WWKX

Infobox Radio Station
name = WWKX


frequency = 106.3 MHz HD Radio
city = Woonsocket, Rhode Island
area = Providence, Rhode Island
format = Rhythmic Top 40
owner = Citadel Broadcasting
erp = 1.15 kW
haat = 158 meters
branding = HOT 106
slogan = "#1 For Hip-Hop"
airdate = June 26 1949 (as WWON-FM)
class = A
website = [http://www.hot1063.com/ www.hot1063.com]
callsign_meaning = WWKX Kicks 106
former_callsigns = WWON-FM, WNCK
sister_stations = WEAN-FM, WPRO (AM), WPRO-FM, WPRV, WWLI

WWKX (106.3 MHz FM/Channel 292, "Hot 106") is a Rhythmic Top 40 station serving the Providence area. The Citadel Broadcasting Corporation outlet operates with an ERP of 1.15 kW and is licensed to Woonsocket, Rhode Island.

History

The current WWKX signed on June 26 1949 as WWON-FM on 105.5 Megacycles (as MegaHertz was then called)/Channel 288 as the sister station to WWON (now WOON/1240-Woonsocket, R.I.). In 1950, WWON-FM operated with 390 watts. WWON-FM changed frequencies to the current 106.3 by summer 1958. In the 1970s the station played oldies and in 1986 became WNCK. In 1988 they flipped to Rhythmic Top 40 as WWKX "Kicks 106" (later Kix 106) the station was a mix of freestyle, hip hop, and pop under the moniker "The Rhythm of Southern New England" and scored high ratings in the 18-34 demographic from 1995-1997. At that time management changed the moniker and its direction towards a pure R&B/Hip-Hop flavor.

They were also the only Rhythmic Top 40 in the United States to air Howard Stern from 1997 to January 5, 2005, when parent company Citadel Broadcasting ceased airing the show in a dispute regarding Stern's mentioning of his upcoming move to Sirius radio.

The call letters WWKX were assigned to 104.5 in Gallatin/Nashville, Tennessee from 1978 to 1987. This frequency is now occupied by WGFX, also a Citadel station.

External links

* [http://www.hot1063.com/ WWKX official website]
*FMQ|WWKX
*FML|WWKX
*FMARB|WWKX
* [http://jeff560.tripod.com/1950fm.html List of F.M. stations in the U.S. in 1950 as listed in the 1950 Broadcasting Yearbook]
* [http://jeff560.tripod.com/1958fm.html List of F.M. stations in the U.S. in the summer of 1958 as listed in the North American Radio TV Station Listings, by Vane A. Jones.]