WPOK-FM and the Evolution of 93.7 Radio
The history of the 93.7 MHz frequency is a journey through the changing landscapes of American broadcasting. From its beginnings as a simulcast—a broadcast where the same content is aired simultaneously on two different frequencies—to its transition through various music genres and ownerships, the station has mirrored the shifts in listener preferences over several decades.
The Early Years: WPOK and WJEZ
The station first signed on the air in July 1969 under the call sign WPOK-FM. Operating with 3,000 watts on 103.1 MHz, it initially served as an FM simulcast of its sister station, WPOK (1080 AM). This arrangement allowed the broadcaster to reach a wider audience across different bands of the radio spectrum.
By November 1984, the station transitioned to the call sign WJEZ. As the 1980s drew to a close, WJEZ pivoted its programming to a modern country format. In the early 1990s, the station received authorization to move its broadcast frequency from 103.1 MHz to 93.7 MHz, establishing the home it would occupy for years to come. Meanwhile, the original WPOK AM sister station ceased operations in 1998.
From Classic Rock to Nash Icon
The early 2000s brought significant identity shifts. In 2003, the WJEZ call sign was moved to a sister station in Dwight, Illinois. The 93.7 frequency was then taken over by WTRX-FM, which launched as a classic rock station branded as "Thunder 93.7 WTRX".
WTRX-FM later evolved into "The Oldies Channel," utilizing a music network format from Westwood One. Following the acquisition of that network by Dial Global, the station adopted the "Kool Gold" format, though it maintained unique programming during the morning hours.
In 2010, the station became WJBC-FM, returning to a simulcast arrangement with sister station WJBC (1230 AM) in Bloomington to broadcast talk radio. This era ended on August 15, 2014, when the station split from the simulcast to become one of the first affiliates of the Nash Icon country network.
The Transition to Route 24 Radio
The station faced a period of instability in 2025. In March of that year, WJBC-FM went silent as part of a broader shutdown of underperforming stations by Cumulus Media, which closed 11 stations over a single weekend.
On December 1, 2025, Cumulus sold the station to Kent Casson's Casson Media for $90,000. A condition of the sale was that the station could no longer use the WJBC call sign. On March 16, 2026, the station returned to the air as Route 24 Radio, featuring a full-service classic hits format that had previously existed as an internet radio station. In a nod to its heritage, the call sign was changed to WPOK, referencing both the original 1080 AM station and the FM station's own 1969 origins.
Key Facts
- Original Launch: July 1969 as WPOK-FM on 103.1 MHz.
- Frequency Shift: Moved to 93.7 MHz in the early 1990s.
- Major Formats: Modern Country, Classic Rock, Oldies, Talk Radio, and Classic Hits.
- Nash Icon Era: Launched on August 15, 2014.
- Current Identity: Route 24 Radio (WPOK), acquired by Casson Media in 2025.
| Period | Call Sign | Primary Format/Identity |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 – 1984 | WPOK-FM | Simulcast of WPOK (1080 AM) |
| 1984 – 2003 | WJEZ | Modern Country |
| 2003 – 2010 | WTRX-FM | Classic Rock / Oldies |
| 2010 – 2014 | WJBC-FM | Talk Radio Simulcast |
| 2014 – 2025 | WJBC-FM | Nash Icon Country |
| 2026 – Present | WPOK | Route 24 Radio (Classic Hits) |
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the station first start broadcasting?
The station first signed on the air in July 1969 as WPOK-FM, broadcasting on 103.1 MHz with 3,000 watts.
What was the "Nash Icon" phase of the station?
Starting August 15, 2014, the station split from its talk radio simulcast to become 93.7 Nash Icon, one of the first stations to join the Nash Icon country network.
Why did the station go silent in 2025?
WJBC-FM went silent in March 2025 because it was one of 11 underperforming stations closed by Cumulus Media during a larger corporate shutdown.
Who currently owns the station?
The station is owned by Casson Media, purchased from Cumulus for $90,000 on December 1, 2025.
What is the current format of the station?
The station currently operates as "Route 24 Radio" under the call sign WPOK, broadcasting a full-service classic hits format.