Top Qs
Timeline
Chat
Perspective
KPEL-FM
Radio station in Breaux Bridge–Lafayette, Louisiana From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Remove ads
KPEL-FM (96.5 FM) is a radio station in the United States. Licensed to Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, KPEL-FM serves the Lafayette metropolitan area with a news/talk format. It is owned by Townsquare Media.
Initially signing on with call sign KFTE in 1993, KPEL-FM was a music station for its first 17 years. After having easy listening and oldies formats, KFTE had an alternative rock format branded "Planet Radio 96.5" until changing to KPEL-FM and news/talk in 2010. Since 2001, KPEL-FM has been owned by Townsquare Media and its predecessor Regent Communications.
Remove ads
History
Summarize
Perspective
As KFTE (1991–2010)
A construction permit was first issued for a new 96.5 MHz FM station on April 19, 1991.[2] JBC Inc. (doing business as ComCorp of Lafayette License Corporation) was the owner.[3] Licensed on November 15, 1992, the station first signed on with call sign KFTE on May 1, 1993. Its format was easy listening.[4][5]
In July 1993, the Mid-Acadiana Broadcasting Corporation purchased KFTE. The price tag was $517,750 plus debt cancellation from ComCorp.[6] KFTE began using the brand "Cool 96.5" in 1994.[7]
Beer wholesale company Schilling Distributing Company purchased KFTE and KMDL for a combined $1.55 million in 1994.[8][9] In 1996, Schilling changed the format of KFTE from easy listening to 1970s oldies.[10][11]
In 1996, ComCorp bought back KFTE, along with KMDL, from Schilling Distributing. The total price was nearly $4.5 million.[12] On January 22, 1997, ComCorp fliped KFTE's format to alternative rock, with the brand "Planet Radio 96.5".[13][11]
On August 29, 2001, Regent Communications (later Townsquare Media) reached an agreement to buy KFTE and six other radio stations from ComCorp. The price was over $39 million.[14]
As KPEL-FM (2010–present)
On June 25, 2010, KFTE switched call signs and formats with KPEL-FM at 105.1 MHz. KFTE's rock format moved to 105.1, while KPEL-FM's news/talk format moved to 96.5 MHz.[15]
In June 2020, early afternoon host Carol Ross decided to end her program and leave the station.[16] On March 15, 2025, KPEL-FM began carrying Erick Erickson on weekdays from WSB Atlanta.[17]
Remove ads
Programming
KPEL-FM has local news and talk shows during the daytime, in addition to national news updates from Fox News Radio and nationally syndicated programs including The Erick Erickson Show, The Mark Levin Show, and The Ramsey Show.[18]
Weekends feature specialty lifestyle shows, such as The Kim Komando Show and The Car Doctor, and paid programming.[19] KPEL-FM also broadcasts Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns men's basketball and baseball games.[20][21]
Remove ads
Technical information
Licensed to Breaux Bridge, KPEL-FM broadcasts from a 167.6-meter transmitter located in Youngsville at 42 kW of effective radiated power.[2]
References
External links
Wikiwand - on
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Remove ads