KCBS (AM)

KCBS (AM) is an all-news AM radio station based in San Francisco, California. It broadcasts on 740 kHz and is owned by Audacy, Inc., which took over after merging with CBS Radio. The station’s studios are located on Battery Street, and its transmitter is in Novato.

KCBS can be heard across Northern California during the day, reaching as far north as Red Bluff and Hopland, and south to San Luis Obispo. At night, it uses a directional antenna to send its signal mainly southeast, protecting another station in Toronto but still covering much of the Western United States, including areas like Los Angeles and San Diego.

The station is also available online through live streaming. Listeners can hear KCBS via the Audacy app, TuneIn, and iHeartRadio. In 2019, KCBS was one of the first stations to test a new feature that allows people to listen to the last 24 hours of programming on demand.

Programming

KCBS shares many programs with other news stations owned by Audacy. Every hour, it plays reports from CBS News Radio, including special roundups on weekends. It also plays parts of popular TV shows like 60 Minutes and Face the Nation. You can hear updates about traffic, weather, sports, and business.

The station has special weekly shows like KCBS Cover Story and In Depth, where they talk about important news topics. KCBS also shows the CBS Evening News two hours early on weekdays. Experts like technology analysts Larry Magid and writers from the San Francisco Chronicle join the station to talk about news stories.

Starting in December 2025, KCBS will also be heard on stations in Los Angeles between midnight and 5 am, sharing news and updates from both areas.

History

KCBS is one of the world's first radio stations. It received its first broadcasting station license as KQW in San Jose in early December 1921. However, the original licensee, Charles Herrold, had begun making audio radio transmissions in 1909 as part of an experimental radio-telephone system. Herrold opened the Herrold College of Wireless and Engineering in San Jose in 1909 to promote the college and give students practical experience.

During World War I, the U.S. government took control of radio, and private citizens could not possess working radio receivers. Civilian radio stations were dismantled, and Herrold stopped broadcasting until after the war. After the war, Herrold resumed broadcasting.

In 1921, KQW received a broadcasting station license and began operating on a specific wavelength. Over the years, KQW changed frequencies and ownership. In 1949, CBS bought KQW and changed its call letters to KCBS. In 1968, KCBS became one of the first all-news stations in the country.

KCBS has a long history of news broadcasting, dating back to World War II. In the early years of all-news format, popular anchors and reporters included Al Hart, Frank Knight, Dave McElhatton, Ray Hutchinson, Ken Ackerman, and Bob Price.

KCBS also broadcast local sports for many years, including Stanford University football, San Jose State football, and the San Francisco 49ers. In 1990, KCBS became the primary station for the Bay Area's Emergency Broadcast System.

In 1995, Westinghouse Electric Corporation bought CBS, bringing KCBS under common ownership with KPIX-TV. In 2017, CBS Radio merged with Entercom, and KCBS became part of Audacy, Inc. Entercom (now Audacy) has the rights to use the KCBS brand for 20 years.

Pioneer station status

When Dr. Charles D. Herrold sold his radio station KQW in 1925, the new owners had to say during their first broadcast: "This is KQW, pioneer broadcasting station of the world, founded by Dr. Charles D. Herrold in San Jose in 1909".

While some reports say Herrold started testing audio broadcasts as early as 1909, the most reliable evidence shows he began regular weekly entertainment programs in July 1912. These are widely regarded as the first regular entertainment broadcasts by radio. However, there is debate about whether KCBS can be called the oldest continuously operating radio station. After World War I ended, Herrold did not start regular broadcasts again until May 1921.

Other stations also claim to be among the oldest in the United States. These include 8MK / WWJ in Detroit, which started regular broadcasts in August 1920; WOC in Davenport, Iowa, which began around September 1920; 9ZAF/KLZ in Denver, with nightly concerts starting in October 1920; and 8ZZ/KDKA in Pittsburgh, which began operating on November 2, 1920.

In 1945, WWJ and KDKA both celebrated their 25th anniversaries, each claiming to be the oldest commercial radio station. Later that year, KQW broadcast "The Story of KQW," arguing that KCBS is the oldest radio station, predating both WWJ and KDKA by eleven years. This broadcast included a recording from Herrold made just before his 70th birthday. Eventually, WWJ, KDKA, and KCBS all became part of CBS Radio and are now sister stations under Audacy's ownership.

Landmark status

On January 14, 1983, a special sign was put up at 50 Fairmont Plaza in San Jose, California. It marks the spot as California Historical Landmark 952, honoring what is called the "World's First Broadcasting Station." The sign was placed by California State Parks together with other local groups on April 3, 1984.

In 2009, KCBS celebrated its 100th birthday with special events all around the Bay Area. One of these events was putting up another plaque outside the building at 50 Fairmont Plaza to remember the 100th anniversary of the world's first radio station. All year, KCBS used the phrase "The World's First Broadcasting Station" to celebrate this milestone.