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WKOA

WKOA
Frequency105.3 MHz
BrandingK-105
Programming
FormatCountry
AffiliationsWestwood One
Ownership
Owner
  • Neuhoff Communications
  • (Neuhoff Media Lafayette, LLC)
WASK, WASK-FM, WKHY, WXXB
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID71064
ClassB
ERP50,000 watts
HAAT146 meters (479 ft)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen Live
WebsiteWKOA Online

WKOA (105.3 FM), known as "K 105", is a radio station licensed to the city of Lafayette, Indiana.[2] The studios are located at 3575 McCarty Lane in Lafayette, Indiana. The tower is located at the same location.

History

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WKOA signed on the air as WASK-FM in 1964 featuring a Beautiful music or easy listening format. In the mid-1970s, FM radio was growing in popularity and FM stations across the country which were up to this point more of a novelty band was now being embraced for its clarity and ability to broadcast a stereo sound. WLFQ (103.9) in Crawfordsville signed-on with a country format in June 1974, directing its programming to Lafayette. WASK-FM decided to make the change to country in September 1974. It became known as "Indiana Country FM 105" utilizing Bill Robinson's "Music Works" automated radio programming service.

WASK-FM began using the slogan "K 105" in the summer of 1983 shortly after being acquired by Duchossois Communications. It retained its country music format and gradually transitioned to completely live/local programming over the next two years.

Former air personalities on K 105 include Ellen K., later known for her work with Rick Dees on KIIS Los Angeles, and Dean McNeil who became the program director of US-99 (WUSN) Chicago.

In 1994, as a result of a pending move to place a news/talk simulcast on 1450 WASK and WASK Incorporated's newly acquired WIIZ (98.7), K 105 changed call letters to WKOA. The station first achieved its #1 ranking in the fall of 1989 and has consistently ranked #1 since, according to Lafayette's Arbitron ratings.

In 2006, the station, along with sister station WASK-AM/FM, shut down its long-standing news department. On March 17, 2008 K105 and sister station WASK 98.7 formed a partnership with WLFI TV 18 to provide news content. In early April 2010, K105 started streaming online at [1].

Schurz Communications announced on September 14, 2015 that it would exit broadcasting and sell its television and radio stations, including WKOA, to Gray Television for $442.5 million.[3][4] Though Gray initially intended to keep Schurz' radio stations, on November 2, it announced that Neuhoff Communications would acquire WKOA and Schurz' other Lafayette radio stations for $8 million.[5][6][7]

Programming

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WKOA features contemporary country music with 80s and 90s flashbacks. The station also features live and local DJs 24 hours a day with the exception of weekend specialty programming. K 105 also features NASCAR Nextel Cup racing.

WKOA's programming is led by Operations Manager Mike Shamus.

Not live and local. Shawn Parr's Across America (Syndicated) from 7p-Midnight weekdays. No air talent from midnight to 5am.

References

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  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WKOA". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ FM Query Results - Audio Division (FCC) USA
  3. ^ "Schurz Communications to sell WSBT and other TV, radio stations". South Bend Tribune. September 14, 2015. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  4. ^ Kuperberg, Jonathan (September 14, 2015). "Gray Acquiring TV, Radio Stations from Schurz for $442.5 Million". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  5. ^ "Gray Sells Radio Stations From Schurz Deal". TVNewsCheck. November 2, 2015. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
  6. ^ Venta, Lance (November 2, 2015). "Gray Television Divests Schurz Clusters To Three Buyers". RadioInsight. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
  7. ^ "Neuhoff Picks Up Five More Stations". Radio Ink. November 1, 2015. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
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40°24′07″N 86°51′00″W / 40.402°N 86.850°W / 40.402; -86.850