KWNW
Broadcast areaMemphis, Tennessee
Frequency101.9 MHz
BrandingRock 102
Programming
FormatClassic rock
AffiliationsPremiere Networks
Ownership
Owner
KJMS, WDIA, WEGR, WHAL-FM, WHRK, WREC
History
First air date
February 5, 1979 (1979-02-05) (as KBTM-FM)
Former call signs
  • KBTM-FM (1979–1982)
  • KJBR (1982–1994
  • KIYS (1994–2010)
Call sign meaning
"Radio Now" (previous branding and format)
Technical information
Facility ID51855
ClassC3
ERP8,500 watts
HAAT147 metres (482 feet)
Transmitter coordinates
35°08′0.3″N 90°05′38.3″W / 35.133417°N 90.093972°W / 35.133417; -90.093972
Links
WebcastListen Live
Websiterock102memphis.iheart.com

KWNW (101.9 FM) - branded as "Rock 102" - is a radio station broadcasting a classic rock format serving the Memphis, Tennessee, area. The station is currently owned by iHeartMedia and is licensed to Crawfordsville, Arkansas. The station's studios are located in Southeast Memphis, and the transmitter is located off Bridgeport Road in West Memphis, Arkansas, near Harahan Bridge and the Arkansas-Tennessee border.

History

The station was previously licensed in Jonesboro, Arkansas, and was a longtime adult contemporary station since KBTM. On April 28, 1988, after playing "'65 Love Affair" by Paul Davis, the station flipped from adult contemporary to Top 40 as "Superhits 102". A year later in 1989, the branding was changed to "Power 102".

The frequency was previously located in the Jonesboro market (where it had the call letters KIYS). The station relocated to Crawfordsville where it began to target the Memphis area on September 10, 2010. While located in Jonesboro, the station was Top 40 (CHR) as "Kiss FM", owned by Clear Channel Communications (now iHeartMedia) but operated by East Arkansas Broadcasters under a local marketing agreement (LMA). After the 101.9 frequency moved to Crawfordsville, East Arkansas Broadcasting acquired KRLW-FM, which had been at 106.3, moved the frequency over to 101.7 and relaunched the station as "101.7 Kiss FM". The new station signed on September 12, 2010 (after the 101.9 frequency signed off with a 2-day loop redirecting listeners to 101.7) and began serving the Jonesboro market. Clear Channel Communications then affixed the "Radio Now" moniker to 101.9.

The station's competition as CHR was primarily WHBQ-FM HD-2 B96.3 and Hot AC WMC-FM, and slightly favors Rhythmic hits to target teens and young adults.

Previous logo

On March 7, 2014, at 5pm, KWNW rebranded back to "101.9 Kiss FM", restoring the Kiss FM brand to the frequency for the first time since its days in Jonesboro.[1] Radio Now signed off with "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" by Boyz II Men, while the first song as the revived Kiss FM was "Kiss Kiss" by Chris Brown.[2]

On April 29, 2020, KWNW added Elvis Duran and the Morning Show to their lineup.

On May 3, 2023, KWNW changed their format from top 40/CHR to classic rock, branded as "Rock 102" (format moved from WEGR 102.7 FM Arlington, Tennessee).[3]

History of call letters

The call letters KWNW were previously assigned to an AM station in Wenatchee, Washington. A Don Lee Network affiliate, it began broadcasting June 15, 1948, on 1340 kHz with 250 W power. That station was owned by Apple-Land Broadcasters, Incorporated.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Kiss Returns to Memphis
  2. ↑ "Radio Now Memphis Becomes Kiss-FM". March 7, 2014.
  3. ↑ iHeart Downgrades Rock 103 Memphis to 101.9; Relaunches Kiss-FM on 102.7 With Hot AC Shift Radioinsight - May 3, 2023
  4. ↑ "KWNW Commences" (PDF). Broadcasting. July 12, 1948. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
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