WKOA
| City of license | Lafayette, Indiana |
|---|---|
| Branding | K 105 |
| Slogan | "Lafayette's Country Leader" |
| Frequency | 105.3 (MHz) |
| Format | Country |
| ERP | 50,000 Watts |
| Class | B |
| Owner | Neuhoff Communications (Neuhoff Family Limited Partnership) |
| Sister stations | WASK, WASK-FM, WKHY, WXXB |
| Webcast | Listen live |
| Website | http://www.wkoa.com |
WKOA (105.3 FM), known as "K 105", is a radio station licensed to the city of Lafayette, Indiana. The station operates on the FM radio frequency of 105.3 MHz, FM channel 287.[1] The studios are located at 3575 McCarty Lane in Lafayette, Indiana. The tower is located at the same location.
History
WKOA signed on the air as WASK-FM in 1964 featuring a Beautiful music or easy listening format. In the mid-1970s, FM radio was growing in popularity and FM stations across the country which were up to this point more of a novelty band was now being embraced for its clarity and ability to broadcast a stereo sound. WLFQ (103.9) in Crawfordsville signed-on with a country format in June 1974, directing its programming to Lafayette. WASK-FM decided to make the change to country in September 1974. It became known as "Indiana Country FM 105" utilizing Bill Robinson's "Music Works" automated radio programming service.
WASK-FM began using the slogan "K 105" in the summer of 1983 shortly after being acquired by Duchossois Communications. It retained its country music format and gradually transitioned to completely live/local programming over the next two years.
Former air personalities on K 105 include Ellen K., later known for her work with Rick Dees on KIIS Los Angeles, and Dean McNeil who became the program director of US-99 (WUSN) Chicago.
In 1994, as a result of a pending move to place a news/talk simulcast on 1450 WASK and WASK Incorporated's newly acquired WIIZ (98.7), K 105 changed call letters to WKOA. The station first achieved its #1 ranking in the fall of 1989 and has consistently ranked #1 since, according to Lafayette's Arbitron ratings.
In 2006, the station, along with sister station WASK-AM/FM, shut down its long-standing news department. On March 17, 2008 K105 and sister station WASK 98.7 formed a partnership with WLFI TV 18 to provide news content. In early April 2010, K105 started streaming online at [1].
Schurz Communications announced on September 14, 2015 that it would exit broadcasting and sell its television and radio stations, including WKOA, to Gray Television for $442.5 million.[2][3] Though Gray initially intended to keep Schurz' radio stations, on November 2, it announced that Neuhoff Communications would acquire WKOA and Schurz' other Lafayette radio stations for $8 million.[4][5][6]
Programming
WKOA features contemporary country music with 80s and 90s flashbacks. The station also features live and local DJs 24 hours a day with the exception of weekend specialty programming. K 105 also features NASCAR Nextel Cup racing.
WKOA's programming is led by Operations Manager Mike Shamus.
References
- ↑ FM Query Results - Audio Division (FCC) USA
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External links
- WKOA official website
- Query the FCC's FM station database for WKOA
- Radio-Locator information on WKOA
- Query Nielsen Audio's FM station database for WKOA
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