Cumulus News/Talk 770 KKOB Albuquerque has brought its programming to FM.

Following Cumulus’ agreement to purchase 94.5 K233CG Sandia NM from Martha Whitman for $425,000, the translator has immediately begun rebroadcasting KKOB. The translator operates with 250w vertical/1240m giving it great coverage of the Albuquerque market.

The translator previously carried an 1980s hits format with 1550 KQNM Albuquerque, but most recently was rebroadcasting “Air 1” 105.5 KQRI. Whitman just closed on the purchase of K233CG from EMF for $61,431.66. As part of that deal she cannot consummate the sale with Cumulus until 365 days have passed. Cumulus will operate the translator via a Retranmission Agreement for $1000 per month which will be pro-rated from the purchase price until then.

Cumulus Media announces that 770 KKOB-AM, New Mexico’s top talk radio station and the oldest station in New Mexico, is now broadcasting as a simulcast on 94.5 FM in Albuquerque with the addition of a new FM translator being purchased by Cumulus from a local owner. The translator on top of Sandia Mountain is equivalent to a 50,000 watt FM and reaches all of the Albuquerque metro area with its powerful signal. The FM simulcast will broadcast all the same award-winning talk programming that has made 770 KKOB the #1/#2 station consistently for more than 20 years on the new 94.5 FM position, as well as on its 94-year-old home at 770-AM.

Jeff Berry, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Media-Albuquerque said: “We celebrate a remarkable milestone in the history of Albuquerque as we turn on the FM simulcast of New Mexico’s oldest radio station, 770 KKOB-AM, the #1 talk station in Albuquerque for over 20 years and an Albuquerque treasure. The new FM simulcast allows us to serve our entire community with New Mexico’s best talk radio programming from this iconic and beloved Albuquerque original. Our listeners and advertisers will get more of what they love with KKOB’s new FM broadcast, paired with the existing AM broadcast.”

Pat Frisch, AM Operations Manager and Program Director of KKOB, said: “This is an exciting time for all of us here at KKOB, and one that has been years in the making. We look forward to introducing our great talk radio programming to thousands of new listeners that live on the FM dial.”