WKIO
Broadcast areaChampaign-Urbana
Frequency107.9 MHz
BrandingClassic Hits 107.9
Programming
FormatClassic hits
AffiliationsWestwood One
Ownership
Owner
  • Community Media Group, Inc.
  • (Champaign Multimedia Group, LLC)
WDWS, WHMS
History
First air date
September 6, 1991 (1991-09-06) (as WZNX)
Former call signs
WZNX (1991–1994)
WKJR (1994–1997)
WEXT (1997–2008)
WUIL (2008–2013)
Technical information
Facility ID57469
ClassA
ERP3,600 watts
HAAT130 meters (430 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
39°52′43.00″N 88°11′51.00″W / 39.8786111°N 88.1975000°W / 39.8786111; -88.1975000
Links
WebcastListen Live
Website1079wkio.com

WKIO (107.9 FM, "Classic Hits 107.9") is a commercial radio station broadcasting a classic hits format. Licensed to Arcola, Illinois, the station is owned by The News-Gazette, and serves the Champaign-Urbana metropolitan area.[1] On weekday mornings, WKIO carries the syndicated "The Ashley & Brad Show" from KWSV-LP Simi Valley.

History

On September 6, 1991, the station signed on the air. The original call sign was WZNX. It 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]

Pendleton Broadcasting inked a LMA deal with owner Champaign Partners to operate Top 40/Rhythmic WUIL (107.9 JAMZ). The long-term deal started May 1, 2009 and carries an option to buy the station from Champaign Partners for $1.5 million.

In June 2010, WUIL was sold to the News-Gazette, which also owns WDWS and WHMS. 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 had a popular contest where it allowed listeners to submit and air their "Perfect Ten" rock songs. The station then played 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 formats from rock to classic hits, branded as "Classic Hits 107.9" under the new WKIO call sign.[4]

In early 2023, WKIO conducted a listener survey and added more recent music (Smashing Pumpkins, etc.) to its standard playlist and in response to "more music, less talk," replacing the popular The Bob and Tom Show with The Ashley and Brad Show in the daily morning slot.[5]

Former U-Rock air staff

  • Orion Buckingham
  • Dave Loane
  • Brian Moline
  • Mark Reynolds
  • Lee Marcus
  • Ethan VanDeveer
  • Patti Good

References

  1. ↑ "WUIL Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  2. ↑ "WXET Call Sign History". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  3. ↑ "Format Changes". Your Midwest Media. Archived from the original on March 17, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2013.
  4. ↑ URock Champaign-Urban Shifts to Classic Hits Radioinsight - March 26, 2013
  5. ↑ https://www.news-gazette.com/wkio/site/wkio_schedule.html
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