WATO (FM)
| 
 | |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Knoxville metropolitan area | 
| Frequency | 106.1 MHz | 
| Branding | Atomic 106 | 
| Programming | |
| Format | Alternative rock | 
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Loud Media LLC | 
| WKCE, WKVL, WTLT, WGAP, WSMM | |
| History | |
| First air date | 2009 (as WJRV) | 
| Former call signs | 
 | 
| Call sign meaning | "Atomic" | 
| Technical information[1] | |
| Licensing authority | FCC | 
| Facility ID | 170987 | 
| Class | A | 
| ERP | 190 watts | 
| HAAT | 532.4 meters (1,747 ft) | 
| Transmitter coordinates | 36°6′29″N 84°20′8″W / 36.10806°N 84.33556°W | 
| Links | |
| Public license information  | |
| Webcast | Listen live | 
| Website | www | 
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
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
- ^ "Facility Technical Data for". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ "FM Query Results -- Audio Division (FCC) USA".
- ^ "Loud Media Doubles up in Knoxville". May 29, 2020.
- ^ "WVLZ Knoxville Moves to 106.1". June 26, 2020.
- ^ "FM Station WVLZ - FCC Public Inspection File".
- ^ WVLZ on the Move Radioinsight - October 21, 2024
- ^ An Atomic Explosion in Knoxville Radioinsight - October 24, 2024
External links
- Facility details for Facility ID 170987 (WATO) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- WATO in Nielsen Audio's FM station database