KGBT-FM

KGBT-FM (98.5 MHz) is an American radio station in McAllen, Texas, United States, owned by Latino Media Network, which offers a regional Mexican music format^[2] The station has had a regional Mexican format since 1997. Its studios are located in McAllen, Texas, while its transmitter is located in La Feria, Texas.

KGBT-FM

McAllen, Texas United States
Broadcast area	Rio Grande Valley
Frequency	98.5 MHz
Branding	KGBT 98.5 La Preferida
Programming
Format	Regional Mexican
Ownership
Owner	Latino Media Network (Latino Media Network, LLC)
Sister stations	KBTQ KYWW
History
First air date	October 4, 1966 (1966-10-04)
Former call signs	KQXX (1966–1997)
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	6662
Class	C
ERP	100,000 watts
HAAT	304 meters (997 ft)
Links
Public license information	Public file LMS
Webcast	Listen live (via iHeartRadio)

History

The 98.5 frequency went on the air October 4, 1966, as the Rio Broadcasting Company's KQXX (though the permit was known as KABG-FM before going on the air).^[3] KQXX maintained studios in the Casa de Palmas Hotel in McAllen. One of the founders was Ed Gomez, a local radio and TV personality who went on to be elected a Hidalgo County judge. The station changed formats from country to Spanish.

In 1980, Bravo Broadcasting bought KQXX and increased its power to the present 100,000 watts. A new Rio Broadcasting Company acquired the station in 1990. Tichenor acquired the station in 1996 and rechristened it as KGBT-FM on January 20, 1997.

Previous logo

Latino Media Network purchased KGBT-FM from TelevisaUnivision in 2022 as part of a larger $60 million deal.^[4] Under a local marketing agreement, it continued to be programmed by TelevisaUnivision's Uforia Audio Network until the spring of 2023.