View source for KZDG

{{Short description|Radio station in San Francisco}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = KZDG
| city = [[San Francisco|San Francisco, California]]
| country = US
| area = [[San Francisco Bay Area]]
| frequency = {{frequency|1550|[[Hertz#SI multiples|kHz]]}}
| airdate = {{start date and age|1947|3|17|p=y|br=yes}}
| branding = Radio Zindagi
| format = [[South Asian]]
| power = {{val|10000|u=[[watt]]s|fmt=commas}}
| coordinates = {{coord|37|31|59|N|122|16|27|W|type:landmark_region:US-CA_source:FCC}}
| class = B
| facility_id = 25458
| callsign_meaning = "Zindagi"
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|KHWA (1946)|KSMO (1946–1951)|KEAR (1952–1956)|KOBY (1956–1960)|KQBY (1960–1963)|KKHI (1963–1994)|KPIX (1994–1997)|KYCY (1997–2009)|KFRC (2009–2011)|KZDG (2011–2018)|KGMZ (2018–2022)}}
| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
| owner = Satish Chandra
| licensee = Factorial Broadcasting, LLC
| webcast = {{listenlive|https://radiozindagi.com/sanfrancisco/popup/}}
| website = {{url|https://radiozindagi.com/sanfrancisco/}}
}}

'''KZDG''' (1550 [[AM broadcasting|AM]]) is a commercial [[Radio broadcasting|radio station]] licensed to serve [[San Francisco|San Francisco, California]], and services the [[San Francisco Bay Area]]. Owned by Satish Chandra, through licensee Factorial Broadcasting, LLC, the station broadcasts a [[South Asia]]n format known as "[[Radio Zindagi]]". Its transmitter facilities are located in the nearby suburb of [[Belmont, California|Belmont]]. In addition to a standard [[analog transmission]], KZDG is available online.

Established in 1947 at [[San Mateo, California|San Mateo]] as KSMO, the station ran into a turbulent history between 1951 and 1961 with a myriad of financial and labor union issues. As KKHI between 1961 and 1994, it and FM adjunct [[KGMZ-FM|KKHI-FM 95.7]] distinguished themselves as the commercial [[fine art]]/[[classical music]] voice for the Bay Area. Thereafter, the station underwent multiple format changes under subsequent owners [[Westinghouse Broadcasting]], [[Infinity Broadcasting Corporation|Infinity Broadcasting]], [[CBS Radio]], and Entercom (forerunner to [[Audacy, Inc.]]), including—as KYCY—becoming the first terrestrial radio station to devote the entire broadcast day to playing [[podcast]]s in 2005. Along with being a simulcast of KKHI-FM's successor, [[Sports radio|sports]]-formatted KGMZ-FM, the station—as KGMZ—carried Audacy's [[Channel Q]] service of [[LGBT|LGBTQ]]-oriented [[Talk radio|talk]] and [[Electronic dance music|electronic dance]] from 2019 to 2021.

CBS Radio/Entercom originally leased out the station to Factorial Broadcasting from 2011 to 2018, where it carried a South Asian format under the "Radio Zindagi" name and KZDG calls. This format and call sign returned in January 2022 when Zindagi operator Factorial Broadcasting entered another lease arrangement, ultimately agreeing to purchase the station. Since KZDG's 1947 sign-on, the station's call sign has changed a total of eleven different times.

==History==
===KSMO===
On March 20, 1946, the [[Federal Communications Commission]] granted Amphlett Printing Company, publisher of ''[[San Mateo County Times|The Times]]'' newspaper, a construction permit for a new 1,000-watt radio station on 1550&nbsp;kHz at [[San Mateo, California|San Mateo]].<ref name="hc">{{Cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/fd37a8d9-5b07-a81f-0a7c-7160b224bd59|title=FCC History Cards for KZDG|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |access-date=March 26, 2021 |archive-date=May 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514070742/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=42012&.pdf }}</ref> Initially designated KHWA for the late Horace W. Amphlett, the station went on the air as KSMO on the evening of March 17, 1947.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 18, 1947 |title=County Thrills to Times Radio Voice: Thousands Hear Inaugural of Station KSMO |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59193565/ 2] |work=The Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59193621/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180001/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59193621/county-thrills-to-times-radio-voice/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> The station was a full-service outlet for listeners in San Mateo, though its musical programming tended toward the classical compared to other local stations.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 17, 1947 |title=KSMO Staff Set For Big Inaugural Program Tonight |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59193689/ 2] |work=The Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59193723/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180028/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59193723/ksmo-staff-set-for-big-inaugural/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> The station was notable for having several staffers that would go on to careers in the market and at later incarnations of the 1550 frequency, including Bob Day, Bill Edwards, Bill Agee, and Doug Pledger.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Foster |first=Bob |date=December 5, 1975 |title=Doug Pledger, Bob Day Buy S.M. Radio KOFY |page=32 |work=The Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59213075/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180025/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59213075/doug-pledger-bob-day-buy-sm-radio/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>

===KEAR===
[[File:2009-0722-MarkHopkinsHotel.jpg|left|250px|thumb|The [[Mark Hopkins Hotel]] was KEAR's first studio base in San Francisco proper]]
After owning the radio station for four years, Amphlett sold KSMO in 1951 to Bay Radio, Inc., owned by Stephen A. Cisler; advertising had evidently been poor on the station.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Abbe |first=James |date=September 2, 1951 |title=World Figures on KNBC Today |page=20-A |work=Oakland Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59193760/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180001/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59193760/world-figures-on-knbc-today/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> On January 1, 1952,{{r|hc}} KSMO became KEAR, representing the human ear;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Abbe |first=James |date=January 1, 1952 |title=KSMO Re-Baptised KEAR; Offers BBC Music Program |page=34 |work=Oakland Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59193886/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180030/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59193886/ksmo-re-baptised-kear-offers-bbc-music/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> Cisler also owned FM station [[KLLC|KXKX (97.3 FM)]], licensed to San Francisco, which would become a simulcast of KEAR.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 28, 1952 |title=TV Application Filed For Channel 28 Here |page=2 |work=The Californian |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59193922/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326175958/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59193922/tv-application-filed-for-channel-28-here/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}} (mislabels KXKX as KXXX)</ref>

In 1953, Cisler made radio history when he went on the air to offer listeners a total of 1,000 shares of stock in the station at $50 a share, noting that the station's classical format was unprofitable.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Newton |first=Dwight |date=June 6, 1953 |title=Day and Night with Radio and Television |page=14 |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194056/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180004/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194056/day-and-night/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> Bigger changes were on the way; the FCC granted an application to increase power to a directional 10,000 watts that April.{{r|hc}} General manager George C. Atkinson, who had been hired away from [[WFME (AM)|WQXR]] in New York City, committed suicide in the final days of 1953 and was discovered days into the new year, evidently having worked long hours to try and get the station to turn a profit.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 4, 1954 |title=Manager of Station KEAR Kills Himself |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194183/ 3] |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194109/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313010209/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194109/manager-of-station-kear-kills-himself/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021}}</ref> In May 1954, the station activated its upgraded facility and built its first San Francisco studios at the [[Mark Hopkins Hotel]].<ref name="foster1">{{Cite news |last=Foster |first=Bob |date=May 4, 1954 |title=TV-Radio |page=15 |work=The Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194217/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313010157/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194217/tv-radio/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021}}</ref> As Cisler had warned, a broadening of the station's format followed that August;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Foster |first=Bob |date=July 31, 1954 |title=Ella Raines Finds Gold Mine in TV |pages=2A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194276/ 4A] |work=The Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194296/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313010209/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194296/ella-raines-finds-gold-mine-in-tv/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021}}</ref> the station that "brought classical music to the Bay Area" had changed its sound for the first time.{{r|foster1}}

The good music came to a halt on October 5 when members of [[AFTRA]] and [[NABET]] went on strike in search of higher wages, setting up picket lines at the San Francisco and San Mateo studios and the transmitter at [[Belmont, California|Belmont]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 5, 1954 |title=KEAR Off Air As Employe Groups Strike |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194394/ 17] |work=The Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194346/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313010236/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194346/kear-off-air-as-employe-groups-strike/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021}}</ref> The station returned to the air after nearly five hours of silence, but the pickets continued,<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 6, 1954 |title=Struck KEAR Back on Air |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194455/ 2] |work=The Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194410/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313010157/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194410/struck-kear-back-on-air/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021}}</ref> and talks broke down two weeks later.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 21, 1954 |title=KEAR Strike Talks in Stalemate |page=4 |work=The Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194470/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313010158/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194470/kear-strike-talks-in-stalemate/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021}}</ref> Labor conciliators from the state failed to break the deadlock, prompting the station to sue in December.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 4, 1954 |title=KEAR Seeks Injunction in Radio Strike |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194539/ 2] |work=The Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194499/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313010234/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194499/kear-seeks-injunction-in-radio-strike/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021}}</ref> The strike was not resolved until early 1955.{{r|move}}

In February 1955, alongside the resolution of the strike, the FCC authorized KEAR to change its city of license from San Mateo to San Francisco, with the station making its Mark Hopkins Hotel facility its main studio.<ref name="move">{{Cite news |date=February 3, 1955 |title=KEAR Becomes S.F. Station |page=2 |work=San Mateo Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194653/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313010245/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194653/kear-becomes-sf-station/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021}}</ref> When a $9,100 tax lien filed by the [[Internal Revenue Service]] threatened to force changes,<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 18, 1955 |title=KEAR Faces Tax Lien for $9133 |page=6 |work=The Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194693/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313010202/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194693/kear-faces-tax-lien-for-9133/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021}}</ref> classical music supporters stepped up to raise $27,000 and keep the station in its classical format.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Foster |first=Bob |date=April 4, 1955 |title=Classical Music Fans Keep KEAR on the Air |page=15 |work=Press Democrat |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194712/ |access-date=September 12, 2020}}</ref> However, top names stayed away from the station due to its financial woes.{{r|memory}}

===A turbulent demise===
In 1956, Cisler announced plans to lease the AM frequency to [[Bartell Group|Bartell Broadcasters]], which would launch a pop format and rename the station KACE.{{r|demand}} Cisler would retain ownership of KXKX and change its call letters to KEAR.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Foster |first=Bob |date=May 4, 1956 |title=Video Tape To Give Local TV Big Boost |page=25 |work=The Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194840/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313010202/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194840/video-tape-to-give-local-tv-big-boost/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021}}</ref> Under the deal, Bartell would lease the station at $60,000 per year for five years, then buy it for $125,000 at the end of the contract.<ref name="memory">{{Cite news |last=Foster |first=Bob |date=May 8, 1956 |title=KEAR Will Be Just a Memory |page=23 |work=The Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194853/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313010242/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194853/kear-will-be-just-a-memory/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021}}</ref> However, even this arrangement was challenged by other stockholders in Bay Radio, who demanded an accounting of the station's operations under Cisler's management<ref name="demand">{{Cite news |date=May 16, 1954 |title=KEAR Stockholders Demand Accounting |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194940/ 2] |work=San Mateo Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194930/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313010202/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59194930/kear-stockholders-demand-accounting/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021}}</ref> and sought to take over operations themselves to retain the "good music" format; negotiations were even reopened with several potential suitors, including Calvin Smith, president of [[KWKW|KFAC]], the classical music station in Los Angeles.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 18, 1954 |title=New Control Fight For Station KEAR |page=9 |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195018/ |access-date=September 12, 2020}}</ref>

Further adding to KEAR's woes, the IRS filed a second tax lien on the station, this one in [[San Mateo County]], which would have allowed a federal seizure of the transmitter facility.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 23, 1956 |title=U. S. Seizure of Radio KEAR for Withholding Taxes Seen |page=13 |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195010/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313010244/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195010/u-s-seizure-of-radio-kear-for/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021}}</ref> The threat became reality on May 31, when IRS agents padlocked the site.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 1, 1956 |title=U. S. Tax Lien Padlocks Radio Station KEAR |page=11 |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195043/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180025/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195043/u-s-tax-lien-padlocks-radio-station/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> KXKX, which Cisler owned through a separate company, was not affected and continued airing its programming.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 1, 1956 |title=Treasury Says It May Sell KEAR |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195066/ 23] |work=The Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195094/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180022/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195094/treasury-says-it-may-sell-kear/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>

The federal government announced it would put the station up for auction on June 28. Meanwhile, another group owner with a deep profile in Top 40 radio, [[Todd Storz]], emerged as a potential buyer; however, potentially because of the dispute with stockholders that could have resulted,<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 16, 1956 |title=KEAR Buyer Faces War by Stockholders |page=1 |work=Oakland Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195192/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180026/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195192/kear-buyer-faces-war-by-stockholders/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> Cisler rebuffed his overture and stated his intention to put the station on the air again with the help of a "good friend".<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 17, 1956 |title=KEAR Sale Denied; Owner Tells Hope to Return to Air |page=52-A |work=Oakland Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195146/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180025/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195146/kear-sale-denied-owner-tells-hope-to/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> On June 19, ''The Times'' reported that a sale had been agreed to another Midwestern firm, Mid-Continent Broadcasting, headed by David Segal;<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 19, 1956 |title=KEAR Said Sold to Firm In Midwest |page=1 |work=The Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195208/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180024/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195208/kear-said-sold-to-firm-in-midwest/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> the report was confirmed the next day, with a lease to take immediate effect.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 21, 1956 |title=KEAR Leased To Radio Man From Denver |page=13 |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195252/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180008/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195252/kear-leased-by-radio-man-from-denver/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> KEAR returned to the air—for the time being, with its prior format—on June 26 after settling its debts.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 27, 1956 |title=KEAR Back On the Air |page=37 |work=Press Democrat |agency=United Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195274/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180030/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195274/kear-back-on-the-air/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>

The tax lien was finally lifted in mid-July, but the specter of more labor trouble moved in to take its place, as a stalemate threatened to develop with NABET.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 17, 1956 |title=Strike Faced By KEAR In Dispute |page=E-5 |work=Oakland Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195295/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180030/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195295/strike-faced-by-kear-in-dispute/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> The dispute finally resulted in a strike on September 24, almost eight months after the contract expired; while Cisler hoped to resume broadcasting later the same day,<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 24, 1956 |title=Radio Station KEAR Off Air In Strike, Resumes Tonight |page=1 |work=Napa Valley Register |agency=United Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195351/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180034/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195351/radio-station-kear-off-air-in-strike/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> he then opted to keep both stations shut down to prepare to the transfer to Segal.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 25, 1956 |title=KEAR To Remain Closed In Row |page=1 |work=Napa Valley Register |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195448/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180040/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195448/kear-to-remain-closed-in-row/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>

===KOBY and KQBY===
After the new call letters were assigned on September 19,{{r|hc}} Segal relaunched 1550 as [[Top 40]] outlet KOBY, using an all-new staff.<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 8, 1956 |title=Radio KOBY Replaces KEAR With Jazz and Pops Program |page=D-13 |work=Oakland Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195473/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180015/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195473/radio-koby-replaces-kear-with-jazz-and/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> The strike as it pertained to KOBY was resolved in December, with the entire technical staff joining NABET.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 17, 1956 |title=KOBY Strike Ends Tuesday |page=3 |work=The Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195494/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180034/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195494/koby-strike-ends-tuesday/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>

The new popular music station was the immediate ratings success that its predecessor was not.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Foster |first=Bob |date=December 4, 1956 |title=KOBY a Hit With Area Listeners |page=19 |work=The Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195538/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180010/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195538/koby-a-hit-with-area-listeners/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> At one point, it had an on-air personality who used the name Mike Bradley—after Michael Bradley Segal, the operator's son.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Newton |first=Dwight |date=February 9, 1959 |title=Music and Small Talk On Morning Radio |page=31 |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195566/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180038/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195566/music-and-small-talk-on-morning-radio/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> However, KOBY's success with the format attracted stronger competitors, particularly [[KSFB#History|KYA]], and the station soon lost listeners in an increasingly fragmented format.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Foster |first=Bob |date=March 30, 1959 |title=Bob Foster |page=10 |work=The Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195581/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180040/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195581/bob-foster/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>

Segal sold the station in 1960 to Sherwood Gordon, who also owned stations in San Diego and Phoenix, for $700,000.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 18, 1960 |title=KOBY Sold Here for $700,000 |page=6 |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195637/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180040/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195637/koby-sold-here-for-700000/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> Gordon announced his plans to install his so-called "Gordon Sound" in San Francisco and restore a good music format.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Newton |first=Dwight |date=August 4, 1960 |title=Bobby Boy Buys A Radio Station |page=11 |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195661/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180046/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195661/bobby-boy-buys-a-radio-station/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> The summer of 1960 also brought with it the launch of a simulcasting FM, briefly KOBY-FM before both stations became KQBY-AM-FM on September 12, coinciding with the launch of what Gordon called "IQ Radio", promising "intelligent programming and quality music".<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 8, 1960 |title=Starting Monday, Sept. 12... |page=16 |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195721/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313010336/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195721/starting-monday-sept-12-iq-radio-on/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021}}</ref> (When competing [[KNEW (AM)|KABL]] launched a similar promotion for its station, KQBY sued and won a $12,000 settlement.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nolan |first=Dick |date=November 18, 1960 |title=Radio Row |page=1 |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195754/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313010337/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195754/dick-nolan-the-city/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021}}</ref>)

KQBY became an affiliate of the [[Mutual Broadcasting System]] in February 1961 and also housed a news bureau, servicing the network's western affiliates after the Mutual newsroom in New York closed down at midnight Eastern Time.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Foster |first=Bob |date=February 9, 1961 |title=TV Screenings |page=21 |work=The Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59214018/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313010418/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59214018/tv-screenings/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021}}</ref>

===KKHI===
Facing financial difficulties, Gordon "reluctantly" sold the KQBY stations in July 1961 to Frank Atlass of Chicago.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 1, 1961 |title=S. F. Radio Station KQBY Sold |page=13 |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195831/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313010338/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195831/s-f-radio-station-kqby-sold/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021}}</ref> Two weeks later, in a short on-air address on the evening of July 16, he announced he was taking the stations silent until the closure of the sale, citing the losses he had made and stating that ratings-focused advertisers would ensure that a good music station would remain unviable in a city like San Francisco.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 17, 1961 |title=Good Music Station KQBY Goes Silent |page=17 |work=The Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195890/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313010344/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59195890/good-music-station-kqby-goes-silent/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021}}</ref> Months later, the [[United Press International]] wire service sued Gordon for $1,700 in unpaid fees and to collect the remaining $15,000 of a five-year contract.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nolan |first=Dick |date=October 31, 1961 |title=The City |page=29 |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59214448/ |access-date=September 13, 2020}}</ref>

The stations were silent between July 16 and October 30, emerging as KKHI-AM-FM{{r|hc}} with a [[Middle of the road (Music)|middle of the road]] format. The launch had been delayed two weeks<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 17, 1960 |title=Pickets Delay KKHI Opening |page=7 |work=Oakland Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59196111/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313010345/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59196111/pickets-delay-kkhi-opening/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021}}</ref> due to more trouble with NABET, which occurred when Atlass refused to hire 18 employees that Gordon had dismissed upon taking the station silent.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Foster |first=Bob |date=October 31, 1961 |title=New Radio Station Hits Air |page=13 |work=The Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59196016/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180025/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59196016/new-radio-station-hits-air/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>

KKHI, which called itself "the high point on the dial", failed to make an impact. Continued NABET woes—which were not solved until seven employees were reinstated in February<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 5, 1962 |title=Radio Station Dispute Settled |page=10-E |work=Oakland Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59196134/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180027/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59196134/radio-station-dispute-settled/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>—and low ratings led to Atlass offering several commercials for the price of one, which did little to attract interest.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Newton |first=Dwight |date=April 12, 1962 |title=Call House Blues |page=44 |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59196071/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180047/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59196071/call-house-blues/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> Later that year, after firing a dozen staffers due to low revenues,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nolan |first=Dick |date=September 17, 1962 |title=The City |page=29 |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59196197/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180033/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59196197/monday-melange/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> Atlass elected to run KKHI as an all-classical station.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Newton |first=Dwight |date=January 7, 1963 |title=Radio at Daybreak |page=33 |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59196210/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180053/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59196210/radio-at-daybreak/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> It also aired broadcasts of the [[San Francisco Symphony]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 11, 1963 |title=SF Symphony to Be on the Air |page=9 |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59196159/sf-symphony-to-be-on-the-air/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180027/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59196159/sf-symphony-to-be-on-the-air/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>

The [[Buckley Broadcasting|Buckley-Jaeger Broadcasting Company]] purchased the KKHI stations for $750,000 in September 1963, stating their intention to retain the format;<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 2, 1963 |title=FCC gives approval to Fine station buys |id={{ProQuest|1014474649}} |page=9 |work=Broadcasting |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1963/1963-09-02-BC.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308050246/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1963/1963-09-02-BC.pdf |archive-date=March 8, 2021}}</ref> the FCC approved the transaction in March 1964.{{r|hc}} The station was competing in a crowded marketplace of classical music stations alongside commercial [[KITS|KBRG (105.3 FM)]] and [[KRBQ|KDFC (102.1 FM)]], distinguishing itself by being an AM-FM simulcast.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 14, 1964 |title=Big markets offer something for all|id={{ProQuest|1014494408}} |page=62 |work=Broadcasting |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1964/1964-12-14-BC.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606051746/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1964/1964-12-14-BC.pdf |archive-date=June 6, 2020}}</ref>

That would come under threat with the advent of the [[FM Non-Duplication Rule]], which took effect in 1965 and limited simulcasting by FM stations of co-owned AM outlets to 50 percent of the broadcast day in cities over 100,000. Buckley sought a waiver for the KKHI stations and its WDRC [[WDRC (AM)|AM]] and [[WDRC-FM|FM]] pairing in [[Hartford, Connecticut]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 15, 1965 |title=CBS wants its FM's to duplicate AM's |id={{ProQuest|962707928}} |page=70 |work=Broadcasting |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1965/1965-02-15-BC.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606051737/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1965/1965-02-15-BC.pdf |archive-date=June 6, 2020}}</ref> In the case of the San Francisco operation, Buckley alleged that splitting the two frequencies would require a one-time $23,000 expenditure on infrastructure and cost $67,000 a year.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 21, 1965|id={{ProQuest|1014508065}} |title=High costs of separate programing detailed |page=42 |work=Broadcasting |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1965/1965-06-21-BC.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024205013/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1965/1965-06-21-BC.pdf |archive-date=October 24, 2020}}</ref> The stations vigorously fought the new regulation; the FCC ordered them to come into compliance effective August 1, 1967, which was met with a lawsuit in federal appeals court.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 7, 1967 |title=For the Record |id={{ProQuest|1014505210}}|page=80 |work=Broadcasting |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1967/1967-08-07-BC.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308034348/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1967/1967-08-07-BC.pdf |archive-date=March 8, 2021}}</ref> The rule was upheld in an opinion written by future [[Chief Justice of the United States|Chief Justice]] [[Warren E. Burger]];<ref>{{cite court|litigants=Buckley-Jaeger Corporation of California v. Federal Communications Commission|vol=397|reporter=[[Federal Reporter|F.2d]]|opinion=651|court=[[United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit|D.C. Cir.]]|date=1968|url=https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/397/651/360313/|access-date=June 23, 2019}}</ref> the stations would eventually get a waiver in 1972,{{r|hc}} as some other classical operations received similar authorization.<ref>{{Cite news |date=August 14, 1972 |title=Another FCC waiver for classical combine|id={{ProQuest|1016875815}} |page=47 |work=Broadcasting |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1972/1972-08-14-BC.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920134129/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1972/1972-08-14-BC.pdf |archive-date=September 20, 2020}}</ref>

Broadcasts of the [[San Francisco Opera]], hosted by [[Scott Beach]], were added in 1971.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 4, 1971 |title=Live Opera Broadcasts Set |page=5D |work=Napa Valley Register |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59216800/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180040/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59216800/live-opera-broadcasts-set/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> In 1973, KKHI made radio history when the stations carried a live concert from [[Paris]], heard in stereo on the FM frequency—the first satellite transmission of a stereo radio program;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Foster |first=Bob |date=May 23, 1973 |title=Screenings |page=35 |work=The Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59216587/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180046/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59216587/screenings/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> that same year, the FM broadcast the Symphony in [[Stereo Quadraphonic]] sound.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dunn |first=Bernice |date=March 17, 1973 |title="Opera Concertante" at Mondavi's |page=7D |work=Napa Valley Register |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59243547/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180042/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59243547/opera-concertante-at-mondavis/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> The stations received a short-term license renewal in 1975 after protests made over lacking [[equal employment opportunity]] practices.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 22, 1975 |title=Several tripped by EEO practices|id={{ProQuest|1016880484}} |pages=27–28 |work=Broadcasting |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1975/1975-12-22-BC.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308024224/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1975/1975-12-22-BC.pdf |archive-date=March 8, 2021}}</ref> By 1988, KKHI was one of two classical music outlets in San Francisco, competing against KDFC for listeners. One air personality, Keith Lockhart, had been at the station for 24 of its first 25 years under Buckley; further, the station secured the music director from [[KQED-FM]] when that station dropped its classical programming.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fong-Torres |first=Ben |date=July 10, 1988 |title=The Classic Battle: KKHI, KDFC fight for the Bach crowd |pages=Datebook 55, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59217616/ 58] |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59217530/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180028/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59217530/the-classic-battle-kkhi-kdfc-fight/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>

===KPIX===
[[File:San Francisco (2018) - 053.jpg|thumb|right|250px|1550 AM broadcast from Grey Rock, which also houses the studios of formerly co-owned KPIX-TV, for much of the period from 1994 to 2022]]
In November 1993, Buckley announced the sale of KKHI-AM-FM to [[Westinghouse Broadcasting|Group W]], the owners of [[KPIX-TV]], for $14.2 million, setting off immediate speculation about a format change.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 18, 1993 |title=KKHI sold for $14.2 million |page=C-13 |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59217897/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180030/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59217897/kkhi-sold-for-142-million/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> Loyal KKHI listeners decried the sale;<ref>{{Cite news |last=Salter |first=Stephanie |date=March 6, 1994 |title=So long KKHI, 'classical music station with soul' |page=A-17 |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59218666/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180030/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59218666/so-long-kkhi-classical-music-station/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref> later in the year, [[Saul Levine]] bought the silent KTID in [[San Rafael, California|San Rafael]], obtained the KKHI call letters from Group W, and relaunched KKHI on [[KSFN|1510 AM]] and [[KVVZ|100.9 FM]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 15, 1994 |title=Classical KKHI is born again |page=B-5 |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59218832/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326180032/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59218832/classical-kkhi-is-born-again/ |archive-date=March 26, 2021}}</ref>

In July 1994, KKHI-AM-FM became KPIX-AM-FM, a news station during the week but airing jazz music on the weekend. It debuted to low listenership. However, a news event would soon emerge to give KPIX an identity and prompt the region to take notice of the new outlet. The station simulcast the entire [[O. J. Simpson murder case]], vaulting it into the top 10 among Bay Area radio stations and drawing listeners from established [[KGO (AM)|KGO]].<ref name="simpson">{{Cite news |last=Mann |first=Bill |date=October 7, 1995 |title=Simpson trial catapulted KPIX radio |page=A-6 |work=San Francisco Examiner |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59219147/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313010820/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59219147/simpson-trial-catapulted-kpix-radio/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021}}</ref> At Grey Rock, the KPIX studios at 855 Battery Street, a new combined newsroom was built to integrate the television and radio news teams.{{r|simpson}} After the trial, the stations shifted to talk with a "very FM sound",<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bloomquist |first=Randall |date=September 20, 1995 |title=Stations Adjusting To Life After O. J. |id={{ProQuest|1017275987}}|page=23 |work=Radio & Records |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1995/RR-1995-10-20.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309130032/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1995/RR-1995-10-20.pdf |archive-date=March 9, 2021}}</ref> which one executive termed "NPR on caffeine".{{r|simpson}}

In 1995, Group W merged with [[CBS]]. While the combined holdings of the two companies in San Francisco did not require the divestiture of any radio properties in the market, it did bring KPIX under common ownership with another of its all-news competitors: [[KCBS (AM)|KCBS]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bloomquist |first=Randall |date=August 4, 1995 |title=Radio's 'Amazing' $3 Billion Week!: Radio said the hidden jewel in Westinghouse deal|id= |pages=1, 21 |work=Radio & Records |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1995/RR-1995-08-04.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209185311/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1995/RR-1995-08-04.pdf |archive-date=February 9, 2021}}</ref> Two years later, CBS traded away KPIX-FM and [[KLOU]] in [[St. Louis]] to [[Entercom]] to receive [[KITS]]; Entercom then immediately sold the FM station to [[Bonneville International|Bonneville]] for $39.6 million, splitting the AM and FM outlets after 37 years.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 14, 1997 |title=CBS, Entercom, Bonneville Do Three-Way SF/St. Louis Deal|id={{ProQuest|1017290466}} |pages=1, 26 |work=Radio & Records |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1997/RR-1997-03-14.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309114656/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1997/RR-1997-03-14.pdf |archive-date=March 9, 2021}}</ref>

===KYCY===
On May 30, 1997, after KPIX-FM was sold to Bonneville (and flipped to [[Top 40]]/[[Contemporary hit radio|CHR]]), KPIX dropped the news programming and began simulcasting new sister station [[KRZZ|KYCY]] and its then-[[country music]] format, as well as adopting the KYCY call sign; the AM continued to opt out to air ''[[Imus in the Morning]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Feuerstein |first=Adam |date=May 25, 1997 |title=CBS Radio decides no news is good news, closes KPIX |work=San Francisco Business Times |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/1997/05/26/story5.html/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202003004/http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/stories/1997/05/26/story5.html/ |archive-date=February 2, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 23, 1997 |title=Street Talk |page=32 |id={{ProQuest|1017298621}} |work=Radio & Records |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1997/RR-1997-05-23.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=October 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309120032/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1997/RR-1997-05-23.pdf |archive-date=March 9, 2021}}</ref>

The two stations continued to simulcast until September 13, 1999, when the AM station switched to a [[talk radio|talk]] format as "Yada Yada Radio 1550", consisting of [[radio syndication|syndicated]] shows from hosts [[Don Imus]], [[G. Gordon Liddy]], [[Tom Leykis]], [[Jim Bohannon]], [[Opie & Anthony]], Larry King, Bruce Williams, and "America in the Morning".<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 17, 1999 |title=Street Talk |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1999/RR-1999-09-17.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309115027/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1999/RR-1999-09-17.pdf |archive-date=March 9, 2021 |access-date=October 26, 2019 |website=Radio & Records |page=34}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 24, 1999 |title=KYCY-AM/San Fran: "Yada Yada Radio" |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1999/RR-1999-09-24.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309124213/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1999/RR-1999-09-24.pdf |archive-date=March 9, 2021 |access-date=October 26, 2019 |website=Radio & Records |pages=3, 29}}</ref> The talk format performed poorly in the ratings;{{r|mcbride}} in the first quarter of 2005, the station failed to show in the market altogether.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Evangelista |first1=Benny |date=April 28, 2005 |title=KYCY-AM first station to convert to all-podcast format|language=en-US |work=San Francisco Chronicle |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/KYCY-AM-first-station-to-convert-to-all-podcast-2677049.php |access-date=January 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050514014247/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2005/04/28/BUGETCGGLH1.DTL&type=business|archive-date=May 14, 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==="KYOU Radio"===
{{Quote box
|quote=There's really no risk, 'cause we're taking an AM radio station that basically had no ratings and very little revenue and was not profitable. You know, we said, 'Let's give it a shot.'
| author = Joel Hollander
| source = CEO of Infinity Broadcasting, on the KYOU Radio experiment<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jardin |first=Xeni |date=May 13, 2005 |title=S.F. Radio Station to 'Podcast' Programming |work=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4651113 |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219093813/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4651113 |archive-date=February 19, 2011}}</ref>
| align = left
| width = 250px
| quoted = yes
| salign = left
}}
On May 16, 2005, KYCY adopted a unique format that had never been tried on terrestrial radio before: an all-[[podcast]] format, branded as "KYOU Radio". (The call letters remained KYCY.) It was the first station to devote its entire broadcast day to user-generated [[podcast]]s; the station would not pay contributors.<ref name="mcbride">{{Cite news |last=McBride |first=Sarah |date=April 28, 2005 |title=An Infinity Station Tries New Format – Wall-to-Wall Podcasts |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB111465060635319067 |url-status=dead |access-date=January 8, 2022|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220108202322/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB111465060635319067 |archive-date=January 8, 2022}}</ref> Each user-submitted podcast was screened by the legal department to ensure it met FCC guidelines before approval. Around 20% of the content was speech-based, with the rest based on music.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Careless |first=James |date=December 6, 2005 |title=PODCASTING SPECIAL REPORT: Infinity's Podcasting Laboratory |work=Radio World |url=https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/podcasting-special-report-infinity39s-podcasting-laboratory |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921031718/https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/podcasting-special-report-infinity39s-podcasting-laboratory |archive-date=September 21, 2020}}</ref> The station was described as a "gamble" by Joel Hollander, president of [[Infinity Broadcasting Corporation]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Jardin |first=Xeni |date=April 27, 2005 |title=Podcasting Killed the Radio Star |magazine=Wired |url=https://www.wired.com/2005/04/podcasting-killed-the-radio-star/ |url-status=dead |access-date=December 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051228210042/http://www.wired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,67344,00.html |archive-date=December 28, 2005 |issn=1059-1028}}</ref>

Additional programming also began to appear beside the podcasts. In 2006, the [[Oakland Athletics]] baseball team—displaced from [[KEAR (AM)|KFRC (610 AM)]] by its sale to [[Family Radio]]—signed a three-year deal for KYCY and [[KDOW|KNTS (1220 AM)]] in Oakland to be the primary carriers of its radio broadcasts; it was already airing [[California Golden Bears men's basketball]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Okanes |first=Jonathan |date=February 7, 2006 |title=A's set new radio lineup for the upcoming season |url=http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/sports/baseball/mlb/oakland_athletics/13810494.htm|work=Contra Costa Times|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060209040715/http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/sports/baseball/mlb/oakland_athletics/13810494.htm|archivedate=February 9, 2006|url-status=dead|accessdate=January 1, 2022}}</ref> KNTS was dropped after one season and replaced by KYCY sister station [[KFRC-FM|KIFR (106.9 FM)]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kava |first=Brad |date=October 31, 2006 |title=Oakland A's baseball to be broadcast on 106.9 FM |url=https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2006/10/31/oakland-as-baseball-to-be-broadcast-on-106-9-fm/|work=Oakland Tribune|accessdate=January 1, 2022}}</ref>

On May 17, 2007, CBS flipped sister station KIFR from the "[[Free FM]]" [[hot talk]] format to oldies with call sign [[KFRC-FM]]. One month later, three of KIFR's former programs debuted on KYCY, in part to fulfill contractual obligations for hosts like [[Adam Carolla]] to be cleared in the San Francisco market. The station was increasingly a collection of disparate programs: an attempted financial talk format, the A's, and audio simulcasts of KPIX-TV's morning news, with the podcasts continuing to air on weekends.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fong-Torres |first=Ben |date=January 27, 2008 |title=Radio waves|work=San Francisco Chronicle |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/entertainment/article/RADIO-WAVES-3230600.php |access-date=January 1, 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080312125939/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/01/27/PK71UGDMI.DTL&feed=rss.entertainment|archivedate=March 12, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> It would be nearly 14 years after KYOU Radio's launch before another radio station adopted an all-podcast format: [[WSAN]] in [[Allentown, Pennsylvania]], which began airing podcasts affiliated with its owner [[iHeartMedia]] in March 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Venta |first=Lance |date=March 13, 2019 |title=iHeart Launches All Podcast Format In Lehigh Valley |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/175155/iheart-launches-all-podcast-format-in-lehigh-valley/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817171810/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/175155/iheart-launches-all-podcast-format-in-lehigh-valley/ |archive-date=August 17, 2020}}</ref>

===Oldies, South Asian "Zindagi", and sports formats===
[[File:KZDG1550.png|thumb|left|Previous logo as "Radio Zindagi" from 2011 to 2018.]]
CBS Radio flipped KYCY from this mixed spoken-word format to [[oldies]] on New Year's Day 2009; additionally, CBS Radio filed to change KYCY's call sign to KFRC (previously used on 610 AM and owned by CBS since 1997).<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=December 24, 2008 |title=CBS Radio/San Francisco Brings KFRC Back, In Oldies Form |work=[[Radio Ink]] |url=http://www.radioink.com/HeadlineEntry.asp?hid=144446&pt=todaysnews |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081228162550/http://www.radioink.com/HeadlineEntry.asp?hid=144446&pt=todaysnews |archive-date=December 28, 2008}}</ref> The move occurred following the October 27, 2008 conversion of [[KFRC-FM]] from oldies to a simulcast of [[KCBS (AM)|KCBS]], while the format had continued online and on KFRC-FM's second [[HD Radio|HD]] [[Digital subchannel|subchannel]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hamlin |first=Jesse |date=October 21, 2008 |title=KFRC-FM drops rock for all-news format |page=E-2 |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/10/21/DDLB13L3PG.DTL |access-date=September 13, 2020}}</ref> Unlike KFRC-FM's locally-based iteration of the format, this KFRC was largely programmed via satellite through [[Cumulus Media Networks|Citadel Media]]'s "[[The True Oldies Channel]]", hosted by [[Scott Shannon]].<ref name=":1" /> Meanwhile, the A's moved their radio rights to [[KTRB]], an AM station that had moved to San Francisco from the [[San Joaquin Valley]] just two years earlier, for the 2009 season.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 6, 2009 |title=A's Move To KTRB |work=All Access |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/50909/a-s-move-to-ktrb |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313010751/https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/50909/a-s-move-to-ktrb |archive-date=March 13, 2021}}</ref>

KFRC's oldies format ended on September 1, 2011, when the station was taken over by Cinemaya Media under a time-brokerage agreement; the classic hits programming remained online and on KFRC-HD2. Utilizing new KZDG calls, the station adopted a South Asian radio format, focused on [[Bollywood]] and Indian American affairs, branded as [[Radio Zindagi]].<ref name="ri-kfrctokzdg">{{Cite news |date=September 1, 2011 |title=CBS-owned 1550 AM in San Francisco switches to South Asian "Radio Zindagi" |work=Radio-Info.com |url=http://www.radio-info.com/news/cbs-owned-1550-am-in-san-francisco-switches-to-south-asian-radio-zindagi |url-status=dead |access-date=September 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030173748/http://www.radio-info.com/news/cbs-owned-1550-am-in-san-francisco-switches-to-south-asian-radio-zindagi |archive-date=October 30, 2011}}</ref> By 2016, Radio Zindagi was airing on stations in the New York City and Washington, D.C., markets.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Venta |first=Lance |date=February 10, 2016 |title=WWRL New York Sold/Flips to Indian Programming |work=RadioInsight |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/96511/wwrl-flips-to-radio-zindagi/ |access-date=March 26, 2021 |archive-date=August 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200826065553/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/96511/wwrl-flips-to-radio-zindagi/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On February 2, 2017, CBS Radio announced it would merge with [[Entercom]];<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 2, 2017 |title=CBS Radio To Merge With Entercom |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/116299/cbs-radio-to-merge-with-entercom/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826120259/http://radioinsight.com/headlines/116299/cbs-radio-to-merge-with-entercom/ |archive-date=August 26, 2017 |access-date=November 4, 2017}}</ref> the merger was approved on November 9, 2017, and was consummated on the 17th.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 9, 2017 |title=Entercom Receives FCC Approval for Merger with CBS Radio |url=http://entercom.com/press/entercom-receives-fcc-approval-merger-cbs-radio/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030954/http://entercom.com/press/entercom-receives-fcc-approval-merger-cbs-radio/ |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |access-date=November 17, 2017 |website=Entercom}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Venta |first=Lance |date=November 17, 2017 |title=Entercom Completes CBS Radio Merger |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/121072/entercom-completes-cbs-radio-merger/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118222152/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/121072/entercom-completes-cbs-radio-merger/ |archive-date=November 18, 2017 |access-date=November 17, 2017 |website=RadioInsight}}</ref> Despite the merger, Cinemaya continued to operate the station via its time brokerage agreement.{{r|addsam}}[[Image:KGMZ 1550 the Game logo.png|200px|thumb|right|Logo as "1550 The Game"]]
The time-brokerage agreement ended on May 1, 2018, with Radio Zindagi programming having been moved to [[KLOK (AM)|KLOK]] in San Jose (with a simulcast on KITS-HD3); consequently, KZDG became a semi-satellite of 95.7 FM, which had become [[sports radio]] station [[KGMZ-FM]], under new KGMZ call letters.<ref name="addsam">{{Cite news |last=Venta |first=Lance |date=May 1, 2018 |title=Radio Zindagi Moves As 95.7 The Game San Francisco Adds AM Simulcast |language=en-US |work=RadioInsight.com |publisher=RadioInsight |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/168165/radio-zindagi-moves-as-95-7-the-game-san-francisco-adds-am-simulcast/ |url-status=dead |access-date=May 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502140314/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/168165/radio-zindagi-moves-as-95-7-the-game-san-francisco-adds-am-simulcast/ |archive-date=May 2, 2018 |via=RadioBB}}</ref> The two had been reunited by the CBS-Entercom merger, as Entercom had acquired Bonneville's San Francisco cluster in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Virgin |first=Bill |date=January 19, 2007 |title=Entercom trades radio stations |url=https://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Entercom-trades-radio-stations-1225809.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929182403/https://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Entercom-trades-radio-stations-1225809.php |archive-date=September 29, 2020 |access-date=September 13, 2020 |website=seattlepi.com}}</ref> While simulcasting KGMZ-FM's programming, KGMZ acted as an overflow outlet for Oakland Athletics play-by-play—whose games had aired on the station since the [[2011 Oakland Athletics season|2011 Athletics season]]—in the event of schedule conflicts with [[Golden State Warriors]] broadcasts, the latter of which KGMZ-FM had acquired in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Venta |first=Lance |date=August 25, 2016 |title=Golden State Warriors Move To KGMZ |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/107884/golden-state-warriors-move-to-kgmz/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313010806/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/107884/golden-state-warriors-move-to-kgmz/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021 |access-date=September 13, 2020 |website=RadioInsight.com |publisher=RadioInsight |language=en-US |via=RadioBB}}</ref> This distinction for KGMZ effectively ended following the conclusion of the [[2018 Oakland Athletics season|2018 Athletics season]], when the Athletics voided their contract with Entercom on acrimonious terms and subsequently returned to KTRB via a time-brokered arrangement.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Venta |first=Lance |date=February 15, 2019 |title=Oakland A's Find Their Broadcast Answer For 2019 |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/174553/oakland-as-find-their-broadcast-answer-for-2019/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313010757/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/174553/oakland-as-find-their-broadcast-answer-for-2019/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021 |access-date=September 13, 2020 |website=RadioInsight.com |publisher=RadioInsight |language=en-US |via=RadioBB}}</ref>

===Channel Q and return to "Zindagi"===
{{See also|Channel Q}}
KGMZ ended the simulcast with KGMZ-FM on June 3, 2019, when it picked up programming from [[Channel Q]], an LGBTQ talk/dance format established by Entercom in August 2018 for use primarily on [[HD Radio]] [[digital subchannels]] and Entercom's [[Radio.com]] platform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Venta |first=Lance |date=August 31, 2018 |title=Entercom Begins Renewed HD2 Push In Los Angeles |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/170280/entercom-begins-renewed-hd2-push-in-los-angeles/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313010807/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/170280/entercom-begins-renewed-hd2-push-in-los-angeles/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021 |access-date=September 13, 2020 |website=RadioInsight.com |publisher=RadioInsight |language=en-US |via=RadioBB}}</ref> With the switch, KGMZ became the only [[Owned-and-operated station|owned-and-operated]] network relay for Channel Q on the AM band and was one of two stations that carried the network on their primary signal, the other being [[KMEE|KQPS]] in [[Palm Desert, California|Palm Desert]] ([[KNDD|KNDD-HD2]] in [[Seattle]] is also relayed over a low-power FM [[Broadcast relay station|translator]]).<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Venta |first=Lance |date=June 3, 2019 |title=Channel Q Expands to Five New Markets and AM in San Francisco |work=RadioInsight |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/177406/channel-q-expands-to-five-new-markets-and-am-in-san-francisco/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313010754/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/177406/channel-q-expands-to-five-new-markets-and-am-in-san-francisco/ |archive-date=March 13, 2021}}</ref> This change also supplanted the second HD subchannel of [[KLLC]] as the San Francisco outlet for Channel Q, which consequently acted as a KGMZ simulcast.<ref name=":0" />

This carriage of Channel Q ended by January 2022, when KGMZ reverted to "Radio Zindagi" under a [[Local marketing agreement|time brokerage agreement]]; Audacy (the rebranded Entercom) sold the station on January 16 to Radio Zindagi operator Factorial Broadcasting, LLC, for $495,000.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Venta|first=Lance|date=January 16, 2022|title=Audacy Sells San Francisco AM|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/218564/audacy-sells-san-francisco-am/|access-date=January 16, 2022|website=RadioInsight.com|language=en-US|via=RadioBB}}</ref> The asset purchase agreement specified that the call sign of the station was to be changed;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/views/public/assignmentDraftCopy?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff37dda7617017e20aa97fb746d&id=25076ff37dda7617017e20aa97fb746d&goBack=N|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|title= Assignments (LMS 180562)|access-date=January 16, 2022|date=January 14, 2022}}</ref> on January 25, the KZDG call sign returned.<ref name="fcc-callsigns">{{cite web |title=Call Sign History (KZDG) |url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=25458&Callsign=KZDG |website=CDBS Public Access |publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |access-date=January 30, 2022}}</ref> The sale was consummated on May 9.

==Transmitter site==
[[File:AM Radio 1550 kHz Belmont California USA Transmitter Antennas King Tide 2015NOV26.jpg|thumb|right|KZDG transmitter site and antennas near U.S. 101 in Belmont]]
The AM 1550&nbsp;kHz transmitter site is in the Belmont Wetlands area adjacent to [[U.S. Route 101]].<ref name="BayAreaRadio">{{Cite web |last=Fred Krock |date=November 27, 2015 |title=John Schneider's Voices Out of the Fog |url=http://bayarearadio.org/schneider/ksmo.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222853/http://bayarearadio.org/schneider/ksmo.shtml |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=November 27, 2015 |publisher=California Historical Radio Society – Bay Area Radio Museum}}</ref> The power level is 10&nbsp;kW, and the antenna system is a three-tower [[Antenna array (electromagnetic)|directional array]] with a tower height of 46.9 meters located at coordinates {{coord|37.533093|-122.275347}}.<ref name="FCC1" /><ref name="BayAreaRadio" /> The antenna system uses an open-wire five-wire coaxial feedline system, one of the last stations in the United States to use such an arrangement.<ref name="FCC1">{{Cite web |last=Federal Communications Commission |date=November 27, 2015 |title=FCC AM Station License Listing |url=https://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/amq?list=0&facid=25458 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}</ref> The three red tower lights were a common nighttime landmark since 1947 along Route 101, but the tower lights are no longer illuminated after the station filed a minor coordinate correction of the tower system in 2013, which allowed it to avoid regulatory lighting requirements otherwise required due to the nearby San Carlos Airport.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 18, 2013 |title=Application for Construction Permit for Commercial Broadcast Station (BP-20130918AEJ) |url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1574595&Service=AM&Form_id=301&Facility_id=25458 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627192122/http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1574595&Service=AM&Form_id=301&Facility_id=25458 |archive-date=June 27, 2020 |access-date=December 23, 2020 |website=United States [[Federal Communications Commission]], audio division}}</ref>

The transmitter site is surrounded by O'Neill Slough, which is part of the San Francisco Bay [[Estuary|tidal estuary]] in a [[Spartina foliosa|spartina cordgrass]] area and [[Ridgway's rail|clapper rail]] habitat.<ref name="Spartina">{{Cite web |last=State Coastal Conservancy |date=June 5, 2008 |title=Invasive Spartina Control Plans for the San Francisco Estuary |url=http://www.spartina.org/project_documents/2008-2010_site_plans.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304124734/http://www.spartina.org/project_documents/2008-2010_site_plans.pdf |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=November 27, 2015 |publisher=San Francisco Estuary Invasive Spartina Project }}</ref> The site has a history of flooding during storms, and in recent years, it is annually flooded during extreme high tide known as the [[king tide]], whenever the level of the San Francisco Bay reaches approximately {{convert|9|ft|m}} above [[Chart datum|mean lower low water]] datum at the Redwood City tide station.<ref name="BayAreaRadio" /><ref name="RedwoodCityTideStation">{{Cite web |last=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |date=November 27, 2015 |title=Redwood City Tide Station |url=https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/stationhome.html?id=9414523 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208055520/https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/stationhome.html?id=9414523 |archive-date=December 8, 2015 |access-date=November 27, 2015 |publisher=US Government}}</ref>

{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{AM station data|25458|KZDG}}
*[https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/fd37a8d9-5b07-a81f-0a7c-7160b224bd59 FCC History Cards for KZDG]
*[https://bayarearadio.org/sf-radio-history/ksmo KSMO and Successor Stations on 1550 kHz in San Francisco]

{{San Francisco Radio}}

[[Category:Radio stations in the San Francisco Bay Area|ZDG]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1947]]
[[Category:1947 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Audacy, Inc. radio stations]]
[[Category:Indian-American culture in California]]