WKRP Call Letters Headed to Cincinnati After 48 Years

North Carolina station director says the iconic radio station from the 1970s sitcom is coming to life in the Queen City.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 1:49pm

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring bold, jagged shapes in red and white, conceptually representing the comeback of the iconic WKRP call letters on Cincinnati radio.The return of the legendary WKRP call letters to Cincinnati radio promises to revive the spirit of the classic sitcom for a new generation of listeners.Today in Raleigh

After acquiring the WKRP call letters in 2014, D.P. McIntire, who runs the media nonprofit Oak City Media in Raleigh, North Carolina, announced that the famous radio station from the 1970s sitcom 'WKRP in Cincinnati' will be coming to the Queen City. McIntire, who grew up watching the show, said he cannot disclose the details due to contractual obligations, but confirmed that WKRP will be returning to the airwaves in Cincinnati after 48 years.

Why it matters

The iconic WKRP call letters and the sitcom that made them famous have a special place in the hearts of many fans. The announcement that the station will be revived in Cincinnati, the setting of the original show, is sure to generate excitement and nostalgia among viewers who grew up with the classic comedy.

The details

McIntire's nonprofit, Oak City Media, acquired the WKRP call letters from the FCC in 2014 and launched a low-power FM station in Raleigh, North Carolina that same year. The station has maintained an 'irreverent' format similar to the fictional WKRP, including a 'Weird Al and Friends' show. After 10 years on the air, McIntire decided it was time to pass the WKRP legacy to a new group, and the station is now being auctioned off for use on FM, AM, television, and digital platforms. While McIntire cannot disclose the details, he confirmed that the WKRP call letters will be headed to Cincinnati, the setting of the original sitcom.

  • Oak City Media acquired the WKRP call letters from the FCC in 2014.
  • WKRP-LP, a low-power FM station in Raleigh, North Carolina, went live on November 30, 2015.
  • After 10 years on the air, Oak City Media decided to auction off the WKRP call letters in 2026.

The players

D.P. McIntire

The director of the media nonprofit Oak City Media in Raleigh, North Carolina, who acquired the WKRP call letters in 2014 and launched a low-power FM station using the iconic call sign.

Oak City Media

The North Carolina-based nonprofit organization that acquired the WKRP call letters from the FCC in 2014 and operated a low-power FM station using the call sign for 10 years.

WKRP in Cincinnati

The classic CBS television sitcom that aired from 1978 to 1982 and made the WKRP call letters famous, featuring characters like disc jockeys Dr. Johnny Fever and Venus Flytrap.

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What they’re saying

“I cannot, by contract, tell you when. I cannot tell you who. But I can tell you, direct to the camera, WKRP, after 48 years, is coming to Cincinnati.”

— D.P. McIntire, Director, Oak City Media

“And at the end of the 30-minute episode, I got up and I proclaimed, `I'm going to be in radio. And if I ever have the opportunity, I'm going to run a station called WKRP.'”

— D.P. McIntire, Director, Oak City Media

What’s next

The details of the WKRP revival in Cincinnati are still under wraps, but McIntire promises the new station will stay true to the spirit of the original sitcom.

The takeaway

The return of the iconic WKRP call letters to Cincinnati, the setting of the beloved 1970s sitcom, is sure to delight fans and bring a renewed sense of nostalgia to the Queen City. The new station's operators have big shoes to fill, but they are committed to honoring the legacy of the original WKRP.