More than 40 years after “WKRP in Cincinnati” was canceled, a radio station with that same call sign is actually coming to southwest Ohio.
Oak City Media Inc., a nonprofit organization in North Carolina, currently operates 101.9 WKRP in Raleigh, North Carolina. The station recently announced the WKRP call sign is headed to Cincinnati.
While we’re not parting with WKRP-LP just yet, Oak City Media’s reached an agreement in principle to share the “WKRP” call sign with a radio station that serves the Cincinnati market. No details until all the T’s are dotted and the I’s are crossed but we’re pleased to help make something right in the world: after nearly 48 years, there WILL be an actual WKRP that listeners in the Queen City can enjoy.”
-101.9 WKRP in North Carolina
D.P. McIntire, who runs Oak City Media, told The Associated Press that the sign really is coming to Cincinnati.
“I cannot, by contract, tell you when. I cannot tell you who. But I can tell you, direct to the camera, WKRP, after 48 years, is coming to Cincinnati,” McIntire told the AP. “Book it! It’s done!”
In February, Oak City Media listed the call name in an auction, according to numerous reports.
While 2 NEWS can not confirm whether the website is or will be associated with the future home of WKRP in southwest Ohio, WDTN.com found “WKRP.com,” which presents the following message to site visitors:
WKRP.com is returning eventually….”
During its 1978-82 run on CBS and then for decades in syndication, “WKRP in Cincinnati” made the call letters recognizable to many across the nation.
Among the ensemble were two Dayton natives: Gordon Jump as station manager Arthur “Big Guy” Carlson, and Gary Sandy as programming director Andy Travis. Sandy was inducted into the Dayton Area Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2024.
WDTN.com reached out to Sandy for comment on the development. This story will be updated if we hear back.
