KHTI

History

On June 16, 1978, the station signed on the air as KBON-FM. It had beautiful music format, aimed at the growing adult population in the Inland Empire. It played quarter-hour sweeps of mostly instrumental music, with some soft vocals. The signal was strong enough to reach parts of the Morongo Basin and the Victor Valley areas.

In 1984, KBON-FM changed to an adult contemporary format under the name "K-104". In 1987, KBON-FM again changed formats to 1960s and 70s oldies.

On September 1, 1992, KBON-FM became KCKC-FM, making 103.9 a full simulcast of KCKC (1350 AM, now KPWK). KCKC had been broadcasting in San Bernardino for 25 years with a country music format, from 1966 to 1992.

On October 31, 1993, KCKC-FM became KABE, as it changed to a simulcast of KACE (also on 103.9 FM), which broadcast to the nearby Los Angeles metropolitan area. Covering most of Los Angeles and the Inland Empire, the simulcast briefly experimented with a hip hop/R&B format as "The New V103.9".

On October 2, 1994, KABE became KAEV. Owner Willie Davis learned that sister station WLUM-FM in Milwaukee had personalities playing uncensored tracks and cursing on-air in late night FCC safe harbor hours, and had personally disapproved of the hardcore rap music which had become prevalent in hip-hop. KAEV tried a transitional format of lighter 'positive' rap, but the ratings were not promising.

On January 1, 1995, KAEV ended its simulcast with KACE, as the station flipped to alternative rock as "X103.9" and changed call letters to KCXX. The first song played was "Closer" by Nine Inch Nails. (This matched WLUM's post-1995 programming direction, also flipping to alternative rock).

The rock format lasted two decades. On December 21, 2015, KCXX announced it would end its alternative format the following morning, citing falling ratings and increased competition from Internet music services for the reasoning behind the change.

On December 22, 2015, at 7a.m., after playing "Snuff" by Slipknot, KCXX flipped to rhythmic hot AC as "Hot 103.9". The first song on "Hot" was "Time of Our Lives" by Pitbull. The station changed its call sign to KHTI on the same day as the flip.

An automated alternative format continued as a separate mobile app under the former "X103.9" brand, but the mobile app has been removed from Google and Apple's app stores as of May 2018. As of fall 2018, the station has adjusted to a more conventional hot adult contemporary format.

On December 26, 2024, at 6a.m., KHTI began simulcasting KATY-FM.

References

References

1. "Call Sign History". FCC Media Bureau CDBS Public Access Database.
2. "KCXX/Riverside Drops Alternative for Rhythmic AC as 'Hot 103.9'". All Access Music Group.
3. [http://formatchange.com/x103-9-becomes-hot-103-9/ X103.9 Becomes Hot 103.9]
4. [https://radioinsight.com/headlines/290062/khti-teasing-december-26-change/ KHTI Flips to Simulcast of KATY-FM]