WHHL

WHHL, known as "HOT 104.1", is an Urban Contemporary radio station serving the St. Louis area. The Radio One owned outlet broadcasts at 104.1 MHz with an ERP of 50 kW and is licensed to Hazelwood, Missouri. Its transmitter is located in St. Louis, just outside Forest Park, and operates from studios in Olivette (with a St. Louis address).HistoryThe station signed on in 1978 as WJBM-FM with a full service Country format targeting the more Northern areas of the St. Louis metropolitan area, as well as the Metro East area, with its city of license being Jerseyville. The station's transmitter at the time was located north of the city (near Jerseyville), which was a partial hindrance to any chance for success in the market for the next 2 1/2 decades, despite later moving to a tower on Douglas Road in Florissant. They began targeting St. Louis in September 1985 as Country music station WKKX, "Kix 104 FM", and owned by Shelly Davis' Gateway Radio Partners. Zimmer Broadcasting bought the station out of bankruptcy in July 1991. On January 20, 1994, they would switch frequencies with WKBQ and its Top 40 format (from 106.5), and rebranded as "Q104". WKBQ-FM was also, interestingly, the FM home for legendary St. Louis morning team “Steve & DC” after one of the most significant stories/controversies in St. Louis radio history in the summer of 1993. The popular duo announced on January 6, 1994 that they would return on January 20, 1994 to “Q-104” at a downtown press conference carried live on Channels 2, 4, 5 & 30 (FOX, CBS, NBC & ABC affiliates) with reporters from all major newspapers and magazines present as well. WKBQ's simulcast on 1380 AM would continue with the swap.) Emmis Communications bought the station in November 1996.