WHWK

WHWK (98.1 MHz The Hawk) is a commercial FM radio station in Binghamton, New York. It carries a country music radio format and is owned by Townsquare Media. Local disc jockeys are heard during the day on weekdays. Two syndicated shows are heard after 7 p.m.: Taste of Country Nights from Compass Media Networks, hosted by Amber Atnip and Evan Paul, and The Blair Garner Show from Westwood One heard overnights. Current local staff include Glenn Pitcher, Traci Taylor, Jess Dallas and Buddy Logan.[1] It is regularly the highest ranking station in the Nielson ratings in the Binghamton radio market.

WHWK
CityBinghamton, New York
Broadcast areaSouthern Tier
Frequency98.1 MHz
Branding98.1 The Hawk
Slogan#1 For New Country
Programming
FormatCountry
Ownership
OwnerTownsquare Media
(Townsquare Media Binghamton License, LLC)
WAAL, WNBF, WWYL, WYOS
History
Former call signs
WNBF-FM (1956-1972)
WQYT (1972-1983)
Call sign meaning
The HaWK
Technical information
Facility ID72373
ClassB
ERP6,700 watts
HAAT395 meters (1296 ft)
Links
WebcastListen Live
Website981TheHawk.com

WHWK has an effective radiated power of 6,700 watts. The transmitter is off Ingraham Hill Road in Binghamton, amid the towers for other FM and TV stations in the region.[2]

History

In January 1956, the station first signed on as WNBF-FM.[3] It was co-owned with AM 1290 WNBF and Channel 12 WNBF-TV (now WBNG-TV). The owner was Triangle Publications, which also put out the weekly magazine TV Guide. At first, WNBF-FM simulcast the programming on the AM station.

In the 1960s, WNBF-FM switched to its own beautiful music format. It played quarter hour sweeps of mostly instrumental cover versions of popular songs, as well as Broadway and Hollywood show tunes.

In 1972, Stoner Broadcasting, based in Des Moines, bought WNBF-AM-FM. Also in 1972, WNBF-FM changed its call sign to WQYT, representing its "quiet" format. In the 1980s, the easy listening music audience was aging while advertisers mostly seek young and middle aged adults. Management decided to make a change.

In January 1984, 98.1 switched to a country music format, calling itself "98.1 The Hawk." It switched its call letters to WHWK. In 1999, Gateway Communications, the publisher of The Record of Bergen County, New Jersey, bought WNBF-TV. At the same time, Citadel Broadcasting acquired WHWK and its AM counterpart, WNBF.[4]

References
  1. 981TheHawk.com/DJs
  2. WHWK-FM 98.1 MHz, Binghamton, New York, retrieved 2020-11-23
  3. Information from the Broadcasting Yearbook 1957 page 181
  4. Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2010 page D-375


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