WNKU
| City of license | Highland Heights, Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky |
| Branding | 89.7 WNKU |
| Slogan | Discover Music |
| Frequency | 89.7 MHz |
| Translator(s) | WNKN 105.9 MHz Middletown, Ohio; WNKE 104.1 MHz New Boston, Ohio |
| Format | Adult Album Alternative |
| ERP | 12,000 watts horiz 9,900 watts vert |
| HAAT | 97 meters |
| Class | C3 |
| Facility ID | 4280 |
| Transmitter coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
| Callsign meaning | W Northern Kentucky University |
| Affiliations | National Public Radio, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Kentucky Public Radio |
| Owner | Northern Kentucky University |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | wnku.org |
WNKU (89.7 FM) is a radio station broadcasting an Adult Album Alternative format. Licensed in Highland Heights, Kentucky, USA, it serves the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati area. The station is owned by Northern Kentucky University.
Contents
Additional frequencies
WNKU signed on in 1985 on 89.7 FM. As one of the last available frequencies in the Cincinnati area, WNKU was limited by a 12,000 watt directional signal.[1] In 2011, Northern Kentucky University purchased 105.9 WPFB-FM/910 WPFB-AM in Middletown, Ohio and 104.1 WPAY-FM in Portsmouth, Ohio, and increased the potential reach of WNKU to 3.1 million listeners. WNKU began simulcasting on WPFB (now called WNKN) and WPAY (now called WNKE) on February 1, 2011.[2]
2015 format changes
In February 2015, WNKU announced a new General Manager, 25-year radio veteran Sean O'Mealy.[3] In April 2015, longtime WNKU Music Director John McGue was promoted to Program Director[4] and WAPS Music Director Liz Felix was named Assistant Program Director.[5] The new programming team made changes to WNKU's format, increasing the focus on new alternative music and decreasing the heavy lean on folk and roots music. The changes were in response to evidence that, despite the signal expansion of 2011, listener and membership numbers were not growing.[6][7]
While WNKU had always supported music from the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati area, the format changes included an increased focus on local music. In October 2015, WNKU announced a new initiative to play at least one song by a local artist every hour.[8]
WNKU also began featuring music from the Cincinnati-based label King Records, mixing in classic soul music during regular programming hours.[9]
Weekend and specialty programs
In 2015, WNKU changed its programming schedule, dropping several nationally syndicated programs (including eTown, UnderCurrents, and Little Steven's Underground Garage) in favor of content produced in-house. Former WOXY-FM DJ Matt Sledge was added to the weekend lineup.[7]
As of 2016, weekend programs on WNKU include Americana music on the Front Porch, hosted by Pam Temple, Roadhouse Blues with Ken Hanes, classic rock and deep cuts with Mary Peale, soul and R&B with Mr. Rhythm Man, and bluegrass music with Katie Laur and Oakley Scot on Music From the Hills of Home.[10]
On January 22, 2016, WNKU is introducing a new program focused on funk music, hosted by Cincinnati musician Freekbass.
References
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