WHKO

Last updated
WHKO
WHKO NEW.jpg
Broadcast area Dayton metropolitan area
Cincinnati metropolitan area
Frequency 99.1 MHz (HD Radio)
BrandingK99.1FM
Programming
Language(s) English
Format Country
Subchannels HD2: Classic hits (WZLR)
HD3: Urban oldies
Affiliations Compass Media Networks
Ownership
Owner
History
First air date
1946 (1946)
Former call signs
WHIO-FM (1946–1989)
Call sign meaning
A portmanteau of former WHIO call sign
Technical information [1]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 14245
Class B
ERP 50,000  watts
HAAT 325 meters (1,066 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
 39°44′02″N84°14′53″W / 39.733944°N 84.248°W / 39.733944; -84.248
Translator(s) HD2: 101.1 W266BG (Dayton)
HD3: 98.7 W254BA (Riverside)
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen live
Listen Live (HD3)
Website www.k99online.com
www.soulofdayton.com (HD3)

WHKO (99.1 FM, "K99.1FM") is a commercial radio station in Dayton, Ohio. The station is owned by Cox Media Group and carries a country music radio format. Its studios and offices are co-located with the Dayton Daily News , WHIO-AM-FM-TV, and two more radio stations in the Cox Media Center building near downtown Dayton.

Contents

WHKO is considered a "Superpower FM" station; [2] because it signed on in 1946, it is grandfathered with a bigger signal than most FM stations in Ohio. Its power, 50,000 watts, is the same as several FM stations in Dayton, and its height above average terrain (HAAT) at 325 meters (1,066 ft) is far above what would be allowed today, a maximum of 152 meters (499 ft) for that power. WHKO's transmitter is on Germantown Street in Dayton, on co-owned WHIO-TV's tower. [3] The HD2 digital subchannel simulcasts WZLR's classic hits format. The HD3 subchannel plays urban oldies and feeds FM translator W254BA at 98.7 MHz. [4]

History

MOR (1946-196?)

In 1946, the station signed on as WHIO-FM, the first FM station in Dayton and one of the first in Ohio. [5] In its early years, it simulcast co-owned WHIO; as network programming moved from radio to television, WHIO-AM-FM switched to a full service middle of the road format (MOR) of popular music, news and sports. [6]

Beautiful music (196?-1989)

In the 1960s, WHIO-FM switched to its own programming, a beautiful music format. It played quarter-hour sweeps of instrumental cover versions of popular songs, along with Broadway and Hollywood show tunes. As more people acquired FM radios, WHIO-FM was the top-rated station in the Dayton market for many years, playing reel to reel tapes of beautiful music provided by Bonneville International in Salt Lake City. It used a "live assist" system, where announcers listed the songs and gave news briefs and weather updates, but only talking briefly between the music.

In the 1980s, WHIO-FM's audience began to age, even though the overall ratings were strong. The 25-54 demographic, most sought after by advertisers, were slipping, so management decided to add more modern vocals, in an attempt to find younger listeners. Songs from The Eagles, Stevie Wonder, Carly Simon and Jim Croce were added. When this tactic failed, Cox Broadcasting decided to research the market for a format that Dayton listeners would respond to. Many easy listening and beautiful music stations evolved into soft adult contemporary stations. But with WVUD 99.9 already in the soft AC format as "Delightful 100FM," Cox opted to instead change the format completely.

Country (1989–present)

On March 17, 1989, the station switched its call sign to WHKO, and the format abruptly changed from easy listening to country music. This was unexpected since the 12+ overall ratings still had WHIO-FM as the #1 station in the market. The last song played on WHIO-FM was Rick Astley's "Together Forever." The station then flipped to country music, although the announcer pre-sold another 30 minutes of easy listening favorites. The first song played under the new format was Barbara Mandrell's "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool". The first announcer on the station was Jim Manley who at that time moved from WHIO 1290 AM to mornings on the new K99.1FM. Nancy Wilson joined Manley short time later as co-host.

The previous format's audience, mainly older listeners, were very unhappy about the format change. The station received hundreds of complaint letters and numerous phone calls demanding to know why "FM 99" was playing country music. But after 2 ratings periods, K99.1FM was back to its number one ranking in its target demographic of 25-54. Prior to the switch, the top-rated country station in Dayton through the 1970s and 1980s was WONE, which switched to an adult standards format.

At first, WHKO was "easy listening country", playing more soft crossover hits from Kenny Rogers, Linda Rondstadt, Rita Coolidge, Gordon Lightfoot and other soft rock and adult contemporary artists with a country background. The disk jockey style was laid back, at times sounding almost like the previous easy listening format. Over the next several years, the station slowly modernized the format with tight rotations, upbeat DJs and community involvement.

WHKO is the Dayton Children's Radiothon station the market and has raised over $4 million dollars since 1998. [7] WHKO won the National Association of Broadcasters Crystal Award in 2018 for outstanding community service. [8] WHKO was only one of eight stations receiving the award. WHKO has also been nominated for several Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association awards. [9]

In November 2006, the WHIO-FM call sign returned to the Dayton area at 95.7 FM in Piqua (formerly WDPT) as a simulcast of WHIO's news/talk format. The 95.7 facility had previously sought to capture the original WHIO-FM's audience when it abandoned the beautiful music format, converting from WPTW-FM to "Clear 95" with the call letters WCLR.

HD Radio

WHKO broadcasts using HD Radio technology. The HD2 digital subchannel airs a simulcast of classic hits "The Eagle" 95.3 WZLR Xenia along with translator W266BG at 101.1 MHz.

WHKO's HD3 subchannel is leased to BC Dayton Broadcasting as "The Soul of Dayton," a reference to the former WDAO-FM (now WMMX). It airs an urban oldies format. The service made its debut on Monday September 9, 2013, and is re-transmitted on FM translator W254BA at 98.7 MHz. [10]

Related Research Articles

WMNI is a commercial radio station licensed to Columbus, Ohio, known as "Fox Sports 920" with a sports format. Locally owned by North American Broadcasting Company, Inc., WMNI serves the Columbus metropolitan area. WMNI's studios are located in Marble Cliff, Ohio, using a Columbus address, while the transmitter resides in Grove City. In addition to a standard analog transmission, WMNI is available online.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KEEY-FM</span> Country music radio station in the Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area

KEEY-FM is a commercial FM radio station licensed to St. Paul, Minnesota, and serving the Minneapolis-Saint Paul radio market. It broadcasts a country music radio format and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. The radio studios and offices are on Utica Avenue South in St. Louis Park. KEEY-FM carries two syndicated programs from co-owned Premiere Networks: CMT Nights with Cody Alan, heard overnight, and The Bobby Bones Show, heard Sunday evenings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KOST</span> Adult contemporary radio station in Los Angeles

KOST is a commercial radio station in Los Angeles, California, United States. Owned by iHeartMedia, it broadcasts an adult contemporary radio format, switching to Christmas music in early November and ending on Christmas Day. Its studios are co-located with its sister stations on West Olive Avenue in Burbank. KOST is the home of Ellen K, segments of whose morning show are syndicated to other iHeart AC stations on Saturday mornings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KTBZ-FM</span> Radio station in Houston, Texas

KTBZ-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to Houston, Texas. Owned by iHeartMedia, the station serves Greater Houston. KTBZ-FM's studios are located in Uptown Houston, while the station's transmitter is located near Missouri City, Texas; KTBZ-FM has an effective radiated power of 100,000 watts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WRVF</span> Radio station in Toledo, Ohio

WRVF is a commercial radio station in Toledo, Ohio, owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. It broadcasts an adult contemporary radio format, switching to all-Christmas music for much of November and December. WRVF carries the syndicated Delilah music and call-in show in the evening. The radio studios and offices are at Superior and Lafayette in Downtown Toledo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WWEG</span> Radio station in Myersville, Maryland

WWEG is a commercial FM radio station licensed to serve Myersville, Maryland. The station is owned by Manning Broadcasting, Inc. and broadcasts a classic hits format.

WOLT is a commercial radio station in Indianapolis, Indiana. It broadcasts a classic alternative radio format and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. WOLT carries the nationally syndicated "Woody Show" in morning drive time from co-owned KYSR Los Angeles. The studios are at 6161 Fall Creek Road on the northeast side of Indianapolis.

KQXT-FM is a commercial radio station in San Antonio, Texas. The station is owned by iHeartMedia, airing an adult contemporary radio format, switching to Christmas music for much of November and December. On weekdays, it carries the syndicated Kidd Kradick Morning Show from co-owned KHKS Dallas as well as Ellen K on Saturday mornings. KQXT's studios are in Stone Oak.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WFUS</span> Radio station in Gulfport, Florida

WFUS is a commercial radio station licensed to Gulfport, Florida. It airs a country music format and is one of the eight stations in the Tampa Bay radio market owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. It carries The Bobby Bones Show syndicated from Nashville in morning drive time. The studios are on Feather Sound Drive in Clearwater.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WHIO (AM)</span> News/talk radio station in Dayton, Ohio, United States

WHIO – branded AM 1290 and News 95.7 WHIO – is a commercial news/talk AM radio station licensed to serve Dayton, Ohio and covering the Dayton metropolitan area. Owned by Cox Media Group, the WHIO studios are located at the Cox Media Center building in Dayton, while the transmitter is located in nearby Kettering. In addition to a standard analog transmission, WHIO is simulcast full-time on WHIO-FM (95.7) and is available online.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WHIO-FM</span> News/talk radio station in Pleasant Hill–Dayton, Ohio

WHIO-FM – branded AM 1290 and News 95.7 WHIO – is a commercial news/talk radio station licensed to serve Pleasant Hill, Ohio, covering Dayton, Ohio and the Dayton metropolitan area. Owned by Cox Media Group, WHIO-FM acts as a full-time simulcast of WHIO. The WHIO-FM studios are located at Cox Media Center building in Dayton, while the transmitter is located in nearby Piqua. In addition to a standard analog transmission, WHIO-FM streams online.

WIXY is a commercial radio station broadcasting a country music radio format. Licensed to Champaign, Illinois, United States, the station serves the Champaign-Urbana area. The station is owned by Saga Communications under licensee Saga Communications of Illinois, LLC, and operates as part of its Illini Radio Group. The radio studios and offices are on West Bradley Avenue in Champaign.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WKHM-FM</span> Radio station in Michigan, United States

WKHM-FM is an adult contemporary radio station licensed to Brooklyn, Michigan, United States, serving the Jackson area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WXST</span> Radio station in Hollywood, South Carolina

WXST is a commercial radio station licensed to Hollywood, South Carolina, and serving the Charleston metropolitan area and the South Carolina Lowcountry. It airs an urban adult contemporary radio format and is owned by Saga Communications as part of its Charleston Radio Group. The studios are on Clements Ferry Road in Charleston. Syndicated programs heard on WXST include The Steve Harvey Morning Show and The Sweat Hotel with Keith Sweat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WJKR</span> Radio station in Worthington–Columbus, Ohio

WJKR is a commercial radio station licensed to Worthington, Ohio, and serving the Columbus metro area. It carries a country radio format known as "Country 103.9". Owned by the North American Broadcasting Company, Inc., its studios and offices are on Dublin Road in Columbus.

<i>Springfield News-Sun</i> Newspaper in Springfield, Ohio

The Springfield News-Sun is a daily newspaper published in Springfield, Ohio, by Cox Enterprises, which also publishes the Dayton Daily News. Both newspapers contain similar editorial content, but tailor their local news coverage to the area served. The News-Sun primarily serves Springfield and Urbana, in southwestern Ohio. While the Springfield News-Sun's newsroom is in downtown Springfield, the newspaper is published in Dayton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WZLR</span> 1980s classic hits radio station in Xenia, Ohio, United States

WZLR, known as "95.3 and 101.1 The Eagle," is a radio station broadcasting a 1980s classic hits format currently owned by Cox Media Group. Licensed to Xenia, Ohio, United States, it serves the Dayton area. According to the Federal Communications Commission's website, the station has transmitted at 6,000 watts since 1998. Its studios are co-located with other Cox Media properties in the Cox Media Center building near downtown Dayton. WZLR's transmitter is located in Xenia and translator on the WHIO-TV tower in Germantown, Ohio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WYXL</span> Radio station in Ithaca, New York

WYXL is a commercial radio station in Ithaca, New York, known as "Lite Rock 97.3." It broadcasts an adult contemporary radio format. The station has been owned by Saga Communications, operating as part of its Cayuga Radio Group, since 2005. It is co-owned with WHCU, WQNY, WIII, and WNYY. In the evening, WYXL carries the nationally syndicated show John Tesh, Intelligence for Your Life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WSJY</span> Radio station in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin

WSJY is a commercial radio station licensed to Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, and serving a section of southern Wisconsin, including Janesville, Beloit and Madison, along with part of Northern Illinois. WSJY airs an adult contemporary radio format, switching to Christmas music for much of November and December. It is owned by the Magnum Media Group, through licensee Magnum Communications, Inc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WXKB</span> Contemporary hit radio station in Cape Coral, Florida

WXKB is a commercial radio station licensed to Cape Coral, Florida, and serving the Fort Myers-Naples radio market and Southwest Florida. WXKB is owned by the Beasley Broadcast Group and airs a top 40 (CHR) radio format branded as "B-103.9", sometimes called "The Killer B." In afternoon drive time it carries On Air with Ryan Seacrest, syndicated by Premiere Networks.

References

  1. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for WHKO". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ↑ "W9WI Studio - Unleash your creativity and captivate your audience with immersive experiences. Discover the power of multimedia today!".
  3. ↑ "WHKO-FM 99.1 MHz - Dayton, OH". radio-locator.com.
  4. ↑ "W254BA-FM 98.7 MHz - Dayton, OH". radio-locator.com.
  5. ↑ Information from Broadcasting Yearbook 1950 page 239
  6. ↑ Broadcasting Yearbook 1977 page C-162
  7. ↑ "K99.1FM Raises over $300,000 for Dayton Children's Hospital during annual Radiothon > Cox Media Group Ohio". Cox Media Group Ohio. 2019-01-14. Retrieved 2019-03-06.
  8. ↑ "Overview | NAB Crystal Radio Awards". www.nab.org. Retrieved 2019-03-06.
  9. ↑ Staff reports. "K99.1FM earns one of the highest honors in country music again". dayton. Retrieved 2019-03-06.
  10. ↑ "98.7 the Soul of Dayton Debuts". 9 September 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.