KPHX is a radio station that broadcasts in Phoenix, Arizona at 1480 AM KHz on the AM dial. During the day, it runs a directional 5 kW and 500 watts directional at night. Its current format is liberal/progressive talk, with a majority of its broadcast lineup coming from Air America Radio. Continental Broadcasting holds the license, while Nova M Radio operates the station under a local marketing agreement. Nova M is owned by Mike Newcomb and Air America founders Sheldon and Anita Drobny.
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| Broadcast area | Phoenix, Arizona |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 1480 AM kHz |
| Branding | "Air America Phoenix" |
| Programming | |
| Format | Progressive Talk |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Continental Broadcasting; operated by Nova M Radio |
| History | |
First air date | late 1950s (as KHAT) |
Call sign meaning | PHX="Phoenix" |
| Technical information | |
| ERP | 5,000 watts (daytime); 500 watts (nighttime) |
| Links | |
| Website | http://www.1480kphx.com/ |
History
The station at 1480 AM signed on the air in the late 1950s as a daytime-only country station called KHAT. This format stayed in place until the early 1970s when it went all-news as KPHX, which only lasted about a year. Around 1974, KPHX became a Spanish language station, and remained one for approximately 30 years. By 1982, KPHX had started operating at night.
Starting in 2004, KPHX aired an all-comedy format and that remained for nearly two years. KPHX flipped to an adult standards format in 2006, with the Music of Your Life network.
In late March 2006, Continental entered into an agreement with Nova M Radio, bringing the Air America Radio progressive talk programming formerly carried by KXXT (1010 AM) with them.