WNIC is an American
adult
contemporary radio station based in Detroit,
Michigan
broadcasting
at 100.3 MHz FM.
WNIC's
studios and offices are located in Farmington
Hills
, MI. WNIC's transmitter is located near
Schoolcraft and Livernois Avenue in the City of Detroit
on the near
west side. WNIC broadcasts with an
effective radiated power of 32,000
watts from an antenna 600 feet in height.
Its main competitors
include Magic
105.1
, 93.1 Doug
FM
, and 96-3 WDVD
.
History
WKMH-FM/Keener 13
WNIC went on the air around 1950 as WKMH-FM, sister to WKMH-AM
1310. Both stations were, and still are, licensed to Dearborn,
Michigan. WKMH-AM became top-40 rock-station WKNR, "Keener 13," on
Halloween of 1963, and the FM's calls were
changed from WKMH-FM to WKNR-FM as well. In 1966, WKNR-FM
introduced a few hours per day of separate Top 40 programming from
Keener AM.
Then in early 1969, inspired by the success
of WABX
, WKNR-FM adopted a progressive rock
format. WKNR-FM's
Russ Gibb is
credited with helping to spread the "Paul McCartney is dead" rumor
in 1969.
Stereo Island To WNIC
WKNR-FM switched format to an early form of adult contemporary
known as "Stereo Island" in 1971, and then to beautiful music as
WNIC the following year following the sale of both the AM and FM,
which began simulcasting each other 100%. The WNIC calls were meant
to denote the station's "NICe" music. In 1976, WNIC adopted a more
up-tempo sound called "Rock 'n' Easy" and has been successful with
that AC format ever since.
WNIC scored its first number-one placing in
the monthly Arbitron ratings in Detroit in 1998, although the
station's ratings have since dropped, due largely to competition
from Greater Media-owned Magic
105.1. The ratings drop was also blamed on the
departure of popular morning show host Jim Harper to WMGC-FM.
WNIC Today
WNIC's on-air slogan is "Your Variety Station", featuring mostly
1970s disco and 1980s pop. WNIC, an AC station, currently plays
"oldies" (such as
Rod Stewart and
Elton John) along with today's hits. The
playlist has also been getting progressively fresher, with the
addition of contemporary artists, mainly pop and rock, such as
Kelly Clarkson,
John Mayer,
the Fray,
Snow Patrol,
Natasha Bedingfield,
Rob Thomas,
Beyoncé,
Gwen
Stefani,
KT Tunstall, and
Avril Lavigne. The playlist is very similar to
that of WMGC.
Like most Adult Contemporary stations owned by Clear Channel, WNIC
plays continuous
Christmas music
from the beginning of November through
Christmas. In 2009, WNIC started playing holiday
music on November 6th, a later start that of the previous year,
which was on November 2nd. They are well known for being one of the
earliest radio stations in the entire United States to start
featuring holiday music with a majority of other stations not
starting until around Thanksgiving.
WNIC currently ranks at #9 (4.4) in the Detroit market according to
the October 2009 PPM Ratings release.
HD Radio
WNIC is licensed for HD Radio operations and features a Modern
Adult Contemporary format on its HD2 channel, which is currently
branded as "The Link". The format changed from "Flashback HD2"
(Classic '70s/'80s Dance/Disco) in July 2009. Originally, the HD2
channel featured a love songs format before changing to Flashback
HD2. When WNIC plays Christmas Music for much of November and
December, WNIC's regular Adult Contemporary format usually moves to
the HD2 channel. After Christmas is over, WNIC's HD2 channel plays
Christmas Music until January 1st.
Airstaff
The current lineup (as of November 16, 2009) Starting out the day
on the morning drive is
The Breakfast Club with Kevin
O'Neill, Lisa Barry and Chuck Gadica (Weather). During the workday
its Theresa Lucas. On the ride home its Kristin Burns. Wrapping up
the day on nights is Joe Haze, and Maureen McLain on
overnights.
Weekend's/Fill-ins include Diane Cross and Gene Maxwell. WNIC
Program Director is Todd Thomas. The Assistant PD/Music Director is
mid-day host Theresa Lucas. The stations voice is Randy
Thomas.
References
External links
Wikis
Map
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