WERK

WERK (104.9 FM, licensed to Muncie, Indiana) is a commercial FM radio station. The station serves the Muncie-Marion area. The station is currently owned by Woof Boom Radio Muncie License LLC.[2]

WERK
CityMuncie, Indiana
Broadcast areaMuncie-Marion
Frequency104.9 MHz
Branding104.9 WERK-FM
SloganThe best and most variety
Programming
FormatClassic Hits
Ownership
OwnerWoof Boom Radio Muncie License LLC
WMXQ, WLBC-FM, WBKQ, WHBU, WXFN, WLQQ
History
First air date
January 16, 1986 (as WOKZ)[1]
Former call signs
WOKZ (1986-1991)
WERK-FM (1991–1999)
Technical information
Facility ID1723
ClassA
ERP6,000 watts
HAAT100 meters
Transmitter coordinates
40°9′19.00″N 85°25′48.00″W
Links
Websitewerkfm.net

History
For WERK at 990 AM from 1965 to 1999, see WJCF (AM).

The current WERK signed on as WOKZ "KZ 105" on January 16, 1986.[1] Airing an adult contemporary-oldies format, the station's creation was delayed by a series of interference concerns that led to three stations changing frequencies.[3] To make way for WOKZ, WWHC at Hartford City and WXUS of Lafayette moved to 93.5, while WZWZ in Kokomo was relocated to 92.7, all at the new station's expense.[3] The original owner, James Beatty's L&B Broadcasting of Indianapolis, bought out competing applicants Hoosier's Favorite Station and Ben-Del Broadcasting to obtain the construction permit.

In 1991, Beatty sold WOKZ and WERK (990 AM) to American Hometown Radio.[4] The new owners changed WOKZ's call letters to WERK-FM and, after stunting as "Louie 105" with a loop of "Louie Louie",[5] the station relaunched as "Oldies 105" on November 20.[6] American Hometown sold the pair in 1997 to Dream Weaver Broadcasting.[7] Dream Weaver divested the AM station two years later by donating the license.[8]

In 2013, Woof Boom Radio acquired WERK from Backyard Broadcasting along with the rest of its Muncie cluster for $4.45 million.[9] On December 26, 2014, after its annual stint of airing Christmas music, WERK relaunched as "The New Sound". The format features pop, rock, and disco tunes from 1975 to 2001, with an emphasis on the 1980s.[10]

References
  1. "WOKZ(FM)" (PDF). Broadcasting Yearbook. 1987. p. B-100 (184). Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  2. "WURK Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  3. Richie, Rodney (January 12, 1986). "'Someday' Is Thursday". Muncie Evening Press. p. D1. Retrieved June 11, 2020. (See also the correction issued by the newspaper two days later)
  4. "Transactions" (PDF). Radio & Records. July 19, 1991. p. 6. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  5. Richey, Rodney (November 19, 1991). "All 'Louie,' All the Time". The Muncie Star. p. 9. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  6. Richey, Rodney (November 20, 1991). "WOKZ Becomes WERK-FM". Muncie Star. p. 29. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  7. "Transactions" (PDF). Radio & Records. June 20, 1997. p. 6. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  8. "Transactions" (PDF). Radio & Records. February 19, 1999. p. 8. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  9. Venta, Lance (June 9, 2013). "Woof Boom Radio Acquires Backyard's Muncie Stations". RadioInsight. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  10. Venta, Lance (December 26, 2014). "WERK Pushing Its New Sound". RadioInsight. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
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