New radio station launched

A new radio station is opening its airwaves to the city of Breckenridge, as well as the surrounding area. KCKB-FM 104.1 launched Friday, Feb. 1 and will provide Christian, positive music, as well as sports, according to a press release.

Tim Walker, the creator of the setup, licensed the station in Moran. The station will serve Breckenridge, Cisco, Albany and Eastland, as well as other surrounding counties.

Walker, who also owns KBLYFM 100.5 out of Graham, said he looked at launching these stations so he could retire to West Texas after spending over a decade in Abilene. About three years ago, after spending some time living in the Dallas/Fort Worth-area, Walker said the frequencies, 104.1 and 100.5, became available, which he said was about three years ago. KBLY has been on the air for about two years.

The facility will be 25,000 watts. This compares with the radio stations in D/FW, which range between 50,000 to 100,000 watts, Walker said. This will allow the station to reach about 12,650 square kilometers, which is almost 5,000 square miles. In this reach, Walker said his station will be able to reach about 55,000 people.

“That amount of power is what allows me to cover the key markets,” Walker said.

As far as opening up an office, he said he hasn’t decided where he wants to open up, saying he is leaning towards possibly Breckenridge and Cisco, or both potentially.

The station is an affiliate with Fox News, Westwood One and Compass Media Network. Walker said Fox News will deliver news at the top of every hour. They will also use them for emergency broadcasts. He added this won’t happen immediately, but he is hoping to begin that in the next few weeks. The area will also host local and area sports, which includes the Dallas Cowboys and the Texas Rangers.

Walker said he has exclusive rights to both the Cowboys and the Rangers. The station will broadcast every Rangers game and will be pursing local sports in the summer. While he has broadcasted Graham’s sports through his other station, Walker clarified he is not interested in stepping on anybody’s toes and taking something that is already covered.

The station will get the Cowboys through Compass Media Network. Walker’s affiliation with Westwood One will also allow him to broadcast the N.B.A. All-Star game and the World Series, if either the Rangers or the Houston Astros go.

As far as music, Walker said the aim of the music is to be positive. He said it is music that you would hear in church or other events. But the music they broadcast will be a blend and include several genres.

“I just want to have a little bit of something for everybody,” Walker said. “As long as it’s a wholesome, positive song, then it will probably be in our library.”

Walker concluded saying he is excited to come back to West Texas and is eager to serve the area.

“I’ve been in West Texas since 1999 …. I don’t think I’ll get rich off it but I love broadcast,” Walker said. “I’ve been in it since I was 19 years old …. It’s been my whole life.”

For more information, email info@positiveradio.net.