WDAI

WDAI (98.5 FM, "98.5 Kiss FM") is an Mainstream urban radio station licensed to Pawleys Island, South Carolina and serves the Grand Strand area. The Cumulus Media outlet is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to broadcast at 98.5 MHz with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 6,100 watts. Its studios are located on U.S. Highway 17 in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, and its transmitter is located a mile west of the studios.

For the Chicago FM station known as WDAI from 1971 to 1980, see WLS-FM.
WDAI
CityPawleys Island, South Carolina
Broadcast areaMyrtle Beach, South Carolina
Frequency98.5 MHz
Branding98.5 Kiss FM
SloganThe Big Station
Programming
FormatMainstream urban
AffiliationsCitadel Media
Ownership
OwnerCumulus Media
(Cumulus Licensing LLC)
WAYS, WSEA, WSYN, WLFF
History
First air date
1990
Technical information
Facility ID59490
ClassC3
ERP6,100 watts
HAAT203 meters (666 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
33°35′27.00″N 79°2′55.00″W
Links
WebcastListen live
Website985kissfm.net

History

98.5 signed on in the early 1990s with an adult contemporary and sports talk format. It became the market's first urban contemporary FM after a couple of years. By 1996, WDAI was the number one station in the market.[1] WDAI dropped to third in Fall 1998 but regained its position in Spring 1999,[2] losing the top spot to WJYR in Fall 1999.[3] The drop in ratings came after a move toward more adult music, with 34-year-old women the target audience, after program director Ernie D. moved to WCMG and Chris Clay replaced him.[4] More rap was added in the 2000s (decade). WDAI leaned more adult after the 2009 debut of Power 100.3, a hip-hop music station also owned by Cumulus Media.

The station aired the Tom Joyner Morning Show for many years. The station went by the name 98.5 Kiss FM and the format was Urban Adult Contemporary with the slogan "Today's Smooth R&B and Soul Music"

In January 2010, Cumulus Media hired a market veteran, Craig Russ, as its new Operations Manager. Personalities on the station included Monique from 10am to 3pm. Michael Baisden aired from 3pm to 7pm. Doug Davis was heard weekends on the station.

In July 2010, WDAI changed from Urban Adult Contemporary to Mainstream Urban, replacing a similar format Cumulus had aired on WSEA for a year before switching that station to CHR. WDAI also took the syndicated morning show from WSEA; Rickey Smiley which replaced Tom Joyner In The Morning.[5]

On January 9, 2020 it was announced that WDAI has added Premiere Networks 'The Breakfast Club' to mornings.[6]

References
  1. Toby Eddings, "Area Radio Gets Surveyed Twice," The Sun News, June 9, 1996.
  2. Toby Eddings, "WDAI returns to top of radio ratings," The Sun News, August 22, 1999.
  3. Dawn Bryant, "NextMedia to Buy Seven MB Radio Stations," The Sun News, February 29, 2000.
  4. Toby Eddings, "Holli Heart wins national award," The Sun News, March 14, 1999.
  5. "Radio stations change formats". The Sun News. 2010-07-07. Retrieved 2010-07-07.
  6. https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/192719/premiere-networks-the-breakfast-club-adds-10-new-a?ref=mail_first_alert
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