KBJT (1590 AM, "Talk Radio 1590") is a radio station licensed to serve Fordyce, Arkansas, United States. The station, established in 1959, is currently owned by KBJT, Inc.
KBJT broadcasts a news/talk radio format featuring a mix of local news, community affairs, and syndicated talk shows.[2] Local programming includes regional and state news, weather, local government meetings, and a tradio show called "Swap Shop".[3] Syndicated programming includes talk shows hosted by Laura Ingraham, Jerry Doyle,[4] Greg Knapp, G. Gordon Liddy, Dave Ramsey,[5] and Michael Reagan.[6]
This station began regular broadcast operations on August 1, 1959, with 250 watts of power on a frequency of 1570 kHz.[7] The station was launched under the ownership of KBJT, Inc., with Kermit F. Tracy serving as president, general manager, and chief engineer.[7] The station was assigned the KBJT call sign by the Federal Communications Commission.[8]
Mack R. Smith acquired license-holder KBJT, Inc., on January 3, 1962.[9] Smith would run KBJT for 15 years before selling the company to a group led by Gary Coates and his brother Paul Coates in a transaction consummated on March 15, 1977.[10] By 1980, Gary Coates had full control of KBJT, Inc., and he has served as the station's general manager since 1977.
In January 1984, the station applied to the FCC for a power increase in its daytime signal to 1,000 watts.[11] The FCC granted KBJT this authorization on August 3, 1984.[11]
Nearly 20 years later, in June 2004, the FCC authorized a change in frequency from 1570 to 1590 kHz, an increase in daytime power to 4,700 watts, and the addition of a nighttime signal at 35 watts.[12] The FCC issued a new license to cover these changes on July 2, 2007.[13]
