Prior to this station's establishment, the 103.9 MHz frequency in the Columbus market was occupied by WBBY-FM, licensed to Westerville, Ohio. It went on the air on May 5, 1969. WBBY was ordered to go silent on December 31, 1990. It was found that the majority owner/station manager withheld details to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) about his level of involvement in a Marietta, Ohio car dealership.[3][4]
WBBY-FM held a jazz format throughout most of its existence. That format was eventually picked up by WZJZ and WSWZ.[5]
Classic rock (1998–2004)
The current station signed on the air on September 4, 1998; 26 years ago (1998-09-04). It was also initially licensed to Westerville. At first, it broadcast classic rock music as "Eagle 103.9." It used the call sign WEGE.
Adult hits (2004–2007)
The station became WTDA ("Ted FM") in 2004 with an adult hits format. It had a sound similar to Jack FM, which was gaining popularity across America. (A real Jack FM station would later air on this frequency.) With the Ted FM format, WTDA used the slogan "We Play Anything." The station's call letters attempted to incorporate this "Ted FM" branding. In September 2005, the station's owners added the Indianapolis-based syndicatedBob & Tom Show for morning drive time. Bob & Tom had recently been dropped by Clear Channel's WBWR.[6]
Talk (2007–2009)
On January 8, 2007, WTDA rebranded as something new. It was the first FMtalk radio station in Columbus. It picked up The Glenn Beck Radio Program after the show was dropped from 610 WTVN. On September 8, 2007, the Columbus Dispatch reported that WTDA had become the Columbus radio home of the Pittsburgh Steelersfootball team. The format lasted less than three years.
Classic hits (2009–2012)
On December 21, 2009, WTDA flipped to classic hits and rebranded as "Classic Hits 103.9." It used satellite programming from Dial Global's Classic Hits service.[7] WTDA was one of four radio stations in the Columbus market to have a Classic Hits/Oldies format, joining Newark-based WNKO and the WNND/WNNP "Rewind 103.5/104.3" simulcast.
News (2012–2013)
On June 14, 2012, WTDA flipped to an all-news format, changing the call letters to WMNI-FM. The format was simulcast with WMNI920 AM, which previously had an adult standards format. WMNI-AM-FM used a national all-news service from the Associated Press. The simulcast ended on Thursday, July 18, 2013, when WMNI returned to the adult standards format. WMNI-FM kept the news format for a few more days.
Jack-FM (2013–2022)
On July 24, 2013, WMNI-FM changed format to adult hits, subscribing to the JACK FM service. It rebranded as "103-9 Jack FM".[8] The call letters were changed to WJKR the following day. The WJKR call sign was formerly used on 98.9 FM, which itself carried the "Jack FM" format in Columbus, and is now conservative talkWTOH. WJKR changed its city of license from Westerville, Ohio, to Worthington, Ohio, effective August 22, 2013.
Country (2022–present)
On April 15, 2022, at noon, WJKR flipped to a country music format, branded as "Country 103.9".[9] It competes for country listeners with WCOL-FM 92.3, owned by iHeartMedia and often the #1 station in Columbus.[10]WCLT-FM 100.3 also has a country format.
WJKR-HD2
On June 14, 2022, WJKR's HD2 subchannel switched from a simulcast of WMNI 920 AM (which flipped to sports) to an adult contemporary format, branded as "Star 95.1" (simulcast on translator W236CZ 95.1 FM Columbus).[11] On September 15, 2023, it was announced that W236CZ's frequency will move to 94.1 FM on October 9, 2023, in connection with a strong upgrade with its 141-meter antenna, raising the watts from 88 to 250 watts.[12] On October 12, 2023, W236CZ was licensed to operate on 94.1 FM, as W231EG
Translator
WJKR rebroadcasts its HD2 subchannel on the following translator:
