Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 20, 2026

KEYS

KEYS is a commercial radio station licensed to Corpus Christi, Texas, United States. Owned by Malkan AM Associates, L.P., it features a conservative talk format, with studios and offices are on Leopard Street in Corpus Christi.

Last revised
Jun 20, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
353 w
Citations
2
Source
KEYS
Broadcast area
Corpus Christi metropolitan area
Frequency1440 kHz
BrandingKEYS 1440
Programming
FormatConservative talk
AffiliationsNBC News Radio
Compass Media Networks
Genesis Communications Network
Radio America
Townhall News
Westwood One
Ownership
OwnerMalkan AM Associates, L.P.
KKBA, KZFM
History
First air date
March 1941 (1941-03)
Technical information1
Licensing authority
FCC
39715
ClassB
Power
  • 1,000 watts (day)
  • 199 watts (night)
Translator98.7 K254DH (Corpus Christi)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen live
Website1440keys.com

KEYS (1440 AM) is a commercial radio station licensed to Corpus Christi, Texas, United States. Owned by Malkan AM Associates, L.P., it features a conservative talk format, with studios and offices are on Leopard Street in Corpus Christi.

KEYS's transmitter is sited on Agnes Street near Flato Road in Corpus Christi. Programming is also heard on low-power FM translator K254DH at 98.7 MHz.

History

KEYS studios circa 1977 source ↗

KEYS signed on the air in March 1941.2 It was the second radio station in Corpus Christi, powered at 250 watts with studios in the Centre Theatre Building. It was owned by Nueces Broadcasting and it originally transmitted on 1490 kilocycles.

In the 1960s and 70s, it aired a Top 40 format. The disc jockeys included Johnny Ringo, Charlie Brite, Johnny Marks, Tom Nix, Jim West and Gil Garcia as Michael Scott. Studio were in Downtown Corpus Christi.

In the early 2000s, it aired a talk radio format. On September 1, 2011, KEYS changed its format to sports radio, branded as "ESPN 1440." It aired programming from the ESPN Radio Network.

As of August 31, 2015, the talk radio format returned to KEYS after a four-year absence.

Programming

Bob James hosts the station's local morning program; the remainder of the weekday schedule is nationally syndicated conservative talk shows. Live sports include the Dallas Cowboys, the San Antonio Spurs and the University of Texas Longhorns.

References

References

  1. "Facility Technical Data for KEYS". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. Broadcasting Yearbook 1942 page 178. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
External links

27°47′02″N 97°27′29″W / 27.78389°N 97.45806°W / 27.78389; -97.45806