KNOB and WILV

In 1985 Ron Cutler Productions had the wonderful idea to create a new spin on the AC(adult contemporary) format. KNOB-FM in Long Beach became the first client of the love song format, according to the October 12th, 1985 edition of Billboard. The station featured an almost equal mix of ballads and uptempo songs along with audiotracks from hit famous movies with love scenes. KNOB also did promotions that reinforced the theme of love, i.e. dinners for two, wedding related gifts, etc.

Almost 20 years later, on November 5th, 2004 WILV-FM in Chicago debuted as 100.3 Love Fm. Playing a similar mix of uptempo love themed songs as KNOB did in the mid 1980s. It seems that WILV is doing what KNOB has done, but with a twist. By nixing the amount of ballads and emphasizing the upbeat songs, Love Fm is playing what the people with the PPMs are listening to. AllAccess.com reported that for the October 2010 ratings period, WILV rose from 7th to 4th in the Women ages 25-54 market share.