The Federal Communications Commission has officially revoked the licenses of two FM radio stations in Texas, bringing an end to Kremling Enterprises’ Texas Thunder Radio broadcasts in Yoakum and Hallettsville. The decision follows years of unpaid regulatory fees and a failure to respond to repeated warnings from the FCC.
The affected stations, KYKM and KTXM, had been simulcasting a country music format under the Texas Thunder Radio brand. However, Kremling Enterprises failed to pay regulatory fees dating back to 2017, including dues for 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2024. The total outstanding amount reached $14,222.60 as of April 10, including penalties and interest.
In February, the FCC issued a formal notice requiring Kremling to either pay the outstanding balance or provide a written justification for nonpayment. The company did neither. As a result, the FCC issued a Revocation Order on May 30, effectively terminating both station licenses and ordering the immediate cessation of all broadcasts.
The Commission’s order also deletes both station call signs from the FCC’s official database and dismisses license renewal applications that had been pending since April 2021. This action closes any path to reinstating the stations’ licenses without reapplying from scratch—a lengthy and uncertain process.
Despite losing its licenses, Kremling Enterprises remains legally obligated to pay the debt in full. The FCC’s order noted that interest and penalties will continue to accumulate until the balance is resolved.
The revocation underscores the Commission’s growing efforts to enforce regulatory compliance, especially among smaller broadcasters. It also highlights the financial pressure facing some local radio operators, many of whom struggle to meet rising costs while maintaining community-focused service.
For listeners in the rural East Texas communities of Yoakum and Hallettsville, the shutdown of Texas Thunder Radio leaves a gap in locally oriented country music programming. No replacement broadcaster has yet been announced, and the frequencies once used by KYKM and KTXM will now return to the FCC for possible reallocation.
The Commission’s actions serve as a reminder that continued operation without compliance is not an option. The FCC is making clear that even longstanding local broadcasters will be held accountable when financial and legal obligations go unmet.