WKRP Calls Up for Auction Through April

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | 10:15pm CT

WKRP-LPFM in Raleigh NC

For the first time in years, the iconic WKRP call letters are up for grabs - and a North Carolina nonprofit is hoping a broadcaster in Cincinnati might "bring WKRP home," according to an article by Cincinnati TV/media reporter John Kiesewetter.

WKRP in Cincinnati, the cult-favorite comedy that aired on CBS from 1978 to 1982, made the fictional struggling rock station a pop culture staple. Now, Raleigh, NC-based low-power outlet WKRP-LPFM (101.9) is auctioning the real-world call sign to eligible AM, full-power FM or commercial TV operators east of the Mississippi River.

"I would like nothing better than to see a Cincinnati-licensed commercial radio or television station participate in our process and 'bring WKRP home,'" said D.P. McIntire, General Manager of the 100-watt station and Executive Director of Oak City Media Inc., the 501(c)(3) nonprofit that owns it.

The organization plans to use proceeds from the sale to support low-power FM stations in need of financial assistance. Interested parties must apply by March 15, with a private auction among finalists expected to conclude by April 30. McIntire said attorneys are reviewing the structure to ensure compliance with FCC and IRS regulations. No financial terms have been disclosed.

Despite the sitcom's Cincinnati setting, no local broadcaster has ever officially used the WKRP call letters. In 2008, low-power TV station WBQC-TV (Channel 25) rebranded as "WKRP TV," though without the hyphen.

The original series followed the misadventures of program director Andy Travis and a colorful cast that included Dr. Johnny Fever, Venus Flytrap, Les Nessman and station manager Arthur "Big Guy" Carlson. Creator Hugh Wilson based the show on a station in Atlanta where he previously worked in advertising.

WKRP-LPFM acquired the call letters in 2014 and signed on in 2015. While the Raleigh station has no direct ties to the TV series beyond promotional liners, it leans into the nostalgia factor. Each Thanksgiving, the station airs the audio from the show's famous "Turkeys Away" episode for more than 48 hours, with permission from 21st Century Fox.

"There's an age demographic from 35 to 80 with which that call sign resonates. Nostalgia sells," McIntire said, adding that a well-resourced operator could leverage the brand effectively.

Whether the call letters ultimately land in Cincinnati -- or elsewhere -- remains to be seen. But for broadcasters looking to capitalize on one of radio's most recognizable fictional brands, the window to claim WKRP is officially open.

Read the entire article here.