WMHK
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| WMHK | |
| City of license | Columbia, South Carolina |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | South Carolina |
| Branding | "89.7 WMHK" |
| Slogan | "Family Friendly" |
| Frequency | 89.7 (MHz) |
| First air date | August 30, 1976 |
| Format | Contemporary Christian music |
| ERP | 100,000 watts |
| Class | C1 |
| Callsign meaning | We're Making Him Known |
| Owner | Columbia International University |
| Website | http://www.wmhk.com |
WMHK-FM 89.7 is a non-commercial Christian radio station in Columbia, South Carolina. It is owned and operated by Columbia International University under the name "Columbia Bible College Broadcasting Company." Its programming includes a Contemporary Christian music rotation selected by a team of listeners and family programming, such as "Family Life Today" with Dennis Rainey. While most of its programming is locally based, during weekday evenings, WMHK uses the syndicated duo "Scott and Sam" to take care of the programming at that time.
The station signed on the air August 30th, 1976 with a vision to share the Gospel through the airwaves. It is unique in the sense that it is locally owned and operated, while most radio stations in Columbia are corporate owned.
WMHK enjoys much higher ratings than most other CCM stations. Its morning show is tied for first in the Columbia market. Its main demographic targets women ages 25-54.
WMHK has gone through numerous staffing changes over the past decade. Rusty Rabon was a long-time morning show co-host, who left to become a minister. Dwight Moffit and Bob Holmes, award-winning veteran newscasters, have also departed. WMHK has not filled any news positions and has deserted the news department altogether. WMHK used to broadcast local newscasts in addition to UPI News when the service existed back in the 1990s. The only news coverage is now provided as headlines during the morning show with Steve Sunshine and Amy Byrd.
Jim Marshall, former general manager of WMHK, was responsible for the revitalization of WMHK, changing the format from the older-style Christian music and adding a contemporary feel to the station. Under his direction, WMHK became a highly-listened station in the area. The morning show and the afternoon drive program became more sophisticated, featuring local weather personalities like WOLO's Meteorologist Reg Taylor and live local traffic reports from WIS' Traffic Command center, as well as news updates from its own award-winning news department. Marshall left in 2005 to become general manager of WAY-FM in West Palm Beach, FL.
Jerry Grimes, former Marketing Director at WIS-TV, succeeded Marshall as General Manager in July 2005. Under his direction, there were a few staffing changes, including the promotion of Steve Sunshine to Program Director in August 2006 after long-time Program Director Tom Greene left the station to go to WMIT. Under Grimes, WMHK was also named "Station of the Year" by the Christian Music Broadcasters (CMB) in 2006 and 2007.
CIU operates a sister station in Charlotte, WRCM; it is programmed separately from WMHK.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- WMHK
- Columbia International University website
- Query the FCC's FM station database for WMHK
- Radio Locator information on WMHK
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