History
The Federal Communications Commission authorized the granting of a construction permit for a new radio station on 1510 kHz in Fresno to Irving E. Penberthy on October 31, 1961.[3] Penberthy was a Baptist minister and plans were initially announced for the station to specialize in Christian radio programs.[4] This was changed before broadcasting began.[5] The station officially signed on the air in August 1962.
At the end of 1965, Penberthy reached a deal to sell KIRV to general manager Robert Eurich.[6] Eurich owned the station until New Life Enterprises acquired it in 1974.[3] One of the partners in New Life was Jim Patterson, who later became mayor of Fresno between 1993 and 2001.[7] Patterson was a second-generation broadcaster; he had previously been employed at KBIF, which was owned by his father Norwood until he lost ownership of it in a tax case. Norwood was also involved with Visalia's KICU-TV.[8] Patterson, who was joined by Dan Jantz and Dennis Klassen in the partnership, frequently aired his conservative political views on KIRV programs.[9] The station lost $400 in its first full year as a Christian outlet but made $44,000 of revenue by 1980.[8]
The 500-watt station upgraded to its present 10,000 watts after the construction of two new towers in the antenna array was approved in 1979.[10]
Though not active in management in the later years,[8] Patterson continued to own KIRV until 1999, when it was sold to Gore-Overgaard Broadcasting. Gore-Overgaard sold KIRV to current owner Centro Cristiano Vida Abundante in December 2012 for $600,000.[11]