KMIA
Broadcast areaSeattle metropolitan area
Frequency1210 kHz
BrandingRadio Amor
Programming
FormatSpanish-language Christian Radio
Ownership
Owner
KDDS-FM, KZNW, KZTM
History
First air date
1958 (1958)
Former call signs
KASY (1958–1989)
KBSG (1989–2003)
KNWX (2003–2004)
KWMG (2004–2007)
KTBK (2007–2011)
Former frequencies
1220 kHz (1958-1989)
Technical information
Facility ID33683
ClassB
Power27,500 watts day
220 watts night
Transmitter coordinates
47°18′20″N 122°14′53″W / 47.30556°N 122.24806°W / 47.30556; -122.24806
Translator(s)92.1 K221FJ (Tacoma)
98.5 K253CG (Seattle)
102.1 K271BS (Auburn)
Links
Websiteradio-amor.com

KMIA (1210 kHz) is an AM radio station broadcasting a Spanish-language Christian Radio format, known as "Radio Amor." Licensed to Auburn–Federal Way, Washington, it serves the Seattle metropolitan area. The station is currently owned by Amador and Rosalie Bustos, through licensee Bustos Media Holdings, LLC. It uses a brokered programming system, where religious leaders buy time on the station and seek donations to their ministries during their shows.

By day, KMIA is powered at 27,500 watts. But because 1210 AM is a clear channel frequency, KMIA must reduce power at night to only 220 watts to minimize interference to other stations.[1] KMIA uses a directional antenna at all times. Programming is also heard on 150 watt FM translator K221FJ at 92.1 MHz in Tacoma, Washington, 250 watt FM translator K253CG at 98.5 MHz in Seattle, Washington, and 250 watt FM translator K271BS at 102.1 MHz in Auburn, Washington.

History

Edward and June Garre were the founders of this station, which began as KASY in 1958. It originally broadcast on 1220 AM as a 250 watt daytimer. It ran a Middle of the Road music format. The station was sold in October 1989.[2]

Viacom bought the station, with 1210 becoming a simulcast of Oldies station 97.3 KBSG-FM. The AM station became KBSG (AM). Entercom bought KBSG-AM-FM in 1996. The simulcast lasted until around 2002, when KBSG (AM) flipped to a business format as KNWX (the former call sign of 770 KTTH). That lasted until 2003, when KNWX switched to an all-news radio format, using programming from AP Radio News.

In December 2004, after Bustos Media bought the station, 1210 switched to a Regional Mexican format, first as KWMG and later as KTBK. In September 2010, Bustos transferred most of its licenses to Adelante Media Group as part of a settlement with its lenders.[3] The station switched to a Spanish popular hits format on November 7, 2011, calling itself "Latino 1210" and operating under the call letters of KMIA.

Logo as La Zeta 1210

Effective December 10, 2014, Bustos Media reacquired KMIA, along with eight other stations and a translator, from Adelante Media for $6 million. On December 31, 2014, KMIA returned to a Regional Mexican format, branded as "La Zeta 1210".

On November 29, 2016, KMIA was granted a Federal Communications Commission construction permit to move the night transmitter to the day transmitter site and reduce night power to 220 watts.[4]

In March 2020, Bustos Media took KMIA silent, notifying the FCC that the COVID-19 pandemic made it economically unviable to keep the station on the air. Bustos characterized the shutdown as temporary.[5] The station eventually returned to the air.

References

  1. ↑ Radio-Locator.com/KMIA
  2. ↑ "Seattle Tacoma Oldies Radio". Archived from the original on 2011-05-17. Retrieved 2011-04-27.
  3. ↑ "NAP CLOSES ON BUSTOS, LAUNCHES ADELANTE". Radio Ink. September 27, 2010. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Application for Construction Permit for Commercial Broadcast Station". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. November 29, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Three AM Signals Silenced Due to Pandemic-Related Financial Difficulties".


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