WSMM (AM)
Broadcast area | Knoxville, Tennessee |
---|---|
Frequency | 850 kHz |
Branding | Country Radio AM850 WKVL |
Programming | |
Format | Classic Country |
Ownership | |
Owner | Blount Broadcasting Corporation |
History | |
First air date | 1953 |
Former call signs | WHIG (1984) WIVK (1984-1988) WUTK (1988-1997) WIOL (1997-1998) WJBZ (1998-1999) |
Call sign meaning | W KnoxViLle |
Technical information | |
Facility ID | 66618 |
Class | D |
Power | 50,000 watts day |
Transmitter coordinates | 36°4′12″N 83°58′19″W / 36.07000°N 83.97194°W |
Links | |
Website | wkvl.com |
WKVL (850 AM, "The Voice of Knoxville") is a radio station licensed to Knoxville, Tennessee, USA. The station serves the Knoxville area. The station is currently owned by Blount Broadcasting Corporation.
History
This station was country music WIVK in the 1970s, simulcasting WIVK-FM because it lacked a nighttime signal. In the mid-1980s it was adult contemporary WHIG but later returned to the WIVK simulcast. Then it was all news while WUTK, owned by the University of Tennessee.
On July 2, 2010, the classic country music returned to the airwaves. The station targeted 1950s through 1980s country. The local lineup included Bob Lewellyn, Eddie Beacon, Tee Blackman and newcomer Tim Byrd.[1][2]
In May 2013, Blount Broadcasting Corporation, owner of WKVL and WLOD, entered into a time brokerage agreement[3] with Oak Ridge FM who moved their News/Talk format from WNOX, which they had recently sold. WKVL currently simulcasts with WLOD.
On March 31, 2014 WKVL changed their format to classic country.[4]
On December 15, 2014 WKVL went silent. On December 14, 2015 WKVL returned to the air with classic country.
References
- ^ "Knoxville's WKVL Goes Classic Country". Radio-Info.com. 2010-07-01.
- ^ "WKVL Goes Country". AllAccess.com.
- ^ "The End of an Era for Knoxville News/Talk; Country to Take Over 100.3 Frequency". Talkers. May 1, 2013. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
- ^ WKVL Returns to Classic Country
External links
- WKVL in the FCC AM station database
- WKVL in Nielsen Audio's AM station database