WIKS
Broadcast areaNew Bern
Greenville
Jacksonville
Kinston
Frequency101.9 MHz (HD Radio)
Branding101.9 Kiss FM
Programming
FormatUrban contemporary
SubchannelsHD2: WNCT simulcast (Beach music)
AffiliationsPremiere Networks
Ownership
Owner
WMGV, WMJV, WSFL-FM, WNCT
History
First air date
August 1977 (1977-08)
Call sign meaning
Variation of the branding "Kiss"
Technical information
Facility ID72389
ClassC1
ERP100,000 watts
HAAT299 meters
Transmitter coordinates
35°12′07.00″N 77°11′15.00″W / 35.2019444°N 77.1875000°W / 35.2019444; -77.1875000
Translator(s)HD2: See WNCT (AM) § Translators
Links
Website1019online.com

WIKS (101.9 FM) is an urban contemporary-formatted broadcast radio station licensed to New Bern, North Carolina. The station is owned by Curtis Media Group. WIKS is an affiliate of the Steve Harvey Morning Show.

History

The 101.9 FM frequency in New Bern signed on with an Album-oriented Rock format in August 1977 as WRBK ("K101").[1] Due to the nature of its frequency at 101.9 and the advent of digital tuners, the slogan was changed to "K102" in the summer of 1978. In August 1979, the station flipped to a country music format, as WAZZ ("Country Ways").[2]

By 1986, the station would become "Kiss 102" with the WIKS call letters and an Urban Contemporary format. Transmitting power increased to 100,000 watts. Rap and hip-hop music was introduced in the 1990s, as WIKS became a full modern mainstream urban station by 1998. In 1997 WIKS picked up competition from the 92.3 frequency when WQSL adopted a rhythmic top 40 format as "The Beat of Carolina". WIKS responded by tweaking its format to Urban Adult Contemporary station in 2003, though they eventually returned to their current format.

On February 2, 2017, Beasley Media Group announced that it would sell its six stations and four translators in the Greenville-New Bern-Jacksonville market, including WIKS, to Curtis Media Group for $11 million to reduce the company's debt.[3] The sale was completed on May 1, 2017.[4]N

Translators

WIKS feeds low-powered FM translators, by way of their HD2 subchannel. "Beach, Boogie and Blues" features a beach music/rhythmic oldies format, originating from sister stations WELS-FM and WNCT.

References

  1. ↑ Broadcasting Yearbook 1978
  2. ↑ Broadcasting Yearbook 1980
  3. ↑ Layden, Laura (February 3, 2017). "Beasley to sell six stations in North Carolina for $11 million". Naples Daily News. Retrieved June 6, 2017.
  4. ↑ "Consummation Notice". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. May 3, 2017. Retrieved June 7, 2017.


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