KSMG
| Company type | Commercial broadcaster |
|---|---|
| Industry | Radio broadcasting |
| Predecessor | KWED-FM (original call sign) |
| Founded | September 9, 1970 in Seguin, Texas, United States |
| Founder | Seguin Broadcasting Company, Inc. |
| Headquarters | San Antonio , United States |
Area served | San Antonio metropolitan area |
| Products | Radio broadcasting (Contemporary hit radio format) |
| Owner | Cox Media Group |
| Parent | Cox Media Group |
| Website | hits1053 |
KSMG (105.3 FM, branded as "Hits 105.3") is a commercial broadcaster licensed to Seguin, serving the San Antonio metropolitan region. The station is under the ownership of Cox Media Group and features a contemporary hit music format. Its transmitter facility is located near Elmendorf in the northwestern part of Wilson County, Texas, while its studios are situated in northwest San Antonio, close to the South Texas Medical Center.
Broadcasting with an ERP of 97,500 watts, KSMG also transmits in the HD radio format.
History
On September 15, 1969, Seguin Broadcasting Company, Inc., which owned KWED (1580 AM), submitted an application for a new station at 105.3 MHz; the Federal Communications Commission approved the construction permit on December 31 of that year. The station commenced operations on September 9, 1970, initially delivering a middle of the road format and simulcasting approximately 40% of KWED's programming.
In response to 1984 FCC mandates requiring KWED-FM to boost its transmission power and extend coverage into San Antonio, Seguin Broadcasting, headed by Stan McKenzie, chose to divest rather than manage a major-market outlet. Later that year, American Media, Inc., which owned stations in Baltimore and Long Island, purchased KWED-FM. This transition led to significant programming adjustments at the AM station, including the termination of longstanding Spanish-language broadcasts.
Following signal enhancements in March 1985, the station rebranded as "Magic 105," adopting a gold-based adult contemporary playlist and swiftly securing a position among San Antonio's top five stations in audience ratings. In 1988, under new ownership by The Rusk Corporation, KSMG fully embraced an oldies format. A planned acquisition by Jacor in 1989 did not finalize; Jacor had intended to include KSMG as part of a broader package involving Houston market stations.
To bolster its classic hits lineup, Rusk entered into a local marketing agreement in November 1991 to operate struggling KISS-FM; for a brief period, KISS simulcasted KSMG before reverting to a rock format at the end of that year.
By late 1995, KSMG transitioned to a hot adult contemporary format. In 1997, Cox Radio purchased KSMG along with KISS-FM and KLUP for $30 million. Over time, the station shifted toward mainstream adult contemporary and was incorporated into Mediabase’s Hot AC panel in 2014 as it realigned with hot adult contemporary programming.
On December 26, 2023, following its customary holiday music programming, KSMG unveiled a new brand identity as "Hits 105.3" without altering its format or personnel; the first track aired under this branding was "Enemy" by Imagine Dragons.
After competitor KXXM transitioned from Top 40 to bilingual adult contemporary on November 1, 2024, KSMG adjusted its format to Top 40/CHR. Subsequently, longtime morning show hosts Jenny Lee & Tony Cortez exited on November 7.
External links
- Official website
- FM station data for KSMG