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| KOMA (AM) | |
|---|---|
| Name | KOMA (AM) |
| City | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| Area | Oklahoma City metropolitan area |
| Branding | KOMA 1520 AM |
| Frequency | 1520 kHz |
| Format | Adult standards / Oldies |
| Facility id | 11928 |
| Callsign meaning | unknown |
| Owner | Tyler Media Group |
| Sister stations | KMGL, KRXO-FM, KOKC, KTUZ-FM, KOMA-FM |
KOMA (AM) is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, broadcasting on 1520 kHz. The station has a long heritage in the Oklahoma City market and is known for its adult standards and oldies programming, local personalities, and involvement in civic events. KOMA operates alongside several sister stations and has been part of multiple ownership changes and format evolutions that reflect broader trends in American radio broadcasting.
KOMA began service amid the post-World War II expansion of American broadcasting alongside contemporaries such as WABC (AM), WGN (AM), KYW (AM), WLS (AM), and KFI. Early decades saw KOMA compete with regional rivals like WKY (AM), WWLS-FM, KQOB, KOKC and larger network affiliates including CBS Radio, NBC Radio Network, Mutual Broadcasting System, and ABC Radio Network. Ownership and format shifts mirrored national consolidation exemplified by transactions involving companies such as Clear Channel Communications, Cumulus Media, Entercom, iHeartMedia, and independent groups like Tyler Media Group. Programming changes over time paralleled trends set by stations such as KYW and WABC, moving from full-service and middle-of-the-road playlists toward specialized oldies, nostalgia, and standards formats similar to those on WNEW (AM) and WCBS (AM). Regulatory context included Federal Communications Commission decisions and policies that affected AM allocations, power authorizations, and market consolidation, comparable to precedents set in cases involving FCC actions and notable rulings.
KOMA's playlist emphasizes classic pop standards, adult standards, and oldies drawn from the catalogs of artists featured on Capitol Records, Columbia Records, RCA Victor, Decca Records, and Motown. Program elements include block programming, syndicated features, and locally produced shows inspired by formats used at stations like KNX (AM), WBZ (AM), WABC-FM, and WFAN. Syndication partners and content providers historically include networks such as Westwood One, Premiere Networks, and ABC Radio Networks for specialty shows, tribute hours, and countdowns similar to programming on WCBS-FM and K-EARTH 101. Music directors curate playlists referencing catalogs by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, and Ella Fitzgerald, while specialty segments recall the nostalgic blocks popularized by stations like WMCA and WNEW-FM. News, traffic, and weather updates have historically been sourced from services such as Associated Press, regional bureaus, and local newsrooms paralleling practices at KOCO-TV and News 9 affiliates.
Operating on 1520 kHz, KOMA uses directional antenna arrays and daytime/nighttime power levels governed by technical standards similar to those applied to clear-channel stations like KOKC and other Class B operations regulated by the Federal Communications Commission. Engineering practices include transmitter maintenance, tower site management, and compliance with RF exposure standards comparable to guidelines from the National Association of Broadcasters and equipment manufacturers like Nautel, GatesAir, and Crown International. KOMA's signal contours cover the Oklahoma City metropolitan area and extend into surrounding counties, interacting with skywave propagation phenomena studied alongside historic clear-channel operations such as WLW (AM) and KDKA (AM). Technical upgrades over time have paralleled industry trends toward digital studio consoles, audio processing from vendors like Omnia Audio, and streaming distribution compatible with platforms maintained by companies such as TuneIn and iHeartRadio.
KOMA has been owned and operated by multiple broadcast groups during its tenure, with corporate stewardship reflecting patterns seen at companies such as Cox Media Group, Audacy, Inc., Townsquare Media, and regional owners like Tyler Media Group. Management structures include general managers, program directors, sales managers, and chief engineers who coordinate with traffic departments, advertising agencies, and promotional partners similar to operations at KMGL and KFOR-TV. Strategic decisions about format changes, talent acquisition, and market positioning have at times been influenced by market studies from firms like Arbitron/Nielsen Audio and legal compliance with statutes administered by the FCC.
Over the years KOMA has featured local and syndicated voices comparable in stature to personalities heard on The Howard Stern Show, Delilah (syndicated radio program), Paul Harvey, Larry King, and regionally known hosts from stations such as WKY (AM), KOMA-FM, and KMGL. On-air talent have ranged from morning show hosts, music jocks, news anchors, to specialty show hosts presenting spotlight hours for artists like Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Ray Charles, and Patsy Cline. Personality-driven features and interviews have mirrored practices used at talk and music outlets like KFAQ and KXXY-FM.
KOMA participates in community outreach, charity drives, and public events similar to initiatives organized by broadcasters such as Oklahoma City Thunder media partnerships, local branches of United Way, Salvation Army, and festival sponsorships including collaborations with Oklahoma State University and University of Oklahoma events. The station has historically promoted local concerts, holiday drives, and public-service campaigns aligning with civic partners, emergency alert responsibilities in coordination with NOAA Weather Radio, and public-safety agencies like the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety.
Category:Radio stations in Oklahoma Category:Tyler Media Group stations