KSME

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For the airport serving Somerset, Kentucky, assigned the ICAO code KSME, see Lake Cumberland Regional Airport.

KSME
Broadcast areaFort Collins, Colorado
Loveland, Colorado
Frequency96.1 MHz (HD Radio)
Branding96.1 Kiss FM
Programming
FormatFM/HD1: Top 40 (CHR)
HD2: Adult alternative "Radio 94.9"
AffiliationsPremiere Networks
Ownership
Owner
KBPI, KCOL-AM, KIIX, KOLT-FM, KPAW, KXBG, K235BT, K246CI, K297AK
History
First air date
1975
Former call signs
KISF (1986–1988)
KSQI (1988–1991)
KGLL (1991–2002)
Call sign meaning
"Kiss Me"
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID17626
ClassC1
ERP100,000 watts
HAAT224 meters (735 ft)
Translators94.9 K235BT (Fort Collins, relays HD2)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen Live
Websitekissfmcolorado.iheart.com

KSME (96.1 FM) is a commercial radio station licensed to Greeley, Colorado. It is owned by iHeartMedia and it broadcasts a top 40 (CHR) format. The station's studio is located in Loveland at Crossroads Blvd. and I-25.

The station broadcasts using HD Radio technology, offering an HD2 subchannel that features an adult alternative format. This subchannel is also relayed on a low-power FM translator, K235BT, at 94.9 FM, which is branded as "Radio 94.9." This HD Radio simulcast moved to KSME from its sister station KPAW in December 2017 as part of a larger station realignment by iHeartMedia in the Colorado area. The current KSME call sign itself is a phonetic play on its branding, suggesting "Kiss Me."[2]

History

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The station's history dates back to 1975 when it first began broadcasting. Over its initial years, the station used several different call signs. From 1986 to 1988, it was known as KISF, followed by KSQI from 1988 to 1991, and then KGLL from 1991 until 2002. [3]

For a period, the station broadcast a country music format under the call sign KGLL-FM, where it was known on-air as "96.1 The Eagle." The switch to its current Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR) format and the "96.1 Kiss FM" branding took place on October 7, 2000. When the station first adopted the CHR format, it initially carried the nationally syndicated Rick Dees in the Morning show, which it continued to air until 2002. Following that, it featured a local morning show hosted by the station's program director at the time. [4]

In November 2008, the station changed its syndicated morning programming, replacing the local show with the popular Johnjay and Rich show from KZZP in Phoenix. [5][6]

KSME was owned by Jacor Broadcasting, precurser to Clear Channel Communications, which changed to the current iHeartMedia name in 2014.

KSME was home to long time station programmer Rob Lewis, known on-air as "Big Rob." Lewis had a sixteen-year tenure with iHeartMedia, during which he served as the Program Director for the station, as well as for its sister, KYWY "Star 97.1" in Cheyenne, Wyoming (which is no longer on air).[7] He also hosted the evening show on KPTT "95.7 The Party" in Denver. Lewis departed iHeartMedia in November 2021 to take a position as Brand Manager for a competing station in the Fort Collins area, before later moving to a Program Director role at "Mix 100" KIMN in Denver.[8]

In 2014, the station won the large market "Station of the Year" award from the Colorado Broadcasters Association.[9] KSME competes with KARS, which is owned by Townsquare Media.[10]

KSME airs syndicated programming for some dayparts.[11]

References

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  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for KSME". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ "KSME - 96.1 KISS-FM - Colorado's #1 Hit Music Station - Top Of Hour". The Jingle Dude (via YouTube). February 11, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  3. ^ "Facility Details: KSME (Facility ID: 17626)". Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  4. ^ "96.1 The Eagle... Flips to Kiss FM" (PDF). Greeley Daily Tribune. World Radio History. October 7, 2000. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  5. ^ "Kiss drops syndicated show" (PDF). Greeley Daily Tribune. World Radio History. October 18, 2002. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  6. ^ "Kiss-FM adds 'Johnjay & Rich' for mornings" (PDF). Greeley Daily Tribune. World Radio History. November 20, 2008. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  7. ^ "Big Rob Lewis Joins Mix 100 Denver As Program Director". RadioInsight. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  8. ^ "Big Rob Lewis Named Program Director of Mix 100 Denver". Radio-Online. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  9. ^ "CBA Awards of Excellence". Colorado Broadcasters Association. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  10. ^ "Townsquare Brings Hip-Hop Power 102.9 To Fort Collins". RadioInsight. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
  11. ^ "96.1 KISS FM Shows". iHeartMedia. Retrieved December 8, 2025.
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40°40′52″N 104°56′35″W / 40.681°N 104.943°W / 40.681; -104.943