WNHT (FM)
Encyclopedia
WNHT is an FM radio station
licensed to Churubusco, Indiana
but located in nearby Fort Wayne, Indiana
. The station operates on the FM radio frequency of 96.3 MHz. WNHT plays a mix of both Rhythmic Top 40 hits and old school.
/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 of 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
, 96.3 debuted its current Urban format and calls. The station was purchased by current owners Summit City Radio Group in July, 2004.
music from 10 PM-Midnight.
WNHT is also known for its hip-hop DJs, which include "2009's midwest dj of the year nominee" DJ Wicked, DJ Special K, & Shady.
Shady Spencer, current program/music director for WNHT, replaced Mojo Wilson, former program director/afternoon host. Shady has been nominated as rhythmic radio medium/small market program director of the years 2008 and 2009, and Hip Hop Program Director of the Year winner for 2010.
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...
licensed to Churubusco, Indiana
Churubusco, Indiana
Churubusco ; often shortened to Busco ), is a town located near the headwaters of the Eel River in the extreme northeast corner of Whitley County, Indiana, United States, in Smith Township, about northwest of Fort Wayne...
but located in nearby Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
. The station operates on the FM radio frequency of 96.3 MHz. WNHT plays a mix of both Rhythmic Top 40 hits and old school.
History
96.3 FM began operations as WKQM in April 1994, featuring an easy listeningEasy listening
Easy listening is a broad style of popular music and radio format that emerged in the 1950s, evolving out of big band music, and related to MOR music as played on many AM radio stations. It encompasses the exotica, beautiful music, light music, lounge music, ambient music, and space age pop genres...
/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...
music format. In September 1995, WKQM changed its format to modern rock
Modern rock
Modern rock is a rock format commonly found on commercial radio; the format consists primarily of the alternative rock genre...
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 of 2001, the "Extreme" format and WEJE calls moved to new sign-on 102.3 FM in Auburn, Indiana
Auburn, Indiana
Auburn is a city in DeKalb County, Indiana, United States. The population was 13,086 at the 2010 census. Founded in 1836 by Wesley Park , the city is the county seat of DeKalb County. Auburn is also known as Home of the Classics.-Geography:...
(now WGBJ
WGBJ
WGBJ is an FM radio station located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The station is licensed to Auburn, Indiana, and operates on the FM radio frequency of 102.3 MHz.-Programming:...
), and on March 12, 2001, 96.3 debuted a new 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 as WWWD, originally tagged "Big Red Country" but then changed to "Red Hot Country" after Artistic Media Partners
Artistic Media Partners
Artistic Media Partners owns 14 radio stations in 4 markets in Indiana. It was formed on June 23, 1987.-History:...
notified 96.3's then-owner, Frank Kovas, that the name "Big Red Country" was already service-marked for their station in Ellettsville
Ellettsville, Indiana
Ellettsville is a town in Richland Township, Monroe County, Indiana, United States. The population was 5,078 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Bloomington, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area...
.
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
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
station. On April 5, 2004, after stunting
Stunting (broadcasting)
In radio broadcasting, stunting occurs when a station abruptly airs programming that is seemingly uncharacteristic compared to what they normally play...
with "Wild Thing
Wild Thing (Tone Loc song)
"Wild Thing" is the name of rapper Tone Lōc's 1988 single from the album Lōc-ed After Dark. The title is a reference to the phrase "doin' the wild thing," a euphemism for sex, unlike The Troggs' hit song, "Wild Thing", in which the "wild thing" was a girl.Tone Lōc's song peaked at number two on...
" by Tone Loc
Tone Loc
Anthony Terrell Smith , better known by his stage name Tone Lōc, is an American rapper and actor.-Early life and career:...
, 96.3 debuted its current Urban format and calls. The station was purchased by current owners Summit City Radio Group in July, 2004.
Programming
WNHT's current morning show team "The Wild Wake-up Show" with Sara & Shady, was started May 2008. Sara Lauer is the current midday host. Big Kess, who calls himself "The Voice of the City", is currently hosting the afternoon shift with "The Afternoon Kickback", where he takes calls on original bits such as "The Question Of The Day", and BJ Steele hosts the night show with "Wild & Sexy After Dark", which also includes slow jamSlow jam
A slow jam an umbrella term for music with R&B and Soul influences. Slow jams are commonly R&B ballads or down tempo songs. The term is most commonly reserved for soft-sounding songs with heavily emotional or romantic lyrical content. This definition has led to intense debate over whether...
music from 10 PM-Midnight.
WNHT is also known for its hip-hop DJs, which include "2009's midwest dj of the year nominee" DJ Wicked, DJ Special K, & Shady.
Shady Spencer, current program/music director for WNHT, replaced Mojo Wilson, former program director/afternoon host. Shady has been nominated as rhythmic radio medium/small market program director of the years 2008 and 2009, and Hip Hop Program Director of the Year winner for 2010.
Syndication
- MTV's TRL Hip Hop Countdown, Saturdays 10am-12pm
- Baka Boyz Hip hop Master Mix, Saturdays 7pm-10pm
- BET's 106 & Park106 & Park106 & Park is a Top Ten Hip-Hop and R&B music video show, set up in a countdown format, that airs weekdays at 6:00 PM on BET . Since its inception, it was the network's #1 rated show...
, Sundays 10am-12pm - Live in the Den w/ Big TiggerBig TiggerDarian "Big Tigger" Morgan , also known as Big Tigg; is an American television and radio personality best known as the host of BET's Rap City and 106 & Park.- :...
, Sundays 7pm-10pm