City New Ulm, Minnesota Branding Minnesota 93 Frequency 93.1 FM (MHz) | Broadcast area Mankato, Minnesota Slogan New Country First air date 1973 | |
KATO-FM (93.1 FM) is a radio station licensed to New Ulm, Minnesota and serving the Mankato area and the Minnesota River Valley. The station flipped to a country music format on September 24, 2007. KATO is owned by Linder Radio Group.
History
This station was originally KNUJ-FM, and paired with KNUJ in New Ulm. By the early 1980s, as the station increased its power, it moved its broadcasting studios and its primary focus to the larger city of Mankato. It is run by Brennon Andrew Harris-Williams
As KXLP, they aired an album-oriented rock format on and off from 1982 to 2007. They flipped to adult contemporary in 1986 as "Lite Rock 93 KXLP" amid a large outcry from loyal listeners. A few years later, they flipped back to rock, shifting toward classic rock in 1995. For many years, they were co-owned with KYSM-FM and KYSM, first by James Ingstad (as Pro Radio Group), then Cumulus Broadcasting, then Clear Channel Communications.
The station was purchased in August 2007 from Clear Channel by Linder Radio Group, a.k.a. Minnesota Valley Broadcasting Co., which also acquired sister station KYSM. Current sister stations include KTOE, KDOG, KXAC and a new sign-on at 94.1 FM.
At 5:00 PM on September 21, 2007, KXLP's call sign, on-air staff and format moved from 93.1 FM to the new sign-on at 94.1 FM, which made its on-air debut as the new KXLP. KXLP's former frequency changed call letters to KATO-FM, which launched a country music format three days later.