WNIR

WNIR FM 100.1 is a talk station in Akron, Ohio, USA, licensed to Kent, Ohio. It is the sister station of WJMP AM 1520. Both stations, along with low power television station "The CAT" (WAOH-LP channel 29 Akron and W35AX channel 35 Cleveland) are owned by Media-Com, Inc.

When WNIR became a talk station in the 1970s, it was unusual in that it is an FM talk station, whereas most talk stations were AM. Now, with the emergence of the Free FM format, talk stations on FM are fairly common.

WNIR's weekday schedule consists of The Morning Show during morning drive time with Stan Piatt, Steve French, Maggie Fuller and Jim Midock, longtime personality Howie "The Real Deal" Chizek at midday, former NFL player Bob Golic in late afternoon, and Tom "Radioboy" Erickson evenings. Overnight, the station carries syndicated talkers Jim Bohannon and Mike Gallagher.

History

The station began as WKNT-FM. It shared the call letters with AM station WKNT (now WJMP), and most programming was simulcast on both stations. The stations primarily served the Portage County area with an adult contemporary format.

The stations were purchased in 1972 by Media-Com, Inc., a family owned business headed by Richard Klaus. Klaus lured a young Howie Chizek from Youngstown to man a five-hour midday talk show. The call sign for the FM station was changed to WNIR on April 19, 1979, and it was called "Winner 100." Eventually, the AC music was dropped, and the station became all talk, adding Joe Finan in late afternoons in 1985 to replace a "GameRadio" afternoon drive show. Klaus obtained authorization to increase power to 4,200 watts, so that the station's signal covered the Akron market, and it eventually became a ratings leader in the market as the only station offering local talk.

Joe Finan "retired" in December 2004 and was replaced by former Cleveland Browns player Bob Golic. Finan came out of retirement on February 13, 2006 to host a two-hour midday talk show on rival WARF.

The 100.1 frequency was used in the early 1950s by a station identified as WIKH licensed to Shaker Heights, Ohio[1].It is not known whether this station was actually on the air, or, if it was, how long it broadcast.

Ownership

One of the last family owned media outlets, original owner and president of MediaCom, Richard "Dick" Klaus died on January 28, 2006 at the age of 86. Mr. Klaus is survived by his wife of 58 years, Virginia, a daughter, Susan, and sons Robert and William who continue with the family ownership and management of the station.

Programming

Weekdays

*5:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.: Stan Piatt, Steve French, Maggie Fuller & Jim Midock
*10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.: Howie Chizek
*3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.: Bob Golic
*7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.: Tom Erickson
*11:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.: Jim Bohannon
*3:00 a.m. to 5:30 a.m.: Mike Gallagher

Sports

Kent State University men's basketball

External links