WERK
WERK (104.9 FM, licensed to Muncie, Indiana) is a commercial FM radio station. The station serves the Muncie-Marion area. The station is currently owned by Woof Boom Radio Muncie License LLC.[2]
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City | Muncie, Indiana |
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Broadcast area | Muncie-Marion |
Frequency | 104.9 MHz |
Branding | 104.9 WERK-FM |
Slogan | The best and most variety |
Programming | |
Format | Classic Hits |
Ownership | |
Owner | Woof Boom Radio Muncie License LLC |
Sister stations | WMXQ, WLBC-FM, WBKQ, WHBU, WXFN, WLQQ |
History | |
First air date | January 16, 1986 (as WOKZ)[1] |
Former call signs | WOKZ (1986-1991) WERK-FM (1991–1999) |
Technical information | |
Facility ID | 1723 |
Class | A |
ERP | 6,000 watts |
HAAT | 100 meters |
Transmitter coordinates | 40°9′19.00″N 85°25′48.00″W |
Links | |
Website | werkfm.net |
History
The current WERK signed on as WOKZ "KZ 105" on January 16, 1986.[1] Airing an adult contemporary-oldies format, the station's creation was delayed by a series of interference concerns that led to three stations changing frequencies.[3] To make way for WOKZ, WWHC at Hartford City and WXUS of Lafayette moved to 93.5, while WZWZ in Kokomo was relocated to 92.7, all at the new station's expense.[3] The original owner, James Beatty's L&B Broadcasting of Indianapolis, bought out competing applicants Hoosier's Favorite Station and Ben-Del Broadcasting to obtain the construction permit.
In 1991, Beatty sold WOKZ and WERK (990 AM) to American Hometown Radio.[4] The new owners changed WOKZ's call letters to WERK-FM and, after stunting as "Louie 105" with a loop of Louie Louie,[5] the station relaunched as "Oldies 105" on November 20.[6] American Hometown sold the pair in 1997 to Dream Weaver Broadcasting.[7] Dream Weaver divested the AM station two years later by donating the license.[8]
In 2013, Woof Boom Radio acquired WERK from Backyard Broadcasting along with the rest of its Muncie cluster for $4.45 million.[9] On December 26, 2014, after its annual stint of airing Christmas music, WERK relaunched as "The New Sound". The format features pop, rock, and disco tunes from 1975-2001, with an emphasis on the 1980s.[10]
References
- "WOKZ(FM)" (PDF). Broadcasting Yearbook. 1987. p. B-100 (184). Retrieved June 11, 2020.
- "WURK Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
- Richie, Rodney (January 12, 1986). "'Someday' Is Thursday". Muncie Evening Press. p. D1. Retrieved June 11, 2020. (See also the correction issued by the newspaper two days later)
- "Transactions" (PDF). Radio & Records. July 19, 1991. p. 6. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
- Richey, Rodney (November 19, 1991). "All 'Louie,' All the Time". The Muncie Star. p. 9. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
- Richey, Rodney (November 20, 1991). "WOKZ Becomes WERK-FM". Muncie Star. p. 29. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
- "Transactions" (PDF). Radio & Records. June 20, 1997. p. 6. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
- "Transactions" (PDF). Radio & Records. February 19, 1999. p. 8. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
- Venta, Lance (June 9, 2013). "Woof Boom Radio Acquires Backyard's Muncie Stations". RadioInsight. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
- Venta, Lance (December 26, 2014). "WERK Pushing Its New Sound". RadioInsight. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
External links
- WERK in the FCC's FM station database
- WERK on Radio-Locator
- WERK in Nielsen Audio's FM station database