KRNT (1350 AM) is a radio station broadcasting a sports format. Serving the Des Moines, Iowa, United States, area, the station is owned by the Des Moines Radio Group subsidiary of Saga Communications through licensee Saga Communications of Iowa, LLC and features programming from ESPN Radio[1] along with Chicago Cubs baseball broadcasts and Drake University sports programming. The station won a Peabody Award in 1945 for outstanding reporting of news.[2]
 | |
| Broadcast area | Des Moines area |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 1350 kHz |
| Branding | ESPN Des Moines |
| Programming | |
| Format | Sports |
| Affiliations | ESPN Radio |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| KAZR, KIOA, KOEZ, KPSZ, KSTZ | |
| History | |
First air date | 1925 |
Former frequencies | 1320 kHz (1935-1941) |
Call sign meaning | Des Moines Register aNd Tribune (founding owners) |
| Technical information | |
| Facility ID | 58534 |
| Class | B |
| Power | 5,000 watts |
Transmitter coordinates | 41°33′31″N 93°34′45″W / 41.55861°N 93.57917°W |
| Translator(s) | 102.1 K271CO (Des Moines) |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | espndesmoines.com |
Its studios are located on Locust Street in Des Moines, while its 4-tower transmitter array is located on King Avenue in Des Moines.
History
KSO, located at 1370 AM, moved from Clarinda, Iowa into Des Moines in 1932. On March 17, 1935, the station officially became KRNT[3] and moved to 1320 AM (KWCR moved from Cedar Rapids, Iowa that same year and adopted the KSO call sign, also effective March 17, 1935[3]). At that time, both stations were owned and operated by subsidiary corporations of the Des Moines Register-Tribune.[3] KRNT moved to the current 1350 AM frequency in 1941.
Then-owners Cowles Media started up a sister station, KRNT-FM (104.5) in 1948, but took it off the air and returned the license in 1955. In 1970, they signed on another KRNT-FM (102.5 FM).[4]
For years, KRNT carried an adult standards format, supplemented by sports programming (most notably the Chicago Cubs and Drake University athletics). In 2015, the adult standards format was moved to sister station KAZR's HD2 subchannel and translator K283CC 104.5 FM. KRNT was rebranded ESPN Des Moines as it became the market's ESPN Radio affiliate.[5]
In addition to ESPN programming, KRNT serves as the broadcast outlet for several sports teams:[6]
- Drake University athletics (football, men's and women's basketball)
- Chicago Cubs baseball
Previous logo
References
- ^ "KRNT Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
- ^ http://www.peabodyawards.com/award-profile/krnt-radio-institutional-award-for-outstanding-reporting-of-the-news
- ^ a b c "Change in Iowa Calls" (PDF). Broadcasting. April 1, 1935. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
- ^ http://www.desmoinesbroadcasting.com/timeline-frameset.html
- ^ "Saga Launches ESPN des Moines; KRNT Moves to FM".
- ^ "Historic des Moines radio station switches to all-sports format". The Des Moines Register.
External links
- Facility details for Facility ID KRNT ({{{2}}}) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- {{{2}}} in Nielsen Audio's AM station database
- FCC History Cards for KRNT