WCKX
Encyclopedia
WCKX is a radio station
broadcasting an Rhythmic Contemporary
format. The station is licensed to and serves the Columbus, Ohio
metropolitan area. It first began broadcasting in 1993
under the call sign WJZA. The station is currently owned by Radio One. The station serves as the sister station to WJKR and WXMG.
(now WJYD) was reassigned to 107.5 FM, while the WJZA call sign was dropped and later picked up by 103.5 FM in Pickerington
("Smooth Jazz 103.5 FM").
In December 2007, WCKX began to tilt its urban format direction towards Rhythmic contemporary
, according to Mediabase
, and by September 2009 was officially moved from the R&B/Hip-Hop panel to the Rhythmic Airplay Panel
by Nielsen BDS
as it began to incorporate more Rhythmic Pop tracks into its playlist, possibly to become more competitive with Top 40/CHR rival WNCI
because of the latter's conservative heritage and its Adult-leaning direction. This shift to Rhythmic has also helped WCKX overtake WNCI in the Columbus Arbitrons, and at times taking the top spot in the market's rating books. Although during its early days as a Urban, WCKX had always leaned towards a Rhythmic direction. Officially, it is the first Radio One-owned station (along with Dallas/Fort Worth's
KBFB) to be a rhythmic since the sale of former sister station WDHT
in Dayton, OH and KTTB
in Minneapolis.
Despite the success it has with the Rhythmic format, WCKX is at times criticized for not playing enough Hip-Hop/R&B product, especially those from the local scene, but at the same time does have its supporters and listeners who like their musical mix and DJs.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
broadcasting an Rhythmic Contemporary
Rhythmic Contemporary
Rhythmic contemporary, also known as rhythmic top 40, rhythmic contemporary hit radio or rhythmic crossover, is a music radio format that includes a mix of EDM, upbeat rhythmic pop, hip-hop and R&B hits. Rhythmic contemporary rarely uses rock music or country music in its airplay, but it may...
format. The station is licensed to and serves the Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
metropolitan area. It first began broadcasting in 1993
1993 in radio
The year 1993 in radio involved some significant events.-Events:*WIBF debuts it's modern rock in Jenkintown/Philadelphia*March 13 - Eagle 106 WEGX becomes WJJZ Smooth Jazz 106.1 and featured Smooth Jazz format. the final song played for Eagle 106 was I Will Remember You by Amy Grant...
under the call sign WJZA. The station is currently owned by Radio One. The station serves as the sister station to WJKR and WXMG.
Station History
WCKX was originally assigned the 'WJZA' call sign on November 23, 1993. On December 29, 1997, the WCKX call sign assigned to 106.3 MHz ("Power 106") in London, OhioLondon, Ohio
London is a city in and the county seat of Madison County, Ohio, United States. Located about southwest of the Ohio capital of Columbus, London was established in 1811 to serve as the county seat. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 8,771, an increase from 7,807 in 1990. It is the...
(now WJYD) was reassigned to 107.5 FM, while the WJZA call sign was dropped and later picked up by 103.5 FM in Pickerington
Pickerington, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,792 people, 3,468 households, and 2,687 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,317.4 people per square mile . There were 3,573 housing units at an average density of 480.7 per square mile...
("Smooth Jazz 103.5 FM").
In December 2007, WCKX began to tilt its urban format direction towards Rhythmic contemporary
Rhythmic Contemporary
Rhythmic contemporary, also known as rhythmic top 40, rhythmic contemporary hit radio or rhythmic crossover, is a music radio format that includes a mix of EDM, upbeat rhythmic pop, hip-hop and R&B hits. Rhythmic contemporary rarely uses rock music or country music in its airplay, but it may...
, according to Mediabase
Mediabase
Mediabase is a music industry service that monitors radio station airplay in 180 US and Canadian markets. Mediabase publishes music charts and data based on the most played songs on terrestrial and satellite radio, and provides in-depth analytical tools for radio and record industry professionals...
, and by September 2009 was officially moved from the R&B/Hip-Hop panel to the Rhythmic Airplay Panel
Rhythmic Airplay Chart
The Rhythmic Airplay Chart is an airplay chart that is featured weekly in Billboard Magazine. The chart tracks and measures the airplay of songs played on Rhythmic stations, whose playlist includes mostly hit-driven R&B/Hip-Hop, Rhythmic pop, and some Dance tracks...
by Nielsen BDS
Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems
Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems, better known as BDS, is a service that tracks monitored radio, television and internet airplay of songs based on the number of spins and detections...
as it began to incorporate more Rhythmic Pop tracks into its playlist, possibly to become more competitive with Top 40/CHR rival WNCI
WNCI
WNCI is a radio station in Columbus, Ohio. Its official print brand identifier is WNCI 97.9 in a purple oval, while the station is known on-air as 97.9 WNCI...
because of the latter's conservative heritage and its Adult-leaning direction. This shift to Rhythmic has also helped WCKX overtake WNCI in the Columbus Arbitrons, and at times taking the top spot in the market's rating books. Although during its early days as a Urban, WCKX had always leaned towards a Rhythmic direction. Officially, it is the first Radio One-owned station (along with Dallas/Fort Worth's
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States of America and the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas. Located in North Central Texas, just southeast of the Texas Panhandle, the city is a cultural gateway into the American West and covers nearly in Tarrant, Parker, Denton, and...
KBFB) to be a rhythmic since the sale of former sister station WDHT
WDHT
WDHT, "Hot 102.9", is an Rhythmic Contemporary radio station in Urbana, Ohio serving the Dayton/Springfield area that broadcasts on the 102.9 frequency. WDHT is currently owned by Main Line Broadcasting which also owns WING-AM, WROU-FM, WCLI-FM and WGTZ-FM...
in Dayton, OH and KTTB
KTTB
KHTC is an American radio station in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. KHTC's nickname is "96.3 Now". The station airs a rhythmic contemporary music format and its main competition is KDWB-FM. The station is licensed to Edina, Minnesota.-Origins:...
in Minneapolis.
Despite the success it has with the Rhythmic format, WCKX is at times criticized for not playing enough Hip-Hop/R&B product, especially those from the local scene, but at the same time does have its supporters and listeners who like their musical mix and DJs.