| Digital subchannel ofWAKS, Akron | |
|---|---|
_logo.png){kind=logo} 106.1 refers to translator W291BV, which rebroadcasts WAKS-HD2 | |
| |
| Broadcast area | |
| Frequencies | 96.5MHz · HD2 (HD Radio) |
| Branding | Real 106.1 |
| Programming | |
| Language | English |
| Format | Urban contemporary |
| Affiliations | |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| History | |
First air date | c. October 5, 2006 (19 years ago) (2006-10-05) |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 49952 |
| Class | B |
| ERP | 31,000 watts |
| HAAT | 189 m (620 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 41°16′50.2″N81°37′21.4″W / 41.280611°N 81.622611°W /41.280611; -81.622611 |
| Translator | 106.1 W291BV (Solon) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen live (viaiHeartRadio) |
| Website | real1061cleveland |
WAKS-HD2 (96.5-2FM) is adigital subchannel ofWAKS, a commercialradio station licensed toAkron, Ohio, which features anurban contemporary format known as "Real 106.1". Owned byiHeartMedia, Inc., WAKS-HD2 servesGreater Cleveland and surroundingNortheast Ohio and is the FM radio home ofCleveland Charge basketball.[2] Using theproprietary technologyHD Radio for its maindigital transmission, WAKS-HD2 is also rebroadcast over low-poweranalogtranslator W291BV (106.1 FM), and streams online viaiHeartRadio. WAKS-HD2's studios are located at theSix Six Eight Building indowntown Cleveland'sGateway District, while the WAKS-HD2 and W291BV transmitters reside inBrecksville andParma, respectively.
AClear Channel Communications press release dated April 25, 2006, announced the launch of nearly 200 new HD Radio "multicast channels" in dozens of markets across the United States; among these was WAKS-HD2, a digital subchannel for Cleveland market radio stationWAKS (96.5 FM), set to broadcast an "all newhits" format.[3] As of September 1, 2006, WAKS-HD2 was still not on the air, but by October 5, 2006, the new channel had launched an "underground dance" format known as "Trancid".[4][5] As of October 2007, WAKS-HD2 had adopted a newautomated format called "Kiwi Radio";The Plain Dealer described it as a collection of "tweener tunes of theHannah Montana andHigh School Musical variety."[6] By June 2008, and lasting until at least March 2012, WAKS-HD2 aired adance radio format known as "Club Phusion".[7][8] As of November 2014, WAKS-HD2 was airing a "Soul andR&B" format.[9]
On December 11, 2018, WAKS-HD2 switched to amainstream urban format; and also began simulcasting over low-power FM translator W291BV (106.1 FM) under the brand "Real 106.1". The simulcast was made possible by a May 3, 2010, decision by theFederal Communications Commission (FCC). Although low-power FM translators in the United States are generally not permitted to originate their own programming, the FCC decision affirmed that translators are free to retransmit the programming of HD Radio digital subchannels – effectively creating new analog "radio stations" on theFM band – and thereby expanding the potential audience of digital-only channels like WAKS-HD2.[10] At the launch of this new simulcast, WAKS-HD2 aired 10,000 consecutivesongs free of commercial interruption, and thereby positioned itself in direct competition to Clevelandhip-hop stationWENZ.[11] WAKS program director"Java Joel" Murphy was announced as the program director for Real 106.1.[12]
| Call sign | Frequency | City of license | FID | ERP (W) | HAAT | Class | Transmitter coordinates | FCC info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W291BV | 106.1 FM | Solon, Ohio | 141400 | 200 | 0 m (0 ft) | D | 41°22′45″N81°43′11″W / 41.37917°N 81.71972°W /41.37917; -81.71972 (W291BV) | LMS |
The Breakfast Club, nationally syndicated viaPremiere Networks, airs weekday mornings.[13] All other regular content, including music and on-air talent, either comes from theiHeartMedia urban contemporary national format viaPremium Choice, or isvoice-tracked out-of-market specifically for WAKS-HD2.
WAKS-HD2 airs regular traffic and weather updates via theTotal Traffic and Weather Network, and the station satisfiesFCC-mandatedpublic affairs programming on Sunday mornings with theCity Club of Cleveland'sFriday Forum. WAKS-HD2 also transmits text toHD Radio receivers, such asstation IDs and artist and song information, known asProgram Service Data (PSD); similarly, W291BV transmits text to compatible analog receivers via theRadio Data System (RDS). Both WAKS-HD2 and W291BV broadcast instereo.
96.5 HD2/106.1 FM also serves as the FM radio outlet for theCleveland Charge of theNBA G League, airing games when sister station and Charge flagshipWARF AM 1350 is unable to do so because of conflicts with other events.[2]
The new channels will also be made available at the company's HD2 streaming site: www.clearchannelmusic.com/hdradio/ as they go live.
Cleveland, OH: WAKS-FM - Trancid - Underground Dance; WGAR-FM - Classic Country; WMVX-FM - The Lake - AAA.
Nine have additional 'HD2' channels, all of them automated and designed as alternatives or complements. ... and WAKS HD2's KiWi has tweener tunes of the 'Hannah Montana' and 'High School Musical' variety.
Your HD2 and HD3 Multicast Channels: WAKS-FM - 96.5 - Club Phusion; ...
WAKS-HD2; 96.5-2 FM; Club Phusion...
WAKS-HD2; Akron, OH; Soul and R&B
In a recent decision, the FCC made clear that analog FM translators can rebroadcast the signal of a HD digital multicast channel from a commonly owned FM station.
Launching with 10,000 songs commercial-free, the new format gives a direct format competitor to Urban One's 'Z 107.9' WENZ. The launch coincides with the upgrade of W291BV to 200w/263m giving it full coverage of Cleveland proper.
Top 40 WAKS PD Java Joel Murphy will add PD duties at Real 106.1.
The station will feature the Breakfast Club in the morning.