WKST-FM

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WKST
City of license	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Broadcast area	Western Pennsylvania
Branding	"96.1 KISS"
Frequency	96.1 MHZ (Also on HD Radio) 96.1 HD-2 for Dance hits
First air date	1960
Format	Rhythmic-leaning Top 40
ERP	44,000 watts
HAAT	159 meters
Class	B
Facility ID	65678
Callsign meaning	KISS (The T subsitutes for the second S)
Owner	Clear Channel Communications
Webcast	Listen Live
Website	96.1 KISS' website

This article is missing citations or needs footnotes. Using inline citations helps guard against copyright violations and factual inaccuracies. (December 2007)

WKST-FM (96.1 Kiss), is a rhythmic-leaning top 40 outlet based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Owned by Clear Channel Communications, the station broadcasts at 96.1 MHz, with an ERP of 44 kW. Its transmitter is located in Baldwin.

[edit] History

The station originally signed on as WTAE-FM, co-owned with WTAE AM and TV, and had a MOR format until 1976, when it simulcast WTAE (AM) during the day and played disco at night, known as "Disco 96." As disco began to wane in popularity, the station flipped to a rock-leaning top 40 format as WXKX (96KX or "96 Kicks"). 96KX thrived for the next five years and has been the frequency's most highly-rated format to date. In 1983, faced with new competition from WBZZ (B-94), the station changed format and call letters, and became WHTX, better known as "Hit Radio 96". This station evolved, in the latter part of the decade, into a gold-based adult contemporary format under the name of "Gold 96".

In 1991 it switched calls to WVTY ("Variety 96") and format to an adult top 40 approach, which in turn would lead to a modern hits format and new calls WDRV ("The River") in 1996. After it was sold in 1997 WDRV returned to adult top 40, this time as WPHH ("Mix 96.1"). On September 30, 2000, they switched to the current format and became the current WKST-FM, "96.1 Kiss". During its first four years, WKST waged a battle with WBZZ from 2000 to 2004 by countering WBZZ's conventional Top 40/CHR approach with WKST's Rhythmic flavor. In 2007 the rivalry resumed again when CBS revived "B94" and has begun using the same conventional direction by going after the same 18-34 audience that WKST has managed to cater.

[edit] The "Freak Show"

The Freak Show with Mikey and Big Bob was originally an evening show that originated from Detroit's 93.1 DRQ, and later Philadelphia's Q102, with the same named show and originally led by Tic Tak (who was fired from Kiss 103.5 Chicago on July 3, 2006). When the air personalities first relocated to Pittsburgh, the show's personalities initially made mistakes such as using "Philly" jargon(per an article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette). Today, Tic Tak is no longer a part of the show, and the Morning Freak Show caters to a young adult crowd.

(Source: http://www.961kiss.com/pages/morningfreakshow.html)

[edit] WKST HD2

On April 25, 2006, Clear Channel announced that WKST's HD2 subchannel will carry a format focusing on Dance hits. The HD2 signed on July 17, 2006, broadcasting the Club Phusion format.

[edit] External links

• Official website
• "Club Phusion" on WKST-HD2
• Query the FCC's FM station database for WKST
• Radio Locator information on WKST
• Query Arbitron's FM station database for WKST