WATO (FM)

WATO
Broadcast areaKnoxville metropolitan area
Frequency106.1 MHz
BrandingAtomic 106
Programming
FormatAlternative rock
Ownership
OwnerLoud Media LLC
WKCE, WKVL, WTLT, WGAP, WSMM
History
First air date
2009; 16 years ago (2009) (as WJRV)
Former call signs
  • WJZO (2008–2009)
  • WJRV (2009–2020)
  • WSMM (2020–2024)
Call sign meaning
"Atomic"
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID170987
ClassA
ERP190 watts
HAAT532.4 meters (1,747 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
36°6′29″N 84°20′8″W / 36.10806°N 84.33556°W / 36.10806; -84.33556
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen live
Websitewww.atomic106.com

WATO (106.1 MHz) is a commercial FM radio station licensed to Oliver Springs, Tennessee, and serving the Knoxville metropolitan area.[2] It is owned by Loud Media and broadcasts an alternative rock format branded as "Atomic 106".

WATO is a Class A station, with an effective radiated power of 190 watts. The studios are on the fifth floor of the Sunsphere in Knoxville.

On Air Schedule

TJ Show 6-10A

Dave Kelly Afternoons 3-7P

Alex Waters Nights 7-12A

History

[edit]

The station signed on the air in 2009 as WJRV. The station aired a hot adult contemporary music format branded as "106.1 The River".

On May 27, 2020, it was announced that the station was to be acquired by Loud Media.[3] On June 26, 2020, Loud Media launched "106.1 VLZ" with an active rock format.[4] The station changed its call sign on July 1, 2020, to WVLZ.[5]

On October 21, 2024, WVLZ dropped its active rock format, which moved to WSMM (850 AM), and began stunting towards a new format to be launched on October 25, 2024, under new WATO call letters.[6] At 1:06 pm that day, WATO launched an alternative rock format branded as "Atomic 106".[7]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ "FM Query Results -- Audio Division (FCC) USA".
  3. ^ "Loud Media Doubles up in Knoxville". May 29, 2020.
  4. ^ "WVLZ Knoxville Moves to 106.1". June 26, 2020.
  5. ^ "FM Station WVLZ - FCC Public Inspection File".
  6. ^ WVLZ on the Move Radioinsight - October 21, 2024
  7. ^ An Atomic Explosion in Knoxville Radioinsight - October 24, 2024
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