// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did KBYZ say to its radio friend? "You're always tuning in to me, bye and bye, KBYZ.
| |
Broadcast area | Bismarck-Mandan |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 96.5 MHz |
| Branding | 96.5 The Walleye |
| Programming | |
| Format | Classic rock |
| Affiliations | Compass Media Networks |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| KACL, KKCT, KLXX, KUSB | |
| History | |
First air date | 1984 |
Former call signs | KYSX (1983–1984) |
Call sign meaning | B YZ (substitute for "is") marck |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| 43221 | |
| Class | C1 |
| ERP | 100,000 watts |
| HAAT | 293.6 meters |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | 965thewalleye |
KBYZ (96.5 FM), known as "96.5 The Walleye", is a radio station located in Bismarck, North Dakota, United States, owned by Townsquare Media.
Townsquare Media also owns KLXX 1270 (Talk), KKCT 97.5 (CHR), KACL 98.7 (Classic Hits), and KUSB 103.3 (Country) in the Bismarck-Mandan area. All the studios are at 4303 Memorial Highway in Mandan, along with the AM transmitter and tower. All the FM transmitters are at a site in Saint Anthony, North Dakota, on 57th Road.
History
[edit]The station first signed on the air in 1984 with an Adult Contemporary format, using the branding "Z-96." The original call sign for the frequency was KYSX from 1983 to 1984.[2]
The format transitioned to Classic Rock in the early 1990s, where it remained for nearly two decades, using the branding "The Fox." Following an ownership change, the station began evolving its playlist in the mid-2000s to include newer rock content, creating a Mainstream Rock approach.[2] On December 11, 2021, the station dropped the "Fox" branding and began a five-day format stunt before rebranding as "96.5 The Walleye" on December 16, 2021.
The station's current ownership began in 2012 when Townsquare Media acquired the Bismarck cluster, including KBYZ, from Cumulus Media Inc. The acquisition involved 55 stations in 11 markets.[3][4]
In 2013, the station rebranded itself as "The New Evolution of Classic rock" and began playing more 80's and 90's-based rock. The station also dropped The Bob and Tom Show, opting for Grand Rapids-based Free Beer and Hot Wings, to anchor the station's morning show.
Previous logo
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References
[edit]- ↑ "Facility Technical Data for KBYZ". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- 1 2 Venta, Lance (December 16, 2021). "KBYZ Revamps Classic Rock Format As 96.5 The Walleye". RadioInsight. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- ↑ "Townsquare Media Acquires Stations From Cumulus Media". Townsquare Media, LLC. April 30, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
- ↑ "Cumulus Media sells 53 radio stations in 12 U.S. cities to Townsquare Media for $238 million". Jones Day. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Facility details for Facility ID 43221 (KBYZ) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- KBYZ in Nielsen Audio's FM station database