WWKX

WWKX/106.3 ("Hot 106") is a Rhythmic Contemporary station serving the Providence area. The Cumulus Media outlet operates with an ERP of 1.15 kW and is licensed to Woonsocket, Rhode Island. The station's studios are located in East Providence and the transmitter site is in Cumberland.

History

The current WWKX signed on June 26, 1949 as WWON-FM on 105.5 Megacycles as the sister station to WWON (now WOON). In 1950, WWON-FM operated with 390 watts. WWON-FM changed frequencies to the current 106.3 by summer 1958. In the 1970s, the station played oldies, and in 1986 became WNCK. In 1988, they flipped to Rhythmic Contemporary as WWKX. "Kicks 106" (later "Kix 106") was a mix of freestyle, hip hop, and pop under the moniker "The Rhythm of Southern New England" and scored high ratings in the 18-34 demographic from 1995-1997. By February 1998, the station adopted its current moniker and tweaked its playlist towards a pure R&B/Hip-Hop flavor.

They were also the only Rhythmic Top 40 in the United States to air Howard Stern from 1997 to January 5, 2005, when parent company Citadel Broadcasting ceased airing the show in a dispute regarding Stern's mentioning of his upcoming move to Sirius Satellite Radio. Citadel merged with Cumulus Media on September 16, 2011.