WFTK

WFTK (96.5 FM, "96 Rock") is a commercial modern rock radio station in Cincinnati, operated by Cumulus Media. Its studios are located in North Cincinnati and the transmitter site is in Mason, Ohio.

History

The station began in 1958 as WQMS, Quality Music Station, playing beautiful music. In 1968, the station became a religious station and played contemporary Christian music. The station was originally licensed to Hamilton, Ohio, but the city of license was changed to Lebanon, Ohio in a deal with CBS Radio in 2002.

After the station was sold in 1974, the station switched to an adult contemporary/Top 40 format under the call letters WLWS. In 1979, the format changed to Top 40, as "Kiss 96", WSKS. By 1983, WSKS was playing a mix of classic rock and modern rock and changed their slogan to "96 Rock". After 3 years, the format switched again this time to country, WBVE, The Beaver. Four years later in 1990, Z Rock made its debut. Z Rock debuted with the WZRQ call letters, which were protested by crosstown CHR WKRQ. The call letters were then changed to WZRZ. The country format returned in August 1992, as "The River 96.5" and then WYGY "Young Country Y-96". "Y-96" was used as a flanker station to protect sister station WUBE, the heritage country station in Cincinnati. In 2000, the station was sold and the station's name was changed to "The New 96.5." In 2003, the name changed again to "Eagle 96.5", but due to a conflict with another station called "Eagle 99.3" in nearby Aurora, Indiana, the name was changed yet again to "96.5 The Star."