"KUHL to go silent as Knight Broadcasting closes its doors".

Knight Broadcasting leaves station ownership. The Santa Barbara, Calif.-based group is donating AC “Mix 96.7” KSYV to California Lutheran University and announced plans to return KUHL (1440) to silent talk format. Knight Broadcasting’s third station, “105.9 Krazy Country” KRAZ, has received approval from the FCC to transfer to new owners.

Sandy Knight, who took over the company after her husband Shawn died in a paragliding accident in June 2022, announced plans to turn off the company’s only AM signal in an email to staff.

“I realize that KUHL is a long-standing station in the Santa Maria community and this pains me greatly. I have spent countless hours and many sleepless nights trying to resolve this problem, but there are too many variables, moving parts and problems that I cannot find a solution to,” Knight wrote in the e -mail. Santa Maria timetable reports. “As you know, I have been trying to sell the stations for some time. Even though you have all worked in radio for many years, I have never been very radio savvy and my talents lie elsewhere. I appreciate everyone pitching in to keep things afloat over the last few years.

KUHL offers a mix of local and syndicated talk programs, including “Information Now” (6-9 a.m.), hosted by news director Ben Heighes.

Knight says she has received approval from the FCC to transfer KRAZ to Stefan Carpenter and another investor. As Previously reported by Indoor radio, KSYV is donated to California Lutheran University. The deal will give the university a fourth station in the Santa Barbara market, where it already owns the public radio news simulcast of KCLU-FM (88.3), KCLM (89.7) and KCLU (1340).

“Because KRAZ and KSYV shared a lot of equipment, it was extremely difficult to separate them: they are essentially Siamese twins. For this reason, we hope to receive FCC approval for KSYV, as it will cease broadcast when KRAZ is moved,” Knight explained. “Therefore, unfortunately, we will simply turn off the station (KUHL) when KSYV and KRAZ are moved. »