KDOW

KDOW (1220 AM) is a radio station broadcasting a financial news/talk format. Licensed to Palo Alto, California, USA, the station serves the greater San Francisco Bay Area. The station is owned by Salem Communications (SCA-Palo Alto, LLC). The station transmits in Palo Alto, California west of the Dumbarton Bridge approach at 5,000 watts during the day and 145 watts during the night. The station's studio is located in Fremont, California. Its slogan is "The Bay Area's Business Leader." The station had obtained a construction permit from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission for a power increase to 50,000 watts both day and night. The permit expired in July 2012.

History

The station began in 1949 as KIBE, operating daytime only with 250 watts as it simulcast the classical music programming of KDFC-FM. It was owned and operated by Millard Kibbe. It became known as KDFC-AM on March 1, 1984. On August 29, 1997, the station changed its call sign to KBPA and then on February 15, 1999 the station became KBZS. On July 24, 2001, the station changed to KSFB. On July 1, 2004, the station became KNTS. On July 1, 2008, four years after becoming KNTS the station finally became known as KDOW, providing business news and financial advice programming 24/7.