Radio 96.1 KISS (WKST)

WKST-FM (96.1 Kiss), is a top 40 outlet based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Owned by Clear Channel Communications, the station broadcasts at 96.1 MHz, with an ERP of 44 kW. Its transmitter is located in Baldwin.The station originally signed on as WTAE-FM, co-owned with WTAE AM and TV, and had a MOR format until 1976, when it simulcast WTAE (AM) during the day and played disco at night, known as "Disco 96." As disco began to wane in popularity, the station flipped to a rock-leaning top 40 format as WXKX (96KX or "96 Kicks"). 96KX thrived for the next five years and has been the frequency's most highly-rated format to date. In 1983, faced with new competition from WBZZ (B-94), the station changed format and call letters, and became WHTX, better known as "Hit Radio 96". This station evolved, in the latter part of the decade, into a gold-based adult contemporary format under the name of "Gold 96".In 1991 it switched calls to WVTY ("Variety 96") and format to an adult top 40 approach, which in turn would lead to a modern hits format and new calls WDRV ("The River") in 1996. After it was sold in 1997 WDRV returned to adult top 40, this time as WPHH ("Mix 96.1"). On September 30, 2000, they switched to the current format and became the current WKST-FM, "96.1 Kiss". During its first four years, WKST waged a battle with WBZZ from 2000 to 2004 by countering WBZZ's conventional Top 40/CHR approach with WKST's Rhythmic flavor. In 2007 the rivalry resumed again when CBS revived "[WBZW-FM|B94" and used the same conventional direction by going after the same 18-34 audience that WKST has managed to cater. However, B94 still could not compete with WKST-FM and later switched to an all sports talk format "93.7 The Fan" in 2010 and adopted the call letters, KDKA-FM.