Hot 96 FM - WSTO

WSTO is a contemporary hit radio station broadcasting at 96.1 FM, serving the Evansville, Indiana; Owensboro, Kentucky; and Henderson, Kentucky tri-state market. Licensed to Owensboro, it transmits from a 1,000-foot tower located in the Kentucky community of Hebbardsville, midway between Evansville and Owensboro. Studios are located at the Midwest Communications offices on Mount Auburn Road in Evansville, near the facilities of television station WFIE-TV. The station's history dates to June 2, 1948, when it became Owensboro's first FM broadcaster following FCC approval granted on March 24, 1947, initially simulcasting sister AM station WVJS. The call letters changed to WSTO on December 14, 1962, and stereo broadcasting began on March 1, 1963. A fire in September 1964 damaged newly installed stereo equipment, taking the station off air for approximately two and a half months. After operating in an easy listening format since 1963, the station shifted to adult contemporary in late 1980 when a new Hebbardsville tower was approved, expanding coverage area. A legal dispute with Henderson County over the tower site resulted in a court ruling that invalidated all county zoning laws passed since 1971. The station later transitioned to a Top 40 contemporary hit radio format, becoming known as a heritage regional station in that format due to its long tenure. Weekday midday programming has featured an all-request throwback show.