WXKE

WXKE (96-3 XKE) is an FM radio station licensed to Churubusco, Indiana and serving the nearby Fort Wayne, Indiana area. The station operates on the FM radio frequency of 96.3 MHz and airs a classic rock format.

History

96.3 FM began operations as WKQM in April 1994, featuring an easy listening/adult standards music format. In September 1995, WKQM changed its format to modern rock and adopted the moniker "The Edge," with new calls WEJE. "The Edge" was consulted by noted rock radio consultant Fred Jacobs, but after Jacobs Media and WEJE parted ways in January 1998, WEJE rebranded as "Extreme 96.3."

In March 2001, the "Extreme" format and WEJE calls moved to new sign-on 102.3 FM in Auburn, Indiana (now WGBJ), and on March 12, 2001, 96.3 debuted a new country music format as WWWD, originally tagged "Big Red Country" but then changed to "Red Hot Country" after Artistic Media Partners notified 96.3's then-owner, Frank Kovas, that the name "Big Red Country" was already service-marked for their station in Ellettsville.

On March 1, 2002, following Kovas' sale of his stations to Travis Broadcasting Corporation the previous December, "Red Hot Country" was blown up in favor of WHTD "Hits 96," a CHR/Pop station. On April 5, 2004, after stunting with "Wild Thing" by Tone Loc for a day, 96.3 flipped to an urban-leaning Rhythmic CHR format, branded as "Wild 96.3", and changed call letters to WNHT. The station was purchased by Summit City Radio Group in July 2004.

In March 2014, Adams Radio Group entered an agreement to purchase Summit City's cluster (which includes WNHT). Days later, Adams announced they would purchase Oasis Radio Group's stations. To meet ownership limits, Adams will retain WNHT, WGL and WXKE, as well as acquiring Oasis Radio Group's WJFX and WBTU, while selling off WHPP to Fort Wayne Catholic Radio, and selling WGL-FM to Calvary Radio Network. WLYV and two translators (on 96.9 FM and 103.3 FM) will also be acquired by Adams. The purchase, at a price of $6.4 million, was consummated on June 2, 2014. As a result, Adams plans on massive format restructuring. WNHT's entire airstaff were released on May 30, leading to rumors of a format change. On June 2, Adams announced that WXKE will move to the stronger 96.3 signal on June 11. At first, WNHT's format was speculated to move to the 96.9 FM translator, but on June 5, the station announced via Facebook that its format will be merged into WJFX, a top 40 station that had previously been formatted as urban contemporary and rhythmic contemporary. On June 13, 2014, the station took on the WXKE call sign.

External links

• 963 XKE's Website
• Query the FCC's FM station database for WXKE
• Radio-Locator information on WXKE
• Query Nielsen Audio's FM station database for WXKE

Coordinates: 41°06′13″N 85°10′44″W / 41.1037°N 85.1789°W / 41.1037; -85.1789