WTTS
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| City of license | Bloomington, Indiana |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Indianapolis/Bloomington |
| Branding | WTTS |
| Slogan | World Class Rock |
| Frequency | 92.3 MHz |
| First air date | 1960 |
| Format | Adult Album Alternative |
| ERP | 37,000 watts |
| HAAT | 332 meters |
| Class | Grandfathered Class B |
| Facility ID | 59141 |
| Owner | Sarkes Tarzian, Inc. |
| Sister stations | WGCL 1370 |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | wttsfm.com |
WTTS is an FM radio station serving Indianapolis and Bloomington, Indiana, in the United States, broadcasting at 92.3 FM. The station's format is classified as Adult Album Alternative or "Triple A." WTTS uses the slogan "World Class Rock" to describe its music mix. The station plays a variety of music genres from the mid-1960s to the present, including acoustic, reggae, classic rock, blues and alternative rock. In 2001, WTTS was one of the first American radio stations to play music by the artists John Mayer and Norah Jones, both of whom later went on to become Grammy Award winners. Its studios are located in downtown Indianapolis and the transmitter is in Trafalgar.
History
WTTS remains locally and independently owned by Sarkes Tarzian, Inc. The company is named for its founder, an Armenian immigrant who came from an engineering background. Tarzian put his first station, WTTS-AM, on the air in 1949. WTTV-FM (now WTTS) began broadcasting a Big Band format in 1960. In the mid-70s, the call letters were changed to WGTC-FM, which stood for Good Time Country to reflect its new country music format. In 1986, WGTC-FM became WTTS-FM, and in 1988, it changed to an AOR format. Four years later, in 1992, WTTS adopted its present format.
WTTS has been named "Best Local Radio Station" by Indianapolis alternative newspaper Nuvo multiple times since 1998. It has also been nominated for "Adult Rock Station of the Year" honors eight times (2005–2012) by Radio & Records and FMQB magazines, prominent radio and music industry trade publications.
The station broadcasts from the 1,000 ft WTTV Channel 4 Television tower, located in Trafalgar, Indiana.
On-air staff and programming
WTTS program hosts include Paul Mendenhall, mornings; Brad Holtz (Program Director), middays; Laura Duncan (Assistant Program Director/Music Director), afternoon drive. In 2004, WTTS introduced the Phil the Listener Show, hosted by longtime listener Phil Stoerck. The show featured an eclectic mix of rock that aired monthly. Phil died at the age of 54 on March 9, 2008.
Specialty programs on WTTS include OverEasy, Sunday mornings and nights (laid-back "World Class Rock"); Little Steven's Underground Garage, Etown and House of Blues Radio Hour, Sunday nights; and Indy Underground, Monday and Saturday nights (local, indie, and underground music).
Music-related promotions
WTTS sponsors various promotions focused on the station's Triple-A format, staging performances and producing CDs of live recordings featuring established and emerging artists from the genres it plays. For the past eight years, the station has hosted a series of "Private Concerts" and "Emerging Artist Concerts" that have headlined performances by artists such as KT Tunstall, John Mayer, Buddy Guy, Big Head Todd & The Monsters, Bob Schneider, Sonia Dada, Five for Fighting and others. In 2005, the station opened Sun King Studio 92, a performance and recording venue in downtown Indianapolis. Artists who have played in Studio 92 include Marc Broussard, David Gray, Los Lonely Boys, Goo Goo Dolls, Widespread Panic, Jet, John Butler Trio, Umphrey's McGee, The Doobie Brothers, Snow Patrol and Amos Lee, among others.
Twice a year, WTTS releases the New Music Sampler CD, which it distributes to listeners for free. In 1995, WTTS began releasing the Collectors Edition CD every December, highlighting live rock and acoustic performances recorded in Sun King Studio 92 and live concerts throughout Indianapolis. Through these promotions, the station has raised tens of thousands of dollars for charities throughout central and south-central Indiana.
On July 15, 2007, WTTS celebrated the 15th anniversary of its format with the "WTTS 15th Birthday Bash Starring Bob Dylan." The sold-out concert was held at the Lawn at White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis. In 2008, WTTS, in conjunction with A&E Television, presented an exclusive private concert with John Mellencamp. The event, attended by 400 listeners, was later featured in an A&E Biography special.
The summer of 2012 marked the 20th anniversary of the Triple-A format on WTTS. The station commemorated the occasion with "The WTTS 20th Anniversary Concert," featuring four bands first played on the station 20 years prior: Barenaked Ladies, Blues Traveler, Big Head Todd & The Monsters and Cracker.
WTTS has also hosted annual holiday concerts including Toys For Tots Christmas Concerts and the Rock To Read Benefits for the Indianapolis Public Library. Artists involved in Toys For Tots Christmas Concerts have included: Better Than Ezra, Los Lonely Boys, Jennie DeVoe, Low Millions, Aqualung, Spin Doctors, The Subdudes, Eric Lindell, Sonia Dada, John Mayer, Joe Bonamassa, VHS Or Beta, Amos Lee, Delta Spirit, The Gabe Dixon Band, Brett Dennen, Eric Hutchinson, Guster, Fitz & The Tantrums, Scars on 45, Band Of Horses and Mat Kearney.
Artists involved in Rock To Read Benefits include: Los Lonely Boys, The Damnwells, The Kooks, Susan Tedeschi, James Hunter, Collective Soul, Chris Isaak, John Hiatt and Big Head Todd & The Monsters.
Digital media
WTTS offers a live stream through its website. The site also features an extensive "Playlist Center" offering in-depth playlists spanning the past thirty days. In 2011, WTTS introduced a live streaming app for the iPhone and Android devices. In addition, the station maintains a "92-3 VIP" database, enabling listeners to register for access to promotions not offered on-air. WTTS is also actively involved in Facebook, Twitter and YouTube campaigns.
External links
- Query the FCC's FM station database for WTTS
- Radio-Locator information on WTTS
- Query Nielsen Audio's FM station database for WTTS
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