WEIO Radio Goes Off The Air

The FM broadcast radio station named WEIO in Huntingdon went off the air on July 1. In FCC terms, it is referred to as ‘going dark.’

The studio and transmitter are located on Baker Road near Halford Lake, just outside of Huntingdon. It broadcasted on the frequency of 100.9.

Chris Freeland and his sister, Laurie Hendrickson, are the owners of the station and license. It was owned by their dad, Jim for many years. Jim’s brother, Mike, started one of the first FM stations in the area. It was located in McKenzie.

Chris told The Banner that it’s disappointing that they simply could not “make a go of it.”

The Freeland family owned WEIO-FM and WWDX-AM both in Huntingdon. WEIO was successful in recent years with good local management. However, when that management team left and a shift in the local market occurred, the station struggled. The studio, located near Lake Halford, was more valuable than the operating business.

Chris said the sale of the real estate is under contract to be purchased. The broadcast license is also available for separate purchase. Chris said he hopes someone will purchase the license and continue to broadcast in Huntingdon. If the license is not sold, then it will be surrendered to the Federal Communications Commission.

The Freelands still operate two stations in Benton, Kentucky and one in Calvert City, Kentucky.