WHWK

WHWK
Binghamton, New York;
Broadcast area	Southern Tier
Frequency	98.1 MHz
Branding	98.1 The Hawk
Programming
Format	Country
Affiliations	Compass Media Networks; Westwood One
Ownership
Owner	Townsquare Media; (Townsquare License, LLC);
Sister stations	WAAL, WNBF, WWYL
History
First air date	January 1956
Former call signs	WNBF-FM (1956–1972); WQYT (1972–1983)
Call sign meaning	"Hawk"
Technical information
Facility ID	72373
Class	B
ERP	6,700 watts
HAAT	395 meters (1,296 ft)
Links
Webcast	Listen Live
Website	981thehawk.com

WHWK (98.1 FM "The Hawk") is a commercial radio station in Binghamton, New York. It carries a country music radio format and is owned by Townsquare Media. Local disc jockeys are heard during the day on weekdays. Two syndicated shows are heard after 7 p.m.: Taste of Country Nights from Compass Media Networks, hosted by Evan Paul, and The Third Shift from Westwood One heard overnights. Current local staff include Glenn Pitcher, Traci Taylor, Jess Rowe, and Buddy Logan.^[1] It is regularly the highest ranking station in the Nielson ratings in the Binghamton radio market.

WHWK has an effective radiated power of 6,700 watts. The transmitter is off Ingraham Hill Road in Binghamton, amid the towers for other FM and TV stations in the region.^[2]

History

In January 1956, the station first signed on as WNBF-FM.^[3] It was co-owned with WNBF (1290 AM) and WNBF-TV (channel 12), which had operated a previous WNBF-FM on various frequencies (among them 100.5) from 1940 to 1952. The owner was Triangle Publications, which also put out the weekly magazine TV Guide. At first, WNBF-FM simulcast the programming on the AM station.

In the 1960s, WNBF-FM switched to its own beautiful music format. It played quarter hour sweeps of mostly instrumental cover versions of popular songs, as well as Broadway and Hollywood show tunes.

In 1972, as part of Triangle's dismantling, Stoner Broadcasting, based in Des Moines, bought WNBF-AM-FM. At the same time, Gateway Communications, the publisher of The Record of Bergen County, New Jersey, bought WNBF-TV (now WBNG-TV).^[4] Also in 1972, WNBF-FM changed its call sign to WQYT, representing its "quiet" format. In the 1980s, the easy listening music audience was aging while advertisers mostly seek young and middle aged adults. Management decided to make a change.

In January 1984, 98.1 switched to a country music format, calling itself "98.1 The Hawk". It switched its call letters to WHWK. Citadel Broadcasting acquired WHWK and its AM counterpart, WNBF.^[5]