{{Use American English|date=February 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox radio station | country = US | name = KXYZ | logo = KXYZ 1320.png | city = Houston, Texas | area = Greater Houston | branding = Houston's BIN 1320 | airdate = {{Start date|1926|08|24}} | frequency = {{Frequency|1320|kHz}} | language = English | format = All-news radio | power = {{ubl|8,400 watts (day)|2,800 watts (night)}} | class = B | facility_id = 95 | coordinates = {{coord|29|54|56.8|N| 95|27|42.8|W|region:US_type:landmark}} | former_callsigns = KTUE (1926–1930) | former_frequencies = {{ubl| * 1140 (1926–1927) * 1410 (1927–1928) * 1420 (1928–1932) * 1440 (1932–1941) * 1470 (1941) }} | owner = iHeartMedia, Inc. | licensee = iHM Licenses, LLC | webcast = {{iHeartRadio|houstons-bin-1320-8820}} | website = {{URL|http://houston.binnews.com}} | network = Black Information Network | sister_stations = KBME, KODA, KPRC, KQBT, KTBZ-FM, KTRH | licensing_authority = FCC }}
'''KXYZ''' (1320 AM) is a radio station in the United States. Licensed to Houston, Texas, United States and serving Greater Houston, it is owned by iHeartMedia and broadcasts an all-news radio format as an affiliate of iHeartMedia's Black Information Network.
The station first signed on in 1926 as KTUE before taking on its current call sign KXYZ in 1930. In 1938, KXYZ became the first radio station in the Southern U.S. with a 24-hour broadcast schedule. KXYZ had been an affiliate of the NBC Blue Network and its successor ABC Radio from 1937 to 1979. Throughout its history, KXYZ has been locally owned at times, with some national owners such as ABC from 1968 to 1979 and Infinity Broadcasting from 1983 to 1998. Under ABC ownership, KXYZ was usually an MOR station and enjoyed significant success. Its news department won recognition from the American Bar Association and Associated Press in 1971. In spring 1976, the station had a top-ten Arbitron ranking in Houston. From 1976 to 1978, KXYZ was the radio home of Houston Rockets basketball.
After some short-lived disco and Christian formats, KXYZ had a Spanish news, talk, and music format from 1981 to 2005. As a Spanish station, KXYZ had a small but devoted listener following and attraacted local news coverage for benefit concerts relating to the 1985 Mexico City earthquake and 1986 San Salvador earthquake. KXYZ also resumed carrying Houston Rockets games, this time in Spanish, from 1989 to 1995. Multicultural Broadcasting purchased KXYZ in 2003, leading to two format changes, first to business and finance in 2005, then a multilingual Chinese, Hindi, and Vietnamese format in 2008. iHeartMedia then purchased KXYZ in 2021 and, with the iHeartMedia purchase, the station changed its programming to the Black Information Network format of all-news radio.
==History as KTUE (1926–1930)== KXYZ was first licensed on August 24, 1926, with call sign KTUE. Owned by Uhalt Electric, KTUE broadcast with five watts, starting with a frequency of 1140 kilocycles, then 1410 kc starting June 1, 1927; and 1420 starting December 21, 1928.<ref name="history card">{{cite web|url=https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=45860|title=KXYZ history cards|publisher=FCC|access-date=July 9, 2025}}</ref>{{rp|3}} In its early years, KTUE usually played music from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1197373769/|title=What's Doing in Radio|work=Houston Post|date=December 3, 1926|access-date=July 12, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref> By 1928, it began broadcasting weekdays at 2 to 3 p.m. and Saturday nights.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1193833733/|title=Daily radio program|work=Houston Post|date=March 8, 1928|access-date=July 12, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Beginning in December 1929, KTUE broadcast with 100 watts and an expanded lineup of programming featuring local musicians.<ref name="history card"/>{{rp|3}}<ref name="our city">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1198856249/|title=Our City|work=Houston Chronicle|date=December 23, 1929|page=1|access-date=July 12, 2025|url-access=subscription|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
KTUE moved into multiple different studios across Houston, such as the Chronicle Building in 1929 and Texas State Hotel from 1929 to 1935.<ref name="history card"/>{{rp|3}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1198856293/|title=Glimpses inside Texas State Hotel studios of radio station KTUE|work=Houston Chronicle|date=December 23, 1929|access-date=July 12, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref name="our city"/>
Following authorization from the Federal Radio Commission (FRC), KTUE shut down on July 31, 1930.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1198517620/|title=Station KTUE Here Ceases Broadcasts|work=Houston Chronicle|date=August 1, 1930|access-date=July 12, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
==History as KXYZ (1930–present)== ===Early history (1930–1948)=== On August 8, 1930, the Harris County Broadcasting Company obtained the KTUE broadcast license from Uhalt, and the Federal Radio Commission changed KTUE's call sign to KXYZ.<ref>{{cite news|title=KTUE Gets Permit to Assign Radio License |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1194011636/|work=Houston Post|date=August 9, 1930|access-date=July 12, 2025|url-access=subscription|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="history card"/> Broadcasting from the Texas State Hotel, KXYZ first signed on with test programs on October 3, 1930.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1198321221/|title=Whispering Wires|work=Houston Chronicle|date=October 6, 1930|access-date=July 12, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
In 1932, KXYZ absorbed another station, KTLC, and moved to 1440 kHz at 250 watts.<ref name="history card"/>{{rp|5}} Station power increased to 500, then 1,000 watts, in 1935.<ref name="history card"/>{{rp|5}}
Beginning August 1, 1937, KXYZ became an affiliate of the NBC Blue Network.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1193977991/|title=KXYZ Will Join NBC Blue Network Sunday |work=Houston Post|date=August 1, 1937|page=1|access-date=August 2, 2025|url-access=subscription|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
In 1938, KXYZ became the first radio station in the Southern U.S. to broadcast 24 hours a day.<ref name="24 hours">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/30s/1938/BB-1938-01-15.pdf|title=KXYZ to 24 Hours; First in South|work=The Billboard|date=January 15, 1938|volume=50|issue=3|page=7|access-date=July 15, 2025|via=World Radio History}}</ref>
With the enactment of the North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement (NARBA), the station relocated to 1470 kHz in 1941. When KTRH moved to 740 kHz, KXYZ took over the former KTRH transmission site and began broadcasting with 5,000 watts on 1320 on December 16, 1942.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kay Kyser and Solid Music on KPRC Tonight|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1193867500/|work=Houston Post|date=December 16, 1942|access-date=July 22, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
KXYZ had a contemporary hits and entertainment format in the 1940s and 1950s.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Bundy|first=June|title=Vox Jox|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/50s/1957/Billboard%201957-12-02.pdf|work=The Billboard|date=December 2, 1957|page=50|volume=69|issue=49|access-date=July 15, 2025|via=World Radio History}}</ref><ref name=Blase /><ref name=Ziv /> Beginning June 15, 1945, KXYZ transitioned its network affiliation, as the Blue Network changed to ABC Radio.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1198796470/|title=Radio starbeams|work=Houston Chronicle|date=June 15, 1945|access-date=August 2, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref> In 1947, KXYZ DJ Bob Blase was part of a feature article in ''The Billboard'' for regularly playing modern jazz on his show.<ref name=Blase>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/40s/1947/BB-1947-08-09.pdf|title=Versatility Keynote For Disk Shows|work=The Billboard|date=August 9, 1947|page=40|access-date=July 22, 2025|via=World Radio History}}</ref>
===Ownership and format changes (1948–1968)=== On June 17, 1948, the Federal Communications Commission approved the purchase of Harris County Broadcasting Company by Shamrock Broadcasting Company, owned by Glenn H. McCarthy, for $75,000.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=McCarthy Completes Purchase of KXYZ|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1948/1948-06-28-BC.pdf|access-date=December 21, 2014|work=Broadcasting|page=38B|volume=34|issue=26|date=June 28, 1948}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=Stations in Rush To Sell As Prices Hold to Peak; 150G for Fla. 250-Watter|work=The Billboard|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/40s/1948/Billboard%201948-02-21.pdf|date=February 21, 1948|page=10|access-date=July 15, 2025|via=World Radio History|volume=60|issue=8}}</ref> Under Shamrock ownership, KXYZ was part of the ABC Radio network and featured Frederick Ziv shows such as ''The Cisco Kid''.<ref name=Ziv>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/50s/1951/Billboard%201951-02-24.pdf|title=Houston Station Sells Six Ziv Package Shows|work=The Billboard|date=February 24, 1951|page=5|volume=63|issue=8|access-date=July 15, 2025|via=World Radio History}}</ref>
The Houston Broadcasting Corporation bought KXYZ AM from Shamrock on April 1, 1957.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=FCC Approves Sales Involving $3 Million|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-BC/Broadcasting-Magazine/BC-1957/1957-04-01-BC.pdf|work=Broadcasting/Telecasting|date=April 1, 1957|page=58|volume=52|issue=13|access-date=July 22, 2025|via=World Radio History}}</ref><reF>{{cite book|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-BC/Broadcasting-Magazine/BC-1957/1957-04-01-BC.pdf|title=1958 Broadcasting Yearbook|place=Washington|publisher=Broadcasting Publications|year=1958|page=A-376}}</ref>
Around July 1960, KXYZ began focusing its music programming on big band.<reF>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/60s/1960/Billboard%201960-08-01.pdf|title=Four Outlets Shift Music Formats|work=The Billboard|date=August 1, 1960|pages=3, 26|access-date=July 22, 2025|via=World Radio History}}</ref>
The KXYZ AM and FM stations were sold by the Houston Broadcasting Corporation to KXYZ Inc., a company owned by the Kamin family, in June 1961 for a combined $1 million.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-BC/Broadcasting-Magazine/BC-1961/1961-06-05-BC.pdf|title=KXYZ, WAMV sales approved|work=Broadcasting|date=June 5, 1961|page=10|access-date=July 22, 2025|volume=60|issue=23|via=World Radio History}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-BC/Broadcasting-Magazine/BC-1961/1961-06-12-BC.pdf|title=Ownership changes|work=Broadcasting|date=June 12, 1961|page=93|volume=60|issue=24|access-date=July 22, 2025|via=World Radio History}}</reF> KXYZ changed to a beautiful music format in July 1961.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1202191016/|title=KXYZ Style Switches|work=Houston Chronicle|date=July 23, 1961|page=47, TV Pullout|url-access=subscription|access-date=July 11, 2025|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
===ABC ownership (1968–1979)=== ABC bought KXYZ AM and FM in 1968; this purchase helped ABC reach its maximum level of 14 owned radio stations.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=ABC gains full radio allotment|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-BC/Broadcasting-Magazine/BC-1968/1968-05-13-BC.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=May 13, 1968|page=48|volume=74|issue=20|via=World Radio History}}</ref> KXYZ became part of ABC's American Entertainment Network on July 31 that year.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-BC/Broadcasting-Magazine/BC-1968/1968-08-05-BC.pdf|title=ABC adds 11 stations to radio networks|work=Broadcasting|date=August 5, 1968|page=31|volume=75|issue=6|access-date=July 11, 2025|via=World Radio History}}</ref>
KXYZ's news department won national honors in 1971, an Associated Press Broadcasters honorable mention for editorials about Houston's regulations on handing out flyers and American Bar Association Certificate of Merit for programs about the United States Bill of Rights.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hodges|first=Ann|title=Price Conquers Pride for Star Pitchmen |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1201348971/|work=Houston Chronicle|date=June 12, 1971|page=34, Section 1|access-date=July 11, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref> In July 1974, the format changed to middle of the road (MOR) music as "13K", aimed towards listeners aged 25 to 34.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hodges|first=Ann|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1200715204/|title=KXYZ Getting New Style, Sound and Name|work=Houston Chronicle|date=July 2, 1974|access-date=July 10, 2025|page=10, section 1|url-access=subscription|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
The spring 1976 Arbitron ratings ranked KXYZ ninth in Houston, finding about 15,600 listeners every 15 minutes.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1976/1976-09-27-BC.pdf|title=The top 25 formats in radio|magazine=Broadcasting|date=September 27, 1976|pages=44, 46|volume=91|issue=13|accessdate=December 24, 2022|via=World Radio History}}</ref> From 1976 to 1978, KXYZ was the radio home for Houston Rockets basketball games.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hodges|first=Ann|title=Frank blasts debate organizers|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1202229010/|work=Houston Chronicle|date=October 6, 1976|page=4, Section 7|access-date=July 6, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Hodges|first=Ann|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1204872435/|title=ABC's 'Apple Pie' sure to be an early loser|work=Houston Chronicle|date=September 22, 1978|page=7, Section 6|access-date=July 6, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Barron|first=David|url=http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2012/06/rockets-shift-radio-allegiance-from-kilt-to-kbme/|title=Rockets shift radio allegiance from KILT to KBME|work=Ultimate Rockets|publisher=Chron.com|date=June 27, 2012|access-date=July 9, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630013521/http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2012/06/rockets-shift-radio-allegiance-from-kilt-to-kbme/|archive-date=June 30, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> In October 1978, the station adopted a disco format as "Studio 13".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1203809639/|title='Lifeline's' real-life drama couldn't have a better cast|last=Skipper|first=C.W.|work=Houston Post|page=7F|date=October 6, 1978|access-date=July 9, 2025|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
===Shifts to religious and Spanish formats (1979–1983)=== ABC sold KXYZ AM in 1979 to Slater Broadcasting Company for $1.8 million effective March 14, in order to buy an AM station in a different market.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-BC/Broadcasting-Magazine/BC-1979/BC-1979-02-05.pdf|title=Changing Hands|work=Broadcasting|date=February 5, 1979|page=67|access-date=July 11, 2025|volume=96|issue=6|via=World Radio History}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1205038127/|title=KXYZ sale announced|work=Houston Post|date=March 7, 1979|page=9AA|access-date=July 11, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Slater immediately changed KXYZ's format from disco to Christian upon obtaining the station.<ref>{{cite news|last=Asker|first=Jim|title=KXYZ goes commercial Christian|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1204667329/|work=Houston Post|date=March 17, 1979|access-date=July 11, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref> The ''Houston Chronicle'' observed in June 1979 about KXYZ's new format: "About half the air time at KXYZ is devoted to Christian music and the other half is devoted to speakers and preachers."<ref>{{cite news|title=Christian program era at KFMK ends Tuesday|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1202823813/|work=Houston Chronicle|date=June 23, 1979|access-date=July 11, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
On December 1, 1981, KXYZ changed to a Spanish language format, becoming the fifth Houston-area station to broadcast in that language.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1204497707/|title=Station break|work=Houston Post|date=November 19, 1981|page=14D|access-date=July 20, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Branded "Radio 13",<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1202509770/ Advertisement] in the July 14, 1982 ''Houston Chronicle''.</ref> KXYZ had a format listed as "contemporary Spanish music" by the ''Houston Chronicle'' on December 6, 1981.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1202529505/|title=Radio stations|work=Houston Chronicle|date=December 6, 1981|access-date=July 20, 2025|url-access=subscription|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
In the Arbitron ratings for the first quarter of 1982 (January 7 to March 17), KXYZ had a 2.9 rating, 14th place in the Houston ratings.<ref>{{cite news|last=Grace|first=Bob|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1202693265/|title=KNUZ adds 'Shadow', 'Hornet' to old-time drama|work=Houston Chronicle|date=April 17, 1982|access-date=July 21, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref> But in the second quarter (March 18 to June 9), KXYZ's ratings declined to 20th at 1.3.<reF>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1202507595/|title=KMJQ leads pack in latest Arbitron ratings race|last=Grace|first=Bob|work=Houston Chronicle|date=July 10, 1982|access-date=July 21, 2025|url-access=subscription|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> There was slight improvement in the first quarter of 1983, with KXYZ ranking 15th at 2.6.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://newspapers.com/newspage/1202585600|title=KODA, KMJQ barely outpull KIKK in latest Arbitron ratings |last=Grace|first=Bob|work=Houston Chronicle|date=April 9, 1983|access-date=July 21, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
===Infinity/CBS ownership (1983–1998)=== On April 21, 1983, Slater Broadcasting sold KXYZ to 13 Radio Corporation, a subsidiary of Infinity Broadcasting, for $1.5 million.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-BC/Broadcasting-Magazine/BC-1983/BC-1983-05-16.pdf|title=Changing hands|work=Broadcasting|date=May 16, 1983|page=79|volume=104|issue=20|access-date=July 21, 2025|via=World Radio History}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1984/B-Radio-All-BC-YB-1984.pdf|title=Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1984|place=Washington|publisher=Broadcasting Publications|year=1984|access-date=July 21, 2025|via=World Radio History|page=B-252}}</ref>
KXYZ attracted local attention in early 1984 for ''Incest: The Ultimate Crime'', a 10-hour special series broadcast from 10 p.m. to midnight from January 23 to 27. Partially inspired by the made-for-TV movie ''Something About Amelia'', the series featured interview guests such as a child psychiatrist, Catholic priest, and local prosecutors.<ref>{{cite news|last=Randerson|first=Middy|title=Spanish radio station to air 5-part series on incest|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1205031105/|work=Houston Chronicle|date=January 21, 1984|page=6C|access-date=July 21, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref> However, KXYZ had only a 0.8 share in the Arbitron first quarter 1984 ratings (January 5 to March 28) for Houston.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1207635542/|title=KKBQ, KIKK neck and neck for No. 1 |last=Grace|first=Bob|work=Houston Chronicle|date=April 21, 1984|access-date=July 21, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref> For the third quarter (June 21 to September 12), KXYZ had a 1.3 share.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1203629784/|title=Majic 102 hits no. 1 in latest Arbitron ratings|last=Grace|first=Bob|work=Houston Chronicle|date=October 6, 1984|access-date=July 21, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Despite the low ratings, KXYZ did earn local honors for 1984, with two advertising awards from the Houston Association of Radio Broadcasters.<ref>{{cite news|last=Frank|first=Jay|title=Competition on horizon for KKBO's Top 40 audience? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1205088445/|work=Houston Post|date=January 26, 1985|access-date=July 21, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref> KXYZ also brought Spanish-language pop stars to Houston, for instance interviewing the boy band Menudo in 1984,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1204716728/|title=Menudo mania|work=Houston Post|date=October 24, 1984|page=8C|access-date=July 21, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref> or sponsoring a free José José concert at the Sam Houston Coliseum on Cinco de Mayo 1985.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1205409437/|title=Celebrating Cinco de Mayo|work=Houston Post|date=May 3, 1985|page=4E|access-date=July 21, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref> In October 1985, KXYZ sponsored a benefit concert that raised nearly $125,000 towards relief efforts for the Mexico City earthquake; the concert included such performers at Little Joe y la Familia and René y René.<ref>{{cite news|title=Concert raises $125,000 to aid quake victims|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1205506250/|work=Houston Post|date=October 13, 1985|access-date=July 21, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Beginning on August 8, 1986, KXYZ began broadcasting Houston Astros baseball games in Spanish.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bass' streak at 14 games |url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1204184864/|work=Houston Post|date=August 8, 1986|page=5C|access-date=July 21, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Following the 1986 San Salvador earthquake, KXYZ held special 24-hour broadcasts from El Salvador's consulate in Houston.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1206001191/|title=Consulate is deluged with calls |work=Houston Chronicle|date=October 12, 1986|access-date=July 21, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref> These broadcasts helped raise nearly $100,000 in donations to the consulate.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1206033935/|title=City seeking aid for Salvadorans|work=Houston Chronicle|date=October 15, 1986|access-date=July 21, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
From 1989 to 1995, KXYZ was the Spanish radio home for Houston Rockets basketball games, after which Rockets Spanish broadcasts moved to KLAT.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1209469561/|title=Rockets summary|work=Houston Chronicle|date=November 6, 1995|page=5C|access-date=July 24, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1211699171/|title=Radio today|work=Houston Chronicle|date=April 19, 1995|access-date=July 24, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1214975548/|title=Rockets report|work=Houston Chronicle|date=January 4, 1989|access-date=July 21, 2025|via=Newspapers.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref> KXYZ previously was the English-language flagship for the Rockets from 1976 to 1978. Infinity merged with CBS in 1997, with the Infinity name retained for CBS' radio division.
===Recent history (1998–present)=== On July 28, 1998, Radio Unica bought KXYZ from Infinity/CBS for $160,000; KXYZ began broadcasting the Radio Unica network with news, talk, and music in Spanish.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-BC/Broadcasting-Magazine/BC-1998/BC-1998-06-29.pdf|title=Changing hands|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=June 29, 1998|access-date=July 21, 2025|page=80|volume=128|issue=27|via=World Radio History}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1999/D-Radio-All-BC-YB-1999..pdf|title=Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1999|page=D-436|place=Washington|publisher=Broadcasting Publications|year=1999|access-date=July 21, 2025|via=World Radio History}}</ref> Among Unica's stations in 1998, KXYZ represented the sixth largest media market in Houston/Galveston.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Radio-Business-Report/Radio-Business-Report/1998/RBR-1998-09-07.pdf|title=Radio Unica: Out to build a nationwide niche in Spanish radio|work=Radio & Records|date=September 7, 1998|access-date=July 21, 2025|page=13|volume=15|issue=35|via=World Radio History}}</ref>
In October 2003, Multicultural Broadcasting purchased KXYZ and other stations from Radio Unica.<ref>{{cite web|title=Changing hands|url=http://broadcastingcable.com/article/CA330336.html?display=Business|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=October 19, 2003|access-date=July 22, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061117142348/http://broadcastingcable.com/article/CA330336.html?display=Business|archive-date=November 17, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On February 1, 2005, KXYZ began broadcasting business and financial programming during daytime hours, branded BizRadio1320.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA127948637&sid=sitemap&v=2.1&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&cookieConsent=true&analyticsOptout=false&userGroupName=anon%7Eaf184a2f&aty=open-web-entry|title=BizRadio1320 Goes Live in Houston at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, February 1; David v. Goliath: Radio Wars Get Local and Personal in Houston, Texas|publisher=PR Newswire|date=January 31, 2005|access-date=July 23, 2025|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Schedule|publisher=BizRadio1320|url=http://www.bizradio1320.com/bizradio1320_weekday_overview.htm|access-date=July 23, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050312125232/http://www.bizradio1320.com/bizradio1320_weekday_overview.htm|archive-date=March 12, 2005|url-status=dead}}</reF>
In February 2008, KXYZ's business programming moved to KTEK after the BizRadio Network bought KTEK from Salem Communications.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=AMNEWS&req_dat=0D10F2CADB4B24C0&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F11D877C413BA0C80|title=BizRadio has big plans for a new development|last=Barron|first=David|work=Houston Chronicle|date=December 13, 2007|access-date=July 23, 2025|via=NewsLibrary}}</ref> After BizRadio's move, KXYZ changed to a multilingual brokered time format with programming in Chinese, Hindi, and Vietnamese, along with English-language broadcasts from Chinese Radio International.<ref>{{cite web|title=Houston Area Radio Stations |url=http://governor.state.tx.us/music/directory/radio/radio.houston-galveston/|publisher=Texas Music Office|access-date=July 23, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081003062418/http://governor.state.tx.us/music/directory/radio/radio.houston-galveston/|archive-date=October 3, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Schedule|url=http://www.kxyzradio.com/resources/KXYZ+Schedule+for+website.html|publisher=KXYZ|access-date=July 23, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100912215713/http://www.kxyzradio.com/resources/KXYZ+Schedule+for+website.html|archive-date=September 12, 2010|url-status=dead}}</reF>
In March 2021, iHeartMedia closed a purchase of KXYZ from Multicultural Broadcasting for $1.4 million and changed KXYZ's programming to its Black Information Network, a news network targeted to African American listeners.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.insideradio.com/free/iheart-buying-spree-continues-adding-kxyz-houston-for-black-information-network/article_2f4c25de-38d8-11eb-b657-5fde4b0b0c9c.html|title= iHeart Buying Spree Continues, Adding KXYZ Houston For Black Information Network. |work=Inside Radio|date=December 7, 2020|access-date=July 23, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.insideradio.com/free/deal-digest-moody-bible-institute-sells-one-of-its-two-chicago-stations/article_d4cfd3ca-92b0-11eb-a5c7-ff93a7184c64.html|title= Deal Digest: Moody Bible Institute Sells One Of Its Two Chicago Stations. |work=Inside Radio|date=April 1, 2021|access-date=July 23, 2025}}</ref>
==Technical information== From a directional antenna in north Houston, KXYZ broadcasts with 8.4 kilowatts of daytime power and 2.8 kilowatts at night.<ref name="FCC data">{{cite web|url=https://fccdata.org/?facid=&call=KXYZ|title=KXYZ|publisher=FCC Data|access-date=July 9, 2025}}</ref> KXYZ's studios are located at Uptown Houston, in the iHeart Houston building near Interstate 610.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://prsahouston.org/meetinginfo.php?id=173&ts=1657810522|title=Members-Only Media Tour with iHeart Media|publisher=PRSA Houston|access-date=July 9, 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://houston.binnews.com/ KXYZ 1320 - Official Website] {{AM station data|95|KXYZ}} *[https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=45860 FCC History Cards for KXYZ]
{{Houston AM}} {{News/Talk Radio Stations in Texas}} {{iHeartMedia}}
Category:Radio stations established in 1926 XYZ Category:Black Information Network stations Category:All-news radio stations in the United States Category:IHeartMedia radio stations Category:1926 establishments in Texas XYZ Category:African Americans in Texas