WLTW
| File:WLTW-FM.gif | |
| Broadcast area | New York City |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 106.7 MHz 106.7-2 FM (WLTW2 - Lite Classics) (HD Radio) |
| Branding | 106.7 Lite fm |
| Programming | |
| Format | Adult Contemporary/News During Drivetime hours |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Clear Channel Communications |
| History | |
First air date | 1961 |
Call sign meaning | LiTe |
| Technical information | |
| Class | B |
| ERP | 6000 watts |
| Links | |
| Website | www.1067litefm.com |
WLTW, known on-air as "106.7 Lite fm," is an radio station located at 106.7 FM with an adult contemporary format in New York City.
The station is often number one or close to it in Arbitron ratings for New York City. In 2002, 2003, and 2004, the station generated more revenue than any other radio station in the United States. One reason for its unusual success in a city that heavily identifies with rap, hip hop, and "dance" music (formats whose stations make up many of the other top rated FM stations in New York) is that its playlist variety (where just about any popular song from the late 1960s to today that is not rap/hip hop, hard rock, or non-crossover country is played) has attracted an unusually broad demographic range of listeners. Some radio industry analysts have likened the station's format to "a Jack FM with reporters giving weather/traffic news and financial reports." this radio station also covers the closing bell andopening bell Of note is that ever since the station became "Lite fm" in 1984, a lot of the airstaff that were employed at the station at the time of its launch have remained on the station to this day.
For many years actress Teri Garr was seen in television commercials promoting the station. Comedians Jerry Seinfeld and Ray Romano are also big fans, and devoted listeners, of this station.
History
The station first went on the air in 1961 as WRVR, a religious station owned by Riverside Church that also played some jazz. A remnant of this period comes from the fact that at 5 A.M. on Sunday mornings, a sermon from the church airs on the station. As time went on, WRVR was a full-time jazz station with a strong following, but low ratings.
In 1976 WRVR was purchased by Sonderling Broadcasting, owner of WWRL, with the hope that it could move to an urban format and compete against WBLS, which had cut into WWRL's ratings. However, community opposition prevented the format change and WRVR remained a jazz station under Sonderling ownership. At that time it developed the precursor to what would later become known as the "smooth jazz" format.
In 1980 Viacom bought the Sonderling chain, and the station adopted a country music format as "Kick" WKHK.The change brought many protests from New York Jazz fans,and a petition to the FCC,which was denied. However, ratings were low, as they were unable to compete with WHN, which also had a country music format at the time.
Then, in January of 1984, Viacom dropped country and changed the calls to WLTW. The station became a MOR station known as "Lite FM 106.7 WLTW". Initially they were an easy listening station without anything that would be classified as "elevator music". At this point, the station played music from such artists as Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, the Carpenters, Dionne Warwick, Kenny Rogers, Tony Bennett, Andy Williams, Barry Manilow, Simon & Garfunkel, James Taylor, and the Stylistics. The station also played softer songs from such artists as Elton John, Elvis Presley, the Beatles, the Everly Brothers, the Righteous Brothers and Billy Joel. At this point, the station wouldn't play any new music except for new songs by artists that were familiar to listeners of the station. With this format change, ratings did increase from its previously low levels.
By the late 1980's, WLTW started to play songs from such artists as Whitney Houston, Chicago, Foreigner, the Doobie Brothers and Bruce Springsteen. As other competing New York City stations changed their focus, the station stayed with their soft adult contemporary format, even though they were phasing out songs from artists such as Frank Sinatra, Barry Manilow, and the Carpenters. At this point, the station's ratings were at or near the top compaired with other New York City radio stations.
By 1996, with WPAT-FM adapting a Spanish adult contemporary format, WPLJ adapting a hot adult contemporary format, and WMXV (now WWPR-FM) switching to a modern adult contemporary format, WLTW segued to a mainstream adult contemporary format. The station added more uptempo songs from such artists as Bruce Springsteen, Mariah Carey and Billy Joel, as music from artists such as Neil Diamond and Kenny Rogers were phased out, and new songs were now being played on the station. Despite the fact that the station had now changed its approach musically, they still refused to play any jingles or have their airstaff talk over the music (the latter would change in due course). The station had been number one more often than not in the ratings, and since 2002, they have continuously been the number one radio station in New York City.
Chancellor bought Viacom Radio in 1997 making WLTW a Chancellor Station. In 1999 Chancellor and Capstar merged, as the station would then be owned by AM/FM. After a 2000 merger between Clear Channel Communications and AM/FM, the station would be owned by its current owners, Clear Channel Communications. (Of note, Viacom would not be out of the radio business for long, for when they bought CBS, they also bought their radio properties, which were owned by the radio subsidiary Infinity Broadcasting-which interstingly owned WLTW's future competitor, WNEW-FM.)
WLTW used to broadcast nationwide on XM Satellite Radio from 2001 to the end of 2003, under the channel name "Lite." In 2004, all XM music channels went commercial free, and WLTW was replaced with a unique-to-XM channel called Sunny, which had an easy listening format. Since then, Clear Channel has regained the right to air commercials on their XM music channels. Sunny now carries commercials, but is still exclusive to XM. After a few format tweaks, Sunny now plays soft oldies.
During the holiday season (Thanksgiving through Christmas), WLTW has played Christmas music interspersed with its regular playlist. Only on Christmas Day and a few days leading up to it would the station devote all its airtime to holiday music. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Christmas music was seen as a comforting "feel-good" format for radio listeners. Already established as a popular station for Christmas music (even more so than WPLJ, which also plays Christmas music), WLTW began to switch to an all-Christmas format earlier in 2002. After retaining its leadership in market share, and as part of a national trend, the station continued to make the switch earlier in the following years. [1] [2] By 2004, the all-Christmas format ran from Thanksgiving through Christmas, and in 2005, it began on November 18, the week before Thanksgiving (November 24). By all accounts, the gamble paid off; WLTW captured 7.4% of the New York radio audience during the fall of 2005—the biggest market share in WLTW's history and the highest share for all New York stations since the winter of 1995. [3]
At the beginning of 2006, WLTW, along with other Clear Channel Communications stations in New York City, launched an HD Radio station. Their HD station, known as "Classic Lite", features music that was prominent at the station back when it started in 1984.
As part of Clear Channel's nationwide cost-cutting efforts WLTW fired station veterans Bill Buchner (mornings) and J.J. Kennedy (evenings) on November 6, 2006. Buchner was replaced with Karen Carson, who is co-hosting mornings with longtime WLTW staffer Christine Nagy.
The syndicated Delilah show, distributed by sister company Premiere Radio Networks, replaced Kennedy's local evening lovesongs show, bringing the syndicated show to the full New York market for the first time. Prior to WLTW picking her show up, Delilah was only heard in outer portions of the New York market from stations in neighboring areas. As a result, Los Angeles (where sister station KOST is based) is now the largest market that is not yet served by her show, although WLTW's acquisition might suggest that KOST will follow suit.
Current Radio Personalities
- Al Bernstein
- Valerie Smaldone
- Victor Sosa
- Jack Kratoville
- Karen Carson
- Rich Kaminski
- Christine Nagy
Former Radio Personalities
- Rick Somers
- Stephen E. Roy
- Robin Taylor
- Bill Buchner
- J.J. Kennedy
Weather Meteorologist
- Nick Gregory
Management
- Senior Vice President/Market Manager – Rob Williams
- Program Director - James Ryan
- Promotions and Marketing Director - Bridget Sullivan
- General Sales Manager - Steve Chessare
- Local Sales Manager - Bernhard Weiss