| WKST-FM | |
| City: | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Area: | Pittsburgh metropolitan area |
| Branding: | 96.1 KISS |
| Format: | Top 40 (CHR) |
| Subchannels: | HD2: Pride Radio (LGBTQ+ electronic dance music and top 40) |
| Erp: | 44,000 watts |
| Haat: | 159 meters |
| Class: | B |
| Licensing Authority: | FCC |
| Facility Id: | 65678 |
| Callsign Meaning: | "Kiss" (the "T" substitutes for the second "S") |
| Owner: | iHeartMedia |
| Licensee: | iHM Licenses, LLC |
| Affiliations: | Premiere Networks |
| Sister Stations: | WBGG, WDVE, WPGB, WWSW-FM, WXDX-FM |
| Webcast: | Listen Live |
| Website: | 961kiss.iheart.com |
WKST-FM (96.1 MHz), branded as 96.1 KISS, is a top 40 (CHR) outlet based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Owned by iHeartMedia, the station broadcasts with an ERP of 44 kW from a transmitter located in Baldwin. Its studios and offices are located on Abele Rd. in Bridgeville next to I-79.
The station signed on August 8, 1960 as WCAE-FM, co-owned with WCAE (AM) and WTAE-TV,[1] and had a MOR format until 1976, when it simulcasted WTAE (AM) during the day and played disco at night, and became known as "Disco 96." As disco began to wane in popularity, the station flipped to a rock-leaning top 40 format as WXKX (96KX or "96 Kicks"). 96KX added live talent and thrived for the next five years, becoming the frequency's most highly rated format for three decades. On January 17, 1983, faced with new competition from WBZZ (B-94), the station shifted to a more mainstream top 40 format and became "HitRadio 96." The call letters were changed to WHTX on March 25, 1983.
Later in the decade, the station evolved into a gold-based adult contemporary format as "Gold 96". On June 26, 1991, it switched calls to WVTY ("Variety 96") and format to an Adult Top 40 approach, which in turn would lead to a Modern AC format ("96.1 The River") beginning November 26, 1997.[2] New call letters WDRV followed on February 27, 1998.
On February 12, 1999 at 5 p.m., WDRV returned to Adult Top 40, this time as WPHH ("Mix 96.1").[3] On September 29, 2000, at 5 p.m., they switched to the current CHR format and became WKST-FM, "96.1 Kiss".[4]
During its first four years, WKST waged a battle with WBZZ by countering WBZZ's conventional Top 40/CHR approach with WKST's Rhythmic flavor. In 2007, the rivalry resumed again when CBS revived "B94" and began going after the same 18-34 audience that WKST had managed to attract. However, B94 still could not compete with WKST-FM and would switch formats again, this time to sports talk in 2010. In 2012, WKST-FM became the first Top 40 (CHR) in Pittsburgh radio history to record #1 6+ and 12+ ratings.
WKST's musical direction had always favored rhythmic and dance hits since its 2000 debut. With B94 changing formats after Valentine's Day 2010, WKST-FM became the only top 40 station in Pittsburgh.
WKST is the Pittsburgh affiliate for "On Air with Ryan Seacrest" weekdays, the iHeartRadio Countdown on Saturday mornings, and "American Top 40" on Sunday mornings.
On April 25, 2006, iHeartMedia (then Clear Channel Communications), announced that WKST-FM's HD2 subchannel would carry a format focusing on Dance hits. The HD2 signed on July 17, 2006, broadcasting the Club Phusion format, which was later replaced with the EDM-focused Evolution brand. In 2015, WKST-FM HD2 changed formats to "My 2K," a 2000s hits format. In March 2016, My 2K moved to WXDX-FM HD2, and was replaced with Pride Radio.