Delta Radio’s history can be traced to 1991, when Larry Fuss purchased what was then WRDC-AM and WQAZ-FM in Cleveland. The stations had been through a string of several owners and were off-air when Fuss bought them. Fuss teamed up with business partners Kirk Harnack, Brad Young, Rob Sidney and Jerry Johnson, renamed the station WDTL-FM, rebuilt the existing transmitter site, constructed new studio facilities, and went on-air on March 16, 1992.
The station’s Country format, featuring Jim Gregory in the morning, quickly became the most popular radio station in the area. In 1993, Delta Radio purchased WKZB-FM/95.3 in Drew, moved the station to Cleveland, renamed it WOHT-FM (“HOT95”) and launched an Urban Contemporary format.
WRDC-AM was renamed WDSK-AM, its original call-letters from 1953, and returned to the air in 1995 with an all-talk format. WZYQ-FM/101.9, known as “Star-101.9” was built as a new station in 1996 and featured an Adult Contemporary format.
On November 1, 2003, all four stations were sold to MRS Ventures, Inc. of Tyler, Texas. All four have since ceased operation.
WKXY History
WKXY-FM signed on in April 2003 as sister-station to WROX in Clarksdale, Mississippi. For over five years, WKXY simulcast the programming of WROX-AM 1450 in Clarksdale. In November 2007, Delta Radio applied to move WKXY-FM from Clarksdale to Merigold, Mississippi, a small community about four miles north of Cleveland. The FCC granted the application on April 2, 2008, and construction started soon thereafter. The new WKXY-FM signed on November 8, 2008, broadcasting with a power of 6000 watts. New studio facilities were constructed at the Valley Court Square office complex in Cleveland, the original home of WDTL-FM/92.9. The broadcast tower, located near Mound Bayou, Mississippi, is the same tower formerly utilized by WZYQ-FM/101.9. More WKXY history
WLTM-FM History
WLTM signed-on May 1, 1970 as WBAQ-FM. The station was owned by Greenville Broadcasting Company (Paul Artman, Sr.) and programmed “beautiful music.” In 2007, the station was sold to Debut Broadcasting and the format was changed to Adult Contemporary. The station was purchased by Delta Radio Network LLC on April 1, 2010. The Adult Contemporary format was retained, but the call-letters were changed to “WLTM” to better reflect the station’s branding as “Lite 97.9.”
WNIX-AM History
WNIX signed-on in August 1937 and is the oldest radio station in Greenville. The station has had a variety of formats over the years and is currently the only News-Talk station in the Greenville area, featuring Rush Limbaugh and other popular talk shows. An FM simulcast on 101.1 was added in 2011.
WIQQ-FM History
WIQQ, known as “Q102”, signed on August 31, 1985 and has been programming Top 40/Pop since its inception. The original owner, River Broadcasting Inc. (George Pine) sold the station to Debut Broadcasting in 2007. Delta Radio Network LLC acquired the station on April 1, 2010.
WNLA-AM History
WNLA signed-on in May 1953 as Sunflower County’s first radio station. From 1963 to 1984, the station was owned by Fritts Broadcasting, Inc. (Eddie Fritts). In 1984, the station was sold to Shamrock Broadcasting, Inc. (Gerry Brophy). Shamrock sold the station to Debut Broadcasting in 2007 and Delta Radio Network LLC acquired it on September 1, 2011.
WIBT-FM History
WIBT-FM (formerly WNLA-FM) signed on September 1, 1969 by then-owner Fritts Broadcasting, Inc. (Eddie Fritts). In 1984, the station was sold to Shamrock Broadcasting, Inc. (Gerry Brophy). Shamrock sold the station to Debut Broadcasting in 2007 and Delta Radio Network LLC acquired it on September 1, 2011.
