Nebraska Radio History Archive Presentation:
KOSR
Before it was Omaha's FOX sports radio affiliate, KOSR was beautiful music, news and country. 1490 signed on the air in 1941 as KBON; Call letters it would retain until the 1970's. The began with 250 watts of output and would eventually gain authorization for the 1000 watts it's presently licensed for.
The station was owned by John Morrison and Clarence Spires. Paul Fry, was the first first general manager (and most likely had some stock in the company). KBON was an affiliate of the Mutual Broadcasting System and aired music, sports and local news.
The first wheel of formats for the station began when KBON picked up the call letters KLNG and became Omaha's first all news station. They carried NBC's News & Information Service and used the slogan "Give us 15 minutes and we'll give you the world". Newsradio 1490 didn't last long and switched to country as KYNN when Great Empire bought Alll News KLNG from Harrison Furst. The studio was at 615 N. 90th (just north of 90th and Dodge).
In 1978 KEZO became Z-92 dropping their beautiful music format and 1490 picked it up. The FCC database shows the call letters KEDS being issued in 1985. KEDS began as Oldies. It was the first all oldies station in Omaha and kicked up some pretty good numbers in its first book or two. Dave Wingert from KGOR was the first morning man. At the time, KGOR was A/C but gravitating towards oldies before doing an about face and taking on KQKQ in the CHR war. At some time KOIL picked up the Oldies mantle and KEDS switched to A/C.
The 80's brought with it a shakeup of the Omaha radio dial. It began when Meredith Broadcasting decided to get out of the radio business in Omaha. They put 92.3 and 590 on the block (at the time WOW). Great Empire (94.1 and 1490) wanted the better 590 frequency, but would need to spin off 1490. Albimar Broadcasting was interested in Meredith's 92.3, so Great Empire offered them 1490. It took over a year to make the deal, but in the end Great Empire ended up with 94.1 KYNN-FM and 590 WOW. Albimar owned 92.3 WOW-FM and 1490 KYNN. Great Empire kept the WOW call letters for 590 and shifted them to 94.1as WOW-FM.
By 1490 had become KEZO and was simulcasting KEZO-FM's rock format. This would continue for nearly a decade when in 1996, KEZO became KOSR and joined forces with Fox.
Old FM antenna bays posts are still visible on 1490's tower. Those belonged to KBON-FM which went on the air in 1948 at 98.7 with 3000 watts of power. The FM signal was unsuccessful and signed off in 1952.
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