WTIC-FM
Encyclopedia
WTIC-FM is a radio station primarily serving the Hartford, Connecticut
market, though its signal can be picked up throughout most of Connecticut and into Springfield, Massachusetts
. It currently broadcasts a Hot Adult Contemporary format. It is located on the dial at 96.5 MHz. It is currently operated by CBS Radio
.
WTIC-FM was one of the two pre-World War II FM
stations in Connecticut, signing on the air originally as W1XSO on 2/5/1940 and using a frequency of 43.5 MHz. In 12/1941 it became a commercial operation using the call letters W53H. In 1943 the call letters were changed for the last time to WTIC-FM. In 4/1948 the station moved to 96.5 MHz where it has remained. It switched from classical music to CHR
/Top 40 on 5/12/1977, and amended its CHR format on 6/15/1994 to remove controversial rap music from its playlist; the station's sound has become decidedly softer in recent years compared to its past. Since 1977 the station has referred to itself on the air variously as "96 Ticks," "96 TIC-FM," and "The New 96-5 TIC."
The original WTIC-FM Top 40 format in the late 1970s consisted of only current hit songs (no oldies) in a high-energy, jingle-heavy presentation designed by consultant Mike Joseph, and it was an instant success. Joseph would later term this formatic approach "Hot Hits
" and put it into use at other stations around the United States, most notably WBBM-FM
in Chicago. Clips of the station during its "96 Tics" "Hot Hits" era and afterwards can be heard at www.stevemcvie.com and www.reelradio.com.
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
market, though its signal can be picked up throughout most of Connecticut and into Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
. It currently broadcasts a Hot Adult Contemporary format. It is located on the dial at 96.5 MHz. It is currently operated by CBS Radio
CBS Radio
CBS Radio, Inc., formerly known as Infinity Broadcasting Corporation, is one of the largest owners and operators of radio stations in the United States, third behind main rival Clear Channel Communications and Cumulus Media. CBS Radio owns around 130 radio stations across the country...
.
WTIC-FM was one of the two pre-World War II FM
Frequency modulation
In telecommunications and signal processing, frequency modulation conveys information over a carrier wave by varying its instantaneous frequency. This contrasts with amplitude modulation, in which the amplitude of the carrier is varied while its frequency remains constant...
stations in Connecticut, signing on the air originally as W1XSO on 2/5/1940 and using a frequency of 43.5 MHz. In 12/1941 it became a commercial operation using the call letters W53H. In 1943 the call letters were changed for the last time to WTIC-FM. In 4/1948 the station moved to 96.5 MHz where it has remained. It switched from classical music to CHR
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
/Top 40 on 5/12/1977, and amended its CHR format on 6/15/1994 to remove controversial rap music from its playlist; the station's sound has become decidedly softer in recent years compared to its past. Since 1977 the station has referred to itself on the air variously as "96 Ticks," "96 TIC-FM," and "The New 96-5 TIC."
The original WTIC-FM Top 40 format in the late 1970s consisted of only current hit songs (no oldies) in a high-energy, jingle-heavy presentation designed by consultant Mike Joseph, and it was an instant success. Joseph would later term this formatic approach "Hot Hits
Hot Hits
Hot Hits was a radio format created by consultant Mike Joseph in the 1970s. That concept, which helped spur the birth of what is now known as CHR, also revitalized the Top 40 format and would play a role in bringing the format to the FM band throughout the 1980s.The concept was to play only the...
" and put it into use at other stations around the United States, most notably WBBM-FM
WBBM-FM
WBBM-FM, known on air as "B96", is a Rhythmic Contemporary outlet in Chicago, Illinois with a Rhythmic based playlist. The station is owned by CBS Radio and broadcasts at 96.3 MHz with an ERP of 4.2 kW. WBBM's main competition is WKSC-FM "103.5 Kiss FM", as well as urban rivals WGCI-FM &...
in Chicago. Clips of the station during its "96 Tics" "Hot Hits" era and afterwards can be heard at www.stevemcvie.com and www.reelradio.com.