kticountry.com
It's been less than two months since E.W. Scripps Co. took over two Milwaukee radio stations formerly controlled by the Journal Broadcast Group, and it didn't take long for the new management to make some changes. This morning at 10 a.m. the company turned 94.5 The Lake into a country station called KTI Country, under the call letters WKTI-FM.
“We are thrilled to bring Wisconsin a fun, engaging local radio station that features today’s best country music and a strong commitment to serve our local community,” E.W. Scripps vice president of radio Steve Wexler said in a statement.
There's a lot of logic behind the move. Since launching its variety format in 2009, The Lake had struggled in the ratings. Meanwhile, there's a clear appetite for country music in this market: Clear Channel's country station WMIL 106.3 is consistently the area's top-rated station. It was probably overdue for a challenger.
Scripps says the new WKTI-FM will begin recruiting local hosts.
“We’re on the hunt right now for personalities, including a morning show that will be fun, local and informative,” said Scripps' Milwaukee radio operations manager Tom Langmyer in a statement. “We’ll deliver great country music and local personalities as well as news, weather and sports updates from our sister stations, WTMJ-TV and Newsradio 620 WTMJ.”
