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Rhythmic adult contemporary

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Rhythmic adult contemporary , often abbreviated as rhythmic AC or RAC , is an adult contemporary radio format . The format focuses primarily on rhythmic hits aimed towards an adult audience, often resembling a mixture of the classic hits and hot adult contemporary formats in practice. It typically focuses on genres such as disco , classic hip-hop , dance pop , and house music of the late 1980s/early 1990s.

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54-428: The first station to try this approach was WHBT / Milwaukee, Wisconsin , which lasted from 1986 to 1987, although it was more Hot AC in nature. But eight years later in 1996, another Milwaukee outlet, WAMG , "Magic 103.7", would be the first to pioneer the "Official" rhythmic AC format, calling itself "Rhythm & Romance" which featured Mid-tempo Rhythmic R&B/Pop tracks (ironically, Milwaukee would once again pick up

108-406: A local marketing agreement with an alternative rock format dubbed "Q87.7". At 9 a.m. (CT) on July 17, 2012, with both WIQI and WEMP languishing on the eve of their one-year anniversaries, "FM News" was abruptly dropped on both stations. WIQI flipped to a 1990s-centric adult hits format targeted at females between the ages of 18 and 49, and was branded as "i101". The first song on "i101"

162-511: A "Classic Dance" approach. And in Canada, former Urban outlet CFXJ-FM Toronto went Rhythmic AC as "93.5 The Move" in February 2016. In January 2015, KKGQ / Wichita was relaunched with the same Rhythmic AC presentation that was previously offered by its successor KMXW from 2004 to 2007, except this time around, it was more focused on current Rhythmic and Mainstream Pop hits and recurrents from

216-522: A HD2 station. The station only broadcasts a HD1 simulcast of the primary station. WKQX (FM) WKQX (101.1 FM ) is a commercial radio station licensed to Chicago, Illinois , featuring an alternative rock format known as "Q101". Owned by Cumulus Media , the station serves the Chicago metropolitan area . WKQX's studios are located in the NBC Tower , while the station transmits from atop

270-581: A Rhythmic AC for the third time in December 2014, when WZTI filled the void after an eighteen-year gap, although that station leaned towards rhythmic oldies ; it returned to a True Oldies Channel -led oldies format in August 2015). In February 1996, WYNY in New York City flipped to the format under the name "103-5 The New KTU", utilizing a "Rhythmic Hot AC" approach with dance-pop tracks added to

324-591: A balance of dance-pop tracks and rhythmic classics, as well as current rhythmic/pop material, but by July 2013, the playlist has shifted to a more urban lean. This revival success story of the format spawned a few similar stations later that year, including KHTP in Seattle , KSSX in San Diego and KRBQ in San Francisco , as well as (for a short time) WIQI in Chicago . KHTP and KRBQ have since shifted in

378-425: A blend of current events and pop culture. However, on November 9, 2007, The Morning Fix underwent major changes when it was decided that morning airtime would be more wisely used playing music; the changes resulted in only 2 of the shows' original 6 members remaining, Alan Cox and Jim "Jesus" Lynam. On August 1, 2008, Cox and Lynam were let go, with management moving Brian Sherman and Steve Tingle from afternoons to

432-559: A controversial series of billboards using the face of imprisoned former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and the "He Never Listens... to FM News 101.1" tagline. By June 2012, WIQI began phasing in blocks of "Expanded News Coverage" where the station entered a programming approach similar to talk radio . Personalities such as Mancow Muller , Neil Steinberg , Kevin Matthews , Mike North and Dan Jiggets and former WGN morning host Greg Jarrett all hosted informal auditions under

486-717: A format they pioneered: " rhythmic oldies ", in November 1997. Beginning in 2006, there was a trend of several stations in the United States switching to the rhythmic AC format using the brand Movin , which debuted on Seattle station KQMV in May of that year. Clear Channel Communications also enjoyed a fair amount of success with Rhythmic AC during this time period, using the continued success of WKTU as its basis for several of its stations, including WDTW-FM Detroit, WMIA Miami, and WISX Philadelphia. This boom screeched to

540-556: A halt by the early 2010s, with many of the stations evolving into Mainstream or Rhythmic Top 40 (like KQMV or KMVQ San Francisco), or flipping to other formats, in part due to declining ratings and trying to adapt currents into this niche genre. As of July 2016, only a handful of "Movin'" branded stations remain with a Rhythmic AC format (see list below). Rhythmic AC came to Canada in 1999, when French-language CFGL-FM in Montreal , Quebec made its debut as " Rythme FM " name. However,

594-604: A more Classic Hip-Hop direction, positioning themselves as all-"Throwback" stations, while KSSX flipped to Mainstream Urban in May 2016. The Rhythmic AC renaissance has been particularly felt in the state of Florida: in March 2016, WMIA-FM in Miami, which had switched from Rhythmic AC to Hot AC in August 2014, returned to Rhythmic AC with the slogan "Rhythm from the '80s to Now," and four months later, WJSJ in Jacksonville adopted

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648-580: A unrelated internet radio station bearing the same name , while WKQX itself flipped to all-news radio under Merlin Media as WWWN, then to adult contemporary as WIQI. Reverting to alternative under a long-term local marketing agreement by Cumulus Media in 2014, the station branded instead under the restored WKQX call sign until Cumulus reacquired the Q101 trademarks on May 3, 2022. A former NBC Radio owned-and-operated station, WKQX's studios were located in

702-484: A year. In July 1998, Q101 became the new home of Mancow Muller 's morning show after he left WRCX the previous month. Specialty shows on the station, like Local 101 , showcased promising local acts, many of whom went on to achieve greater prominence. On April 1, 2005, WKQX went "on shuffle", with its playlist expanded from 200 to approximately 1,000 songs. Instead of focusing solely on new music, they expanded their playlist to include classic alternative rock from

756-474: Is most common in the summer months when warm air temperatures and the cool lake waters create favorable conditions for tropospheric propagation . The original call letters were WRJN-FM, shared with its then-sister station . WRJN-FM began broadcasting August 26, 1948. It was licensed to Racine Broadcasting Corporation and owned by the publishers of the Racine Journal Times . In early 1969,

810-504: The John Hancock Center . In addition to a standard analog transmission , WKQX broadcasts over two HD Radio channels. WKQX is best known for carrying an alternative rock format that, from 1992 until 2011 and since 2022, has used the "Q101" brand. A sale of the station to Merlin Media in August 2011 saw outgoing owner Emmis Communications sell the "Q101 Chicago" name, intellectual property and all underlying trademarks for

864-643: The Merchandise Mart from the station's 1948 launch to 2016; the station relocated to the NBC Tower, the current home of onetime sister station WMAQ-TV , on August 4, 2016. WKQX-HD2 airs a classic rock format branded as "The Loop" that was previously heard on the former WLUP (97.9 FM), now WCKL . NBC , which had an owned-and-operated station in Chicago since 1931 with WMAQ ( 670 AM ) , signed on WMAQ-FM on October 13, 1948, from studios in

918-527: The Merchandise Mart . Its transmitter was located atop the Civic Opera Building , where it broadcast with an ERP of 24,000 watts. In its early years, WMAQ-FM generally operated as an outright simulcast of WMAQ. The station began airing a classical music format afternoons and evenings in 1966, though it continued to simulcast WMAQ during mornings and early afternoons. By the early 1970s, it had adopted an easy listening format. In 1970,

972-540: The Milwaukee area. The station broadcasts with an ERP of 50 kW and is licensed to Racine, Wisconsin . Its studios are located in the Milwaukee suburb of Greenfield . The playlist of V-100.7 consists of primarily current hip-hop and R&B as well as some older Hip Hop and R&B from the 2010s. At 50,000 watts, WKKV's signal is one of the strongest in the area, and can travel over Lake Michigan into

1026-489: The " Doug Banks Morning Show" ended in December 2007, and the station replaced him with Steve Harvey . After six years, Harvey was dropped in August 2013, and WKKV-FM became a charter affiliate of the New York-based Breakfast Club distributed in-house by iHeartRadio. WKKV was home to the annual "Jam 4 Peace" concert for several years. The concert series caused political attention and action in

1080-453: The "Expanded News Coverage" banner. Jarrett himself was promoted to host morning drive on WIQI during the formats' final three weeks of existence. In spite of constant format tweaks and alterations, the all-news format failed to achieve better than a 0.4 Arbitron ratings share. "FM News" was outperformed by the final ratings book for "Q101" and WKQX-LP, the aural signal of a low-power analog television station operated by Merlin under

1134-417: The 1980s and 1990s, and some 1970s artists. Mancow was dropped by the station on July 14, 2006, with Emmis Communications replacing his show with one that they felt would better appeal to their target demographic. On September 18, 2006, Q101 launched The Morning Fix , a morning show led by former WXDX-FM Pittsburgh personality Alan Cox , and presented in a manner similar to The Daily Show , featuring

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1188-547: The 1990s and 2000s (KMXW's presentation had an emphasis on 1970s and 1980s product). (That station would completely shift towards Hot AC by October 2015, with most of the Rhythmic material being moved to evening hours.) Also in 2015, KJHM in Denver shifted to the format after spending its first 5 years with rhythmic oldies , marking the second station with the format in the market, the first being KPTT from 2006 to 2009. In

1242-547: The 2020s, a resurgence of the rhythmic hot AC format occurred. This format combines the currents and recurrents of CHR stations with hot AC-like rotations, and a deep gold library that includes classic hip hop and dance/pop throwbacks dating back to the mid-1990s. WBBM-FM / Chicago , KMVA / Phoenix and WFLC / Miami flipped to the format in 2022 and 2023. Today, stations in the Rhythmic AC format vary widely by market as to how much hip-hop and R&B product are included in

1296-489: The City of Milwaukee. Slower R&B and classic soul was aired as part of a late night Quiet Storm block on weeknights during the 90s and 2000s. WKKV DJs holds significant influence in the greater radio market. Bailey Coleman was a senior VP of Programming for iHeartMedia. Her show aired during the midday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. time slot. Reggie Brown currently serves as the station's Program Director and has worked at

1350-470: The Merchandise Mart, where the 101.1 frequency has been broadcast from since first taking the airwaves in 1948, in favor of a new studio at the NBC Tower . Until the new facility was completed, WKQX broadcast from a temporary facility at 190 N. State. On August 4, 2016, the move of WKQX and WLUP to the NBC Tower was finalized. In January 2018, as part of Cumulus Media's bankruptcy proceedings,

1404-496: The Milwaukee market its first station in the format, albeit with no programming originating locally from Milwaukee. After WXXM ended that format in November 2016, WKKV-HD2 began to serve as an FM HD repeater of sports station WOKY (920). It again switched on November 30, 2018, with a move to soft adult contemporary, branded as "The Breeze"; the move of WOKY's local sports programming to WRNW's analog FM/HD1 subchannel made it all but redundant. As of June 2023, WKKV does not broadcast

1458-594: The Rhythmic Hot AC format since its shift from AC in 2011. Unlike CHUM-FM, the currents on CKBE's playlist are more Dance and Rhythmic leaning. By 2013, the Rhythmic AC format began to make a comeback in certain markets. In January of that year, former news/talk outlet WTKK in Boston flipped to the format. The station's ratings, which were low, have significantly improved to compete effectively with Rhythmic Top 40 WJMN . The station's playlist, initially, had

1512-703: The Rythme FM network is now adult contemporary. During the mid-2000s, when the format started to gain popularity, many hot adult contemporary stations in Canada started to follow a Rhythmic AC approach, but still remain Hot AC because of pop-rock content still being played. This was first pioneered by CHUM-FM in Toronto , who had a significant ratings success after starting to lean rhythmic. This approach has worked well in Montreal, where CKBE has had more success with

1566-401: The addition of daily commentary segments from Clark Howard and Lionel . Later staff changes and reassignments at the station would lead to an increased reliance on "shared anchor arrangements" with its New York counterpart WEMP, as well as a non-linear, voicetracking -style of arranging reports, sometimes without any anchor transitions. WIQI also began an advertising campaign that included

1620-527: The company requested that a U.S. Bankruptcy Court release the company from several "extremely unprofitable" contracts, including its LMAs with WLUP and WKQX. Cumulus stated that under the agreement, which carries a monthly fee of $ 600,000, the company had lost $ 8.4 million on the two Merlin stations. WLUP was sold by Merlin to the Educational Media Foundation . On April 3, 2018, it was announced that Cumulus would acquire WKQX and

1674-508: The country, 10 years before pioneer WAMG-FM flipped to the format. The WRKR call sign was reassigned by the FCC to a station in Kalamazoo, Michigan , about that time, where it remains today. In September 1987, the station became new-age music -formatted WBZN-FM ( Breezin' 100.7 ). The station flipped to urban contemporary on June 6, 1991, becoming WKKV-FM ( V-100 FM ). After many years,

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1728-564: The duo Sherman and Tingle, was hired as an on-air personality for weekends. Sherman retained his weekday on air role at suburban classic rocker WFXF . Russell Tanzillo from North Central College 's WONC joined as a weekend host in September 2015. In April 2016, the station hired James VanOsdol, another former Q101 personality, to host a new local music showcase titled "Demo 312" (in reference to Chicago's well-known main area code ). In November 2015, WKQX and WLUP announced their move from

1782-553: The early 1980s, WKQX began to be branded "Q-101". By the mid-1980s, the station had evolved into a hot AC format. During this period, the station carried Sexually Speaking with Dr. Ruth Westheimer . From 1983 to 1993, Robert Murphy was the morning drive host on Q101. Tommy Edwards joined the station as program director in 1986. Starting in 1987, NBC began a two-year-long divestiture of their radio properties. In 1988, Emmis Communications purchased WKQX, along with four other NBC radio stations, for $ 121.5 million. In

1836-542: The intellectual property of WLUP for $ 18 million. The sale to Cumulus was consummated on June 15, 2018. On April 18, 2022, Cumulus Media announced their purchase of Q101 Chicago from Broadcast Barter Radio Networks, as well as the Q101.com domain name, all underlying trademarks and related intellectual property that Emmis had divested in 2011. Cumulus Chicago Vice President/Market Manager Marv Nyren revealed to Daily Herald journalist Robert Feder that discussions had been ongoing for over four years to reacquire rights to

1890-415: The mid to late 1980s, WKQX aired an adult top 40 format, with the slogan "Today's Music". Q101 continued to evolve, and on July 14, 1992, WKQX adopted an alternative rock format as "Chicago's New Rock Alternative". Bill Gamble was the station's Program Director. In July 1993, former MTV VJ Mark Goodman was hired as morning host, replacing Robert Murphy, but he remained in this position less than

1944-676: The mix. The station instantly skyrocketed to #1 in the New York City Arbitron ratings in the next book. Because of this, other stations, like KBKS / Seattle , WDRQ / Detroit (which likewise referred to itself as "93-1 The New DRQ") and KIBB / Los Angeles flipped to the format. While WDRQ was a moderate ratings success (the station's true ratings boom came after it evolved into a rhythmic-oriented Contemporary Hit format by 1999), KBKS and KIBB were less successful, resulting in KBKS flipping to Top 40/CHR in May 1997, and KIBB flipped to

1998-539: The morning slot. During its tenure as an alternative rock station, WKQX served as host to several music festivals and events, mainly Jamboree at Tweeter Center in Tinley Park every June, and Twisted (formerly Twisted Christmas) at various venues every December. On June 21, 2011, Emmis announced that it would sell WKQX, sister station WLUP-FM , and WRXP-FM in New York City to Merlin Media, whose CEO

2052-491: The music mix, and how current-intensive they are. Whereas the aforementioned KHTP and KRBQ have repositioned themselves as all-"Throwback" stations specializing in Classic Hip-Hop, WKTU, WMOV and other rhythmic hot ACs leaning heavily toward more modern pop and dance music. WKKV WKKV-FM (100.7 MHz ), also known as V-100.7 , is an urban contemporary radio station owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. serving

2106-675: The outset, "FM News 101.1" sought to differentiate itself from WBBM by highlighting its round-the-clock newswheel (as opposed to Chicago Bears flagship WBBM), aiming for a looser, less formal news presentation with a conversational tone, and deviating from hard news in favor of lifestyle, health and entertainment features. The initial on-air and newsroom staff at "FM News 101.1" included several with Chicago radio ties, including Debra Dale and Jennifer O'Neill (both WBBM alumna), Brant Miller and Monica DeSantis ( WLS alums), and Ed Curran and Rob Hart ( WGN alums). The station's call letters were changed again in December 2011 to WIQI. "FM News 101.1"

2160-490: The owner of another Racine station, WRAC , purchased WRJN-FM for $ 60,000. A few months after the sale, the station became WRAC-FM. In December 1970, WRAC-FM flipped to a rock-based Top 40 format with the WRKR call sign, primarily targeting Racine , Kenosha and the southern part of Milwaukee County . They were known at various times as "The Rocker 100 FM" , "Hot 100" and "Hitradio 100" . WRKR gradually started targeting

2214-464: The state of Michigan . V-100.7 can be heard reliably as far west as Madison , north to Sheboygan , south into the Chicago suburbs, and beyond depending on conditions. Due to its tower lying in close proximity to the open waters of Lake Michigan, both its analog signal can periodically travel with local quality in excess of 120 miles to the east along the Michigan shoreline without interference, this

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2268-489: The station after 19 years to host mornings along with Lise Dominique for a few weeks until the full format switch took place. On July 21, 2011, WKQX changed its call letters to WWWN, a call sign moved from a silent signal in Watseka, Illinois licensed to Randy Michaels' Radioactive LLC. Eight days after the call letter change, on July 29, at 4 pm, WWWN launched an all-news format branded as "FM News 101.1". At

2322-509: The station for more than 20 years. On April 25, 2006, Clear Channel announced that WKKV's HD2 subchannel will carry a format focusing on gospel music . In the summer of 2009, the "Hallelujah" format was replaced by "All My Jams," an Adult Urban Contemporary format available through Clear Channel's iHeartRadio smartphone application. On December 15, 2011, Clear Channel began airing the progressive talk programming of WXXM (92.1) from Sun Prairie / Madison on WKKV's HD3 subchannel, giving

2376-581: The station shifted to a rhythmic adult contemporary format. On January 3, 2014, Merlin Media announced a local marketing agreement (LMA) with Cumulus Media that would see Cumulus take over operations of WIQI, WLUP and WKQX-LP. The deal, which includes an option for Cumulus to purchase WIQI and WLUP, resulted in Merlin relinquishing operations of its last remaining radio stations, and also saw an expansion of Cumulus' Chicago cluster, which includes WLS and WLS-FM . Cumulus executives indicated that they, at

2430-456: The station's call letters were changed to WNIS-FM, and it adopted an all news format carrying NBC Radio Network 's News and Information Service (NIS). In January 1977, the station's call sign was changed to WKQX, and it adopted an album-oriented rock format. The program director was Bob Pittman , who later created MTV and is now CEO of iHeartMedia . Bob Heymann served as assistant program director and morning drive host, and Bob King

2484-460: The station's transmitter was moved to the John Hancock Center . In late 1972, WMAQ-FM adopted an automated adult hits format, with programming from TM Productions . In 1974, the station's call letters were changed to WJOI. In January 1975, WMAQ 670 adopted a country music format. WJOI followed suit, and aired an automated country music format aimed at a somewhat younger audience than WMAQ, with programming from TM Productions. In June 1975,

2538-468: The time of rebranding, had no intentions of acquiring back the online rendition of "Q101" and related intellectual properties from the stations' 1992-2011 era. In announcing the LMA, Cumulus indicated that it would move the alternative rock format from WKQX-LP onto the 101.1 facility. The move took place on January 10, 2014, when the stations began a transitional simulcast. " Closing Time " by Semisonic

2592-469: The whole Milwaukee market. At one time, WRKR was the Milwaukee-area affiliate of American Top 40 (which was also later carried by then-rival WKTI after it added the show in 1982). Due to heavy Top 40 competition, WRKR began adding light R&B music around 1986, and for less than a year were called "Heartbeat 101" (WHBT-FM). WHBT-FM was the first " rhythmic adult contemporary " station in

2646-567: Was Bye Bye Bye by NSYNC . With a few exceptions, most of the WIQI and WEMP news staffs were immediately dismissed, with subsequent layoffs occurring in the following weeks and months. After one month on the air, "i101" would move towards a hot adult contemporary approach. "i101" included some limited use of on-air staff, including morning host and former WLUP-FM staffer Jane Monzures, who shared morning duties with fellow "Loop" alum Pete McMurray between August and October 2012. In late 2013,

2700-436: Was criticized in its early weeks for what was seen as an amateurish, unpolished, and unprepared presentation. Moreover, Merlin's top management (including Michaels) admitted that the format for both stations were still a work in progress, and "FM News" underwent a continual series of format adjustments. These included: the addition of sports and business updates; the "informal" testing of a news partnership with WMAQ-TV ; and

2754-1026: Was dismissed upon Merlin Media's formal takeover that July 14. That same day, Emmis sold off the "Q101" name, related intellectual properties, and the Q101.com web domain, to Broadcast Barter Radio Networks. Q101's final on-air staffed show, "Local 101", concluded at approximately 1:01 a.m. on July 15; the program ended with " Tonight, Tonight " by Chicago-based The Smashing Pumpkins , The Cure 's " Friday I'm in Love " (the first song played at Q101's 1992 inception as an alternative station), and formal goodbyes by Chris Payne, Pogo, and other Q101 staffers. Q101 would continue solely as an online stream programmed, in part, by Emmis' KROX-FM , before BBRN eventually relaunched it as an internet-only station . WKQX itself continued without on-air staffing until Midnight on July 19; after playing " Closing Time " by Semisonic , WKQX began stunting with adult contemporary music along with news reports as "FM New". Robert Murphy returned to

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2808-606: Was former Tribune Company and Clear Channel Communications executive Randy Michaels . Emmis, who retained a minority stake in Merlin Media, granted Merlin a local marketing agreement to operate WKQX and WLUP-FM from July 15 until the sale officially closed on September 1. A format flip for WKQX, from alternative rock to all-news , was rumored after the sale was announced. Michaels was on record as saying, "My favorite format has always been spoken radio... it's time for spoken word to move to FM." The entire airstaff at Q101

2862-824: Was the last song played on "i101", while the first song played on the 101.1/87.7 simulcast was " Times Like These " by Foo Fighters . The simulcast ended February 17, 2014, when Merlin Media's LMA for 87.7 ended and Tribune Broadcasting began a local marketing agreement for the station (which is now WRME-LD ). The WKQX call sign was restored on the 101.1 facility on January 17. 101 WKQX's airstaff initially included Brian Phillips, Lou Lombardo, Lauren O'Neil, PJ Kling, and "wALT" (Walter Flakus of Stabbing Westward ). In September 2015, Portland radio personality Marconi joined WKQX to host weeknights (replacing PJ Kling). Marconi left WKQX in January 2018. Brian Sherman, former on-air personality at Q101 from 2001 to 2011, and one half of

2916-406: Was the music director. Mitch Michaels did afternoon drive and Lorna Ozmon did nights. In the spring of 1977, Chicago gained another AOR station, WLUP , resulting in four FM rock stations (WKQX, WXRT , WDAI , and WLUP) competing against each other. By January 1979, WDAI switched to an all- disco format and WKQX became an adult contemporary station; Joel Sebastian hosted mornings. In

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