Peter B. Collins To Launch Radio Free America

Peter B. Collins, a fixture in Bay Area radio since 1976, will return to the air locally at KRXA/540, which is licensed to Carmel Valley and serves the Monterey Bay area. Collins, along with longtime business associate Tony Seaton and Washington, D.C., attorney Hal Ginsberg, have acquired the station from People's Radio, Inc.

The FCC granted its approval of the sale on June 17 (effective when the deal closes on July 31).

The new owners, organized as KRFA-AM, LLC, will launch their Radio Free America format on the station shortly. Collins let me know that a press release with details is due out in a few days.

KRXA's website notes that Collins (photo, right) will host the station's 3-6 p.m. slot, with syndicated talkers Thom Hartmann (9-10 a.m.) and Ed Schultz (noon-3 p.m.) also on the schedule.

Peter B. came to the Bay Area from WLS-FM/Chicago, and is best remembered locally as the longtime co-host at KRQR ("The Rocker") in the 1980s. He has also been a talk show host at KGO, KNBR and KSFO here. Most recently, Collins hosted All American Talk Radio (heard on on Sirius/145).

KRXA will originate its home-grown programming out of the People's Radio studios on Cannery Row in Monterey. The station operates with 10,000 watts during the day, but only 500 watts at night.