The current KSTP-FM began broadcasting in November 1965. It was founded by Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc., which already had extensive broadcasting experience, including sister station KSTP. In 1938 and 1939 KSTP had also operated a high-fidelity AM Apex "experimental audio broadcasting station", W9XUP, originally on 25,950 kHz and later on 26,150 kHz. In 1946 an FM station, also with the call sign KSTP-FM, signed on at 102.1 MHz. This first KSTP-FM was shut down in 1952 and the license was cancelled, due to management not believing that FM radio would be profitable. It mostly simulcast the AM station, which was an affiliate of the NBC Red Network, and the stations carried NBC's schedule of dramas, comedies, news and sports. The vacated 102.1 assignment is now home to KEEY-FM. As more stations added FM counterparts in the 1960s, the current KSTP-FM debuted on November 1, 1965, now on its present-day frequency of 94.5 MHz. This new KSTP-FM also simulcast its AM sister's programming, a full servicemiddle of the road format of popular music, news and sports. In the late 1960s, the FM station began separate programming, airing a beautiful music format. With several other Twin Cities FM stations also devoted to easy listening music, Hubbard would flip KSTP-FM to Adult Contemporary branded as "KS95" in 1975. By 1991, KSTP-FM had evolved into a hot adult contemporary format. KSTP-FM served as the radio flagship for the Minnesota Vikingsfootball team from 1985 to 1987.
HD Radio
KSTP-FM began HD radio broadcasting in 2013, and in December of that year, added a simulcast of all-sports sister station KSTP 1500 AM on its HD2 subchannel, a simulcast moved from another Hubbard-owned station, KTMY-HD2. The station added an HD3 subchannel, affiliated with the Spanish-language ESPN Deportes Radio in September 2016. The ESPN Deportes HD3 subchannel was discontinued in September 2019, after ESPN discontinued ESPN Deportes Radio.
Awards
KSTP-FM has won numerous Crystal Awards, Marconi Awards and Service to America Awards from the National Association of Broadcasters, noting the station's dominance in its format and dedication to community service. KSTP-FM's first Crystal Radio Award, which is given annually by the NAB to stations that demonstrate outstanding community service, was won in 2004. The station won Crystal Awards again in 2007 and 2014. KSTP-FM has been honored with several Marconi Awards from the National Association of Broadcasters recognizing the top performing radio stations in America. 2000 - Adult Contemporary Station of the Year, 2007 - Large Market Station of the Year, 2012 - Legendary Station of the Year, 2012 - Large Market Personality of the Year-Moon and Staci, 2013 - Large Market Station of the Year, 2014 - Large Market Personality of the Year-Ryan and Shannon, 2015 - Large Market Station of the Year, 2018 - Adult Contemporary Station of the Year. The National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation awarded KSTP-FM the prestigious Service to America Award in 2001, 2008, 2010 and 2014. This award recognizes outstanding community service by local broadcasters. In 2013 KSTP-FM won an Upper Midwest Regional Emmy Award for Musical Composition/Arrangement for the song "Clouds."
