Update, June 4: In a new order, the FCC has reinstated both of Kremling Enterprises’ station licenses. No reason was given for the reversal of its recent revocation order. Radio World will release additional updates as it learns more.
The Federal Communications Commission has revoked two station licenses in Southeast Texas after the licensee failed to pay station regulatory fees for seven years.
Kremling Enterprises used to own station licenses for KYKM(FM) in Yoakum, Texas, and KTXM(FM) in Hallettsville. On May 30, the FCC said Kremling was stripped of said licenses after failing to pay off its 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2024 regulatory fee debt owed to the commission, totaling $14,223 as of April 2025.
Branded as “Texas Thunder Radio,” country music station KYKM first went on air in 1981 under its former call sign KYOC. Sister station KTXM was tacked on under the same format in 1998. Both were Class A stations.
The FCC is required to collect annual regulatory fees from radio stations to help fund its operations and activities. Under the Communications Act of 1934, when payment is received late or is incomplete, the commission can levy a penalty equal to “25 percent of the amount of the fee that was not paid in a timely manner.”
Or, as in this case, the commission can also revoke station authorizations for failure to pay regulatory fees and related interest/penalties promptly.
The commission previously sent letters to Kremling demanding payment of the delinquent regulatory fee debts, but received none. In February of this year, the FCC Media Bureau and the Office of Managing Director jointly issued an Order to Pay or to Show Cause, requiring Kremling to submit proof of full payment to the bureau within 60 days or show cause to why the fees should be waived or deferred.
To date, the FCC said Kremling has not paid any of the debts, nor has it filed a written response to the order. Consequently, all station operations must cease immediately.
With this revocation order, the commission also dismisses the pending renewal applications for KYKM and KTXM. Kremling will still be required to pay off its debt to the commission.
