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A forgettable anniversary approaches

S

smedge2006

Next April (I think) will mark 30 years since WTIS began its pay-for-pray format on 1110 AM, the former WQYK-AM, and before that WALT. Aside from WTMP-AM and WQYK-FM, it probably has gone longer without a format change than any
station in the market!

I just heard their sign-off, and it sounds as if they've been using the same music since sometime in the 1980's, and probably the same announcer!

I'd ask for your fond memories of the station, but I don't think there are many to be had. I'm sure it's been years since the station showed up in the ratings. I did like the show that used to be on in the afternoon, where the host tried to imitate a secular talk format while allegedly casting out demons.

My big question is, with land prices, when does that real estate in Northeast St. Pete become more valuable than the station's cash flow?
 
Smedge:

It was Bob Larson you mentioned!

http://www.boblarson.org/

During the early 90's, I worked at WTIS. I'd finish my Saturday/Sunday overnight show on WQYK and sign-on TIS at sunrise on Sunday mornings. The only time I really had to hustle was the first few days in April when sign-on time was 6:00.

I was amazed that a radio station could be run with two home cassete decks, a couple of unreliable cart machines, and the transmitter sitting right next to the operator.

It's been years since I've been over there... but I understand that the faded orange shag carpet stapled to the walls is gone.

Back then, there was one small 7-11 just north of Gandy/Roosevelt, and 112th Avenue did not have it's own street sign. Once you turned off of 4th, it was basically a one lane dirt road a half mile thru the mangroves all the way back to the station. During rainy season, it flooded very easily.

As to the value of the land, you may be right. But the same could be said of many AM stations whose studios/transmitter sites were once out in the boonies, but are now in the middle of Tampa Bay's urban sprawl.
 
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