 | |
| |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Columbus metro area |
| Frequency | 97.9MHz (HD Radio) |
| Branding | WNCI 97.9 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Top 40 (CHR) |
| Affiliations | Premiere Networks |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| WCOL-FM,WODC,WTVN,WXZX,WYTS,WZCB | |
| History | |
First air date | July 1961 (64 years ago) (1961-07) |
Former call signs | WRFD-FM (1961–1967) |
Call sign meaning | former flagship ofNationwide Communications, Inc. |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 47741 |
| Class | B |
| ERP | |
| HAAT | 171 meters (561 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 39°58′10″N83°0′10″W / 39.96944°N 83.00278°W /39.96944; -83.00278 |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen live (viaiHeartRadio) |
| Website | wnci |
WNCI (97.9FM) is acommercialradio station licensed toColumbus, Ohio, featuring atop 40 (CHR) format known as "WNCI 97.9". Owned byiHeartMedia, Inc., the station serves theColumbus metropolitan area and is the local affiliate forOn Air with Ryan Seacrest. WNCI's studios are on West Fifth Avenue on Columbus' west side, while the transmitter is atopOne Nationwide Plaza in the city'sdowntown. In addition to a standardanalog transmission, WNCI broadcasts usingHD Radio technology and streams online viaiHeartRadio.[2]
The station has aneffective radiated power (ERP) of 175,000watts, while the current maximum for Ohio radio stations is 50,000 watts. It isgrandfathered at this power from before the date when theFCC set limits for FM stations. There are only six FM stations in the United States that operate with more power.[3]
The station signed on the air as WRFD-FM in July 1961.[4] It had aclassical music format, sharing studios with co-ownedWRFD, east ofPowell, Ohio. In early 1967, management changed thecall sign to WNCI-FM to match its corporate ownership,Nationwide Communications, Inc. The call letter switch also marked a change in programming from primarily classical music.
In mid 1968, WNCI began programming "The Young Sound" format, supplied byCBS Radio, mostly vocal-orientedeasy listening. In 1972, WNCI moved to the sixth floor of the new Scot's Inn, later the Carousel Inn, at 4900 Sinclair Road. Since that time, the studios of WNCI have been relocated to various places in the Columbus area, including the Nationwide Building, The Continent,Broadcast Lake (a former quarry overlooked by several Clear Channel radio studios and the television studios ofWSYX), and the current location at 2323 West Fifth Avenue.
WNCI began itsTop 40 programming in 1970, although the station also broadcast an evening "progressive rock" album-based program beginning in the fall of 1969. From 1979 to 1982, the station attempted afull service,adult contemporary music format to compete withWTVN, adding a five-person news staff. Its slogan at the time was "The Best Is At The Center," playing on its location on the FM dial. The full-service format was abandoned in 1982 and the station returned to playing Top 40 hits.
In June 1993, WNCI again morphed into aHot AC-leaning station to compete withadult contemporary rivalWSNY. This lasted for nearly a year before WNCI reverted to aCHR/Pop formatted-direction.[5]
In 1997,Jacor Communications acquired the assets of Nationwide Communications, including WNCI, for $620 million. WNCI was once theflagship station for the 17-station Nationwide Communications, a division of theNationwide Mutual Insurance Company (where its call letters derive). Jacor was acquired in 1998 byClear Channel Communications, which today is iHeartMedia, Inc.
WNCI tends to be a mainstream based contemporary hit music radio FM station, at times leaning towardsAdult Top 40.[6]
WNCI formerly syndicated their “Dave & Jimmy” morning show to nearby stations through United Stations Radio Networks. As of October 2, 2023, the hosts decided to end syndication of the show, rendering the morning show exclusive to WNCI, although the show is streamed nationally on the iHeartRadio app.[7]