Iconic WKRP Call Letters Set for Cincinnati Return After Decades-Long Absence
The legendary WKRP call letters, immortalized by the classic television sitcom "WKRP in Cincinnati," are making a triumphant return to their namesake city after forty-eight years. D.P. McIntire, who operates the media nonprofit Oak City Media that recently auctioned the famous call sign, confirmed the development exclusively to The Associated Press, though contractual restrictions prevent revealing specific timing or ownership details.
From Television Fame to Radio Reality
The call sign achieved cultural significance through the CBS television sitcom that aired from 1978 to 1982, featuring memorable characters like disc jockeys Dr. Johnny Fever (Howard Hesseman) and Venus Flytrap (Tim Reid), along with bumbling newsman Les Nessman (Richard Sanders) and receptionist Jennifer Marlowe (Loni Anderson). The show's most famous episode involved a disastrous Thanksgiving promotion where live turkeys were dropped from a helicopter.
McIntire's personal connection to WKRP runs deep. He recalls watching the premiere episode with his family as a child and immediately declaring his ambition to work in radio, specifically expressing his desire to one day operate a station called WKRP. This childhood proclamation would eventually become reality through an unexpected series of events.
The Journey to WKRP Ownership
McIntire began his radio career at age thirteen as a news anchor at WNQQ "Wink FM" in Blairsville, Pennsylvania. Decades later, in 2014, his North Carolina-based nonprofit organization acquired the WKRP call letters from the Federal Communications Commission. The letters had previously been used by stations in Dallas, Georgia, and Alexandria, Tennessee.
The acquisition happened almost by accident during a conversation with an FCC audio division representative. When told he needed to select three call letter options during the application process, McIntire jokingly suggested WKRP as his third choice. Ninety seconds later, he received confirmation that he had become "the general manager of WKRP in Raleigh, North Carolina."
Operating a Low-Power Legacy Station
WKRP-LP (with LP standing for "low power") launched on November 30, 2015, at 101.9 FM. This class of station was created specifically to serve local audiences seeking alternatives to mass-market content. The station's format deliberately echoes small-town American radio from decades past, featuring programming like "Greats of the '80s," "Sounds of the '70s," and "'90s Rewind."
Operating within strict limitations, low-power FM stations like WKRP-LP are restricted to nonprofit organizations and broadcast at just 100 watts, typically reaching between four and twelve miles depending on terrain. The station's physical setup reflects its grassroots nature: the transmitter occupies a corner of McIntire's garage between recycling bins and cleaning supplies, while the broadcast antenna sits atop a twenty-five-foot metal flagpole in his backyard. The studio, consisting of microphones and a mixing board connected to a computer, operates from the first floor of McIntire's home.
Embracing the WKRP Spirit
True to the television show's irreverent spirit, McIntire and his partners developed programming that included a two-hour show called "Weird Al and Friends" focusing on satirical musician Weird Al Yankovic. They even hosted an annual Thanksgiving turkey giveaway, though participants received grocery store gift certificates rather than actual birds.
"We don't toss them out of helicopters," McIntire joked, referencing the sitcom's most famous episode.
Passing the Torch to New Stewards
After more than a decade of operation, the fifty-six-year-old McIntire decided it was time to transition leadership to younger members of his organization. When these individuals expressed less interest in radio operations, Oak City Media initiated an auction for the WKRP call letters, seeking bids for their use across FM and AM radio, television, and digital television platforms.
Proceeds from the auction will fund a new nonprofit venture called Independent Broadcast Consultants, which will provide guidance and support to emerging broadcasters. While a previous agreement for television-related suffixes (WKRPTV and WKRPDT) fell through when another group defaulted, McIntire confirmed the Cincinnati deal is finalized, though legal restrictions prevent him from discussing specifics.
The Enduring Cultural Value of WKRP
Robert Thompson, a television historian who teaches at Syracuse University and uses "WKRP in Cincinnati" episodes in his classes, notes the remarkable cultural staying power of these call letters. Despite the unfortunate association with the word "crap," the fictional station maintains real value through audience affection for its characters and their relationships.
McIntire expressed hope that the new owners will honor the show's legacy, noting that WKRP "has a special place in the hearts of an awful lot of people" and that his organization has been "very, very proud to have been a steward of that legacy." The return of WKRP to Cincinnati represents not just a business transaction, but the continuation of a beloved piece of American pop culture history.
