Kool Radio Expands Oldies Coverage in Southeastern Connecticut

Full Power Radio's Oldies format now reaches New London and Norwich after a station flip replaced its Country programming.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Country

Kool Radio Expands Oldies Coverage in Southeastern Connecticut

Full Power Radio has expanded its Oldies "Kool Radio" coverage in southeastern Connecticut, with W258BI New London/WBMW-HD2 Pawcatuck, formerly the Country "US 99.5" station, now simulcasting 1180 WSKP and 104.3 W282CB Hope Valley RI. The expanded coverage includes New London and Norwich.

Why it matters

The Country format registered a 0.0 share in the last two Nielsen surveys, and the flip helps fill a format gap created when Hall's sold Classic Hits "Big 100.9" WKNL New London to K-Love Inc. earlier this year. The change reshapes the local radio dial for listeners in southeastern Connecticut.

The former Country station broadcast at 99.5 FM, and the Kool Radio brand now runs on 1180 AM and 104.3 FM via W282CB Hope Valley RI. The brand is also heard in the Hartford area on 990 AM WNTY and 96.1 FM W241CG Southington.

The players

Full Power Radio

Full Power Radio is the broadcaster that operates the Oldies "Kool Radio" format across southeastern Connecticut and the Hartford area.

K-Love Inc.

K-Love Inc. is a Christian contemporary radio network that acquired Classic Hits "Big 100.9" WKNL New London from Hall's.

The details

W258BI New London/WBMW-HD2 Pawcatuck began simulcasting 1180 WSKP/104.3 W282CB Hope Valley RI, replacing the Country "US 99.5" format with the Oldies Kool Radio format. The Country format had competed with Hall's 97.7 WCTY Norwich.

Hall's sold Classic Hits "Big 100.9" WKNL New London to K-Love Inc. earlier this year.
The Country format registered a 0.0 share in the last two Nielsen surveys.

Format Shifts

The Country format's 0.0 share in the last two Nielsen surveys shows why the market's Country station gave way to an Oldies format on the dial. The flip follows the pattern of broadcasters replacing underperforming formats after station sales like Hall's sale of WKNL to K-Love Inc.

Listeners in New London and Norwich can now tune to Kool Radio on 1180 AM and 104.3 FM instead of the former Country station. Those in the Hartford area can hear the brand on 990 AM and 96.1 FM.

The takeaway

Format changes like this one show how station sales and weak ratings can quickly reshape which music listeners can hear locally. Listeners who rely on Country programming in southeastern Connecticut may need to find a new station.