Interested in learning more about Waterloo Media’s digital capabilities? Call or Text us at 512-WATERLOO (512-928-3756)

Waterloo Media

History

Our Austin roots go all the way back to 1939 when radio listeners first heard the call letters KTBC. Three short years later, Lady Bird Johnson became the new licensee of KTBC, eventually changing the call letters to KLBJ-AM. Flash forward to now and Waterloo Media owns and operates eight diverse radio brands, a full-service digital department and iconic community events like Blues on the Green. We’ve made quite a few friends along the way. We’ve reported on all the major events and witnessed firsthand Austin’s astronomical growth. Through it all, we’ve remained committed and connected to this great community we call home!

Historical Milestones

  1. 1939
  2. 1942
  3. 1972
  4. 1973
  5. 1981
  6. 1993
  7. 1997
  8. 2001
  9. 2003
  10. 2004
  11. 2009
  12. 2013
  13. 2018
  14. 2019
  15. 2019

  1. 1939

    Austin radio listeners first heard the call letters KTBC.

  2. 1942

    Lady Bird Johnson becomes the new licensee of KTBC.

  3. 1972

    Lady Bird Johnson launches 93.7 KLBJ-FM, a Freeform Rock format. One of the first true album oriented rock stations in the country.

  4. 1973

    KTBC changes call letters to KLBJ-AM as a tribute to the founding presidential family owners, Lyndon Baines Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson.

  5. 1981

    KLBJ-AM introduces the “News-Talk” format which is still in use today.

  6. 1993

    LBJ, Inc. purchases 93.3 KHHT and launches an all 70s hits format as KHHT.

  7. 1997

    LBJ, Inc. partners with Sinclair Telecable to form LBJS Broadcasting, adding 101.5 KROX-FM and 107.1 KGSR-FM, raising our total to 5 stations.

  8. 2001

    LBJS purchases Oldies 103.5 KEYI, our 6th station.

  9. 2003

    Emmis Communications partners with LBJS Broadcasting to form Emmis Austin Radio.

  10. 2004

    103.5 KEYI becomes KBPA (Bob-FM), its current adults hits format.

  11. 2009

    Emmis moves 107.1 KGSR to 93.3 and launches the current Regional Mexican format on 107.1 KLZT.

  12. 2013

    Emmis adds its 7th station and launches Spanish contemporary format Latino 102.7.

  13. 2018

    93.3 KGSR adds the frequency 97.1 and partners with Austin City Limits to become ACL-Radio.

  14. 2019

    Emmis moves ACL-Radio to 97.1 and launches soft adult contemporary format STAR 93.3. 

  15. 2019

    Emmis sells it’s majority ownership to minority partner, Sinclair Telecable. Waterloo Media is born!