89.3 KSBJ now broadcasts on 96.9; NGEN to go on FM

89.3 KSBJ has had a lot of big announcements coming each Friday for the past few weeks. Today the station announced the last and most "powerful" of them all.

KSBJ has now added 96.9 KXBJ to the list of its on air frequencies. The main 89.3 main signal is not strong enough to cover the entire Houston radio market, so the station has always used translator signals like 89.5 FM (KZBJ) in Bay City, 89.7 FM (KUBJ) in Brenham, 89.3 FM (KXGJ) in Victoria, 92.5 FM (KWUP) in Navasota, 91.1 FM (KYBJ)/89.9 FM (K210DF) in Lake Jackson and 99.5 FM (K258BZ) in Sugar Land. I blogged in March that Liberman Broadcasting of Houston had sold the 96.9 frequency to the KSBJ Educational Foundation for $2.1 million according to All Access.

The 96.9 signal is different than all those other signals, because the station says it is much stronger and covers more areas in town. In fact the new signal apparently covers the the same area as two of the other translators. As a result, some of those frequencies will go to NGEN radio in July. This will be the first time NGEN will be available over the airwaves. Since going on the air in late 2010, NGEN has been a digital and web broadcast.

“This is the most significant acquisition in our 30 year history,” said Tim McDermott, president and general manager of KSBJ. “For years we have worked to improve our signal in Southwest Houston, and this new station will mean a significant improvement in that area. I am excited about meeting that need and also just as excited about the opportunity through KSBJ and NGEN to impact 2-3 million more people right here in the Gulf Coast area.”

As I have blogged over the last weeks, KSBJ has also announced new show line-ups. The station posts that Susan O’Donnell returns to the Morning Show with new co-host, radio veteran and clinical psychologist, Bill Maier. Jen Driskill heads to the Midday Show. Meanwhile Joey and Coppelia will team up to host the Afternoon Show. CONTACT: Leave me a Houston or Texas media news tip | COMMENT: Click to leave your thoughts on this post here