KSBZ

KSBZ (103.1 FM, "Mix 103") is an American radio station licensed to serve the community of Sitka, Alaska. The station, established in 1990, is owned by Alaska Broadcast Communications, Inc.

KSBZ

Sitka, Alaska United States
Broadcast area	Metro Sitka
Frequency	103.1 MHz
Branding	Mix 103
Programming
Format	Hot adult contemporary
Affiliations	Westwood One
Ownership
Owner	Alaska Broadcast Communications
Sister stations	KIFW
History
First air date	October 18, 1990 (35 years ago) (1990-10-18)
Call sign meaning	Station was known as "Z-103" at launch
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	60517
Class	A
ERP	3,100 watts
HAAT	−198 meters (−650 ft)
Transmitter coordinates	57°3′25.6″N 135°20′8.3″W
Links
Public license information	Public file LMS
Webcast	Listen live Listen live (MP3)
Website	www.sitkaradio.com

Programming

KSBZ broadcasts a hot adult contemporary music format to the Metro Sitka area. Some programming on the station had derived from Cumulus Media's "Classic Rock" radio network, in its "Rock 103" days.^[2] Since the station re-branded as "Mix 103", the syndicated programming and playlist have become identical to that of its Juneau counterpart Mix 106.

History

After applying in July 1989, this station received its original construction permit from the Federal Communications Commission on October 5, 1990.^[3] The new station was assigned the KSBZ call sign by the FCC on October 17, 1990.^[4]

On October 18, 1990, KSBZ launched with a classic rock and contemporary hit radio format aimed at younger listeners not being effectively served by KIFW.^[5][6] KSBZ received its license to cover from the FCC on October 21, 1991.^[7]

In November 1994, license holder Sitka Broadcasting Company, Inc., reached an agreement to sell this station to Alaska Broadcast Communications, Inc. The deal was approved by the FCC on December 7, 1994, and the transaction was consummated on December 31, 1994.^[8]

In January 2000, KSBZ switched to a country music format.^[9] In 2006, KSBZ switched formats again, this time to an active rock format, before finally settling on a classic rock format a year later.^[2] In January 2020, KIFW transferred all its adult contemporary programming over to KSBZ, which relaunched as hot adult contemporary station "Mix 103".^[10] KIFW inherited KSBZ's former classic rock programming under a classic hits format, continuing to be known on-air as The Sound of Sitka.^[11]