WPWT


WPWT is a classic country music formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Colonial Heights, Tennessee, serving the Tri-Cities, VA/TN area. WPWT is owned and operated by Kenneth Clyde Hill.

History

This station signed on the air in 1984. Prior to its sign-on, it had been assigned the call letters WIKV by the FCC. Since these calls were deemed by constructing supervisor Dave Murray to be too close to the calls of a prominent FM in the market, WIKQ, the calls were changed, to WPRQ. All this transpired before the station ever officially hit the air.
The original power was 5,000 watts. This was increased later to 10,000 watts. The signal, which shares the clear channel of 870 kHz with Class-A 50,000-watt WWL in New Orleans, was licensed as daytime-only, which it remains today.
The original format was contemporary Christian hit music. Other formats have followed, including news/talk and religious talk. In the late 1980s/early 1990s, the station was dark for a time, but was sold and returned to the air. Its current owner, Kenneth Clyde Hill, owns other stations as well.
The transmitter was originally a single tower near Warrior's Path State Park in Colonial Heights, Tennessee, which is south of Kingsport, Tennessee. It remains there today.
The original studio was in a residence, in Colonial Heights, Tennessee, which was owned by Dave and Martha Murray.
In November 2017, WPWT rebranded as "96.3 The Possum".

Management

Dr. Kenneth C. Hill is the owner of WPWT and sister stations WHCB and WHGG.

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