| Simulcast ofWKIX-FM Raleigh | |
|---|---|
 | |
| |
| Broadcast area | Research Triangle |
| Frequency | 102.5MHz |
| Branding | KIX 102 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Classic hits |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| WBBB,WKJO,WKIX-FM,WKIX,WPLW-FM,WPTF,WQDR,WQDR-FM | |
| History | |
First air date | 1989 (as WHLQ) |
Former call signs |
|
Call sign meaning | Kix |
| Technical information[2] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 22322 |
| Class | A |
| ERP | 1,500watts |
| HAAT | 203.8 meters (669 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 36°06′14″N78°57′58″W / 36.104°N 78.966°W /36.104; -78.966 |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen live |
| Website | www |
WKXU (102.5MHz) is aclassic hits formattedcommercialradio stationlicensed toHillsborough, North Carolina, and serving theResearch Triangle, includingDurham andRaleigh. The station simulcasts the "KIX 102, Carolina's Greatest Hits" programming of hit music from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s that originates fromWKIX-FM (102.9FM) in Raleigh. The station is owned by New Century Media Group.[3] According to FCC ownership filings, New Century Media Group is 100% owned by Donald W. Curtis, chairman and CEO ofCurtis Media Group.
WKXU has aneffective radiated power (ERP) of 1,500watts and is considered aClass A FM station. By contrast, some Raleigh-area stations, such asWNCB andWRDU run 100,000 watts. Thetransmitter is off Bivins Road north of Durham.[4]
The stationsigned on fromLouisburg in 1989 as WHLQ, anadult contemporary station branded as Q-102.5.[5] The station later began simulcasting acountry music format with its sister AM station,WYRN.[5][6][7]
Curtis Media Group purchased WHLQ and WYRN from Franklin Broadcasting in 2003.[8] The following year, the call letters were changed to WKXU.[1] The station, called Country 102.5, moved in a more contemporary direction, playing only songs from the previous 20 years.[9]
In September 2010, WKXU signed off from its Louisburg site and signed on again October 23 from a new site in northwestern Durham County, licensed to Hillsborough.[10] At that time, the station beganstunting, along with new simulcast partner WWMY. On October 27, WKXU changed its call letters to WPLW,[1] while WWMY became WWPL. On October 31, at 5PM, after several days ofHalloween music,[11] the stunting ended and both stations debuted their new rhythmic contemporary format as "Pulse 102".[12] The first song on "Pulse" was"I Like It" byEnrique Iglesias ft.Pitbull. The format was described as "sort of the hip-hop and R&B that has crossed over into Top 40."[13] Its primary target audience was women aged 25 to 34, and was expected to compete withRadio One stationK 97.5 andClear Channel'sG105, and93.9 Kiss FM, who ironically transitioned from Rhythmic AC to Rhythmic Top 40 after Pulse 102 signed on. The stations played 10,000 songs in a row and promised fewer commercials than other stations. Artists includeLady Gaga, Enrique Iglesias andKesha.[11] By October2011, WPLW was added to theMediabasecontemporary hit radio panel.
As of 2014, WPLW also could be heard on atranslator at W226BV (93.1 FM). In September 2014, the simulcast with WWPL changed from 102.3 FM to96.9 FM.[14][15]
On May 28, 2019, the call sign was changed from WPLW to WPLW-FM, in order to allow theWPLW call sign to be assigned the next month to AM 570 in Raleigh. On December 26, 2022, WPLW-FM, along withWKJO, began simulcasting the classic hits programming originating fromWKIX-FM.[16] The station changed its callsign back to WKXU to associate it with the "Kix" branding on January 11, 2023.