WFUN-FM
Encyclopedia
WFUN-FM is a radio station
with an urban adult contemporary
format. The station is licensed to Bethalto, Illinois
, and serves the St. Louis, Missouri
, area. The station is owned by Radio One.
In 1992 it was bought back on the air by a non-profit group who would later refund the contributors after a decision was made to make the station a commercial outlet by signing up with Radio Aahs
, a children's radio network (and the predecessor to Radio Disney
, who would later run Radio Ahhs out of business). After a several year run, the owner (who was mostly joked by many in the St. Louis radio market as being unseen and a mystery) decided to sell the station to Radio One in 1999. The station went dark again for several months.
On June 2, 2000, WFUN completed their upgrade to 24,500 watts and officially flipped to R&B/Hip-Hop as Q95-5, despite the fact they never changed the call letters to match the Q handle. At first Q95-5 was a close competitor, but over time fell further and further behind to KATZ-FM in the ratings. They also had other problems in attracting African-Americans listeners, mostly due to its signal coverage.
On December 13, 2004 Radio One flipped WFUN to its current format. The move was made after Radio One purchased the syndicated rights to the Tom Joyner Morning Show
. The format switch was made to match that of stations that air Tom Joyner's show. Tom Joyner previously aired on rival KMJM-FM
, whom they now compete with. Eventually WFUN later on added the Love, Lust and Lies with Michael Baisden
afternoon show as well.
On October 1, 2005 Radio One added a sister station in the form of WHHL (Hot 104.1)
, which started out as Rhythmic, but is now Urban.
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...
with an urban adult contemporary
Urban Adult Contemporary
Urban adult contemporary is the name for a format of radio music, similar to an urban contemporary format. Radio stations using this format usually would not have rap music on their playlists. The format was designed by Barry Mayo when he, Lee S. Simonson and Bill Pearson organized Broadcast...
format. The station is licensed to Bethalto, Illinois
Bethalto, Illinois
Bethalto is a village located in Madison County, Illinois, USA. Bethalto, like the rest of Madison County, is part of the Illinois Metro-East portion of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area...
, and serves the St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, area. The station is owned by Radio One.
History
WFUN, which debuted in 1987 as WXJO, was originally an Adult Standards outlet broadcasting with 6,000 watts. In 1989, Bob Cox negotiated a package to take over operation of the station, changing the format to a children's station called the Imagination Station - Radio Just for Kids. Inadequate advertisement revenues combined with a pending lawsuit from the original trademark holder of the name The Imagination Station forced Cox into a position where he could not maintain the lease on the transmitter. In the summer of 1991, the station moniker was changed to Kids Radio. Thinking the transmitter could be sold, the lease was terminated in late 1991. The station went dark for a couple of months, during which time the potential sale fell through. The owner, looking for revenues that would allow him to keep the transmitter out of foreclosure, worked with a former employee of the Imagination Station.In 1992 it was bought back on the air by a non-profit group who would later refund the contributors after a decision was made to make the station a commercial outlet by signing up with Radio Aahs
Radio AAHS
Radio AAHS was a radio network managed by the Children's Broadcasting Corporation. Its flagship station was WWTC-AM 1280 in Minneapolis, which broadcast from the former First Federal Bank building at Highway 100 and Excelsior Boulevard in St. Louis Park. At its height in 1996, Radio AAHS had 29...
, a children's radio network (and the predecessor to Radio Disney
Radio Disney
Radio Disney is a radio network based in Burbank, California and headquartered out of the Disney Channel headquarters on West Alameda Ave., from where it has been based since November 2008. Prior to that, the network was based in Dallas, Texas...
, who would later run Radio Ahhs out of business). After a several year run, the owner (who was mostly joked by many in the St. Louis radio market as being unseen and a mystery) decided to sell the station to Radio One in 1999. The station went dark again for several months.
On June 2, 2000, WFUN completed their upgrade to 24,500 watts and officially flipped to R&B/Hip-Hop as Q95-5, despite the fact they never changed the call letters to match the Q handle. At first Q95-5 was a close competitor, but over time fell further and further behind to KATZ-FM in the ratings. They also had other problems in attracting African-Americans listeners, mostly due to its signal coverage.
On December 13, 2004 Radio One flipped WFUN to its current format. The move was made after Radio One purchased the syndicated rights to the Tom Joyner Morning Show
Tom Joyner
Thomas "Tom" Joyner is an American radio host, host of the nationally syndicated The Tom Joyner Morning Show, and also founder of REACH Media Inc., the Tom Joyner Foundation, and BlackAmericaWeb.com.-Early life:...
. The format switch was made to match that of stations that air Tom Joyner's show. Tom Joyner previously aired on rival KMJM-FM
KMJM-FM
KMJM-FM is an FM radio station licensed to Columbia, Illinois, USA better known as "Majic 104.9". The station airs an Urban Adult Contemporary format, and has been the top-rated station in St...
, whom they now compete with. Eventually WFUN later on added the Love, Lust and Lies with Michael Baisden
Michael Baisden
Michael Baisden is an American author, motivational speaker, host of the TV One talk show Baisden After Dark, and host of his own nationally-syndicated radio show.-Career:...
afternoon show as well.
On October 1, 2005 Radio One added a sister station in the form of WHHL (Hot 104.1)
WHHL
WHHL, known as "HOT 104.1", is a Urban Contemporary radio station serving the St. Louis area. The Radio One owned outlet broadcasts at 104.1 MHz with an ERP of 50 kW and is licensed to Hazelwood, Missouri and formerly licensed to Jerseyville, Illinois. Its transmitter is located in St. Louis,...
, which started out as Rhythmic, but is now Urban.