If you’ve ever driven down I-10 with the windows down on a Friday afternoon, you know the sound. It’s that specific blend of accordion, snappy drum beats, and a bassline that makes your heart thump a little faster. You're hearing KXTN. Officially known as 107.5 San Antonio Tejano radio station, it isn’t just a frequency on a dial. It’s the pulse of South Texas.
Tejano music is a weird, beautiful beast. It’s a mix of German polkas, Mexican rancheras, and American pop. Some people say it's dying. Honestly? They’re wrong. You can’t kill something that’s baked into the DNA of a city. San Antonio is the undisputed world capital of Tejano, and 107.5 is the throne.
But it’s been a bumpy ride lately.
The Identity Crisis of 107.5 San Antonio Tejano Radio Station
Radio is a cutthroat business. A few years ago, Univision—the big corporate entity that owns the station—made a move that ticked off a lot of people. They moved the Tejano format over to an AM signal and a HD2 subchannel to make room for a rhythmic CHR (Top 40) format on the powerful 107.5 FM signal.
People were furious. You don't just move the "Home of Tejano" to a crackly AM signal and expect everyone to be cool with it.
The backlash was real. It was loud. San Antonio residents felt like a piece of their culture was being shoved into a corner to make room for generic pop hits. Thankfully, the suits eventually realized they’d made a massive tactical error. They brought Tejano back to the FM 107.5 spot, though it now shares a bit of its identity as "Vibe," mixing in some classic hip-hop and R&B. It’s a hybrid now. Is it perfect? Probably not for the purists. But it kept the music on the high-power transmitter where it belongs.
Why the 107.5 Frequency Matters So Much
Think about the geography. San Antonio is huge. The 107.5 signal is a beast—a 100,000-watt blowtorch. That kind of power means you can pick up the station way out in the Hill Country and almost halfway to the coast. For workers on job sites or families grilling in the backyard, that reach is everything.
Tejano isn't background noise. It's a lifestyle.
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When you tune in, you’re looking for the greats. We're talking about Selena, obviously. But also Jay Perez, David Lee Garza, and Mazz. These aren't just names; they are legends who built the "San Antonio Sound." The DJs on 107.5 have historically been the gatekeepers of this culture. When someone like Jonny Ramirez or the late, great "Big Bopper" spoke, the city listened.
The Evolution of the Sound
If you haven't checked in on the 107.5 San Antonio Tejano radio station in a while, it might sound a little different than you remember from the 90s. The genre has evolved.
Back in the day, it was all about the "Big Five" bands. Now, the station has to balance that nostalgia with new blood. It's a tough tightrope walk. You have to play the hits that make the tios and tias happy, but you also need to find stuff that doesn't make the 20-somethings change the channel.
- The Roots: Accordion-heavy polkas that trace back to the 1920s.
- The Golden Era: The 1990s boom when Selena went mainstream and KXTN was the #1 station in the entire city, regardless of language.
- The Modern Mix: Incorporating more "Urban" sounds, which led to the current "Vibe" branding that exists alongside the Tejano staples.
Some fans argue that mixing Tejano with Old School Hip-Hop on 107.5 dilutes the brand. Others say it’s the only way to keep the station financially viable in 2026. If you look at the ratings, the "Vibe" experiment has been a massive success. It turns out that the same person who loves La Mafia also probably has a soft spot for 2Pac and Zapp & Roger. It’s a very San Antonio vibe.
Is Tejano Music Actually Dying?
People have been writing Tejano's obituary for thirty years. They said the genre died with Selena in '95. Then they said the internet would kill local radio.
Yet, here we are.
The reality is more nuanced. While Tejano isn't the billion-dollar juggernaut it was in the mid-90s, it has moved into a "heritage" phase. It’s like Jazz or Blues. It has a dedicated, multi-generational fan base that isn't going anywhere. 107.5 serves as the town square for this community. When a legendary artist passes away or a new festival is announced at Market Square, this is where the news breaks.
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How to Listen Today (It’s Not Just the Dial)
In the old days, you just pulled the antenna out on your boombox. Now, it's a bit more tech-heavy. Since 107.5 FM is currently branded as "Vibe" but still carries heavy Tejano influence and programming, many hardcore fans have migrated to digital.
Univision pushes the Uforia app hard. It's actually a decent way to get the pure, unadulterated Tejano feed if the FM signal is playing too much Bobby Brown for your taste at that particular moment.
Also, don't sleep on the HD radio subchannels. If you have a newer car, you can often find the "KXTN 107.5 HD2" signal. It’s digital, crystal clear, and 100% Tejano, 24/7. It’s basically a secret club for people who know how to work their dashboard menus.
The Cultural Impact
You can't talk about 107.5 San Antonio Tejano radio station without talking about the Fan Fair.
The Tejano Music Awards Fan Fair in downtown San Antonio is one of the biggest events in the city. Thousands of people cram into Hemisfair Park. KXTN has historically been the heartbeat of this event. Seeing the DJs on stage, the live broadcasts from the side of the road, and the sheer volume of people wearing KXTN t-shirts—it’s a reminder that radio still has "legs."
It’s about belonging.
In a world where Spotify algorithms choose your music, there's something deeply human about a DJ who knows what the weather is like on Loop 410. There’s a comfort in hearing a voice that sounds like your neighbor. That’s the "secret sauce" KXTN has. It’s local. It’s authentic. It’s "Puro San Antonio."
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Actionable Steps for the True Fan
If you want to support the scene and get the most out of what 107.5 offers, don't just be a passive listener.
- Download the Uforia App: Search for KXTN. It’s the easiest way to keep the music going when you’re outside the signal range or traveling.
- Check the HD2 Channel: If your vehicle is 2015 or newer, you likely have HD radio. Toggle through the 107.5 options to find the dedicated Tejano stream.
- Follow the Personalities: The DJs are active on Facebook and Instagram. That’s where you’ll find out about the pop-up concerts and the "Old School" nights at local clubs.
- Attend the Fan Fair: Usually held in March, it’s the best way to see the artists that 107.5 plays all year long for free (or very cheap).
- Request Songs: Yes, they still take requests. Calling in or hitting them up on social media actually helps the programmers know what the community wants to hear.
The landscape of radio is always shifting. Frequencies change, owners change, and branding gets "updated" by consultants who might not even live in Texas. But as long as there are people in San Antonio who remember the first time they heard Bidi Bidi Bom Bom, there will be a place for 107.5. It’s more than a station. It’s a piece of home.
To keep your finger on the pulse, keep your radio tuned to 107.5, but keep your streaming app updated. The music is the same; only the delivery has changed. Support the local sponsors, go to the festivals, and keep the accordion loud.
That’s how you keep a culture alive.
Practical Next Steps
To stay connected with the San Antonio Tejano scene, start by following the official KXTN social media pages for real-time updates on the Tejano Music Awards and local "Vibe" events. If you're a business owner, consider looking into local radio advertising; despite the rise of digital, the 107.5 signal remains one of the most effective ways to reach the Hispanic market in South Texas. Finally, make sure to check out the "Tejano Next" playlists on streaming platforms to see which new artists are currently being broken by the station’s programmers.