WKLA-FM (96.3 FM, "96.3 KLA") is a radio station located in Ludington, Michigan broadcasting a Top 40 (CHR) format. According to http://www.gowithsynergy.com/ it is branded "Hits 96".

History

The original WKLA-FM

The original WKLA-FM is what is now WWMN, which began operations in May 1971 and spent much of its programming day simulcasting its AM sister station throughout the 1970s. Around 1980, the station further separated programming from the AM's Middle of the Road format by moving into Adult Contemporary, which has been the station's format since, although the station still simulcast the AM during certain dayparts until 2000. Synergy Broadcast Media purchased WKLA-FM in 2012 from Lake Michigan Broadcasting. The deal did not close until June 19, 2013, at a price of $580,000 for WKLA-FM and sister stations WKLA and

WKZC WKZC (94.9 FM) is a radio station broadcasting a country music format. Licensed to Scottville, Michigan, the Federal Communications Commission The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent agency of the United States federal ...

. Almost immediately, Synergy announced that it was seeking FCC approval to move the areas oldest operating FM station to Thompsonville, Michigan. (FCC File #BPH-20130801A0K). The station changed its call sign to the current WWMN on August 15, 2016. On November 18, 2016, WWMN debuted its new adult album alternative format, branded as "106.3 The Mitten".

96.3 FM history

In 2013, the owners of WGHN-AM /FM applied for a construction permit on 97.7 FM in Ludington. In early 2016, the construction permit was moved to 96.3 to avoid interference from WMLQ in Manistee. In August 2016, WKLA-FM moved to 96.3 FM and continued the Westwood One Hot AC format as "Hits 96" (now "96-3 KLA" to avoid confusion with

WSFQ WSFQ (96.3 FM, "The Rock 96.3 WSFQ") is a radio station broadcasting a classic rock music format. Licensed to Peshtigo, Wisconsin, United States, the station is currently owned by Radio Plus Bay Cities, LLC. History The station was assigned the ...

, which, at the time, was known as "Hits 96" and also on 96.3; WKLA and WSFQ, along with

WLXT WLXT (96.3 FM, "Lite 96.3") is an adult contemporary radio station licensed to Petoskey, Michigan, at an ERP of 100,000 watts, covering most of northern Michigan. It is owned by Trish MacDonald-Garber, whose family has owned the station for ove ...

in Petoskey, are known for interfering with each other in the Manistee area). Early 2019, 96.3 KLA flipped from Hot AC to Top 40 (CHR).

External links

* KLA Radio stations established in 2016 2016 establishments in Michigan Contemporary hit radio stations in the United States {{Michigan-radio-station-stub