KBRE
KBRE is a commercial radio station in Merced, California. It is owned by the Stephens [Media Group (broadcasting)|Stephens Media Group], through licensee SMG-Merced, LLC. It plays a mix of active rock and alternative rock, calling itself "105.7 The Bear". Programming is also heard on 250 watt FM translator 105.7 K289CB in nearby Los Banos.
The AM station is powered at 10,000 watts by day, 1,000 watts at night, using a non-directional antenna. The AM transmitter is off South Bert Crane Road in Atwater.
History
KBRE began as the "expanded band" twin to a station on the standard AM band. On March 17, 1997, the Federal Communications Commission announced that eighty-eight stations had been given permission to move to newly available "expanded Band" transmitting frequencies, ranging from 1610 to 1700 kHz, with then-KLOQ in Merced authorized to move from 1580 kHz to 1660 kHz.The FCC's initial policy was that both the original station and its expanded band counterpart could operate simultaneously for up to five years, after which owners would have to turn in one of the two licenses, depending on whether they preferred the new assignment or elected to remain on the original frequency. It was decided to shut down the standard band station, and on August 13, 2004, the license for original station, now KVVY, on 1580 kHz was cancelled.
A construction permit for the expanded band station was assigned the call letters KAXW on January 9, 1998. The station signed on the air in May 2000. It was owned by Clarke Broadcasting and aired a spanish-language adult contemporary format.
