WNKI

WNKI (106.1 FM, "Wink 106") is a radio station broadcasting a contemporary hit radio format. Licensed to Corning, New York, USA, the station serves the Elmira-Corning area, and is the Arbitron #1 rated station in the market. The station is currently owned by Community Broadcasters, LLC.

History

The station went on the air as WKNP in 1947, under the ownership of the Corning Leader newspaper. Its original frequency was 95.1 FM. By 1950, it had moved to another frequency, the current 106.1 FM. A sister AM station, WCLI, signed on in 1947.

It had broadcast from a building at Erie Avenue (now Dennison Parkway) and Walnut Street in Corning. The Erie Railroad mainline passed nearby, and passing freight and passenger trains used to shake the building along with the recorded music on the turntables, according to Leader columnist Dick Peer.

Disc jockey Bob Shaddock, who became one of the market's iconic radio personalities, developed a skill of picking up the needle from the 78 RPM records and making announcements while trains passed, according to Peer.