View source for KFTK-FM

{{short description|Radio station in Florissant, Missouri, serving St. Louis}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{multiple issues|
{{missing information|Jamie Allman controversy|date=April 2018}}
{{more citations needed|date=September 2016}}
}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name                = KFTK-FM
| logo                = KFTK-FM logo.png
| logo_size           = 150px
| city                = [[Florissant, Missouri]]
| country             = US
| area                = [[Greater St. Louis]]
| branding            = 97.1 FM Talk
| airdate             = {{start date and age|1977|4|15}}
| frequency           = {{frequency|97.1|[[Hertz#SI multiples|MHz]]}} {{HD Radio}}
| format              = [[Talk radio]]
| subchannels         = HD2: [[Infinity Sports Network]]
| erp                 = {{val|100000|u=watts|fmt=commas}}
| haat                = {{convert|171|m|sp=us}}
| class               = C1
| network             = [[Fox News Radio]]
| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
| facility_id         = 73890
| callsign_meaning    = "FM Talk"
| former_callsigns    = {{ubl|KSCF (1977&ndash;80)|KCFM (1980&ndash;85)|KLTH (1985&ndash;89)|KHTK (1989&ndash;92)|KXOK-FM (1992&ndash;2000)|KFTK (2000&ndash;16)}}
| owner               = [[Audacy, Inc.]]
| licensee            = Audacy License, LLC
| sister_stations     = {{hlist|[[KEZK-FM]]|[[KMOX]]|[[KMOX-FM]]|[[KYKY]]|[[WFUN-FM]]}}
| affiliations        = {{ubl|[[Compass Media Networks]]|[[Premiere Networks]]|[[Radio America (United States)|Radio America]]|[[Westwood One]]}}
| webcast             = {{Audacy.com|971talk}}
| website             = {{URL|https://www.audacy.com/971talk}}
| coordinates         = {{coord|38|46|45.1|N|90|43|43.4|W|type:landmark_region:US-MO_source:FCC}}
}}

'''KFTK-FM''' (97.1 [[Hertz|MHz]]) is a [[commercial radio]] station [[city of licence|licensed]] to [[Florissant, Missouri]], and serving the [[Greater St. Louis]] area.  It airs a [[talk radio]] [[radio format|format]] and is owned by [[Audacy, Inc.]]  The studios are on Olive Street in [[downtown St. Louis]].
 
KFTK-FM is a [[list of broadcast station classes|Class C1]] station.  It has an [[effective radiated power]] (ERP) of 100,000 watts, the maximum for most stations.  The [[transmitter]] is on Magdalen Lane in [[O'Fallon, Missouri|O'Fallon]].<ref>[https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/finder?sr=Y&s=C&call=kFTK&nav=home Radio-Locator.com/KFTK]</ref>  Besides a standard [[analog transmission]], KFTK-FM broadcasts using [[HD Radio]] technology, carrying the [[Infinity Sports Network]] on its HD2 [[digital subchannel]]. KFTK-FM is available online via [[Audacy]].com.

==Programming==
KFTK-FM specializes in [[conservative talk]].  It has mostly local shows on weekdays during the day, with Marc Cox in mornings, Annie Frey in early afternoons and Mark Reardon in late afternoons.  The rest of the weekday schedule is [[radio syndication|nationally syndicated]] programs:  ''[[Brian Kilmeade|Brian Kilmeade and Friends]], [[Fox News Radio#Talk programming|Fox Across America with Jimmy Failla]], [[Dana Loesch|The Dana Loesch Show]], [[Coast to Coast AM]] with [[George Noory]]'' and ''[[This Morning, America's First News with Gordon Deal]]''.

Weekends focus on specialty topics, including money, health, guns and home improvement.  Some shows are paid [[brokered programming]].  Syndicated shows include ''[[Lee Habeeb|Our American Stories with Lee Habeeb]], [[Guy Benson|The Guy Benson Show]]'' and ''Markley, Van Camp and Robbins''.  Most hours begin with an update from [[Fox News Radio]].

==History==
=== Early years ===
The station [[sign-on|signed on]] the air on April 15, 1977.<REF>[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/2010/D-2010-BC-YB-7.pdf ''Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2010'' page D-325. Retrieved March 7, 2025.]</REF>  Its [[call sign]] was KSCF, which stood for [[Saint Charles, Missouri|St. Charles]] and [[Florissant, Missouri|Florissant]]. The station featured a [[middle of the road (music)|middle of the road]]/[[easy listening]] format. One of the original owners was Harlan "Grant" Horton, a longtime St. Louis broadcaster at [[KTRS (AM)|KSD]], [[KFNS (AM)|WRTH]], [[KMOX]], [[KXOK (defunct)|KXOK]] and [[WEW]].  The sign on of 97.1 caused [[WFUN-FM|KADI-FM]] to move from its original frequency of 96.5 to 96.3 to accommodate the new radio station.

=== Adult contemporary (1980–1989) ===
In 1980, after the KCFM call letters were dropped by 93.7, they were picked up by 97.1, and the station aired an [[adult contemporary]] format.  Then in November 1985, the call letters were changed once again.  They became KLTH "K-Lite 97", with a [[soft adult contemporary]] format. KLTH gradually segued into a format called "new adult contemporary" (NAC), a forerunner of [[smooth jazz]].  The station was re-branded as "Breeze 97".

=== Top 40 (1989–1992) ===
On August 2, 1989, the station was sold once again.  The new owners flipped the station to [[Top 40]] as "Hot 97" with the call letters KHTK.<ref>http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1980s/1989/RR-1989-07-28.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref><ref>https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1980s/1989/RR-1989-08-04.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref> The Top 40 format ended when then-rival [[WARH|WKBQ]] was briefly under lease by the station's owner Saul Frischling of Pittsburgh.  Both top 40 stations were merged at 106.5, with DJs from both stations moving to the new outlet.

=== Urban AC (1992–1998) ===
On November 11, 1992, KHTK changed call letters to KXOK-FM, and flipped to [[urban AC]] as "Mix 97.1".  In effect, the [[urban oldies]] format from the former KXOK (630 AM) was moved to FM.<ref>http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1992/RR-1992-11-13.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref><ref>http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1992/RR-1992-11-20.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref> "Mix" would try to compete with the urban AC leader in St. Louis, [[KATZ-FM|KMJM-FM]] ("Majic 108"). KXOK AM and KXOK-FM would briefly simulcast until the AM station was taken off the air ahead of a sale to a religious broadcaster. The station carried the syndicated ''[[Tom Joyner Morning Show]]'', which was heard in the market for many years across multiple stations.

=== Classic rock (1998–2000) ===
In 1998, Frischling sold KXOK-FM to the [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]], which owned television station [[KDNL-TV]], along with radio stations [[KPNT]], [[WXOS|WVRV]], [[WIL-FM]], and [[WFUN-FM|KIHT]]. In September of that year, the urban format was dropped, and the station began simulcasting KPNT. 

On September 25, 1998, KXOK-FM began [[stunting (broadcasting)|stunting]] with a 48-hour loop of "[[Welcome to the Jungle]]" by [[Guns N' Roses]]. Two days later, KXOK-FM switched formats.  It began playing [[classic rock]] as "97 FM The Rock" while retaining the KXOK-FM call letters. To celebrate [[St. Louis Cardinals]] [[MLB|baseball player]] [[Mark McGwire]] hitting 70 home runs, the station launched by playing 7,000 songs in a row without commercials or DJ interruption. The first song on "The Rock" was "There's Only One Way to Rock" by [[Sammy Hagar]].<ref>http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1998/RR-1998-10-02.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>

Despite a less-than-optimal signal, the station enjoyed the most success seen on the frequency to that date playing classic rock.  It was a competitor to [[Emmis Communications]]' [[KSHE]], at times beating the veteran rock station in the overall ratings. KSHE aired the syndicated ''[[Bob and Tom Show]]'' in morning [[drive time]], while KXOK countered with local hosts (and KSHE alumni) Randy Raley and Mike Doran. Other KXOK DJs included Tom O'Keefe (middays), Jason Mack (afternoons), and Michelle Matthews (evenings). Overnights were [[broadcast automation|automated]]. The station began with a standard classic rock format, playing rock hits from the 1960s and 70s.  That evolved to playing a sizable amount of 1980s [[hair bands]]. The station would also play occasional 1990s music from artists like [[Pearl Jam]], [[The Black Crowes]], and [[Cracker (band)|Cracker]].

=== Talk (2000–present) ===
In the fall of 2000, Emmis Communications added to its St. Louis radio station cluster by purchasing properties from Sinclair Broadcasting, which wanted to focus on its television properties. The sale to Emmis led KXOK and KSHE to become [[sister station]]s. Upon purchasing KXOK, and to avoid overlap with KSHE, KXOK changed formats.  It became a [[talk radio]] station on October 16, 2000.<ref>http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2000/RR-2000-10-13.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>  The call letters changed to KFTK two days later.<ref name="fcc-callsigns">{{cite web|title=Call Sign History (KFTK-FM)|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=73890&Callsign=KFTK-FM|website=CDBS Public Access|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=September 15, 2016}}</ref> 

Initially, the station focused on a female audience, in contrast to male-dominated talk stations already on the air in St. Louis. Syndicated personalities included [[The Bob and Sheri Show|''Bob and Sheri'']], Dr. [[Joy Browne]], [[Clark Howard]], [[Dr. Laura]], [[Phil Hendrie]], ''Rhona at Night'', ''[[Loveline]]'', and [[The John and Jeff Show|''John and Jeff'']], as well as local host Dave Glover. The station used the name "97.1 FM Talk". Failing to reach much of an audience, the station shifted toward more political talk in 2002, adding such syndicated hosts as [[Don Imus]], [[Bill O'Reilly (political commentator)|Bill O'Reilly]], and [[Sean Hannity]]. The station briefly changed its name to "97-1 the Link...Real Life Radio", but soon returned to the "FM Talk" moniker.

The call sign was modified from KFTK to KFTK-FM on September 8, 2016.<ref name="fcc-callsigns"/> On September 15, 2016, KFTK-FM began simulcasting on WQQX (1490 AM), renamed [[KFTK (AM)|KFTK]], and FM translator station K254CR to improve the station's coverage in downtown St. Louis and the Illinois side of the market.<ref name="ri-kftkonwqqx">{{cite news|last1=Venta|first1=Lance|title=FM NewsTalk 97.1 St. Louis Adds Two Additional Signals|url=https://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/108227/fm-newstalk-97-1-st-louis-adds-two-additional-signals/|access-date=September 15, 2016|work=RadioInsight|date=September 15, 2016}}</ref>

Emmis exited the St. Louis market in 2018. KFTK-FM and [[WFUN-FM|KNOU]] were sold to Entercom (now Audacy).<ref name="ri-saletoentercom">{{cite news |title=Emmis Selling St. Louis Stations |url=https://radioink.com/2018/01/30/emmis-selling-st-louis-stations/ |access-date=April 16, 2020 |work=Radio Ink |date=January 30, 2018}}</ref> The simulcast over KFTK 1490 ended on March 20, 2020, when the AM station's license was cancelled by the [[FCC]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/sta_list.pl?Facility_id=72815|title=CDBS Search Page|work=Federal Communications Commission|access-date=March 20, 2020}}</ref>  It was revealed that the AM station's ownership was a [[shell corporation]].  In reality, a convicted [[felony|felon]] owned it.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Venta|first=Lance|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/177497/fcc-sends-four-st-louis-area-ams-to-license-revocation-hearing/|title=FCC Sends Four St. Louis Area AMs To License Revocation Hearing|date=2019-06-05|work=Radio Insight|access-date=2019-06-05|language=en-US}}</ref>  FM translator K254CR was not affected, and was subsequently reassigned to simulcast KFTK-FM.  That lasted until March 22, 2021, when K254CR began rebroadcasting AM sister station [[KMOX]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/sta_det.pl?Facility_id=138424|title=Station Search Details: K254CR|last=FCC Internet Services Staff|website=licensing.fcc.gov|access-date=March 21, 2020}}</ref>

In 2018, KFTK-FM ended ''The Jaime Allman Show''.  Allman was accused of threatening gun-control advocate [[David Hogg]] on social media.<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/167725/kftks-jaime-allman-creates-another-social-media-induced-headache-for-entercom/ RadioInsight.com "KFTK's Jaime Allman Creates Another Social Media-Induced Headache for Entercom" April 10, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2025.]</ref>  In January 2024, KFTK-FM began syndicating a local program, ''The Josh Hammer Show''.<ref>{{cite news |title=TALKERS News Notes|url=https://talkers.com/2024/01/05/talkers-news-notes-117/ |publisher=Talkers |access-date=19 June 2024}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
*[http://rbsc.slpl.org/MA_KXOK.pdf KXOK Radio Collection Finding Aid] at the [https://www.slpl.org/ St. Louis Public Library]
*[http://rbsc.slpl.org/MA_KXOK_FirstIssueLetters.pdf KXOK First Issue Letters Collection Finding Aid] at the [https://www.slpl.org/ St. Louis Public Library]
*[http://rbsc.slpl.org/MA_KXOK_NewSound.pdf KXOK New Sound Manuscript Finding Aid] at the [https://www.slpl.org/ St. Louis Public Library]

==External links==
* {{Official website|https://www.audacy.com/971talk}}
* {{FM station data|73890|KFTK}}
{{St. Louis Radio}}
{{News/Talk Radio Stations in Missouri}}
{{Entercom}}

[[Category:Radio stations in Missouri|FTK-FM]]
[[Category:News and talk radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Audacy, Inc. radio stations]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1977]]
[[Category:1977 establishments in Missouri]]