106.9 WKDN will become IQ 106.9

[chrocket87]

At least this time, they won't be leading listeners to believe that this is an actual news station. :

 

[Joeyjboy]

Mike who told you it was going off this Monday? From what I know they going off this Sunday

 

[wprt949]

listen to WKDN at the top of the hour they say its going off monday

 

[Irishfl]

Does it give a time? I figured Sunday night at Midnight, which would technically be Monday, since an actual contract exists with the current format. Those don't generally expire mid-day.

 

[imhomerjay]

And does it really matter in the grand scheme of things?

 

[chrocket87]

I'm surprised Mark Jeffries hasn't come on here yet to slander the listeners of the (soon to be) former format.

 

[Groove1670]

What will happen with the three translators.

 

[tom]

What will happen with the three translators.

They were converted to satellite months ago.

 

[deepstblu]

I was scanning the dial tonite and came across 106.9 FM. It sounded like a religious format was playing. I didn't know there was a station on that frequency. Does anyone have any information about it? How long has it been there? Is this a viable FM format in Philly? Is it a pirate station? Who owns it? Does anyone think it will last? Or would an entirely different format suit that frequency? Any thoughts?

Airdate for the station is 12/31/1959 per some older Broadcasting Yearbooks, although some newer sources say 1966. The station was originally an FM companion to 800 AM, which also used the WKDN call sign back then (in the '50s they even had a construction permit for WKDN-TV on Channel 17--it was never built). In 1968 the AM and FM stations were sold to separate owners; the AM became WTMR, the FM stayed WKDN but became a noncommercial religious broadcaster owned by Family Stations, Inc., of Oakland, California.

 

[reelyreal]

The WWIQ calls were requested for this station back on March 19th, that's no rumor.

 

[Tommy Roberts Jr]

WKDN - 800 AM, Camden 800 signed on November 1, 1948. which became WTMR on July 1st 1968.

 

[LA_Guy]

They will begin stunting this weekend. A temporary studio was built yesterday.

 

[rtetro]

how many threads are we gonna have about 106.9 ?

It's an imporant story; and will probably go down as one of the top media stories in Philadelphia this year. A news-talk FM - the first since the old 96.5 WWDB, and one that appears to be gearing up for a serious drivetime news presence.

The other side of the coin is, of course, the demise of a radio station and format that has been a part of the Philly Radio framework for several decades. No matter what you think of WKDN, Harold Camping, and Family Radio, it's longevity in this market is undeniable. How many other formats have lasted that long? KYW? Anybody else?

How much cyberspace have we wasted over the years discussing speculation, griping, and minutia that has never amounted to anything other than..... well.... speculation, griping, and minutia?

The sale to Merlin, and the planned format change deserves the space being given to it; especially when the format change is anticipated on Monday, and with WKDN officially announcing hourly that Sunday, April 15, will be it's last day.

 

[Tommy Roberts Jr]

KYW switched to All News in 1965 and WKDN was sold to Family Radio in 1968 when it started airing
Family Radio Programming.

 

[JH_Radio]

Is KYW the station in Philly that had the same format for the longest running?
who's next. WMMR?

 

[jhguthlac]

Is there any firm annoucement on what morning drive will be?

 

[DToTheJ]

how many threads are we gonna have about 106.9 ?

It's an important story... especially when the format change is anticipated on Monday, and with WKDN officially announcing hourly that Sunday, April 15, will be it's last day.

... at which point, you can find at least one or two new threads started about 106.9, Mike.

 

[NXEA]

Could this then be the beginning of a transition to the 'IQ' brand for the Merlin stations?

We will have WWIQ Camden/Philly, and already have WIQI Chicago. If 106.9 pulls some respectable numbers might we see FM News 101.1 become IQ101.1 and FM News 101.9 become IQ101.9?

 

[phils07]

Is KYW the station in Philly that had the same format for the longest running?
who's next. WMMR?

WMMR is the 5th highest rated station. They're staying for at least another 10 years I assume.

 

[uncamark]

I'm surprised Mark Jeffries hasn't come on here yet to slander the listeners of the (soon to be) former format.

Harold Camping made his own bed. Now he'll lie in it.

And if you think I'm an employee of Merlin, there is no way that I can personally endorse or want to listen to a station with a lineup of Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity.