WWCK-FM

Infobox Radio station
name = WWCK-FM


city = Flint, Michigan
area =
branding = CK105.5
slogan = "All The Hits"
airdate = September 1964
frequency = 105.5 MHz
format = Top 40 (CHR)
power = 25,000 watts
haat = 100 meters
class = B1
facility_id = 39678
coordinates = coord|43|00|39|N|83|39|4|W|type:landmark
callsign_meaning = reminiscent of CKLW
former_callsigns = WMRP-FM (?-12/5/71)
owner = Cumulus Broadcasting
sister_stations = WDZZ, WRSR, WWCK-AM
webcast =
website = http://www.wwck.com/
affiliations =

WWCK-FM (105.5 FM, "CK105.5") is a radio station in Flint, Michigan, broadcasting an adult-oriented Top 40 (CHR) format. The station is owned by Cumulus Media and has programmed its current format since 1989.

History

Early History: WMRP

105.5 FM originally went on the air in 1964 as WMRP-FM. The WMRP calls stood for Methodist Radio Parish. WMRP-FM aired a Beautiful Music format while WMRP-AM 1570 played MOR; the conservative owners of the stations prohibited any advertising for tobacco or alcohol products.

Flint's Best Rock

In 1971, the United Methodist Church withdrew support for WMRP-AM/FM, and the stations were sold that year to John W. Nogaj, who changed the FM's call letters to WWCK as a tribute to Windsor, Ontario's powerhouse CKLW and installed a dayparted daytime Top 40/nighttime AOR format. AM 1570, meanwhile, went country and later oldies as WCZN.

Nogaj sold WCZN-AM and WWCK-FM in 1975 to Reams Broadcasting, who changed WWCK's format to full-time AOR. As "Flint's Best Rock," WWCK was a market leader in Flint for many years, and was named the top-rated rock station in the United States in 1985. WWCK-FM was also the home of Filmmaker Michael Moore's "Radio Free Flint" from 1980 through 1985 and "Buffalo Dick's Radio Ranch" with Jeff Lamb, voted "Best Local Programming/All Markets" by Billboard Magazine in 1982.

CK105.5 Flips to CHR

In December of 1988, Reams Broadcasting sold AM 1570 and FM 105.5 to Majac of Michigan. Majac abruptly changed CK105's format from AOR to CHR on New Year's Day of 1989, with WWCK-AM 1570 serving as a shadowcast of the FM. This marked the first time Flint had a Top 40 or CHR station of its own since WTAC-AM 600 changed from Top 40 to country music in 1981. Fans of the AOR format were unhappy with the change, but CK105.5's new format took off in the ratings and posted several number one showings (12+) in the Flint Arbitron reports through the 1990s.

CK105.5 Today

In recent years, WWCK's ratings have dropped somewhat due to competition from crosstown Rhythmic CHR outlet WRCL and due to playlist tweaks to make the station more of an Adult CHR which alienated younger listeners. Some listeners also feel the overall quality of the station has declined since Cumulus Media took over ownership. Nevertheless, CK105.5 is typically still a top ten ratings performer in Flint.

Former Morning Shows Included: Leeroy & The pepper, The Breakfast Boys with a few different variations. Mr.Bob Morning Show, Scott, Gin & Clay, Andrew Z in the Morning, Jerry & Stephanie, and Finally Mike & Stephanie.

WWCK was once housed at it's transmitter location on Lapeer Rd. During the 90's WWCK allowed requests at the studio window. It was also common for wedding parties to stop by the studio for shout outs and such.

Memorable personalities included: Ian Richards, Terry "Motormouth" Young, Catfish Cooper, Phlash Phelps, Fletch, Heidi with the hooters.

The current CK105.5 air staff includes Mike McDonald and Stephanie(mornings), Jeff Andrews (afternoon drive), and Just Bob (nights). Weekend hosts include DC, Nikki, Jenny Boom, Kisha, Terri Lee and Pete Mata.

Former Program Directors included: Leroy St. Micheals, Scott Shannon, John Shomby, Scott Free, Brian Figula, Jeff Andrews

Sources

* [http://www.michiguide.com/dials/rad-v/wwck.html Michiguide.com - WWCK-FM History] Scott "Shannon" was actually Scott Seipel who was extremly happy to drop "Shannon" after leaving Wiog in Saginaw. Scott was also part of the highly rated "Scott & Gin Morning Show" and the "Scott and Gin Morning Show with Clay".

External links

* [http://www.wwck.com/ WWCK offical website]
*FM station data|WWCK