WWKX

This article is about the FM radio station that has used the callsign WWKX since 1988. For the Nashville, Tennessee, radio station that used the WWKX callsign from 1978 to 1988, see WGFX.

WWKX (106.3 FM) is a classic rock radio station in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, serving the Blackstone Valley and much of the Providence metropolitan area. The Cumulus Media outlet operates with an ERP of 1.15 kW and is licensed to Woonsocket. The station's studios are located in East Providence and the transmitter site is in Cumberland.

WWKX

Woonsocket, Rhode Island United States
Broadcast area	Blackstone Valley
Frequency	106.3 MHz
Branding	106.3 The Wolf
Programming
Format	Classic rock
Ownership
Owner	Cumulus Media (Radio License Holding CBC, LLC)
Sister stations	WEAN-FM WPRO WPRO-FM WPRV WWLI
History
First air date	June 26, 1949 (as WWON-FM on 105.5)
Former call signs	WWON-FM (1949–1986) WNCK (1986–1988)
Former frequencies	105.5 MHz (1949–1958)
Call sign meaning	"Kicks" (former branding)
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	65198
Class	A
ERP	1,150 watts
HAAT	158 meters (518 ft)
Links
Public license information	Public file LMS
Webcast	Listen live
Website	thewolf1063.com

History

The current WWKX signed on June 26, 1949, as WWON-FM on 105.5 FM as the sister station to WWON (now WOON). In 1950, WWON-FM operated with 390 watts. WWON-FM changed frequencies to the current 106.3 by summer 1958. In the 1970s, the station played oldies, and in 1986 became WNCK. In 1988, it flipped to urban contemporary as WWKX "Kicks 106" (later "Kix 106"), before it shifted to rhythmic contemporary as "The Rhythm of Southern New England" in November 1990; the format scored high ratings in the 18-34 demographic from 1995 to 1997.^[2] By February 1998, the station adopted the "Hot 106" moniker and tweaked its playlist towards a pure R&B/Hip-Hop flavor.^[3]

WWKX was the only rhythmic top 40 in the United States to air Howard Stern from 1997 to January 5, 2005, when parent company Citadel Broadcasting ceased airing the show in a dispute regarding Stern's mentioning of his upcoming move to Sirius Satellite Radio. Citadel merged with Cumulus Media on September 16, 2011.^[4]

Former logo of “Hot 106” used from 2003 until October 2024

On October 30, 2024, WWKX's morning hosts, "Mike D" DaSilva and Alexus Lee, announced that they had exited the station.^[5] At midnight on October 31, WWKX dropped its longtime rhythmic contemporary format and began stunting with Halloween-themed music; with the move, the rest of the "Hot 106" airstaff would also depart the station.^[6] On November 1, the station shifted its stunting to songs by Grateful Dead, in recognition of the Day of the Dead.^[7] On November 2 at midnight, after playing "Dire Wolf", WWKX flipped to classic rock as "106.3 The Wolf".^[8]

The callsign WWKX was assigned to 104.5 in Gallatin/Nashville, Tennessee, from 1978 to 1987. This station is now WGFX, also a Cumulus station.