The David Strock WXIL Collection

"In 1971 Electrocom filed a Petition For Rule Making before the Federal Communications Commission to have the table of FM assignments changed to add Channel 236B (95.1MHz) to Parkersburg, WV. This Class B channel was to operate at 50KW. The Petition was challenged by three local broadcasters, but in 1974, the channel was assigned. This petition set precedent with the FCC in terms of assignment criteria which, in part, later influenced the famous (or infamous depending on your point of view) 80/90 docket. This, of course, opened up new FM spectrum across the US.In late 1974 Triplett Broadcasting filed for the license on channel 236B forcing Electrocom to file within 30 days. Electrocom won the license, which had been set for a hearing, and was granted a Construction Permit in August, 1975. WXIL began broadcasting on November 28, 1975 at 12 noon (the day after Thanksgiving). The first ratings were Spring 1976 with WXIL overwhelmingly number one in all target demographics and dayparts. This trend only increased until the station was sold in 1980 to Burbach Broadcasting. The sale price at that time was the highest amount ever paid for a single radio station in the Parkersburg/Marietta market. The amount was (including my non-compete and all receivables thru 9/80): $1,064,000. Since then the ratings have steadily dropped.

Captain 95 (Rex Coombs) and WIXUL Woman (Marianna Morgan)

I became General Manager just after the station went on the air and held that position until it was sold in 1980. In 1976, largely because of WXIL, Arbitron decided to combine the two separate markets of Parkersburg, WV and Marietta, OH into one market. 1976 was the first year that Arbitron surveyed every county in the US.

I was also the ultimate programmer of WXIL, though I always had a resident "Program Director." Joe Johnson was my first PD and contributed immensely to the project. Once things were decided, I backed away and let him roll. I did that with every employee I ever had, providing they followed the basic directions. I always encouraged individual talent.

WXIL was the highest-rated radio station in America with 64% of the 18-34 audience in certain dayparts, one third of the entire population of eighteen counties in West Virginia and Ohio, along with 98% of Teens in the ADI. (Source: Arbitron, April/May 1979, AQH and CUME Adults 18-34 and Teens 12-17.)"