KDOW

For the former KDOW in Seattle, see KNTS (AM). For the former chemical business, see K-Dow Petrochemicals.
KDOW
Broadcast areaSan Francisco Bay Area
Frequency1220 kHz
BrandingWall Street Business Network
Programming
FormatFinancial news/talk
Network
Ownership
Owner
KDIA, KDYA, KFAX, KTRB
History
First air date
October 4, 1949; 74 years ago (1949-10-04) (as KIBE)
Former call signs
  • KIBE (1949–1984)
  • KDFC (1984–1997)
  • KBPA (1997–1999)
  • KBZS (1999–2001)
  • KSFB (2001–2004)
  • KNTS (2004–2008)
Call sign meaning
Reference to the Dow Jones Industrial Average index; station is of no relation to Dow Jones itself
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID65485
ClassD
Power
  • 5,000 watts day
  • 145 watts night
Transmitter coordinates
37°29′0″N 122°8′9″W / 37.48333°N 122.13583°W / 37.48333; -122.13583
Translator(s)95.3 K237GZ (San Francisco)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen Live
Websitewww.kdow.biz

KDOW (1220 AM) is a commercial radio station broadcasting a financial news/talk format. Licensed to Palo Alto, California, United States, the station serves the greater San Francisco Bay Area. The station is owned by the Salem Media Group (SCA-Palo Alto, LLC).[2]

The station was founded in 1949 with call sign KIBE. Purchased by Sundial Broadcasting in 1953, KIBE began simulcasting the classical music programming of co-owned FM station KDFC-FM; KIBE eventually picked up the KDFC call sign in 1984. The KDFC AM station was sold in 1997 and changed to KBPA. Since then, the station has had a variety of talk formats and call signs. In 1999, KBPA became KBZS and changed to a business talk format for the first time. As KSFB, the station had a Christian talk format from 2001 to 2004. The station then changed to a general news/talk format in 2004 with call sign KNTS. By 2008, KNTS became KDOW and returned to its previous business format.

Outside of a local morning talk show, much of KDOW's programming is nationally syndicated, such as Investor's Edge with Gary Kaltbaum, or brokered programming paid by local businesses. KDOW has broadcast some local college sports, specifically San Jose State Spartans football and Santa Clara Broncos men's basketball.

  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for KDOW". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ "KDOW Facility Record". U.S. Federal Communications Commission, audio division.