WKKO
{{short description|Country music radio station in Toledo, Ohio}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = WKKO
| logo = File:WKKO K100 logo.png
| city = Toledo, Ohio | country = US
| area = Toledo Metropolitan Area
| branding = K100
| frequency = 99.9 MHz
| airdate = {{Start date|1946|12|7}}
| format = Country
| erp = 50,000 watts
| haat = {{convert|152.4|m|ft|sp=us}}
| class = B
| facility_id = 22673
| licensing_authority = FCC
| callsign_meaning =
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|WTOD-FM (1946–1947, 1957–1958)|WTRT (1947–1957, 1958–1967)|WKLR (1967–1968)|WKLR-FM (1968–1986)}}
| owner = Cumulus Media
| licensee = Cumulus Licensing LLC
| sister_stations = {{hlist|WRQN|WMIM|WQQO (HD2)|WXKR}}
| webcast = {{ubl|{{listen live|http://www.k100country.com}}|{{iHeartRadio|5750}}}}
| website = {{URL|k100country.com}}
| affiliations = {{ubl|Compass Media Networks|Westwood One}}
}}
WKKO (99.9 FM) is a commercial radio station in Toledo, Ohio with a country music format. It is owned by Cumulus Media. The station's studios are located in Toledo, and its transmitter is located in Harbor View, Ohio.
History
Toledo AM radio station WTOD began FM broadcasting on 97.7 MHz as WTOD-FM on December 7, 1946.{{Cite news|work=Toledo Union Journal|page=8|date=December 6, 1946|title=First FM Station In Northwest Ohio Opens At Noon December 7|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/first-fm-station-northwest-ohio-opens-noon-december-7/qisfczlgqdrubrjwibgxapekmcsmvpky_ip-10-166-46-149_1748678022701}} Four months later, it became WTRT.{{cite news|url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/toledo-station-wtrt/elfxmhoxpbbtiutbmldcujnogbmcdmgn_ip-10-166-46-103_1748678122612|work=Toledo Blade|page=9|date=April 12, 1947|title=Toledo Station WTRT}} The call sign stood for "Tomorrow's Radio Today".{{Cite web |date=February 1, 2009 |title=Orris Tabner spent more than 3 decades at WTOL |url=https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/pro/2009/02/01/Orris-Tabner-spent-more-than-3-decades-at-WTOL/stories/200902010041 |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=The Blade |language=en}}
During the summer of 1981, WKLR ("Kooler Radio"), a longtime R&B/soul and later disco music station, changed to its current country format known as K100. Joe Hill (now retired OM/SM) of WHME/WHRI/WHRA/KWHR/KFLR was the first announcer when WKLR went from 8,000 watts to 50,000 watts in the summer of 1982. After the power up, the station was heard in Detroit. In 1986, the call letters were changed from WKLR-FM to WKKO. The station was owned by Booth American of Detroit for some 30 years, then Fritz Broadcasting (also from Detroit) beginning in 1994. It was then sold to its current owner, Cumulus Broadcasting, in 1997.
In 1992, WTOD 1560 AM began a full-time simulcast of K-100 after a short-lived simulcast of WRED's country format. This lasted until 2004, when WTOD dropped K-100 for a talk radio format.
WKKO has consistently been not only a market leader in the Toledo area, but its share of the market ranks among the highest nationwide. Longtime morning duo Mitch and Mary Beth left WKKO for WRVF (101.5) in 2000 and were replaced by WKKO Program Director Gary Shores and Assistant Program Director Harvey J. Steele, together known as Shores & Steele. The two had previously done afternoons for some six years, and were named Broadcast Personalities for medium markets by the Country Music Association.
As of 2021, the station’s lineup consists of the local Lyn & Cliff Morning Show, Toledo radio veteran Johny D on middays, and Mark “Mookie” Andrews on afternoon drive. Evening slot is filled in with the syndicated program Nights With Elania. WKKO's competitors include its own sister station WMIM "Nash Icon" 98.3, as well as rival WPFX 107.7 and classic country-formatted WCKY-FM 103.7.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{FM station data|22673|WKKO}}
{{Toledo Radio}}
{{Country Radio Stations in Ohio}}
{{Cumulus Media}}
{{coord|41.668|N|83.453|W|type:landmark_region:US-OH_source:FCC|display=title}}
Category:Country radio stations in the United States
Category:Radio stations established in 1946