KJRB

KJRB
Spokane, Washington;
Broadcast area	Spokane metropolitan area
Frequency	790 kHz
Branding	94.1 The Bear
Programming
Format	Mainstream rock
Ownership
Owner	Stephens Media Group; (SMG-Spokane, LLC);
Sister stations	KBBD, KDRK-FM, KEYF-FM, KGA, KZBD
History
First air date	1947 (as KNEW)
Former call signs	KNEW (1947–1966)
Technical information
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	11235
Class	D
Power	4,400 watts day; 34 watts night
Transmitter coordinates	47°30′7″N 117°23′8″W / 47.50194°N 117.38556°W
Translator(s)	94.1 K231CU (Spokane)
Links
Public license information	Public file; LMS;
Webcast	Listen Live
Website	941thebear.com

KJRB (790 AM) is a commercial radio station in Spokane, Washington. KJRB is owned by Stephens Media Group, through licensee SMG-Spokane, LLC, and airs a mainstream rock radio format. It calls itself "94.1 The Bear".

KJRB has a daytime power of 4,400 watts; at night, to protect other stations on AM 790, it reduces power to 34 watts. It uses a non-directional antenna at all times. The transmitter is on East Stutler Road off U.S. Route 195 in Spangle, Washington.^[2] KJRB also simulcasts on FM translator 94.1 K231CU, powered at 99 watts.^[3]

History

KJRB has had a long and colorful history showcasing many famous disc jockeys, including Randy Evans and Treasure Goodtimes (now known as Ichabod Caine and Scallops), Larry "SuperJock" Lujack, Charlie Brown (who went to KUBE 93 FM and later KJR-FM 95.7 in Seattle), Ric Hansen, Jim Kampmann, Danny Holiday (Daniel Thygesen), Joe Michaels, Jack "Commander Dunk" Gordon, Ross Woodward, Norm Gregory, Brian Gregory, Ricky Shannon, Suds Coleman, Rick Rydell, Marie McCallister, Steven West, Ralphie Koal, with Frank Hanel and "Sunshine" Shelly Monahan.

KJRB's call letters originally reflected the fact that it had been owned by Kaye-Smith Enterprises, the owners of then-Top 40 station KJR in Seattle. KJRB moved towards an Oldies format in the 1980s, a news/talk station in the early 1990s, and sports as 790 The Fan, from 1999 until April 2008, when the sports format was moved to sister station 1510 KGA. In return, KGA's news/talk format moved to KJRB.

During the station's early years as a sports station, KJRB also broadcast "hot talk" shows such as Don and Mike, Tom Leykis and Phil Hendrie, with evening and weekend programming provided by Fox Sports Radio, Sporting News Radio and Westwood One.^[4]

On October 24, 2012, KJRB shifted its format to All-News.^[5] On September 19, 2013, KJRB changed format to Classic country, branded as "The Eagle". On June 1, 2015, KJRB switched back to the sports format as "Fox Sports 790." That gave Mapleton Communications two all-sports stations in Spokane, KJRB and KGA. On March 28, 2016, KJRB changed the format to adult standards, branded as "Magic 790". On March 21, 2017, KJRB changed the format to classic rock, branded as "94.1 The Bear" (simulcasting on FM translator K231CU 94.1 FM Spokane).^[6]

On September 30, 2019, the station was sold to Stephens Media Group after Stephens acquired most of the properties of former owner Mapleton Communications.