History of Hutton Broadcasting

In mid-2005, Hutton Broadcasting launched two radio stations, ESPN AM 1400, and Outlaw Country 107.5 FM with the belief that a local radio group has a responsibility to serve and protect the interest of its employees, customers, listeners and the community. The Hutton family’s mission in beginning a radio group was steeped in the ideal that success exists only when you serve all four. By providing a work environment that nurtures creativity and individuality while capitalizing on the strengths of each team member, you are able to develop programming that excites the listener, supports the community needs, and as a result builds a strong audience for the advertiser.

Fast forward to June 2007 when three other Santa Fe stations became available for sale including heritage station 98.1 Radio Free Santa Fe, along with Project 101.5, and blu 102.9. The Hutton’s saw an opportunity to create a locally owned radio group that could compete with the large corporate entities while maintaining local integrity. Scott, Ted, and Georgie Hutton were able to preserve the stations and bring together what Scott Hutton (Managing Partner & Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce Board Member) refers to as a “Dream Team” of radio talent.

With five stations and a talented team Hutton, along with his program directors, Ira Gordon and Scott Matthews, focused on the lifestyles associated with each of the five radio stations. By drilling down to the essence of each product, they were able to provide a vehicle for the advertisers that allowed businesses to speak directly to the people they want to reach. In 2009 Hutton signed an agreement to purchase Progressive Talk on AM1260 that rounded out the radio cluster allowing Hutton Broadcasting to bring talk radio that speaks to our liberal, creative community..

History of Santa Fe Radio

In 1997 several radio stations moved from Santa Fe to Albuquerque.  The former Santa Fe radio stations became Albuquerque stations broadcasting Albuquerque advertisers, Albuquerque news and information, and Albuquerque contesting. This shifted the dynamic of radio in the market for Santa Fe Stations from 1980 to 1997:

Between 1995 and 2006 signals began moving in from the outlying areas to Santa Fe.  Unfortunately these broadcasters were unable to compete with the Albuquerque clusters to build promotions over multiple stations and were often overlooked when buyers were looking to clusters to maximize their advertising dollar.

Santa Fe Stations from 1995 to 2006:

 98.1 KBAC-FM

102.9 KLBU-FM

 101.5  KWRP-FM

 107.5  KQBA-FM

Beginning in 2006 Hutton Broadcasting began purchasing the stand alone stations, as well as the heritage AM’s. The outcome is the first locally owned radio cluster in Santa Fe. Strong promotions and support of the local non-profits have positioned Hutton Broadcasting as Santa Fe’s community radio cluster. The result is that we have restored local radio to this marketplace bringing resources, local information, and exciting promotions Santa Fe had been unable to enjoy for years.