WHKF
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| WHKF | |
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| City of license | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania |
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| Broadcast area | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania |
| Branding | "99.3 KISS FM" |
| Frequency | 99.3 MHZ |
| Format | Rhythmic-leaning Top 40 |
| Callsign meaning | Harrisburg Kiss FM |
| Owner | Clear Channel Communications |
| Sister stations | WRBT, WRVV |
| Website | 99.3 KISS website |
WHKF (99.3 Kiss) is a rhythmic-leaning top 40 outlet based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Owned by Clear Channel Communications, the station broadcasts at 99.3 MHz. WHKF is one of hundreds of "Kiss" branded stations owned by Clear Channel.
Prior to its launch, Kiss-FM's frequency was used by Kool 99.3, an all-oldies station using the call letters WWKL. Ironically, WWKL is now used by Hot 92, WHKF's cross-town competitor.
Oddly enough, it was the ill-advised switch of KOOL 94.9 to KOOL 99.3 in June of 1995 which caused the premature demise of Mix 99.3 FM (formerly WIMX-FM), the last rhythmic-leaning top 40 format on the 99.3 frequency in the Harrisburg market. This move would not only lead to bad news for MIX, but also for KOOL 94.9 which had an admirable share in the market and its surrounding markets. As Mix 99.3 FM under Program Director Jeff Mason, the frequency enjoyed major gains on crosstown rival Wink 104's ratings dominance in 1994 and early 1995; this ended when new management, citing lack of interest for rhythmic-leaning top 40 radio in Harrisburg, moved KOOL's all-oldies format to 99.3, and replaced KOOL 94.9 with Magic 94.9 (WYMJ-FM), an adult contemporary radio station, which emphatically failed. (MAGIC 94.9 then became BOB 94.9)
Six years later (in 2001), Clear Channel brushed aside KOOL 99.3, an oldies station that had attained legendary status, and Top 40 returned to the 99.3 frequency as WHKF. The new station was launched by Program Director Jason Barsky to again break Wink 104's ratings domination. In one of its first ratings books (Winter 2001), WHKF became the #1 station (12+) in Harrisburg. While WHKF itself has never been able to duplicate this success, it was able to force a format change in longtime market leader Wink 104, who changed from Hot AC to AC; insiders say that this was the only intention Clear Channel had in dumping oldies in favor of Top 40.
WHKF has settled into its original role as market spoiler, keeping the ratings of Wink 104 down, while helping sister stations The River, WHP 580, and Bob 94.9, rise above the former market leader.
Prior to launching, Clear Channel began stunting the frequency by playing a continuous sound effect of a small, noisy crowd. As the station's launch drew closer, the voiceover for the station began announcing "Tomorrow at noon ... the talking stops". For a little over a year, WHKF's main talking point was to attack Wink 104 on-air. The main focus of the attacks was Bruce Bond, the host of Wink 104's highly-successful afternoon drive-time talk show. Shortly after WHKF launched, Bond was dismissed for reasons that have been highly speculated; one theory (a theory believed mostly by WHKF employees) is that WHKF's all-music format stole luster (and audience) from Bruce's time slot. The truth is, though, Bruce caused his own demise in episodes that infuriated co-workers and listeners alike.
For several years (2003-2007), 99.3 Kiss FM was led by, ironically enough, a talk show called the "Morning Mess". The show was highly successful in the morning show slot doing talk-driven comedy (which is exactly the format WHKF was signed on to defeat). The original cast of the "Morning Mess" program moved to Sacramento to become "The Wake Up Call," replacing the "Morning Rave" morning show on KDND, which was fired after the ill-advised "Hold your wee for a Wii" contest which resulted in the death of a woman.[1] The new "Morning Mess" program is headed up by WHKF alumnus Mike Miller.[2]
WHKF currently typically falls between 7th and 10th place in the local cumulative, 12+ ratings. WHKF targets 18-34 year olds and is very successful in this demographic[citation needed].
[edit] Production
Like virtually all Clear Channel stations, WHKF uses the Prophet live-assist / automation package, as well as syndicated Clear Channel production elements. For their launch, WHKF used the "WKTU 2000" jingle package from Reel World Productions.
[edit] References
- ^ http://cbs13.com/topstories/local_story_114231905.html Retrieved on August 7, 2007
- ^ http://penn.live.advance.net/columns/patriotnews/fox/index.ssf?/base/columnists/117769474353890.xml&coll=1 Retrieved on August 7, 2007
[edit] External links
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