WKYS
This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2016) |
Urban contemporary | |
Subchannels |
|
---|---|
Ownership | |
Owner |
|
WMMJ, WOL, WPRS-FM, WYCB | |
History | |
First air date | June 1947 | (as WRC-FM)
Former call signs | WRC-FM (1947–1974) |
Call sign meaning | "Kiss" |
Technical information | |
Facility ID | 73200 |
Class | B |
ERP | 24,500 watts |
HAAT | 215 meters (705 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 38°56′24.4″N 77°04′52.9″W / 38.940111°N 77.081361°W |
Links | |
Webcast | Listen Live |
Website | kysdc |
WKYS (93.9
WKYS has an effective radiated power of 24,500 watts. The transmitter tower is on Nebraska Avenue NW, co-located with the tower for WRC-TV (WKYS' former TV sister station).[1] WKYS broadcasts using HD Radio technology.[2][3] The urban talk programming of co-owned WOL 1450 AM is heard on its HD3 digital subchannel.
History
WRC-FM
The station first
In the late 1960s, FM stations in larger cities were no longer permitted to simulcast most of their programming. FM 93.9 began an automated beautiful music format, largely soft instrumental songs played in quarter-hour sweeps. At the same time, 980 WRC was airing a Top 40 format, playing current hits for young listeners. In 1974, 93.9 switched its call letters from WRC-FM to WKYS, standing for "Kiss-FM."
Top 40 and Disco
The transition to what is now WKYS occurred when NBC moved the Top 40 format that was on WRC to the FM station. That was to make way for an
Shortly after the simulcast was discontinued, WKYS decided to modify its Top 40 sound. Instead of a blend of rock, pop and R&B hits, all popular on Top 40 stations, management noticed the coming boom in
Urban contemporary
The disco format eventually evolved into the present urban contemporary format as "93.9 Kiss FM." DJ Donnie Simpson became Kiss-FM's program director.[6]
In the mid-1980s, WKYS gained competition from 102.3
Changes in ownership
When NBC divested all of its radio properties in 1988, WKYS was sold to Albimar Communications. In the 1990s, Albimar ran into financial difficulties. In 1995, the station was sold to Radio One (the original name for current owner Urban One).
In the mid-1990s, WKYS was forced to drop the "Kiss FM" name and changed it to "93.9 WKYS" due to Clear Channel acquiring the rights to the KISS-FM branding. Clear Channel chose to enforce its trademark rights nationwide. However, WKYS reintroduced the "Kiss FM" name for a period of time and Clear Channel did not make further claims of legal action. WKYS later retired the "Kiss FM" moniker and simply began calling itself "93.9 WKYS".
Past shows
From 1977 to 1993, WKYS was home to radio and TV personality
From 1983 to 1990, Kevin "Slow Jammin" James hosted his "Slow Jam" radio show from 7 p.m. to midnight, on Saturdays and Sundays.[7]
Former logo
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/cf/WKYS_FM_logo.jpg/200px-WKYS_FM_logo.jpg)
See also
References
- ^ Radio-Locator.com/WKYS
- ^ "Station Search Details". Licensing.fcc.gov. 2000-01-28. Retrieved 2016-08-10.
- ^ "HD Radio station guide for Washington D.C." Hdradio.com. Archived from the original on 2015-10-02. Retrieved 2016-08-10.
- ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1977 page C-39. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
- ^ "98WRC, WKYS page". WRC Radio, The Great 98.
- ^ "Donnie Simpson bio of WRC Radio, The Great 98". WRC Radio, The Great 98.
- ^ "Kevin 'Slow Jammin' James page". SlowJams.com.
External links
- Official website
- WKYS in the FCC FM station database
- WKYS in Nielsen Audio's FM station database