City Richmond, Indiana Frequency 1490 & 100.9 kHz Power 1,000 watts unlimited | Branding ESPN Radio First air date 1926 | |
Format Sports Talk Information | ||
WKBV (1490 AM) is a radio station broadcasting a Sports Talk Information format to the Richmond, Indiana, United States, area. The station is licensed to Rodgers Broadcasting Corporation and features programming from ABC Radio, ESPN Radio, Network Indiana and Westwood One. Since 1927, predating the FCC, WKBV's been the area's premier signal for info and entertainment. Local programs include, Indiana State Fair Band Day, the Salvation Army Christmas, and High School Sports.
History
In 1926, a man from Brookville,IN was granted a permit to build a radio station in Brookville. His name was William Knox. He created the 100 watt station known as WKBV-AM 1490, standing for WilliamKnoxBrookVille (WKBV). The station was merely a hobby for Knox. Airtime in those days sold for $15.00. In 1929, the station moved to the Betsy Ross Building in Connersville, IN; its first regular programming began with 6 hours a day. In 1933, the station was moved to the Westcott Hotel in Richmond,IN. It was after this that WKBV became the home for Richmond Red Devil sports. RHS teacher Jim Farmer was the first Sports Director for the station, a position that would be sought after on this station. In 1943, a group of local businessmen formed the Central Broadcasting Corporation and moved the station the Leland Hotel Annex in Richmond. This is where RHS grad turned Radio-TV Star Polly Bergen did her first 15-minute show auditioning for WKBV. IN 1953, WKBV would move one last time to West Main Street in Richmond. They moved into a building built just for them. The building was state of the art. In 1960, WKBV-FM as 101.3 FM went on the air. Later on, WKBV-FM would become WRIA-FM, and then later became WFMG which is now WKBV's sister station G1013. The two have become Richmond's famous radio duo. With lots of cross promotions & station events. Today's programming on WKBV, is mainly ESPN radio, with sports talk & more. Local news updates are provided throughout the day, and weather is supplied by Dayton's WDTN-TV Channel 2. WKBV is the home of the Cincinnati Reds and Notre Dame as well as Miami University hockey. The current key staff members include Sports/News Director Joel Brantingham, Program Director Rick Duncan & Production Director John Rose. The station is now owned by Rodgers Broadcasting Corporation dba Whitewater Broadcasting. In the summer of 2014, WKBV would make a huge change, as they would add an FM signal. In late July 2014, WKBV 100.9 FM went on the air. With this change, WKBV moved its Red Devil programming to expand the whole county. Bringing listeners the Wayne County Game of the Week. ESPN 1490/100.9 WKBV strives to stay local with local news, sports, weather, and multiple local PSA's and giving back. For more info on WKBV, follow them on Twitter @1490WKBV