your journey into the fascinating world of radio history. Radio historian Barry Mishkind is the webmaster.