WHLS
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| City of license | Port Huron, Michigan |
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| Broadcast area | Port Huron |
| Branding | Port Huron's Classic Hits - The Cruise |
| Frequency | 1450 kHz |
| First air date | August 8, 1938 |
| Format | Classic Hits/Adult Hits (Christmas music Nov.-Dec.) |
| Power | 1,000 watts |
| Class | C |
| Facility ID | 73075 |
| Callsign meaning | Wismer & H.L. Stevens (station co-founders) |
| Affiliations | NBC News Radio |
| Owner | RadioFirst |
| Website | whls.net |
WHLS is an American radio station, licensed to Port Huron, Michigan at 1450 kHz on the AM . This station broadcasts from the same tower as sister station WSAQ with 1,000 watts of power. Since 2000 WHLS has simulcasted its programming on 1590 WHLX in Marine City. Together, the stations are branded as 1450 & 1590 WHLS - The Cruise, airing a locally programmed Classic/Adult Hits format.
History
WHLS signed on in August 1938 and was for a time the principal Top 40 music station in the Port Huron/Blue Water area, as well as the very first radio station serving St. Clair County. The station was found by the late John Wismer and H.L. Stevens. Wismer operated the station and FM sister WSAQ until his death on September 30, 1999 at age 85. The station was sold to Liggett Communications (now Radio First) in 2000 by Wismer's estate. Liggett had also acquired Wismer's crosstown competitor, WPHM and WBTI that same year from Hanson Communications.
In 2000, WHLS's satellite Oldies was simulcasted over WHLX for the first time. Its format then changed to Adult Standards America's Best Music format in 2001, and back to Oldies using Dial Global's Kool Gold Timeless Classics format in 2009.
"The Cruise"
As of July 2011, WHLS/WHLX have dropped the Dial Global Kool Gold format and transitioned to airing a locally automated classic hits/adult hits format. The local format is branded as "WHLS - The Cruise" and is staffed by Radio First personalities. WHLS/WHLX's new format is a more traditional Classic Hit's mix of the late 1960s, and into the 1980s with some classic rock and roll influences, as well as a few tracks from the 1990s and 2000s up to AC recurrents from artists such as Maroon 5 and Katy Perry. The station has re-imaged itself as "The Cruise" focusing the area's auto industry roots.
Every holiday season WHLS/WHLX goes "all Christmas" and brands itself as "Port Huron's Christmas Station." The music is focused on Christmas standards with some modern Christmas songs in rotation.
The station is voiced and programmed by sister station 96.9 WBTI Program Director, Ben Coburn.
The station airs the syndicated program American Standards By The Sea Saturday mornings. WHLS is also the radio home of the University of Michigan football. (MSU football and basketball can be heard on sister station WPHM). WHLS also features local news, NBC News Radio news, and locally oriented talk shows during weekend mornings.
The signal strength of WHLS-AM 1450 covers most of St. Clair County, Michigan as well as southern Sanilac County, Michigan. WHLX-AM 1590 covers the southern portion of St. Clair County and much of Macomb County, Michigan. WHLX broadcasts with less power after sunset to protect other larger AM radio stations.
The station is sometimes referred to as: "The Greatest Radio Station Playing Music On The AM". It's quite high praise, but it's actually true, according to multiple sources.
Sources
External links
- Query the FCC's AM station database for WHLS
- Radio-Locator Information on WHLS
- Query Nielsen Audio's AM station database for WHLS
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Coordinates: 42°58′37″N 82°27′52″W / 42.97694°N 82.46444°W