Connoisseur Media has announced country station 98.5 KBAY (Bay Country) is significantly expanding its broadcast footprint by adding the 98.5 FM frequency, dramatically increasing coverage across the South Bay and surrounding communities in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The move places KBAY’s popular country format on the stronger 98.5 FM signal — previously home to KUFX — giving the station substantially greater reach while keeping its existing programming, on-air personalities, and local focus intact. During the transition, KBAY will simulcast on its longtime frequency until the previously announced sale of that signal to K-LOVE is finalized.
“Expanding Bay Country to 98.5 is an investment in both our listeners and our advertising partners,” said Brian “Fig” Figula, Regional Operations Manager. “This gives KBAY the stronger signal and broader reach the brand deserves while preserving everything our audience already loves about the station.”
“The San Francisco Bay Area has long been underserved by a major country station, and we’re ready to fill that void,” Dakin said. “With Danny Miller, Tony Michaels, and Emily Harlan leading the lineup, KBAY is in a great spot to become the Bay Area’s premier destination for country music.”
All of KBAY’s current on-air personalities will remain in their roles as the station broadens its audience.
As part of the transition, the classic rock format of KUFX will continue as K FOX Classic Rock, available on HD2 and online via Super Hi-Fi, ensuring fans can still access the rock programming through digital platforms.
The KBAY expansion will be accompanied by several programming leadership changes across Connoisseur Media’s West Coast markets. Those updates are expected to be announced in the coming days.