Because 1170 AM is a clear channel frequency reserved for Class A stations KOTV in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and WWVA in Wheeling, West Virginia, KFOW must reduce power at night to only five watts to avoid interference.

[3] Until May 1, 2023 KFOW largely broadcast nationally syndicated conservative talk shows.

Weekdays began with Hugh Hewitt, followed by Brian Kilmeade, Ben Shapiro, Dave Ramsey, Dan Bongino, "Our American Stories with Lee Habeeb" and "Red Eye Radio."

On October 7, 2020, KFOW dropped its classic hits format and began stunting with "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" by Rolf Harris, a common practice on stations owned by Linder when switching formats.

[6][7] On May 1, 2023 KFOW changed their format from talk to sports, branded as "The Fan Owatonna".