FCC auction
The FCC returned the 107.9 frequency on which KDND was licensed to operate to the agency's inventory of unused channels, to be put up for auction to the highest bidder. The FCC stipulated that use of the frequency must retain its short-spaced protections to KSAN (107.7 FM) in San Mateo; any new station would be limited to 50 kW ERP and an average height above average terrain of 123 meters in the direction of KSAN.[8]
The FCC included the 107.9 frequency in its Auction 106, which was scheduled to begin April 28, 2020, but the auction was indefinitely postponed on March 25, 2020, due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.[9] The allocation was again put up for auction as part of FCC Auction 109 beginning July 27, 2021, and was auctioned off to iHeartMedia for $6,146,000.[10][11] iHeart opted to locate the station, now with the KSTE-FM call letters, from the same tower where KDND had operated near Elverta.[12]
Startup
On May 4, 2022, KSTE-FM signed on, beginning a soft launch by stunting with loops of songs relevant to the specific date through May 9, followed by dead air punctuated with cryptic liners themed around listening, interspersed with audio bits pretending to be the results of "listening in" to the queries and discussions of area people using voice assistants.[13][14] On May 16, the station began promoting iHeartRadio's "Talkback" feature, airing messages from listeners made using the feature (including, but not limited to, song requests, general suggestions for the station's permanent format, and comments on news stories).[14] On May 19, KSTE-FM returned to teasing different formats and asking listeners to vote on what permanent format the station should play, starting with Christmas music; over the next two weeks, this would be followed up with Pride Radio, Top 40, contemporary Christian, classic alternative, Spanish Top 40, classic country, 1990s dance music, classic hip hop, yacht rock, 1980s hits, 1990s hits, 2000s hits, country, and pop music.[14]
On June 3, it was announced that KSTE-FM would launch its permanent format at noon on June 8; for the remaining days of the stunting, the station played "party songs" from the previous 25 years. At the promised time, after airing a one-hour countdown, KSTE-FM debuted a hot adult contemporary format emphasizing 1990s and 2000s hits (as well as some re-currents) as "Kiss 107.9", with "Let's Get It Started" by The Black Eyed Peas being the first song played.[14] iHeart filed for the call sign KZIS on June 22, which took effect on June 28.[15][16] Following the call sign change, the station began broadcasting in HD Radio.
