WDLS
Encyclopedia
WDLS is a radio station
in the resort community of Wisconsin Dells
, Wisconsin
.
The station was the first in the industry to introduce a "visitor information" format since the format signed on during the Memorial Day
weekend of 2004. Its approach emphasises tips and suggestions to help visitors make the best of their vacation
time in the popular resort region, even to the point of actually encouraging visitors to come into the studios on Broadway in Downtown Wisconsin Dells and relate their experiences. The station's musical playlist is broad, extending to oldies, 1970s and 1980s hits, country standards and soft hits. Since its audio stream went online in Spring 2005, it became the #1 online radio station in the world of its type. Since September 2007, the station returned to its original format of classic country.
affiliate) into the 1990s.
The station was sold to Voss Radio, Inc. in the late 70s, and continuted to simulcast Top 40 music. WNNO-AM split the signal and programmed Country Hits in 1982, and broadcast Chicago Cubs baseball from 1983-1985. It was during this time period that the frequency moved from the original AM 990 to the current AM 900 dial position.
Voss sold the station in 1985 to Armada Broadcasting. At this time, WNNO-AM returned to simulcasting Top 40 hits with WNNO-FM. It is interesting to note that one of the principal owners of Armada Broadcasting is the nephew of radio legend Gary Owens
, and Gary's liners for WNNO could be heard on the station during this time period
During the early-mid 90s its format alternated between sports and a simulcast of sister Top-40 station WNNO
-FM (106.9), or was otherwise off the air, usually after sunset. WNNO and WNNO-FM had studios together on Superior Street in Wisconsin Dells and would usually be on the air from 6AM-12 midnight.
In the late 1990s WNNO-AM and WNNO-FM were purchased by Magnum Radio Group and studios were moved to Church Street, Wisconsin Dells, using the call of WBKY-FM (95.9) Portage. By this time, WNNO-AM had become nothing but a simulcast of WIBU-AM (1240) Poynette/Portage, which aired Jones Radio Networks'
Classic Hit Country format at the time. The calls were subsequently changed to WDLS; concurrently, WNNO-FM became Jones Hot AC under the name "Mix 106"
By 2000, WIBU and WDLS had become Adult Standards simulcasting Jones' Music of Your Life
format. WIBU was later sold off and WDLS became WIBU while continuing to air the adult standards format.
The format of Tourist Info on AM 900 was launched on Memorial Day weekend of 2004, along with the return of the WDLS calls and opening of the current studios on Broadway.
As of September 2007, the station returned to its original roots of broadcasting classic country music to the four county region.
Within weeks of its launch, its audio stream became the #1 online streaming radio station for its genre, attracting listeners (and subsequent e-mail enquiries about the Wisconsin Dells area) from around the world.
In December 2006, hosting for the online stream was moved to Surfer Network.
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...
in the resort community of Wisconsin Dells
Wisconsin Dells
Wisconsin Dells may refer to:* Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin* The Dells of the Wisconsin River...
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
.
The station was the first in the industry to introduce a "visitor information" format since the format signed on during the Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
weekend of 2004. Its approach emphasises tips and suggestions to help visitors make the best of their vacation
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
time in the popular resort region, even to the point of actually encouraging visitors to come into the studios on Broadway in Downtown Wisconsin Dells and relate their experiences. The station's musical playlist is broad, extending to oldies, 1970s and 1980s hits, country standards and soft hits. Since its audio stream went online in Spring 2005, it became the #1 online radio station in the world of its type. Since September 2007, the station returned to its original format of classic country.
History
AM 900 was founded around 1969 by Taylor Electric and originally went on the air as AM 990 - WWDA-AM, which stood for "Wonderful Wisconsin Dells Area." The FM sister station was added shortly after with John Taylor as the GM. Later changing its call to WNNO-AM, from the 1970s (during which time it was a Mutual Broadcasting SystemMutual Broadcasting System
The Mutual Broadcasting System was an American radio network, in operation from 1934 to 1999. In the golden age of U.S. radio drama, MBS was best known as the original network home of The Lone Ranger and The Adventures of Superman and as the long-time radio residence of The Shadow...
affiliate) into the 1990s.
The station was sold to Voss Radio, Inc. in the late 70s, and continuted to simulcast Top 40 music. WNNO-AM split the signal and programmed Country Hits in 1982, and broadcast Chicago Cubs baseball from 1983-1985. It was during this time period that the frequency moved from the original AM 990 to the current AM 900 dial position.
Voss sold the station in 1985 to Armada Broadcasting. At this time, WNNO-AM returned to simulcasting Top 40 hits with WNNO-FM. It is interesting to note that one of the principal owners of Armada Broadcasting is the nephew of radio legend Gary Owens
Gary Owens
Gary Owens is an American disc jockey and voice actor. His polished baritone speaking voice generally offers deadpan recitations of total nonsense, which he frequently demonstrated as the announcer on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In. Owens is equally proficient in straight or silly assignments and is...
, and Gary's liners for WNNO could be heard on the station during this time period
During the early-mid 90s its format alternated between sports and a simulcast of sister Top-40 station WNNO
WNNO
WNNO-FM is a Hot AC music formatted radio station. WNNO is a sister station to WDLS-AM. Its station is located in the vacation mecca of Wisconsin Dells and Lake Delton, and its signal can be reached out to Portage, Poynette, Baraboo, Lyndon Station, and Adams-Friendship, even as far as the...
-FM (106.9), or was otherwise off the air, usually after sunset. WNNO and WNNO-FM had studios together on Superior Street in Wisconsin Dells and would usually be on the air from 6AM-12 midnight.
-
- See more on the history of WNNO Radio on the WNNO-FMWNNOWNNO-FM is a Hot AC music formatted radio station. WNNO is a sister station to WDLS-AM. Its station is located in the vacation mecca of Wisconsin Dells and Lake Delton, and its signal can be reached out to Portage, Poynette, Baraboo, Lyndon Station, and Adams-Friendship, even as far as the...
page on Wikipedia**
- See more on the history of WNNO Radio on the WNNO-FM
In the late 1990s WNNO-AM and WNNO-FM were purchased by Magnum Radio Group and studios were moved to Church Street, Wisconsin Dells, using the call of WBKY-FM (95.9) Portage. By this time, WNNO-AM had become nothing but a simulcast of WIBU-AM (1240) Poynette/Portage, which aired Jones Radio Networks'
Jones Radio Networks
Jones Radio Networks & Jones Media Group were branches of Jones International before being sold to Triton Media Group. JRN and JMN provide local radio stations with satellite-delivered formats. They also offer other services to local radio such as news and talk programs, syndicated radio shows,...
Classic Hit Country format at the time. The calls were subsequently changed to WDLS; concurrently, WNNO-FM became Jones Hot AC under the name "Mix 106"
By 2000, WIBU and WDLS had become Adult Standards simulcasting Jones' Music of Your Life
Music of Your Life
Music of Your Life is a satellite-delivered radio network featuring the Adult Standards music format. Created by record executive and jingle writer Al Ham, and now under the direction of Marc Angell, Music of Your Life has more than 50 AM, FM and HD-2 radio station affiliates, and has been in...
format. WIBU was later sold off and WDLS became WIBU while continuing to air the adult standards format.
The format of Tourist Info on AM 900 was launched on Memorial Day weekend of 2004, along with the return of the WDLS calls and opening of the current studios on Broadway.
As of September 2007, the station returned to its original roots of broadcasting classic country music to the four county region.
The online feed of the Tourist Station era
In March 2005, the online audio stream of WDLS-AM, as powered by Warp Radio, went live on its website to further increase its potential audience across the Internet.Within weeks of its launch, its audio stream became the #1 online streaming radio station for its genre, attracting listeners (and subsequent e-mail enquiries about the Wisconsin Dells area) from around the world.
In December 2006, hosting for the online stream was moved to Surfer Network.