WIHT
You must add a |reason= parameter to this Cleanup template – replace it with {{Cleanup|March 2007|reason=<Fill reason here>}}, or remove the Cleanup template.
 |
| File:Hot995logonew.PNG | |
| Broadcast area | Washington, D.C. |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 99.5 MHz |
| Branding | HOT 99.5 |
| Programming | |
| Format | CHR/Pop |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Clear Channel Communications |
| History | |
Call sign meaning | W I H O T |
| Links | |
| Website | hot995.com |
WIHT, HOT 99.5, is a radio station that services the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area. The station broadcasts on 99.5 FM and is on-air 24 hours a day. WIHT is licensed to and owned by Clear Channel Communications. It is located in Rockville, Maryland.
History
Long known as WGAY[citation needed] and located in Silver Spring, Maryland, the station ran a beautiful music format in the 1960s and 1970s which evolved to an easy listening format by the 1980s. WGAY would often finish at number one in the Persons 12+ Arbitron radio ratings for the Washington D.C. area during the 70s and 80s.
Television ads for the station in the 70s and 80s featured station programmer Bob Chandler relaxing in a recliner while listening to his station's lite mix of music playing in the background. During the 80s WGAY was reported to be then President Ronald Reagan's favorite radio station.
For a while in the early 1990s, WGAY switched its calls and became "Bright 99.5" WEBR, but listeners didn't accept the more up-tempo music. WGAY switched from the still ratings successful format permanently by the late-90s although not because its listeners were too few but because demographically they were getting too old and therefore less desirable for radio advertisers.
99.5 is currently also available on an HD Radio on their "Hot 99.5 Digital HD 2". It allows you to listen to 99.5 in digital CD quality and listen to new hit music on their second channel.
Current era
After a switch back to the "easy" WGAY format, in April 1999 the station changed to an urban oldies format, known as WJMO-FM "Jammin' Oldies 99.5" (the station was co-owned with AM station WJMO in Cleveland; this is no longer the case). This change lasted for almost two years. That was followed by a final "Survivor Radio" stunt before rhythmic hit radio debuted as "Hot 99.5" in April 2001. With the change of format came a change in call sign to the current WIHT. Hot 99.5 is one of the most popular stations in Washington for the young adult demographic. Popular DeeJay Kane has openly admitted to having an uncontrollable infatuation with Hairless rodents, and carries one on his person at all times, along with hamster food to feed it and a mini blanket to keep it warm during the winter months where the studio can get quite brisk. During song and commercial breaks, Kane enjoys reading sex stories to homeless kids.
Cleaning up the MESS, and the surrounding Kane controversy
The management at HOT 99.5 faced some scruitny on November 2, 2006, when they launched a serious upgrade to the morning show, replacing the The Hot Morning Mess with Mark and Kris after five years with the nationally syndicated and multiple-award-winning personality Kane, from XM radio and WFLZ-FM in Tampa, Florida. This was due to massive cost cuts. The contracts of the former hosts of the Morning Mess, Mark Kaye and Kris Gamble, were not renewed because of failed ratings. Citing economic reasons that led to a breakdown in negotiations, WIHT Program Director Jeff Kapugi took to the air to explain his decision to replace the mess, which can be heard as a podcast on the station's website.
Ironically enough, the show's stuntman Tim Coburn (more popularly known as "Teapot Tim") had quit The Mess three weeks prior to the end of the morning show to pursue a photography career. Interestingly, "Big Ron" Ross was not invited to join The Mess at their next venture. Slacker Samy, who started to gain attention at the end of The Mess' tenure on WIHT, has moved on to a featured role as part of the new KANE morning show, and former Mess producer Elena has also survived the transition.
As of January 29, 2007, Mark Kaye and Kris Gamble can now be heard on Jacksonville's hit music station, WAPE 95.1 -- a considerable drop in Arbitron market size. The show has been renamed to the The Big Ape Morning Mess with Mark and Kris. Big Ron Ross is no longer associated with the show.
As noted by Kane on the 3/19 show, people who hate the show spend twice as much time listening as those who love him!
DJ's
Weekday DJ's
5:30am-10am - The Kane Show A.K.A Kane's Flying Circus
10am-3pm - Vibegrrl
3pm-7pm - Toby Knapp
7pm-12am - The Hot Freekshow with Grooves
Weekend DJ's
D-Smoove
Kiah
Raven
Houston
Saturdays 10pm-2am Saturday Night Party Gras with Party Boy Chris Styles broadcasting live from Fur Nightclub
Saturdays 6am-10am & Sundays 8am-12pm American Top 40, hosted by Ryan Seacrest, counting down the top 40 songs in the USA.
Sundays 7pm-10pm Open House Party with Kane, show with artist interviews and dance mix music.
Sundays 10pm-12am DM Live, hosted by Dawson McAllister, inspirational live syndicated call-in show.
Mondays 12am-2am Radio with a TWIST with Will Wikle, Melissa Carter, and Dennis Hensley, "Radio for LGBT"
External links
- Hot 99.5 website
- WIHT in the FCC FM station database