KIBB is a radio station broadcasting an adult hits format branded as "Bob FM". Licensed to Haven, Kansas, the station serves the Wichita area. The station is currently owned by Rocking M Media. The station's studios are located in Wellington, Kansas, and the transmitter is in Colwich, Kansas.
Frequency history
The 97.1 frequency, which targeted the Hutchinson area, signed on the air on May 11, 1998 with an adult contemporary format as "Classy 97.1" KLSI. The KLSI call letters formerly belonged to Kansas City radio station KMXV. The station was owned by Ad Astra Per Aspera Broadcasting. On November 27, 1998, the station flipped to an adult-oriented Top 40 format, branded simply as "97.1 KSKU". AAPA would sell the station to Connoisseur in 2007. At the same time, AAPA would relocate the Top 40 format to 94.7 FM, replacing satellite-fed oldies. The newly relocated frequency received the call letters KGGG on February 1, 2007, which were formerly located on 94.7; however, the frequency went dark for over a year. The adult hits format would relocate to 97.1 from 100.5 on February 14, 2008, in order to make way for a new country station to be aired on that frequency. 97.1 would acquire the KIBB call letters the day before, while the KGGG call letters would relocate to a sister station in Iowa. Rocking M Media acquired KIBB and KVWF from Connoisseur Media effective September 30, 2017, at a purchase price of $3.3 million. On March 29, 2019, Rocking M announced they would sell KIBB and its five sister stations in the Wichita/Wellington/Winfield area to Allied Media Partners, a local group owned by Matt Baty and Tommy Castor, for $6.2 million. Allied Media Partners would take over the stations via a local marketing agreement on April 1. The FCC approved the sale in late May; however, the sale was not consummated due to Allied Media Partners' condition that Rocking M would clear all liens and outstanding debt on the stations in order for the sale to be completed. The completion date would be delayed a few more times, with a final scheduled completion date of October 31. On September 23, 2019, Envision, who owns the building that houses the station's studios, would lock the doors, denying staff members access to the station and offices; the non-profit organization claims that Rocking M was behind in their lease agreement. In response, Rocking M would take each station off the air that day as well. A week later, Allied Media Partners announced it would cease operations, and let go all employees, putting the future of the stations in jeopardy. On October 11, Envision would file a lawsuit against Rocking M in Harvey CountyDistrict Court, claiming that Rocking M did not meet a payment schedule related to sister station KKGQ's sale in 2017 and owes the company money. It also wants a sheriff's sale of property related to the station and demands that Rocking M deliver all collateral to Envision. On November 6, Envision would file a second lawsuit against Rocking M in Sedgwick County District Court for failing to vacate the building that houses their stations' studios, along with leaving behind damaged property and failing to pay rent for parking spaces. In return, Rocking M would file a complaint with the FCC, hoping that the agency would force Envision to allow access back to the stations' studios, as well as to fine the company. In addition, Rocking M has stated that it hopes to still sell KIBB and its five sister stations. In February 2020, KIBB would return to the air, now operating from studios in Wellington, along with sister stations KKGQ and KWME.
