KOOI

KOOI (106.5 FM) is a radio station broadcasting a classic hits format. Licensed to Jacksonville, Texas, USA, the station serves the Tyler-Longview area. The station is currently owned by Alpha Media LLC, through licensee Alpha Media Licensee LLC, and features programming from Fox News Radio.

History

Licensed in 1968 by Dudley Waller, as KEBE-FM, 106.5 was a simulcast of AM 1400 (known as the KEBE Corral). From the beginning, 106.5 was an affiliate of the ABC radio network. In the early 1970s, Waller decided that 106.5 would be the first of many FM stations that he wanted to own in East Texas, so he changed the call letters to KOOI. KOOI also was the first station in East Texas to have an automation system, Waller bought a Schaffer automation using cart machines on carousels and 10, reel-to-reel decks. The automation provided a beautiful music format to East Texas. In 1983, KOOI became the first stereo FM radio station in East Texas. In 1987, KOOI moved to its current transmitter site at Mount Selman, which is also the tower site of KETK-TV and KBJS. This transmitter site move made KOOI the most powerful FM at the highest point in East Texas.