WYOT
Broadcast areaNorth Central Illinois
Frequency102.3 MHz
Branding102.3 The Coyote
Programming
FormatCountry
AffiliationsCBS Radio News, CBS Sports Radio, Nights with Elaina, Sam Alex Show, American Country Countdown, The Big Time Saturday Night, The Sandy Show, Country Top 30 with Bobby Bones, CT40 with Fitz, Country Hits USA, With Elaina
Ownership
OwnerRochelle Broadcasting Company
WRHL
History
First air date
October 5, 1973[1]
Former call signs
WRHL-FM (1973[2]-2015)[3]
Call sign meaning
Coyote
Technical information
Facility ID57269
ClassA
ERP6,000 watts
HAAT56 meters (184 ft)
Links
WebcastListen live
Website1023thecoyote.com

WYOT (102.3 FM, "102.3 The Coyote") is a radio station broadcasting a country music format. Licensed to Rochelle, Illinois, the station serves the Rochelle and DeKalb areas. The station is owned by Rochelle Broadcasting Company.

Programming

The Coyote's programming includes Kris Wexell with and Jeff Leon News and Meteorologist Aaron Wilson weekday mornings, Susan Tyler weekday afternoons, as well as nationally syndicated shows such as The Sandy Show, Nights With Elaina, The Big Time Saturday Night, American Country Countdown, Country Top 30 With Bobby Bones and The Sam Alex Show .[4][5]

History

The station began broadcasting on October 5, 1973, holding the call sign WRHL-FM, and was a sister station to WRHL 1060.[1][2] The station initially simulcast the country music programming of WRHL 1060.[6] In 1994, the station's format was changed to adult contemporary, and the station was branded "The Hub".[6][7] In 2006, the station's format was changed to adult hits, and the station was branded "102.3 Sam-FM".[6][8] The station aired programming from Dial Global's S.A.M.: Simply About Music, along with local programming.[9][10]

The Coyote

In December 2012, the station's format was changed to country music, and the station was branded "102.3 The Coyote".[8] In 2015, the station's call sign was changed to WYOT.[3] 102.3 The Coyote was named "Small Business of the Year" by the Rochelle Chamber of Commerce in 2014.[11] In May 2014, Kris Wexell was recognized by the 98th General Assembly of Illinois for his work with The Coyote.[12] The Coyote was also named the Illinois National Guard's Small Market Station of the Year for 2014.[13] In 2016, 2017, and 2018, Kris Wexell was named by the Illinois Broadcasters Association (IBA), Illinois Radio Personality of the Year for small market, also placing 2nd for Best Morning Show in 2014 and 1st place in 2019, 2020 & 2021.[12] WYOT was also named as one of the Top 3 radio stations in the state of Illinois by the IBA in 2020. In 2024 Kris Wexell was chosen as one of Radio Ink's Best Program Directors in Country Radio at CRS in Nashville.

102.3 The Coyote also is a reporter for Mediabase, Music Row Country Breakout™ Chart & CDX TRACtion Weekly Chart.

102.3 The Coyote (WYOT-FM) was named 2022 Station of the Year for Small Market in the State of Illinois by the Illinois Broadcasters Association. 102.3 The Coyote (WYOT-FM) is the Nielsen Rated Number 1 Radio Station in DeKalb & Ogle Counties IL.

References

  1. ^ a b Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1998, Broadcasting & Cable, 1998. p. D-142. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  2. ^ a b History Cards for WYOT, fcc.gov. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Call Sign History, fcc.gov. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  4. ^ On Air Weekends, 102.3 The Coyote. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  5. ^ On Air Weekdays, 102.3 The Coyote. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  6. ^ a b c Leon, Jeff. "WRHL-FM celebrates 40 years today", WRHL. October 5, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  7. ^ "WRHL AM". WRHL. Archived from the original on August 11, 2003. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  8. ^ a b Venta, Lance. "A Coyote Is Loose In Northern Illinois", RadioInsight. December 30, 2012.
  9. ^ "Program Schedule". WRHL 102.3 FM SAM. Archived from the original on August 28, 2008. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  10. ^ "Something About... Morning Show on SAM". WRHL 102.3 FM SAM. Archived from the original on June 24, 2008. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  11. ^ "Annual Chamber Dinner Award Winners", In Vironments, Volume 6, Issue 4, June–July 2014. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  12. ^ a b The Coyote Morning Show with Kris Wexell, 102.3 The Coyote. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  13. ^ "Illinois National Guard recognizes media stations", Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office. June 20, 2014. Retrieved July 24, 2018.

External links

41°55′23″N 89°03′29″W / 41.923°N 89.058°W / 41.923; -89.058

Country radio stations in the state of Illinois
Categories