View source for WRDG

{{short description|Urban contemporary radio station in Atlanta}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{for-multi|the Charlestown, Indiana radio station that held the call sign WWPW at 104.3 FM from 2010 to 2012|WAYI|the radio station that had this callsign from 2012 to 2024|WWPW}}
{{more citations needed|date=November 2025}}
{{original research|date=November 2025}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = WRDG
| logo =
| logo_upright = .8
| city = [[Atlanta, Georgia]]
| country = US
| area = [[Atlanta metropolitan area]]
| branding = 96.1 The Beat
| frequency = {{frequency|96.1|[[MHz]]}} {{HD Radio}}
| airdate = {{start date and age|1960|12|2|p=y|br=yes}}
| language = [[American English|English]]
| format = [[Urban contemporary]]
| subchannels = {{ubl|HD2: [[WWPW]] simulcast|HD3: [[Adult contemporary]] "Peach"}}
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| facility_id = 11275
| class = C0
| erp = {{val|100000|u=watts|fmt=commas}}
| haat = {{convert|330|m|ft|sp=us}}
| coordinates = {{coord|33|48|27.00|N|84|20|26.00|W|region:US-OH_type:landmark_source:FCC}}
| callsign_meaning = Similar to that of previous simulcaster WRDA (now WBZY); moved over from now-WBZW
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|WGAA-FM (1960)|WKLS (1961–1977)|WKLS-FM (1977–1989)|WEOA (1989)|WKLS (1989–2012)|WWPW (2012–2024)}}
| affiliations = [[Premiere Networks]]
| owner = [[iHeartMedia]]
| licensee = iHM Licenses, LLC
| sister_stations = {{hlist|[[WBIN (AM)|WBIN]]|[[WBZW]]|[[WBZY]]|[[WUBL (FM)|WUBL]]|[[WWPW]]}}
| webcast = {{ubl|{{listenlive|https://www.iheart.com/live/741/}}|HD2: {{listenlive|https://www.iheart.com/live/3209}}|HD3:
{{listenlive|https://worldradiomap.com/us-ga/play/wrdg-hd3_live}}}}
| website             = {{ubl|{{URL|https://961thebeat.iHeart.com/}}|HD2: {{URL|https://power1053.iHeart.com/hd2/}}}}
}}

'''WRDG''' (96.1&nbsp;[[FM broadcasting|FM]]) – branded as ''96.1 The Beat'' – is a [[commercial broadcasting|commercial]] [[urban contemporary]] radio station licensed to [[Atlanta, Georgia]]. Owned by [[iHeartMedia]], the station serves the [[Atlanta metropolitan area]]. The WRDG studios are located in Atlanta's Upper Westside district inside the Works ATL development, while the station transmitter resides in nearby [[North Druid Hills]]. Besides a standard [[analog transmission]], WRDG broadcasts over three [[HD Radio]] channels, and is available online via [[iHeartRadio]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hdradio.com/stations/Georgia-GA/Atlanta-5 |title=HD Radio {{!}} Stations {{!}} More Music. More Stations. More Features. Digital Sound. No Subscription. |website=www.hdradio.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404071415/http://www.hdradio.com/stations/Georgia-GA/Atlanta-5 |archive-date=2011-04-04}}</ref>

==History==
{{more citations needed section|date=November 2025}}
===Easy listening (1960–1972)===
On December 2, 1960, the station signed on the air as WGAA-FM, the FM counterpart to [[WGAA]] in [[Cedartown, Georgia|Cedartown]].<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1963/B%20Radio%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201963.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1963 page B-47]</ref> Shortly after being established, the station was sold to Kenco Broadcasting for $25,000. Kenco was headed by [[Don Kennedy]], James Lathom and Arthur Swan; Kennedy was an Atlanta radio and television personality, playing "Officer Don" on [[WSB-TV]]'s "Popeye Club" children's show from 1956 to 1972. After the sale, WGAA-FM's call letters were changed to WKLS, representing the initials of Kenco's partners, "Kennedy-Lathom-Swan". They sold it ten years later for $750,000.

From its earliest days until the early 1970s, the station played [[easy listening]] music. For its first several years on the air, WKLS was voice-tracked with most of the announcements and commercials read by Kennedy.

===MOR (1972–1974)===
By 1972, WKLS had moved to a [[middle of the road (music)|middle of the road]] (MOR) format with popular adult music and live disc jockeys who served as friendly personalities. Its main slogan by then was "WKLS...That's 'Klass'".

From 1977 to 1988, WKLS was co-owned with [[WNIV|WKLS (970 AM)]]; consequently, WKLS was formally known as WKLS-FM during this period. The following year, the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) [[database]] shows it as having the call letters WEOA for a month from November to December (however, this may be a mistake).

===Album rock (1974–2006)===
WKLS made a dramatic change in 1974, as it flipped to an [[album rock]] format, using the moniker "96 Rock", the branding it retained until November 2006. Key artists on WKLS in the 1970s, included [[The Beatles]], [[The Rolling Stones]], [[Elton John]], [[Carole King]], [[The Who]] and [[Chicago (band)|Chicago]]. For a time in 1977, DJ [[Skinny Bobby Harper|"Skinny" Bobby Harper]], who was the inspiration for [[Dr. Johnny Fever]] of the television [[sitcom]] ''[[WKRP in Cincinnati]]'', was a WKLS [[disc jockey]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2015}} In the 1980s, the station was acquired by The Great American Radio & TV Company, with [[Jacor Communications]] taking over in the 1990s.

In the early 1980s, "96 Rock" cultivated a somewhat [[macho]] image.{{Citation needed|date=April 2015}} The station often mocked competing stations which played [[Top 40]] hits as "wimp rock". WKLS began to play more [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]], which was increasing in popularity, especially among [[teenage]]d boys. However, a backlash began to develop among the station's more mature listeners. In 1985, the station modified its [[playlist]] to a mix of older and newer titles. WKLS and its parent company Jacor was bought by [[San Antonio]]-based [[Clear Channel Communications]].<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/2000/D-Radio-All-BC-YB-2000-2.pdf Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2000 page D-108]</ref>

"96 Rock" continued to play a mixture of [[classic rock]] and new rock for nearly two decades. WKLS finally became exclusively a classic rock station in 2004. The 2004 change occurred when competing Atlanta station Z-93 ([[WZGC (FM)|WZGC]] FM 92.9) became "Dave FM", switching from classic rock to [[adult album alternative]] (AAA). This did not cause a dramatic change in 96 Rock's playlist, however. Even before officially declaring itself a classic rock station, most of its songs were from past decades. Only a few new or recent songs were played an hour.{{Citation needed|date=April 2015}}

The station honored its history and tradition on several occasions. In 1984, WKLS celebrated its 10th anniversary by airing a [[Labor Day]] countdown of the top 296 songs from 1974 to 1984. The station's 30th anniversary was recognized in 2004, with several promotions. Listeners were asked to write to the station and reminisce about events in their lives, in which 96 Rock played a memorable role. Some of this correspondence was read on the air and posted on the station's website.

In April 2004, long-time morning [[drive time]] hosts [[The Regular Guys]] ([[Larry Wachs]] and [[Eric Von Haessler]]) were fired after they had inadvertently aired graphic sexual language from porn star [[Devin Lane]] when the content bled through a [[Honda]] commercial. That content, which aired the previous month, was intended to be played backwards. The Regular Guys wanted to mock the FCC indecency crackdown when they came back from the break. Regular Guys sidekick "Southside" Steve Rickman and former midday host Tim Rhodes took the morning time slot temporarily. A permanent replacement came in the form of the [[radio syndication|syndicated]] ''[[Bob & Tom Show]]'', as Rhodes and Rickman moved to the afternoon slot. The Regular Guys returned to Atlanta airwaves on March 21, 2005, and came back to 96 Rock in May, after a brief stint on co-owned [[talk radio]] station [[WBIN (AM)|WGST]]. The return of the Regular Guys only lasted 18 months.

On October 23, 2006, Clear Channel Communications terminated the Regular Guys for good following an incident in which Wachs recorded bathroom conversations between the two morning show hosts on co-owned [[WBZY|WWVA-FM]] while all three men were using the restroom. The recording was played on the air a couple of days later. The WWVA hosts (known as "Yogi & Panda") complained to management and subsequently sued Clear Channel and The Regular Guys. Wachs said, "A case of a humorous prank has turned into a culture clash, a suppression of [[First Amendment]] rights, and a ridiculous smear campaign against me as well as termination of my income without due process."{{Citation needed|date=April 2015}}

===Active rock (2006–2012)===
On November 17, at 9{{nbsp}}am, Clear Channel dropped the station's 32-year "96 Rock" moniker, replacing it with "Project 9-6-1", and shifted to more of an [[active rock]] format.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://formatchange.com/961-wkls-becomes-project-9-6-1/|title=96.1 WKLS becomes Project 9-6-1|date=November 17, 2006}}</ref> At the same time, alternative-formatted "105.3 The Buzz" (WBZY) ceased independent operations and began simulcasting the new format for several days, until a [[regional Mexican]] music format began. The new format on WKLS was intended to be somewhat of a merger between 96 Rock and The Buzz, although more personalities from The Buzz were on the new station than ones from 96 Rock.

On July 7, 2007, ''[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]'' reported that the new [[morning zoo|morning show]] host for Project 9-6-1 would be "Giant" Brian Carothers, morning producer and sidekick for [[John DeBella]] at [[WMGK]] in [[Philadelphia]]. Carothers was joined by co-host Shaffee, former radio personality from long-time rock station [[WRIF]] in [[Detroit]]. ''The Giant Show'' debuted on October 1. On October 2, 2009, it was announced that "Giant" Brian Carothers would no longer be a part of the morning show and ''The Giant Show'' would be replaced by a show hosted by Shaffee and El Jefe, who was later replaced by Klinger.

On May 21, 2011, it was revealed that Shaffee and Klinger would no longer be a part of the morning show. [[Kidd Chris]] from [[WIP-FM|WYSP]] [[Philadelphia]] announced on May 24, that he would be joining the morning show. He hosted mornings on Project 9-6-1 until the format's demise.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ho|first=Rodney|title=Radio & TV Talk Howard Stern contributor Kidd Chris joining Project 9-6-1|url=http://blogs.ajc.com/radio-tv-talk/2011/05/24/howard-stern-contributor-kidd-chris-joining-project-9-6-1/|access-date=25 May 2011|newspaper=Access Atlanta|date=May 24, 2011}}</ref>

===Top 40/CHR (2012–2024)===
On August 29, 2012, at 7{{nbsp}}pm, without warning, "Project" signed off following a farewell message from program director Chris "The OC" Williams, as he ended the station's 38-year rock history with "[[Free Bird]]" by [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]], with the rock format moving to its HD2 digital subchannel. After stunting with an hour of jockless pop songs and the opening chorus to "[[Ready or Not (The Fugees song)|Ready or Not]]" by [[The Fugees]], the station flipped to [[contemporary hit radio]], branded as "Power 96-1". The first (and ultimately, last) song on "Power" was "[[Party Rock Anthem]]" by [[LMFAO]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/netgnomes/59132/is-clear-channel-planning-an-atlanta-shuffle/|title=Is Clear Channel Planning An Atlanta Shuffle?|date=August 29, 2012|access-date=August 17, 2024|work=RadioInsight}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/70207/project-9-6-1-atlanta-signs-off/|title=Project 9-6-1 Atlanta Gives Way To Power}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.11alive.com/article/entertainment/atlanta-rock-fans-upset-with-project-format-change/336771319|title = Atlanta rock fans upset with 'Project' format change}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/2012-atlanta-radio-year-review-hello-the-game-power-all-news-106-goodbye-wgst-project-dave-frank-ski/BU4XG4sc4BUJgPPskffexM/|title = 2012 Atlanta radio year in review: Hello the Game, Power 96.1, All News 106.7; goodbye WGST, Project, Dave, Frank Ski}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://formatchange.com/project-96-1-gets-powerful/|title=Project 96.1 Gets Powerful|date=2012-08-30|website=Format Change Archive|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-23}}</ref> The flip marked the second station in the market to use the "Power" branding, the first being [[WWWQ|WARM-FM/WAPW]] from 1986 to 1992. On September 11, WKLS changed call letters to WWPW to match the "Power" branding.

The nationally syndicated program ''[[Elvis Duran and the Morning Show]]'' was carried by WWPW from September 2012 until February 11, 2014. When Duran was discontinued, the station warned listeners about the change, and directed them to the [[iHeartRadio]] website and smartphone app. WWPW went a month without a morning show, playing music during morning drive time, calling it ''The Most New Hit Music in the Morning'', until the station debuted a local morning show on March 17, with Scotty K, Riley Couture and Bret Mega.

On February 29, 2016, it was officially announced that ''Power Morning Show'' hosts Scotty K and Bret Mega were let go.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/despite-strong-ratings-scotty-loses-morning-spot-power/hM0v8CEpJ5viFKi28Em9NK/|title=Despite strong ratings, Scotty K loses morning spot on Power 96.1|last=Rodney Ho|first=Radio and TV Talk|website=ajc|language=en|access-date=2020-01-23}}</ref> This came as a surprise since the local morning show, and the station as a whole, had been gaining traction in the ratings. Some speculations had been made about Power mornings returning to a more music-intensive show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiodiscussions.com/showthread.php?692938-Power-96-1-Morning-Show-Out |title=Power 96.1 Morning Show Out?|access-date=2023-09-11}}</ref> Word of their replacement was announced on March 19, with PK Kalentzis, formerly of [[The Playhouse (radio show)|''The Playhouse'']] morning show from [[Portland, Oregon]], and [[KKHH]] in [[Houston]], hosting mornings along with his wife Denise and Riley Couture beginning March 21.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/151703/wwpw-power-96-1-atlanta-launches-new-power-morning|title=WWPW (Power 96.1)/Atlanta Launches New Power Morning Show|website=All Access|language=en|access-date=2020-01-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/105541/pk-denise-kalentzis-join-power-96-1-atlanta-morning-show/|title=PK & Denise Kalentzis Join Power 96.1 Atlanta Morning Show|date=2016-03-20|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-23}}</ref> In November 2020, PK and Denise Kalentzis and co-host DuRyan Smith were let go as a result of budget cuts; in February 2021, WWPW would pick up "The Jubal Show" (syndicated from sister station [[KBKS-FM|KBKS]] in [[Seattle]]) for morning drive.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/200744/another-round-of-layoffs-at-iheartmedia/|title=More Names From iHeartMedia’s Cuts Continue To Come Forward}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/205234/morning-jubal-ee-for-power-96-1-atlanta/|title=Morning Jubal-ee For Power 96.1 Atlanta}}</ref>

WWPW also carried the syndicated ''[[On-Air with Ryan Seacrest]]'', hosted by Atlanta native [[Ryan Seacrest]], in middays. Seacrest's countdown show ''[[American Top 40]]'' was also heard Sunday mornings.

===Urban Contemporary (2024–present)===
On April 16, 2024, WWPW began promoting a "big announcement" at noon that day.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/267502/power-96-1-atlanta-gives-way-to-the-beat/|title=Power 96.1 & 105.3 The Beat Atlanta Swap Frequencies}}</ref> At that time, WWPW assumed WRDG's [[urban contemporary]] format and "Beat" branding, relaunching as "96.1 The Beat". After a one hour simulcast, the Top 40/CHR format and "Power" branding would move to WRDG. The move comes as "Power" registered a 1.8 share in the March 2024 Nielsen ratings, well behind [[WWWQ]]'s 3 share.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj2PIifdnfo|title=96.1 The Beat &#124; WWPW Atlanta, Georgia's Final Hour as Power (4/16/2024)|date=April 16, 2024|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref name="auto"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U6xWqHLO_A|title=Power 105.3 &#124; WRDG Bowdon, Georgia Flips to Power (4/16/2024)|date=April 16, 2024|via=YouTube}}</ref> The two stations would swap call letters on April 23.

==Digital broadcasting==
{{more citations needed section|date=November 2025}}
WRDG broadcasts in [[IBOC]] [[digital radio]], using the [[HD Radio]] system, with four [[Digital subchannel|subchannels]]:

* WRDG-HD1 is a digital simulcast of the analog signal.
* WRDG-HD2 WRDG-HD2 airs a simulcast of (105.3 FM, "Power 105-3") an Atlanta radio station broadcasting a Contemporary hit radio radio format and was previously on the 96.1 FM frequency, until 2024 when it was moved down the dial to 105.3 FM.
* WRDG-HD3 airs the "Peach" format playing 80s & 90s music.

In late March 2010, [[LPTV|low-power]] [[digital TV]] [[TV station|station]] [[WANN-LD]] started carrying the audio of WKLS on one of its multiplexed, [[DTV radio|audio-only]] digital subchannels. Originally on [[virtual channel]] 32.13, it was then moved to 32.103, with 32.101 to 32.106 reserved for other [[iHeartMedia]] stations in Atlanta.

===HD2===
On January 30, 2006, WKLS added a separate [[digital subchannel]] known under the branding "The Cabin" and airing an adult album alternative format.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/5104/major-radio-groups-announce-hd2-formats |title=Major Radio Groups Announce HD2 Formats |website=All Access |publisher=All Access Music Group |date=January 19, 2006 |access-date=February 6, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/5503/cc-atlanta-unveils-new-hd-multicasts |title=CC/Atlanta Unveils New HD Multicasts |website=All Access |publisher=All Access Music Group |date=January 30, 2006 |access-date=February 6, 2021 }}</ref> WKLS-HD2 later changed names to "The Alternative Project" or "Project 9-6-1".

Following the main channel's format change to "Power 96.1" in August 2012, the "Project 9-6-1" rock format moved to the HD2 subchannel of WKLS as "Project 9-6-2". Then on March 28, 2013, hours after the [[WBZY|WWVA]]/[[WBZW|WWLG]] simulcast flipped formats from [[rhythmic contemporary]], WWPW-HD2 became "Wild 96.1 HD2".

It eventually changed to a simulcast of sister station WRDG due to low signal strength in the eastern portions of Atlanta. This was later replaced with a rock format under the heritage "96 Rock" branding that was heard on the analog channel prior to 2006.

===HD3===
In June 2013, WWPW activated a third digital subchannel, WWPW-HD3, and began airing [[ESPN Deportes]] [[Spanish language in the United States|Spanish-language]] sports programming. The format was also carried on [[FM translator]] W222AF at 92.3&nbsp;MHz. On October 2, 2015, W222AF/WWPW-HD3 flipped to Spanish [[adult contemporary]] with the branding "Mia 92.3".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/94783/mia-92-3-debuts-in-atlanta/ |last=Venta |first=Lance |title=Mia 92.3 Debuts In Atlanta |website=RadioInsight |publisher=RadioBB Networks |access-date=February 6, 2021 }}</ref>

In July 2020, WWPW-HD3 switched to a simulcast of sister station [[WBIN (AM)|WBIN]]. As of November 2022, the sub-channel was turned off.

As of late 2024, HD3 currently broadcasts the iHeart adult contemporary "Peach" format, playing 80 & 90s music.

===HD4===
On September 24, 2020, the WWPW-HD4 subchannel changed formats from [[gospel music|gospel]] to classic hits, still under the "102.1 The King" branding.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/198452/the-king-brings-classic-hits-to-parts-of-atlanta/ |last=Venta |first=Lance |title=The King Brings Classic Hits to Parts of Atlanta |website=RadioInsight |publisher=RadioBB Networks |date=September 24, 2020 |access-date=February 6, 2021 }}</ref> On January 8, 2021, WWPW-HD4 rebranded as "Fox FM", joining simulcasters [[WBAF]] (1090 AM) in Barnesville and [[WFDR (AM)|WFDR]] (1370 AM) in Manchester. Syndicated programming on Fox FM includes ''Daily Dees'' hosted by [[Rick Dees]] in middays<ref>{{cite news |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/203949/atlantas-king-joins-fox-fm-classic-hits-network/ |last=Venta |first=Lance |title=Atlanta's King Joins Fox-FM Classic Hits Network |website=RadioInsight |publisher=RadioBB Networks |date=January 12, 2021 |access-date=February 6, 2021 }}</ref> and ''[[Scott Shannon|Scott Shannon Presents America's Greatest Hits]]'' on weekends.

As of August 2022, "Fox FM" is no longer broadcast on WWPW-HD4.

==Previous logo==
[[File:Power96.1.webp|200px]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{official website|961thebeat.iheart.com|96.1 The Beat}}
* {{FM station data|11275|WRDG}}

{{Atlanta Radio}}
{{Urban Radio Stations in Georgia}}
{{iHeartMedia}}

[[Category:1960 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:IHeartMedia radio stations]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1960]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Atlanta|RDG]]
[[Category:Urban contemporary radio stations in the United States]]