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CINCINNATI (AP) — In a move that has thrilled nostalgic radio fans, the iconic call letters WKRP made famous by the beloved CBS sitcom are now broadcasting for real across the Cincinnati area.
As of Monday morning, three radio stations serving Cincinnati, northern Kentucky, and Dayton, Ohio began identifying themselves as WKRP, bringing to life the fictional station that entertained television audiences from 1978 to 1982.
“Our phones have been mobbed this morning, as I’m sure you can imagine,” said Jeff Ziesmann, co-owner of the stations. “Listeners are stoked.”
The trio of stations, which previously operated under “The Oasis” branding, will continue their “adult hits” format featuring music from the ’60s through the ’80s, with a particular emphasis on 1970s classics. The simulcast arrangement allows all three stations to share the same programming while now operating under the culturally significant WKRP identity.
This revival marks a significant moment for Cincinnati’s cultural landscape, where the sitcom “WKRP in Cincinnati” remains an important piece of the city’s pop culture history. The show, which ran for four seasons, starred Loni Anderson, Howard Hesseman, Tim Reid, and Richard Sanders in the role of the memorably awkward newsman Les Nessman.
The acquisition of the call letters followed an unusual path. Rather than purchasing them directly, Ziesmann’s group made a donation to a North Carolina nonprofit that had held the WKRP-LP call letters for its low-power radio station in Raleigh since 2014.
“It wasn’t a direct purchase of the call letters,” Ziesmann explained. “It was a purchase of the right to apply to the Federal Communications Commission for the call letters with the North Carolina group’s cooperation.”
Under federal regulations, a full-power commercial station like the ones in the Cincinnati area can use the same call letters as WKRP-LP in Raleigh because they operate in different classes of broadcasting service.
The announcement has generated excitement beyond just the local radio market, with even original cast members joining in the celebration. Richard Sanders, who portrayed the bumbling newsman Les Nessman, provided a statement perfectly capturing his character’s distinctive personality.
“I have spoken with Les Nessman regarding the resurrection of WKRP in Cincinnati,” Sanders wrote. “After the failure of his dream to replace Walter Cronkite on the CBS evening news, he is hopeful that he can resume his duties as the News, Sports, Weather, Traffic, and Farm Report Director at WKRP.”
Sanders added, “I think we can all hope that WKRP will return to the airwaves with more music and Les Nessman,” referencing one of the show’s running jokes.
The move represents a unique crossover between television fiction and radio reality, something increasingly rare in today’s fragmented media landscape. In an era when radio stations frequently change formats and identities, embracing such a well-established cultural touchstone gives these stations an immediate recognition factor that most rebranding efforts lack.
For Cincinnati residents who grew up watching the show, the arrival of a real WKRP represents a delightful blurring of fiction and reality. The sitcom depicted the misadventures of a struggling radio station and its eccentric staff, including memorable characters like receptionist Jennifer Marlowe (Anderson), DJ Dr. Johnny Fever (Hesseman), and program director Andy Travis (Gary Sandy).
The original series gained particular notoriety for episodes like “Turkeys Away,” often considered one of television’s funniest half-hours, in which the station attempted a disastrous Thanksgiving promotion involving live turkeys dropped from a helicopter.
Radio industry analysts suggest this nostalgic branding could provide a competitive advantage in a market where traditional radio faces increasing competition from streaming services and podcasts. By tapping into established cultural equity, the stations may attract listeners who remember the show while also introducing younger audiences to its legacy.
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10 Comments
This is such a clever marketing move by the radio stations. WKRP in Cincinnati has retained a cult following over the decades, so reviving the brand is sure to draw a lot of attention and listeners. It will be interesting to see if they can capture the same magic as the original series.
As someone who grew up watching WKRP in Cincinnati, I’m thrilled to see the call letters back on the air. The show had such a distinctive sound and sense of place. I hope the new stations can do justice to the legacy, even if they can’t fully recreate the show’s characters and hijinks.
I’m curious to see if the new WKRP stations will try to replicate the show’s memorable characters and storylines, or if they’ll just focus on the music and branding. Either way, it’s a clever way to tap into nostalgia and build community around a beloved Cincinnati icon.
As a lifelong radio enthusiast, I’m thrilled to see WKRP return to the airwaves. The sitcom did such an excellent job capturing the quirky, unpredictable nature of the radio industry. I hope the new stations live up to the spirit of the original.
Me too! WKRP was known for its eclectic music and zany on-air antics. It will be interesting to see how the new stations try to recreate that vibe for a modern audience.
This is really cool, but I wonder if it could lead to some legal issues down the line. While WKRP was a fictional station, the call letters are still registered and owned by an actual radio station. Hopefully they’ve worked out the rights and branding properly.
That’s a good point. Licensing and trademark issues can get tricky, especially with an iconic property like WKRP. As long as everything is above board, it could be a really fun homage to the classic show.
I wonder if the new WKRP stations will feature any guest appearances or tributes to the original cast and crew. That would be a really nice touch for longtime fans. Either way, it’s great to see this iconic piece of Cincinnati history being revived for a new generation of listeners.
What a fun and nostalgic move by the Cincinnati radio stations! WKRP was such an iconic show, it’s great to see the call letters come to life. I wonder if they’ll bring back any of the beloved characters or musical acts from the original series.
That would be amazing! Hearing the classic WKRP theme song or a live performance from Venus Flytrap would really take me back. This is sure to delight longtime fans.