KPAN Radio in Hereford, Texas, officially ceased operations on Tuesday, August 4, ending 78 years of broadcasting across the Texas Panhandle, according to the station. Operated by the Formby family for four generations, the dual-frequency outlet shut down both 860 KPAN-AM and 106.3 KPAN-FM on its milestone anniversary.
The End of an Era for KPAN Radio Operations
The station announced its permanent closure in its final RadioGram transmission. According to the broadcast, the station sandwiched its farewell message between routine local updates, weather forecasts, funeral notices, and community announcements.
“KPAN Radio has reached 78 years on the air in Hereford, TX, today,” the station stated in its final sign-off. “The Formby family thanks the Hereford community for 78 wonderful years of hometown radio as we say goodbye to the station’s operations.”
Originally launched solely as an AM station in 1948, KPAN later expanded its reach by adding an FM signal. For nearly eight decades, the station served as a primary communications lifeline for Hereford and Deaf Smith County residents.
Did you know? KPAN Radio was operated by the Formby family for four generations during its 78-year run.
Community Tributes and Broadcaster Reflections
Former KPAN broadcaster John Griffin published a lengthy reaction on Facebook following the closure, describing the shutdown as the loss of a steady heartbeat across the region. According to Griffin, the Formby family provided a daily pulse that reached homes, vehicles, and workshops.
Griffin recalled growing up listening to the station for snow day announcements, birthday shoutouts, and Halloween contest results before eventually joining the staff as a high school student. He credited veteran broadcasters with teaching him everything from recording commercials to reporting grain prices.
“It was the honor of a lifetime” to return to the station later to reminisce about its history, Griffin wrote, thanking the Formby family for their decades of service.
Tom Simons, a retired broadcaster and former Hereford mayor who spent more than 50 years at KPAN, also shared a tribute. According to Simons, the closure marked a sad day for the community.
“KPAN has been the heart and soul of Hereford and Deaf Smith County and the surrounding area for 78 years,” Simons wrote, thanking the Formby family for letting him share local sports and community events with listeners for decades.
Broader Decline in the Texas Radio Landscape
The closure of KPAN in Hereford follows a similar permanent sign-off earlier in the year. In April, KSTA 1000 AM in Coleman, known as “The Voice of Coleman County,” permanently went dark after 75 years on the air when its owners were unable to secure a buyer.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did KPAN Radio officially close?
KPAN Radio officially ceased operations on Tuesday, August 4, coinciding with its 78th anniversary.
Which frequencies did KPAN broadcast on?
The station operated on 860 KPAN-AM, which originally launched in 1948, and 106.3 KPAN-FM, which was added at a later date.
Who owned and operated KPAN Radio?
The station was operated by the Formby family across four generations.
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