KTBL


KTBL is a commercial AM radio station licensed to the village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, New Mexico, and serves the Albuquerque metropolitan area. It is owned by Cumulus Media and its studios are located in Downtown Albuquerque and the transmitter tower is located in South Valley, New Mexico. KTBL operates with 1,000 watts. The call letters stand for the station's former slogan, "Talk, Business, Life." The station airs an active rock format branded as "94.5 The Pit" with the use of FM translator K233CG broadcasting at 250 watts off of Sandia Crest.

History

This station signed on in 1989 as KMBA with a business talk format. In 1993, it became KJBO with an oldies music format owned by Bobby Box called "Juke Box Oldies". In 1995, it was sold to the owners of classical music station KHFM and became KHFN with a news and information format. In March 1996, both KHFM and KHFN were sold to Citadel Broadcasting for $5.75 million. In October of that year, the call letters on 1050 were switched to KNML, and the station moved to a sports radio format branded as "The Sports Animal", which was moved from KRZY 1450 after Citadel had divested the station to a Spanish language broadcaster. In 2000, Citadel had acquired the stronger 610 AM signal for $5.4 million while swapping 920 AM to Life Talk Broadcasting, and in April, had moved KNML to that signal. 1050 picked up the KHTL call sign from 920 AM. KHTL previously aired a "hot talk" format on 920, but on 1050, it aired a business talk format. In February 2001, 1050 had picked up the call sign KTBL from 103.3 FM. KTBL had previously been a traditional country music format branded as "K-Bull". On 1050, it had aired a classic country music format with the "K-Bull" brand after 103.3 changed to an adult alternative format at that time.

Talk Business Life

In Spring 2002, KTBL changed to a syndicated talk radio format. Citadel had merged with Cumulus Media on September 16, 2011. The talk format was mainly from a conservative viewpoint. KTBL principally aired nationally syndicated shows from Westwood One, a subsidiary of parent company Cumulus Media. KTBL also aired national news updates from Westwood One News throughout the day. Shows featured over the years included Don Imus, Glenn Beck, Mike Huckabee, Laura Ingraham, Michael Savage, and many others. Some shows would at times be shifted between KKOB and KTBL. The station was promoted as "KKOBs talk partner".

The Pit

On February 18, 2020, KTBL began simulcasting on translator K233CG, and flipped to active rock, branded as "94.5 The Pit".

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