WNCI

Last updated
WNCI
WNCI 97.9 Logo.png
Broadcast area Columbus metro area
Frequency 97.9 MHz (HD Radio)
BrandingWNCI 97.9
Programming
Format Top 40 (CHR)
Affiliations Premiere Networks
Ownership
Owner
WCOL-FM, WODC, WTVN, WXZX, WYTS, WZCB
History
First air date
July 1961
(62 years ago) (1961-07)
Former call signs
WRFD-FM (1961–1967)
Call sign meaning
former flagship of Nationwide Communications, Inc.
Technical information [1]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 47741
Class B
ERP
HAAT 171 meters (561 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
 39°58′10″N83°0′10″W / 39.96944°N 83.00278°W / 39.96944; -83.00278
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen live (via iHeartRadio)
Website wnci.iheart.com

WNCI (97.9 FM) is a commercial radio station licensed to Columbus, Ohio, featuring a top 40 (CHR) format known as "WNCI 97.9". Owned by iHeartMedia, Inc., the station serves the Columbus metropolitan area and is the local affiliate for On Air with Ryan Seacrest . WNCI's studios are on West Fifth Avenue on Columbus' west side, while the transmitter is atop One Nationwide Plaza in the city's downtown. In addition to a standard analog transmission, WNCI broadcasts using HD Radio technology and streams online via iHeartRadio. [2]

Contents

The station has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 175,000 watts, while the current maximum for Ohio radio stations is 50,000 watts. It is grandfathered at this power from before the date when the FCC set limits for FM stations. There are only six FM stations in the United States that operate with more power. [3]

History

The station signed on the air as WRFD-FM in July 1961. [4] It had a classical music format, sharing studios with co-owned WRFD, east of Powell, Ohio. In early 1967, management changed the call sign to WNCI-FM to match its corporate ownership, Nationwide Communications, Inc. The call letter switch also marked a change in programming from primarily classical music.

In mid 1968, WNCI began programming "The Young Sound" format, supplied by CBS Radio, mostly vocal-oriented easy listening. In 1972, WNCI moved to the sixth floor of the new Scot's Inn, later the Carousel Inn, at 4900 Sinclair Road. Since that time, the studios of WNCI have been relocated to various places in the Columbus area, including the Nationwide Building, The Continent, Broadcast Lake (a former quarry overlooked by several Clear Channel radio studios and the television studios of WSYX), and the current location at 2323 West Fifth Avenue.

WNCI began its Top 40 programming in 1970, although the station also broadcast an evening "progressive rock" album-based program beginning in the fall of 1969. From 1979 to 1982, the station attempted a full service, adult contemporary music format to compete with WTVN, adding a five-person news staff. Its slogan at the time was "The Best Is At The Center," playing on its location on the FM dial. The full-service format was abandoned in 1982 and the station returned to playing Top 40 hits.

In June 1993, WNCI again morphed into a Hot AC-leaning station to compete with adult contemporary rival WSNY. This lasted for nearly a year before WNCI reverted to a CHR/Pop formatted-direction. [5]

In 1997, Jacor Communications acquired the assets of Nationwide Communications, including WNCI, for $620 million. WNCI was once the flagship station for the 17-station Nationwide Communications, a division of the Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (where its call letters derive). Jacor was acquired in 1998 by Clear Channel Communications, which today is iHeartMedia, Inc.

WNCI tends to be a mainstream, conservative contemporary hit station, at times leaning towards Adult Top 40. [6]

WNCI formerly syndicated their “Dave & Jimmy” morning show to nearby stations through United Stations Radio Networks. As of October 2, 2023, the hosts decided to end syndication of the show, rendering the morning show exclusive to WNCI, although the show is streamed nationally on the iHeartRadio app. [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nationwide Communications</span> American media company

Nationwide Communications Inc., originally known as Peoples Broadcasting Corporation, was a media subsidiary of the Nationwide Insurance Company, which operated from 1946 until 1997. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Nationwide Communications owned and operated a variety of radio and television stations across the United States until it sold off all its radio stations to Cincinnati-based Jacor for a reported $620 million, and its television stations to Young Broadcasting. The service division was spun off and became Nationwide Communications Services L.L.C. in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WQIO</span> Radio station in Mount Vernon, Ohio

WQIO is an FM radio station in Mount Vernon, Ohio. The station plays adult contemporary music as "The New Super Q 93.7". Currently. WQIO is currently owned by BAS Broadcasting of Fremont, Ohio.

WYTS is a commercial black-oriented news radio station licensed to Columbus, Ohio. Owned by iHeartMedia, the station serves the Columbus metro area. Besides a standard analog transmission, the station is available online via iHeartRadio. The WYTS studios are located along in Downtown Columbus, while the station transmitter resides southwest of the city's downtown area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WTOH</span> Radio station in Upper Arlington–Columbus, Ohio

WTOH is a conservative talk radio station serving the Greater Columbus area, currently owned by the Salem Media Group and licensed to Upper Arlington, Ohio. The station's studios are shared with sister station WRFD and are located in North Columbus; WTOH's transmitter is northwest of downtown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WRFD</span> Christian talk radio station in Columbus–Worthington, Ohio, United States

WRFD is a commercial AM radio station licensed to both Columbus and Worthington, Ohio. It is owned by the Salem Media Group and broadcasts a Christian talk and teaching radio format. WRFD and sister station WTOH share studios on North High Street in the northwest portion of Columbus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KIIS-FM</span> Contemporary hit radio station in Los Angeles

KIIS-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to Los Angeles, California, United States, and broadcasts to the Greater Los Angeles area. The station airs a Top 40 (CHR) format. Owned by iHeartMedia, KIIS-FM is the origin of the conglomerate's KISS-FM brand, and serves as the flagship station for the radio program On Air with Ryan Seacrest. KIIS-FM's studios are located in Burbank, while the station transmitter resides on Mount Wilson, north of Los Angeles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KZZP</span> Radio station in Mesa, Arizona

KZZP is a commercial radio station licensed to Mesa, Arizona, and serving the Phoenix metropolitan area. The station airs a top 40 (CHR) format and is owned and operated by iHeartMedia. Studios and offices are on East Van Buren Street in Phoenix near Sky Harbor International Airport.

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

WWHT is a radio station that is licensed to Syracuse, New York. The station is owned by iHeartMedia and broadcasts a contemporary hit radio (CHR) format. The studios and offices are located on Plum Street in Syracuse while its transmitter is located near Sentinel Heights south of Syracuse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KHTS-FM</span> Radio station in El Cajon–San Diego, California

KHTS-FM is a top 40 (CHR) radio station that is licensed to El Cajon, California and serves the San Diego market. The station is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc., through licensee iHM Licenses, LLC, and brands as "Channel 9-3-3". The station's studios are located in San Diego's Serra Mesa area, while the transmitter is located in Chollas View, which is east of Balboa Park and west of Emerald Hills, sharing facilities with KLSD. The station is available in HD Radio; the HD2 subchannel airs an LGBT-leaning dance hits format, carrying iHeart's Pride Radio network.

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

WXZX is a commercial radio station that is licensed to serve Hilliard, Ohio and serves the Columbus metropolitan area. Owned by iHeartMedia, the station broadcasts an alternative rock format. Both the WXZX studios and the station transmitter are located in Downtown Columbus. The station is the Columbus affiliate of the Cincinnati Bengals Radio Network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KHKS</span> Contemporary hit radio station in Denton–Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas

KHKS is a Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex radio station broadcasting a top 40 (CHR) format, and calling itself "KISS-FM." It is licensed to Denton, Texas, and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. It is the home of the nationally syndicated Kidd Kraddick Morning Show. The studios are on Dallas Parkway in Farmers Branch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WMJI</span> Classic hits radio station in Cleveland, Ohio

WMJI is a commercial radio station licensed to Cleveland, Ohio, featuring a classic hits format dubbed "Majic 105.7". Owned by iHeartMedia, the station serves Greater Cleveland and much of surrounding Northeast Ohio. WMJI's studios are located in downtown Cleveland's Gateway District at the Six Six Eight Building, while the transmitter resides in the Cleveland suburb of Parma. In addition to a standard analog transmission, WMJI broadcasts over two HD Radio channels and is available online via iHeartRadio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WXKS-FM</span> Radio station in Medford, Massachusetts

WXKS-FM, branded as Kiss 108, is a commercial top 40 (CHR) radio station licensed to serve Medford, Massachusetts, and covering Greater Boston. Owned by iHeartMedia, the WXKS-FM studios are in Medford and the transmitter sits atop the Prudential Tower in Downtown Boston.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KDMX</span> Radio station in Dallas, Texas

KDMX is a radio station serving the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex in Texas. It is currently owned and operated by iHeartMedia, and airs a hot adult contemporary format. The station's studios are located along Dallas Parkway in Farmers Branch, and the transmitter site is in Cedar Hill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KDHT (FM)</span> Contemporary hit radio station in Denver

KDHT is a commercial FM radio station in Denver, Colorado. KDHT broadcasts a top 40 format branded as "Hits 95.7", and is owned by iHeartMedia. The station has studios and offices on South Monaco Street in the Denver Tech Center, while the transmitter site is atop Lookout Mountain in Golden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WFLZ-FM</span> Contemporary hit radio station in Tampa, Florida

WFLZ-FM is a commercial radio station in Tampa, Florida. It airs a contemporary hit radio radio format and is owned and operated by iHeartMedia. The station's studios and offices are located on Gandy Boulevard in South Tampa. Local DJs are heard on weekdays, with syndicated shows, including American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest, the iHeartRadio Countdown, the Remix Top 30 with Hollywood Hamilton and On The Move with Enrique Santos, heard on weekends.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WKFS</span> Radio station in Ohio, United States

WKFS is a radio station in the Cincinnati, Ohio, market, licensed to nearby Milford. It broadcasts a gold-based Top 40 format and is owned by iHeartMedia. The WKFS studios are located in Kenwood Towne Centre, and the station transmitter is located in Mount Auburn, a neighborhood northeast of downtown Cincinnati.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WLKT</span> Radio station in Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky

WLKT is a commercial radio station licensed to Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky. The station is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. who determines its programming in New York using automation, non-local talent, and airs a Top 40 (CHR) radio format. The station's studios are located on Nicholasville Road in south Lexington, and its transmitter is located in rural far east Fayette County, Kentucky.

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

WKGS – branded "KISS 106-7" – is a contemporary hit radio station licensed to Irondequoit, New York, and serves the Rochester area. The iHeartMedia outlet broadcasts with 4,600 watts effective radiated power. Its studios are located at the Five Star Bank Plaza building in downtown Rochester, and its transmitter site is in Brighton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WSOL-FM</span> Urban Adult Contemporary radio station in Yulee, Florida, serving Jacksonville, Florida

WSOL-FM is a commercial radio station known as V101.5. It is licensed to Yulee, Florida, and serves the Jacksonville metropolitan area and Southeast Georgia. Owned and operated by iHeartMedia, Inc., it broadcasts an Urban Adult Contemporary radio format. WSOL-FM's studios are located on Central Parkway in Jacksonville's Southside district. The transmitter is off McKendree Road in Kingsland, Georgia, a couple of miles from the Georgia-Florida border.

References

  1. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for WNCI". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ↑ "Station Guides". HDRadio.
  3. ↑ "Grandfathered Super-power FM Stations". www.bostonradio.org. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  4. ↑ "Broadcasting Yearbook 1990 page B-239, Broadcasting & Cable" (PDF). World Radio History.
  5. ↑ "From Hot AC to CHR" (PDF). R&R. 1994-10-28. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  6. ↑ Ross, Sean (August 5, 2010). "Fresh Listen: WNCI Columbus, Ohio". Radio-Info.com. Archived from the original on February 13, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Dave Jimmy Depart Syndication". RadioInsight.com.
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.