KXOA

KXOA was a Sacramento, California, United States, radio station that existed on both AM and FM (in various incarnations) between 1945 and 2004. It was mainly a Top 40 station for most of its AM existence and programmed a very successful "light rock" format that lasted nearly two decades, but also experimented with other formats on both AM and FM.

KXOA began broadcasting in 1945. Originally, the station was located on the 1490 kHz frequency on the AM dial, but moved to 1470  a few years after its debut. The original programming can be described as traditional MOR/block programming.

In the early 1950s there was also KXOB (1280 kHz, Stockton) and KXOC (1060 kHz, Chico) which, along with KXOA, were affiliates of the Mutual Don Lee (MBS) radio network. It is likely these stations had common ownership. Later, KXOB became KJOY, and KXOC became KPAY. (Cf. various editions, White's Radio Log)

In the late 1950s, KXOA changed to a Top 40 format. The station battled KGMS (1380) and Stockton-based KGDM (1140) for success in reaching the teen audience. KXOA would beat both of these stations for ratings success. The aforementioned stations would change to MOR and Country (as KRAK), respectively, in the early 1960s. However, KXOA’s major battle took place when KROY (1240) changed to Top 40 in February 1960.

In the early 1960s, KROY easily beat KXOA in the ratings. By 1965, KXOA began to beat KROY in the ratings, by hiring some of its key talent. The station also featured a one-hour Progressive rock show nightly known as the Gear Hour, where the latest British music was featured. The show also included album cuts from established American artists. Notable members of KXOA's Top 40 air staff included

In 1968, KROY altered its Top-40 format to be more fast-paced and slick, as it installed a “Bill Drake”-styled approach with the nickname “Music Power”. KROY also hired some of KXOA’s key air talent. KROY’s format adjustment had a drastic ratings effect on KXOA. By late May 1970, KXOA shifted its format from Top 40 to Adult Contemporary mixed with oldies.

It was about that time that KXOA was forced to move both its studios and transmitters from 1470 Leisure Lane to make way for an expanded Interstate 80 freeway and interchange that were eventually never built. Both the AM and FM station moved a mile to the west to Commerce Circle while the transmitters were moved a mile to the south into the American River floodplain. The AM station continued to broadcast 5,000 daytime watts with 1,000 nighttime directional watts. The FM transmitter was broadcasting at 100,000 watts. Listeners found the relocated AM signal weaker, especially at night.

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