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| logo = WHKO_NEW.jpg
| city = [[Dayton, Ohio]]
| area = [[Dayton, Ohio]]<br>[[Springfield,metropolitan Ohioarea]]<br>[[Cincinnati, Ohiometropolitan area]]
| branding = ''K99.1FM''
| slogan = New Country
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| translator = 98.7 W254BA ([[Riverside, Ohio|Riverside]], relays HD3)
| airdate = [[1946 in radio|1946]] (as WHIO-FM)
| format = FM/HD1: [[Country music|Country]]<br>HD2: [[Classic hits]] ([[WZLR]] simulcast)<br>HD3: [[Urban oldies]] "The Soul of Dayton"
| erp = 50,000 [[watt]]s
| haat = {{convert|325|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
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| facility_id = 14245
| coordinates = {{coord|39.733944|N|84.248|W|type:landmark_region:US-OH_source:FCC|display=inline,title}}
| callsign_meaning = A portmanteau of former '''WHIO''' callsigncall and '''K'''99.1 brandingsign
| former_callsigns = WHIO-FM (1946–1989)
| owner = [[Cox Media Group]]
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}}
 
'''WHKO''' (99.1 [[FM broadcastingHertz|FMMHz]], "K99.11FM") is a [[countrycommercial musicradio|commercial]] [[FM radio|FM]] [[radio station]] licensed toin [[Dayton, Ohio]]. The station is owned by [[Cox Media Group]]. and Withcarries itsa 50,000-[[wattcountry music]] signal,[[radio andformat]]. broadcast towerIts at[[radio 1,000 feet, WHKO is one of the strongest FM stations in the Southwestern Ohio area,studio|studio]]s and used to make mention of this during on-air promos. Its studiosoffices are co-located with the ''[[Dayton Daily News]]'', [[WHIO (AM)|WHIO-AM]]-[[WHIO-FM|FM]]-[[WHIO-TV|TV]] and two more radio stations in the Cox Media Center building near downtown Dayton. WHKO has a transmitter in Dayton's westside.
 
K99.1FM is considered a "Superpower FM" station.<ref>[http://www.w9wi.com/articles/grand_fm.htm List of "grandfathered" FM radio stations in the U.S.]
K99.1FM employs a New Country format and has historically played more music and fewer commercials than most radio stations in the Dayton/Cincinnati radio market. With a strong signal and a commitment to playing more music than the competition, WHKO has a long history of being near the top of the Dayton Arbitron ratings since it began its country format in March 1989. K99.1FM also shows up regularly in the Cincinnati Nielsen ratings, as its signal comes in clear throughout the greater Cincinnati market as well.
</ref> Because it [[sign-on|signed on]] in 1946, it is [[grandfather clause|grandfathered]] with a bigger signal than most FM stations in Ohio. Its power, 50,000 [[watt]]s, is the same as several FM stations in Dayton. But its [[height above average terrain]] (HAAT) at 325 meters (1066 ft) is far above what would be allowed today, a maximum of 152 meters (500 ft) for that power. WHKO's [[transmitter]] is on Germantown Street in Dayton, on co-owned Channel 7 [[WHIO-TV]]'s [[radio masts and towers|tower]].<ref>[https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/finder?sr=Y&s=C&call=wHKO&nav=home Radio-Locator.com/WHKO]</ref> The [[HD Radio|HD-2]] [[digital subchannel]] [[simulcast]]s [[WZLR]]'s [[classic hits]] format. The HD-3 subchannel plays [[urban oldies]] and feeds [[FM translator]] '''W254BA''' at 98.7 MHz.<ref>[https://radio-locator.com/info/W254BA-FX Radio-Locator.com/W254BA]</ref>
 
==Early history==
===Beautiful Music===
WHKO was founded in 1946 as WHIO-FM, with a [[beautiful music]] format which since the 1960s was a kindred complement to the [[middle of the road (music)|middle of the road]] format of [[WHIO (AM)]]. While many FM stations initially failed during its inception in the 1950s in favor of AM, WHIO-FM flourished and remained solid. It eventually became and remained the top-rated station in the Dayton market for many years as FM was considered to be an easy alternative to commercial pop music and the rise of [[Top 40]] and [[country music]] on the AM dial during that time. The format remained consistent in the 1970s and 1980s playing reel to reel of beautiful music provided by national syndicators.
In 1946, the station signed on as WHIO-FM, the first FM station in Dayton and one of the first in Ohio.<ref>[https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1950/RADIO%20&%20TV%20ALL%20YB%201950%20B&W-11.pdf [[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting Yearbook]] 1950 page 239]</ref> In its early years, it [[simulcast]] co-owned [[WHIO (AM)|WHIO]] [[1290 AM]]. During the "[[Golden Age of Radio]]," WHIO-AM-FM carried the [[CBS News Radio|CBS Network]]'s schedule of dramas, comedies, news, sports, [[soap opera]]s, [[game show]]s and [[big band]] broadcasts. In the 1950s, as network programming moved from radio to television, WHIO-AM-FM switched to a [[full service radio|full service]] [[Middle of the road (music)|middle of the road format]] of popular music, news and sports.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1977/C%20Section%20Radio%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201977%20P-6.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1977 page C-162]</ref>
 
In the 1960s, WHIO-FM switched to its own programming, a [[beautiful music]] format. It played quarter-hour sweeps of instrumental [[cover version]]s of popular songs, along with [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] and [[Cinema of the United States|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 audio tape recording|reel to reel]] tapes of beautiful music provided by [[Bonneville International]] in [[Salt Lake City]]. It used a "live assist" system, where [[disc jockey|announcers]] listed the songs and gave news briefs and weather updates, but only talking briefly between the music.
===Final Years===
During its later years WHIO-FM ran the Bonneville live assist beautiful music format. with continued success. During WHIO-FM's final year of operation the 25-54 demographic ratings were slipping, so management decided to add more modern hits from the adult contemporary charts in an attempt to help increase ratings. Songs from The Eagles and Jim Croce were added and played three or four times per hour. When this tactic failed, Cox Broadcasting decided to research the market for a format hole. Many easy listening and beautiful music stations evolved into soft adult contemporary stations but with WVUD in Dayton already in the format as Delightful 100FM, Cox opted to instead change the format completely.▼
 
▲DuringIn itsthe later years1980s, WHIO-FM's ranaudience thebegan Bonnevilleto liveage, assisteven beautifulthough musicthe format.overall withratings continuedwere successstrong. DuringThe WHIO25-FM's54 final[[demographic]], yearmost ofsought operationafter theby 25-54 demographic ratingsadvertisers, were slipping, so management decided to add more modern hits from the adult contemporary chartsvocals, in an attempt to helpfind increaseyounger ratingslisteners. Songs from [[The Eagles]], [[Stevie Wonder]], [[Carly Simon]] and [[Jim Croce]] were added. and played three or four times per hour. When this tactic failed, Cox Broadcasting decided to research the market for a format holethat Dayton listeners would respond to. Many easy listening and beautiful music stations evolved into [[soft adult contemporary]] stations. but But with [[WCHD|WVUD]] in Dayton99.9 already in the Soft AC format as "Delightful 100FM," Cox opted to instead change the format completely.
==WHKO Today==
On March 17, 1989, the station switched its call sign to WHKO, and the format abruptly changed from beautiful music to country. This was unexpected in the market since the 12+ overall numbers 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]]", at which point the format 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 (AM) to mornings on the new K99.1FM. Nancy Wilson joined Manley shortly thereafter and to this day remains the morning host.▼
 
===WHKO Country Music===
The previous format's audience, mainly the older listeners, were very unhappy about the format change. The station received hundreds of complaint letters, and other radio stations in and around the Dayton area fielded numerous phone calls demanding to know why "FM 99" was playing country music. The change was otherwise well-received in the market; after 2 ratings periods WHKO maintained its number one ranking among its target demographic of 25-54. Prior to the switch, the top-rated country station in Dayton through the 1970s and 1980s was [[WONE (AM)]], which now employs a sports/talk format.▼
▲On March 17, 1989, the station switched its [[call sign]] to '''WHKO''', and the format abruptly changed from beautiful[[Easy musicListening]] to country[[Country music]]. This was unexpected in the market since the 12+ overall numbersratings 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]].", at whichThe pointstation the formatthen 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 shortlyshort thereaftertime andlater to this day remains the morningas co-host.
 
▲The previous format's audience, mainly the older listeners, were very unhappy about the format change. The station received hundreds of complaint letters, and other radio stations in and around the Dayton area fielded numerous phone calls demanding to know why "FM 99" was playing country music. The change was otherwise well-received in the market;But after 2 ratings periods, WHKOK99.1FM maintainedwas back to its number one ranking amongin its target demographic of 25-54. Prior to the switch, the top-rated country station in Dayton through the 1970s and 1980s was [[WONE (AM)]], which nowswitched employsto a [[sports/talk radio]] format.
At first the station was "easy listening country" playing more soft crossover hits from Kenny Rogers, Lionel Richie, Rita Coolidge, Gordon Lightfoot then most modern country stations at that time. The disk jockey style was very laid back, at times it sounded almost like the previous format. Over the next several years the station slowly modernized the format and today is reminiscent of a CHR country format with tight rotations, upbeat jocks and community involvement.▼
 
▲At first, the stationWHKO was "easy listening country" playing more soft crossover hits from [[Kenny Rogers]], Lionel[[Linda RichieRondstadt]], [[Rita Coolidge]], [[Gordon Lightfoot]] thenand mostother modern[[soft countryrock]] stationsand at[[adult thatcontemporary]] artists with a country timebackground. The [[disk jockey]] style was very laid back, at times it soundedsounding almost like the previous easy listening format. Over the next several years the station slowly modernized the format and today is reminiscent of a CHR country formatsound with tight rotations, upbeat jocksDJs and community involvement.
 
===Awards and Service===
WHKO is the Dayton Children's Radiothon station the market and has raised over $4 million dollars since 1998.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://coxmediagroupohio.com/2019/01/14/k99-1fm-raises-over-300000-for-dayton-childrens-hospital-during-annual-radiothon/|title=K99.1FM Raises over $300,000 for Dayton Children's Hospital during annual Radiothon > Cox Media Group Ohio|date=2019-01-14|website=Cox Media Group Ohio|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-06}}</ref> WHKO won the National Association of Broadcasters Crystal Award in 2018 for outstanding community service.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nab.org/events/awards/overview.asp?id=1927|title=Overview {{!}} NAB Crystal Radio Awards|website=www.nab.org|access-date=2019-03-06}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dayton.com/entertainment/k99-1fm-earns-one-the-highest-honors-country-music-again/1Xwo6EeBOp7PQgsj1ehCtJ/|title=K99.1FM earns one of the highest honors in country music again|last=reports|first=Staff|website=dayton|language=English|access-date=2019-03-06}}</ref>
 
In November 2006 the [[WHIO-FM]] callscall weresign rebornreturned to the Dayton area at 95.7 FM in [[Piqua, (theOhio|Piqua]] former(formerly WDPT) as a simulcast of WHIO-AM's news[[talk radio|news/talk]] format. Ironically when WHIO-FM abandoned the beautiful music format, WPTW-FM which was the station at 95.7 that tried to capture the former audience by flipping to "Clear 95" with the call letters WCLR.
 
==WHKO-HD2/HD3HD Radio==
WHKO's broadcasts using [[HD Radio]] technology. The HD-2 [[digital subcarriersubchannel]] airs a simulcast of classic hits formatted"The Eagle" 95.3 [[WZLR]] 95.3 in[[Xenia, Ohio|Xenia]] andalong Daytonwith translator '''W266BG''' at 101.1 The EagleMHz.
 
WHKO's 99.1 HD-3 digital subcarriersubchannel is leased to BC Dayton Broadcasting as "The Soul of Dayton," a possible reference and tribute to the former [[WDAO]]-FM (now [[WMMX]]). which It airs an [[urban oldies]] format. The service made its debut on Monday September 9, 2013 and is re-transmitted on analog 98.7 FM (translator W254BA) at 98.7 MHz.<ref>http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/84968/98-7-the-soul-of-dayton-debuts</ref><ref>http://hdradio.com/station_guides/widget.php?id=58</ref>
 
==References==
{{Reflist}}
 
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080128192836/http://home.cinci.rr.com/cincyradio/history.html Greater Cincinnati Radio Guide]
 
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*{{FXL|W254BA}}
*[http://www.w9wi.com/articles/grand_fm.htm List of "grandfathered" FM radio stations in the U.S.]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080128192836/http://home.cinci.rr.com/cincyradio/history.html Greater Cincinnati Radio Guide]
 
 
{{Dayton Radio}}
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