WHKO: Difference between revisions

| coordinates = {{coord|39.733944|N|84.248|W|type:landmark_region:US-OH_source:FCC}}

| callsign_meaning = A portmanteau of former WHIO call sign

| owner = [[Cox Media Group]]

| licensee = CMG Radio Operating Company, LLC

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 [[WCHD|WVUD]] 99.9 already in the soft AC format as "Delightful 100FM," Cox opted to instead change the format completely.

 

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 (Rick Astley song)|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.

 

==External links==

*{{Official website|https://www.k99online.com/}}

*{{FXL|W254BA}}

*{{FXL|W266BG}}

*[http://www.w9wi.com/articles/grand_fm.htm List of "grandfathered" FM radio stations in the U.S.]