KWQW
MHz | |
Branding | 98.3 The Vibe |
---|---|
Programming | |
Format | Top 40 |
Affiliations | Cumulus Media Networks |
Ownership | |
Owner |
|
KBGG, KGGO, KHKI, KJJY | |
History | |
First air date | 1975 (as KWBG-FM) |
Former call signs | KWBG-FM (1975–1991) KIAB (1991–1993) KRUU (1993–1996) KRKQ (1996–2003) KBGG-FM (2003–2004) |
Call sign meaning | "Wow" (previous branding) |
Technical information | |
Facility ID | 30116 |
Class | C2 |
ERP | 41,000 watts |
HAAT | 165 meters (541 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 41°49′51.0″N 93°43′54.0″W / 41.830833°N 93.731667°W |
Links | |
Webcast | Listen live |
Website | 983vibe.com |
KWQW (98.3
History
The station began as KWBG-FM in 1975, a local Boone, Iowa radio station.[1] In 1991, the station started to target the Des Moines, Iowa area with a country music format with callsigns KIAB "K98" from 1991 to 1993. The station then became KRUU known as "The Rooster" from 1993–1996, also with a country music format before becoming KRKQ in 1996.
As KRKQ the station took on the nickname of "98 Rock," featuring a
Barnstable sold all of its Des Moines stations to Wilks Broadcasting in 2001; the stations were sold to Citadel Broadcasting in 2003. On November 11 of that year, Citadel changed KRKQ's format to talk radio as "WOW-FM, the Capital's Big Talker." The Bob & Tom Show was the only program that carried over to the new format. The station's callsigns were changed to KBGG-FM shortly afterwards. On December 28, 2004, the callsigns became KWQW. The Bob & Tom Show aired on the station from October 31, 1996 to December 30, 2011, when it was moved to KGGO. In 2005, Paul Harvey became part of the station's lineup after WHO dropped the show.
Citadel merged with Cumulus Media in September 2011.[2]
In April 2014, KWQW rebranded as "98.3 The Torch"
On October 5, 2015, at Noon, KWQW flipped to classic hip hop as "98.3 The Vibe". The first song on "The Vibe" was "2 Legit 2 Quit" by MC Hammer.[4][5]
On May 28, 2021, at Midnight, KWQW flipped to Top 40/CHR, maintaining the "Vibe" branding. With the shift in format, KWQW became the third contemporary hits-based FM station in the Des Moines radio market, which is as many as the market has ever had in more than 30 years. Thus far the station has struggled in the Neilsen overall ratings, mostly staying in the 1 share range. [6]
References
- ^ "Des Moines Station Timeline". DesMoinesBroadcasting.com.
- ^ "Cumulus now owns Citadel Broadcasting". Atlanta Business Journal. September 16, 2011. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
- ^ Cumulus to Torch Des Moines
- ^ 98.3 The Vibe Debuts in Des Moines
- ^ KWQW Becomes 98.3 The Vibe
- ^ 98.3 The Vibe Des Moines Moves From Classic Hip-Hop To CHR Radioinsight - May 28, 2021
External links
- Official 98.3 The Vibe website
- KWQW in the FCC FM station database
- KWQW in Nielsen Audio's FM station database