WIKB-FM
Encyclopedia
WIKB-FM is a radio station
broadcasting a country music
format. Licensed to Iron River, Michigan
, it first began broadcasting in 1981.
WIKB-FM dropped its former adult contemporary format as "The Breeze" for the current format and positioner at the end of Memorial Day Weekend 2010. The change comes after former Armada Media CEO Jim Coursolle and his wife, Diane, closed on a purchase of a two-thirds interest in owner Heartland Communications from Granite Equity Partners in May 2010. Also involved in the deal are sister station WFER AM 1230 (which switched from adult standards
to talk radio
) and stations in Ashland
, Park Falls
, and Eagle River, Wisconsin
. Coursolle has said he felt a country format would give WIKB-FM a stronger association with a long-running rodeo in Iron River. (http://www.radioink.com/Article.asp?id=1800465&spid=24698)
However, with the format change came a shift from mainly locally originating programming (with the exception of Delilah
nights) to Dial Global
's True Country
satellite feed, with the only locally originating programming now being the station's "Shopping Show" hosted by Marian Volek. It has been reported that the station's listenership has declined significantly since the change; in addition, parts of the station's listening area can already receive country stations from Iron Mountain
and other nearby cities, whereas the former "Breeze" was the only mainstream AC format serving the area.
Previous to the AC format, WIKB-AM and FM simulcast a long-running "Solid Gold Classics" format featuring music from the 1960s through the 1980s.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
broadcasting a country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
format. Licensed to Iron River, Michigan
Iron River, Michigan
Iron River is a city in Iron County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,929. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 population estimate for this city was 3,122....
, it first began broadcasting in 1981.
WIKB-FM dropped its former adult contemporary format as "The Breeze" for the current format and positioner at the end of Memorial Day Weekend 2010. The change comes after former Armada Media CEO Jim Coursolle and his wife, Diane, closed on a purchase of a two-thirds interest in owner Heartland Communications from Granite Equity Partners in May 2010. Also involved in the deal are sister station WFER AM 1230 (which switched from adult standards
Adult standards
Adult standards is a North American radio format heard primarily on AM or class A FM stations.Adult standards is aimed at "mature" adults, meaning mainly those persons over 50 years of age, but it is mostly targeted for senior citizens...
to talk radio
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
) and stations in Ashland
Ashland, Wisconsin
Ashland is a city in Ashland and Bayfield counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The city is a port on Lake Superior, near the head of Chequamegon Bay. The population was 8,695 at the 2010 census....
, Park Falls
Park Falls, Wisconsin
Park Falls is a city in Price County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 2,793 at the 2000 census. Located in the woods of north central Wisconsin, primarily the Chequamegon National Forest, Park Falls is a small community divided by the North Fork of the Flambeau River, a popular...
, and Eagle River, Wisconsin
Eagle River, Wisconsin
Eagle River is a city in Vilas County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 1,443 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Vilas County. The city is known for being a popular "Northwoods" vacation town...
. Coursolle has said he felt a country format would give WIKB-FM a stronger association with a long-running rodeo in Iron River. (http://www.radioink.com/Article.asp?id=1800465&spid=24698)
However, with the format change came a shift from mainly locally originating programming (with the exception of Delilah
Delilah Rene
Delilah Rene Luke , almost always known mononymously as Delilah, is an American radio personality, author, and songwriter, best known as the host of a nationally syndicated nightly U.S...
nights) to Dial Global
Dial Global
Dial Global is a radio syndication company. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Triton Media Group and is a sister company to Townsquare Media, both of which are owned by Oaktree Capital Management....
's True Country
True Country
True Country is an American 24-hour music format produced by Dial Global Networks. Its playlist is composed of a diverse mix of classic and some handpicked modern country music from artists such as Brooks & Dunn, Toby Keith, Shania Twain, Keith Urban, Garth Brooks and dozens more artists.Recently,...
satellite feed, with the only locally originating programming now being the station's "Shopping Show" hosted by Marian Volek. It has been reported that the station's listenership has declined significantly since the change; in addition, parts of the station's listening area can already receive country stations from Iron Mountain
Iron Mountain, Michigan
Iron Mountain is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 8,154. It is the county seat of Dickinson County, in the state's Upper Peninsula....
and other nearby cities, whereas the former "Breeze" was the only mainstream AC format serving the area.
Previous to the AC format, WIKB-AM and FM simulcast a long-running "Solid Gold Classics" format featuring music from the 1960s through the 1980s.