As National Radio Day is celebrated today, August 20, it is a good time to look back at the history of radio in Ottumwa and the stations that have become part of the Ottumwa Radio Group.
Radio has been a part of the Ottumwa community for generations. Long before social media, smartphones and streaming services, local residents turned to their radios for news, weather, farm information, sports, entertainment and important community announcements.
The story of today’s Ottumwa Radio Group begins with KBIZ.
KBIZ 1240 AM began broadcasting in Ottumwa in April 1941. During its early years, the station served a large portion of Southeast Iowa and parts of Missouri, providing listeners with local news, weather, agricultural information, sports and other programming. Historical broadcasting records from the 1940s show KBIZ already playing an important role in connecting rural communities throughout the region.
Another longtime part of Ottumwa’s radio history is KLEE 1480 AM, which began broadcasting in 1954. Over the years, KLEE has gone through several format changes and eventually became part of the same ownership group as the other Ottumwa stations. Today, KLEE is known for its Good Time Oldies format and can also be heard on 107.7 FM.
FM radio became an increasingly important part of the local market during the 1970s and 1980s. The 97.7 frequency signed on in 1976 as KLEE-FM. It later became KOTM-FM, with the “OTM” call letters reflecting Ottumwa. Today, listeners know the station as TOM FM, playing today’s best music.
KTWA 92.7 also has a long history in the community, signing on in 1984. The station has traditionally provided an adult contemporary format and remains part of the Ottumwa Radio Group.
Other stations were added to the local radio landscape as well. KKSI 101.5, better known today as KISS FM, was established in 1990 and eventually developed its classic rock format. KRKN 104.3, licensed to Eldon, was established in 1996 and today provides a new country format to listeners throughout the region.
A major change came in 2005 when O-Town Communications purchased KBIZ and KTWA. The company already owned KKSI and KRKN, bringing four local stations together under one ownership group.
Another major milestone came in 2013 and 2014, when O-Town Communications purchased KLEE and KOTM. That acquisition brought the six commercial radio stations serving the Ottumwa market together.
Over the years, the stations have also adapted to changes in technology. The longtime AM stations added FM translators, allowing listeners to hear KBIZ on 102.7 FM and KLEE on 107.7 FM. Today, the stations can also be heard online, giving listeners another way to stay connected whether they are at home, at work or away from Southeast Iowa.
While the technology has changed dramatically, one thing has remained the same — the importance of local radio.
For decades, Ottumwa’s radio stations have been there when severe weather moves through the area, when schools close, when local teams take the field, when businesses open their doors and when important news happens in the community.
Radio has also given local residents a familiar voice to turn to each day.
The voices and personalities may change over the years, but the connection between a local radio station and its listeners is something that cannot easily be replaced.
Today, the Ottumwa Radio Group operates six stations with eight AM and FM dial positions: KBIZ, KLEE, TOM FM, KTWA, KISS FM and KRKN. Together, they provide news, talk, sports, music, community information and local programming throughout Southeast Iowa.
As National Radio Day is celebrated, the history of Ottumwa Radio Group is a reminder that radio is much more than a signal coming through a speaker.
For generations of listeners, it has been a connection to home.
From the early days of KBIZ in 1941 to today’s combination of radio, streaming and digital news, Ottumwa radio has continued to evolve while maintaining its focus on the people and communities it serves.
Happy National Radio Day from Ottumwa Radio Group — and thank you to the listeners who have made local radio a part of Southeast Iowa’s history for generations.
