WKIO
 | |
| City | Arcola, Illinois |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Champaign, Illinois |
| Branding | Classic Hits 107.9 |
| Frequency | 107.9 MHz |
| First air date | 1991 (as WZNX) |
| Format | Classic Hits |
| ERP | 3,600 watts |
| HAAT | 130 meters |
| Class | A |
| Facility ID | 57469 |
| Transmitter coordinates | 39°52′43.00″N 88°11′51.00″W / 39.8786111°N 88.1975000°W |
| Former callsigns |
WZNX (1991–1994) WKJR (1994–1997) WEXT (1997–2008) WUIL (2008–2013) |
| Owner | DWS, Inc. |
| Sister stations | WDWS, WHMS |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | 1079wkio.com |
WKIO (107.9 FM, "Classic Hits 107.9") is a radio station broadcasting a classic hits format. Licensed to Arcola, Illinois, USA, the station is currently owned by Professional Impressions Media Group along with The News-Gazette ,and serves the Champaign, Illinois metropolitan area.[1]
History
The station went on the air as WZNX on 1991-09-06 and changed its call sign to WKJR on November 1, 1994. On May 5, 1997, the station again changed its call sign to WXET before finally changing them to WUIL on May 7, 2008, upon its switch to a Rhythmic contemporary format from hot adult contemporary.[2]
In June 2010, WUIL was sold to the Stevick family, which also owns WDWS and WHMS. All on-air personnel were let go. The station relaunched as "U-Rock 107.9", playing various rock formats. The switch was made with station General Manager Mike Haile's introduction of "Ladies and Gentlemen...rock and roll." The station has a popular contest where it allows listeners to submit and air their "Perfect Ten" rock songs. The station then plays these selections on Thursdays.
In March 2013, WUIL applied to change its call sign to WKIO, signaling a format change.[3]
On March 26, 2013, WUIL changed their format from rock to classic hits, branded as Classic Hits 107.9 under the new WKIO call sign.[4]
Former U-Rock air staff
- Orion Buckingham
- Jim Lewis
- Dave Loane
- Brian Moline
- Mark Reynolds
- Lee Marcus
- Ethan VanDeveer
- Patti Good
References
- ↑ "WUIL Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
- ↑ "WXET Call Sign History". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
- ↑ "Format Changes". Your Midwest Media.
- ↑ http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/netgnomes/81272/urock-champaign-urbana-to-rock-no-more/
External links
- Query the FCC's FM station database for WKIO
- Radio-Locator information on WKIO
- Query Nielsen Audio's FM station database for WKIO