{{For|the Wasco-Greenacres, California, radio station formerly on this frequency|KERN}} {{other uses|Keri (disambiguation)}} {{Cleanup|reason=as currently written, the article follows the KERI call sign–and its predecessor on 1180, not 1410|date=April 2026}} {{Use American English|date=February 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox radio station | country = US | name = KERI | logo = KERI logo2.png | logo_size = 200px | city = Bakersfield, California | area = Kern County, California | branding = Faith & Family 1410 AM | airdate = {{Start date|1950|05|17}} | frequency = {{Frequency|1410|kHz}} | format = Brokered Christian | power = 1,000 watts | class = B | facility_id = 6640 | coordinates = {{coord|35|21|07|N|118|57|29|W|}} | callsign_meaning = "Kern County inspirational programming" | former_callsigns = KWSO (1950–2003) | owner = Robert and Luann Wilkins | licensee = Bob Wilkins Radio Network Broadcasting, Inc. | webcast = [http://streamdb5web.securenetsystems.net/v5/KERI Listen live] | website = {{url|http://wilkinsradio.com/our-stations/keri-1410am-bakersfield-ca}} | licensing_authority = FCC }}
'''KERI''' (1410 AM, "Faith & Family 1410 AM") is a commercial radio station licensed to Bakersfield, California, United States. Owned by Robert and Luann Wilkins, through licensee Bob Wilkins Radio Network Broadcasting, Inc., it airs a Christian format.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/amq?call=KERI |title=KERI Facility Record |work=United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division}}</ref>
KERI's studios and offices are on Easton Drive in Bakersfield and the transmitter is located on Kimber Avenue in Bakersfield, off Route 58 - Exit 115.<ref>[https://www.yellowpages.com/bakersfield-ca/mip/keri-469496968 YellowPages.com/KERI]</ref>
==History== On May 17, 1950, the station first sign-on signed on as KWSO, a 250-watt daytimer station at 1050 kHz, owned by Maple Leaf Broadcasting.<ref>[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1951/Radio%20AL%20MT%20BC%20YB%201951%20B&W-9.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1951 page 97]{{dead link|date=May 2026|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> It was licensed to Wasco, California, about 25 miles northwest of Bakersfield. Because 1050 AM is a Mexican clear channel frequency, KWSO was required to go off the air at night to avoid interference. By the 1960s, the station had assorted programs including middle of the road and classical music, farm and news reports and religious programs. The station's signal was limited to the area around Wasco, and was reflected in the KWSO call letters.
In the early 1980s, the Federal Communications Commission allowed KWSO to move to 1180 kHz, coupled with a boost in power to 10,000 watts by day and nighttime authorization, running with 1,000 watts after sunset, using a directional antenna.<ref>[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1984/B-Radio-AL-MT-BC-YB-1984.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1984 page B-40]{{dead link|date=May 2026|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> With this new power, the station could be heard around the larger Bakersfield radio market. It switched to a full-time religious format, changing its call sign to KERI, which stands for "Kern County inspirational programming". (The 1050 frequency is now occupied by KJPG in nearby Frazier Park, California, airing a Catholic radio format.)
In the early 2000s, the station got another power boost, this time powered at its current 50,000 watts by day and 10,000 watts at night. Its city of license was changed to two communities, Wasco and Greenacres. In 2004, the station was bought by American General Media, which owns five other stations in the Bakersfield market.<ref>[https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/2009/RadioAL-FL-BC-YB-2009.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 2009 page D-110]</ref>
On January 1, 2009, a frequency swap with talk radio sister station KERN 1410 AM was made. The talk format on KERN was moved to the more powerful 1180 frequency, while the religious format on KERI switched to AM 1410. (For the history of the 1410 frequency, see KERN.) After the switch was made, KERI 1410 was sold to the Watkins Radio Network, which owns about 30 other religious stations around the U.S.
==Previous logo== <gallery> File:KERI logo.png|KERI logo while broadcast on 1180 AM </gallery>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=37737 FCC History Cards for KERI] (covering 1927-1980 as KSMR / KERN) *[http://www.wilkinsradio.com Corporate website] *[http://www.fybush.com/sites/2009/site-090508.html Fybush.com Tower Site of the Week photos of radio towers in Bakersfield] {{AM station data|6640|KERI}}
{{Bakersfield Radio}}
ERI ERI Category:Radio stations established in 1950 Category:1950 establishments in California