THE ROOTS OF KFAC

KFAC starts as an AM classical station on the 1330 frequency in 1931. Its call letters were KFVD, owned and operated by the Los Angeles Broadcasting Co.

* E. L. Cord, the creator of the classic Cord automobile, buys the station in 1938. The call letters are changed to KFAC.

* KFAC-FM (92.3) begins broadcasting in 1948 with live airings of the opening concerts of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Hollywood Bowl.

* In 1962, the Cleveland Broadcasting Inc., an Ohio-based radio conglomerate, buys the station for $2 million.

* On Jan. 23, 1969, a full-page ad in The Times urges listeners of KFAC-AM and FM to write letters of appeal to the FCC. Atlantic State Industries wants to buy both stations, but an FCC rule prohibits a new owner from operating both an AM and FM station in the same market. If KFAC is not given an exemption, the separation of AM and FM operations would force the discontinuance of its classical format. The station receives almost 9,000 sympathetic letters.

* The FCC yields, and ASI buys KFAC in late 1969, along with several other stations owned by the Cleveland group, for a total sale price of $8.2 million.

* On Jan. 17, 1972, the format of KFAC-AM is changed. The AM station features popular and familiar classical music while the FM band airs the complete spectrum of classical music.

* On April 8, 1986, Louise Heifetz, a KIIS sales executive, and Edward Argow, KFAC executive vice president, buy KFAC AM and FM for $33.5 million. Heifetz and Argow later form Classic Communications.

* In January, 1987, Classic Communications cleans out longtime staff members amid a public outcry: Tom Dixon (41 years as KFAC personality), Fred Crane (39 years), program director and “World of Opera” host Carl Princi (33 years), “Luncheon at the Music Center” host Martin Workman (10 years) and Doug Ordunio (8 years).

* In April, 1988, KFAC-AM is put up for sale. Lotus Communications Inc., owner of all-Spanish-language KWKW-AM (1300), buys KFAC-AM for $8.75 million and moves up to KFAC’s 1330 frequency. At about the same time, the 1300 frequency slot is purchased by NetworksAmerica, which becomes KAZN-AM, a 24-hour station of Asian-language programming.

* On Jan. 18, 1989, Evergreen Media Group, a Dallas-based radio station chain, buys KFAC-FM for $55 million. Evergreen Media group says it will keep KFAC’s classical music format as well as its current on-air personalities.

* During the last ratings quarter, KFAC-FM garners only 1.6 points, according to the Birch Scarborough Research. KFAC’s audience is estimated at about 24,500 listeners during a 15-minute sampling period.