KARW

KARW (97.9 FM) is a non-commercial radio station in Salinas, California, broadcasting to the Santa Cruz-Monterey-Salinas, California, area.

KARW is owned by Prunedale Educational Foundation for Central California, Inc., and airs Educational Media Foundation's Air1 Christian Worship format.

The station was owned by Wolfhouse Broadcasting until late 2005. Under Wolfhouse's tenure, 97.9 had many formats. Originally, the programming was Spanish contemporary music.

In July 2002, 97.9 became "97.9 En Fuego" - a Latino-leaning CHR/Rhythmic station. Included was music by Lil' Rob, Nightowl, N.O.R.E. and other Latino hip-hop artists. Voiceovers were by Angie Martinez; the slogan was "Blazin' Hip Hop y Mas" (Blazing Hip Hop and More). The format was launched prior to the Reggaeton phenomena, and subsequently did not have enough variety or promotional power to compete with crosstown heritage CHR/Rhythmic KDON-FM.

Notable Djs/Turntablist & Radio personalities of the former 97.9 En Fuego include the (SQRATCHAHOLIX) Alias, B-Klepto, Earwax, Neato, Romezee, & Fizzle.

In 2003, the station switched back to Spanish contemporary.

In July 2005, the station switched again, this time picking up a franchised format, Mexico's Exa FM from MVS Radio. "EXA-FM... The Orange Station." The station featured a bilingual CHR/Rhythmic mix with Reggaeton, Mexican artists such as Fey and Moenia, and American hip-hop tracks. The format was also not very successful, and morphed into a more Reggaeton-leaning station by Fall 2005.

In late 2005, 97.9 FM was sold to Buckley Broadcasting, owners of crosstown KWAV and KIDD. Prior to the sale, all Exa FM programming was moved to Wolfhouse's 93.9 FM frequency, which became KEXA-FM.