Saxonburg Radio goes all-Christmas
November 23, 2017
Saxonburg-based Part 15 AM and FM station WIYQ, changed its adult contemporary format to all-Christmas music as of 10am Thanksgiving Day.
The station will play the traditional mix of contemporary holiday hits, novelty numbers and standards, according to station President and General Manager Ken Hawk.
“We had planned to launch the concept tomorrow, but I just couldn’t wait,” Hawk said. “It’s only fitting that we recognize the reason for the season on the day we’re most thankful. So we jumped the gun this year.”
In the years past, the station eased into holiday music as Christmas drew closer. The station is running jockless during the period of holiday music. Regular programming will resume on December 26.
Things I notice as I continue my new tenure in the west-central part of the state: WIYQ. I remember that as the callsign for FM 99.1, first known as WEND-FM 103.9 from Ebensburg, but moved to its current frequency before I arrived at WNCC. Years after I moved on back to Pittsburgh, the callsign changed and now it’s Forever’s WRKW-99.1. Nice move for Ken Hawk and his Part 15 operation.
I’m glad to hear this station is still around, I’ve listened to them on line before.
We need more stations in the hands of local owners. In my opinion consolidation of stations into large national groups has not been good for the sound of radio, or the sport of format competition.
I Wonder why Ken Did not buy WZUM or WMNY, His Station is Hard to get on the Computer
I wish that Ken would be able to get a full powered outlet Phil, he seems to have more ambition for local radio than do many others. One problem for a smaller operation is a regulatory structure for AM stations that hasn’t kept pace with what today’s technology allows, it’s literally antique.
There are rules for minimum efficiency of the antenna systems, which on the face sounds great, which forces a station to have a large antenna and ground system that won’t fit on many sites that are close to where listeners are. Synchronous repeaters could help stations cover more towns, but are still on experimental status.
EAS is costly equipment for a station to have, but a requirement, it seems it could be so much cheaper. LPFMs were breaking the bank for their EAS boxes, from my readings. You have to wonder, given the lower listenership of AM radio right now, and because most people have a smart phone, if EAS is even needed on small stations.
I think it would be cool if Ken Hawk could somehow buy out WMNY’s license and move it to Saxonburg, maybe partner with the city and schools there, and be the operator. Radio dreams..
Boomer