580 WKSK

580 WKSK On May 27th, 2019 WKSK celebrated 60 years of broadcasting service to the people of Ashe County and

Wishing our Farm listeners a Happy Thanksgiving!
11/26/2025

Wishing our Farm listeners a Happy Thanksgiving!

11/25/2025

Radio ‘Highly Effective’ At Delivering Results For Retailers During Holidays

With stations’ annual flip to all-Christmas music already begun, ‘tis the season for radio to work its own holiday magic when it comes to reaching shoppers and boosting retail sales when it matters most. A sack full of research in this week’s Westwood One blog shows how AM/FM radio gets the job done during this most wonderful time of the year.

“With money on the table, both brick-and-mortar and e-commerce retailers need to capture consumer attention,” Cumulus Media/Westwood One Audio Active Group Chief Insights Officer Pierre Bouvard says. “AM/FM radio is highly effective at reaching potential customers during the holidays.”

Indeed, AM/FM radio’s reach of adults 18+ is significant when it counts the most, according to Nielsen: 77% are reached by radio in the week leading up to Thanksgiving and Black Friday, with 78% are reached the week of Christmas. That makes AM/FM radio “the prime advertising vehicle for reaching shoppers trying to find last minute gifts,” Bouvard says.

An MRI study shows that close to 80 million adults in the U.S. plan to listen to holiday music on AM/FM radio or streaming, with that listening peaking on the weekends. That research also shows that those listeners are more likely to participate in activities outside the home, meaning they’re likely to experience AM/FM radio ads while in their cars.

As Bouvard notes, “AM/FM radio is an on-the-go medium, reaching consumers close to the point of purchase. Advertisers who invest in AM/FM radio are reaching consumers at a critical time when purchase decisions are made.” They’re reaching quite a few of them, according to Edison Research’s Q2 2025 “Share of Ear” report, showing that while consumers are in their vehicles, 85% of their ad-supported audio time spent goes to AM/FM radio.

The blog also cites a study from RealityMine’s USA TouchPoints showing that on a weekly basis, 53% of Americans 18-64 have been in a store and their car in the same half-hour. “Americans travel to and from stores and are in their cars to visit loved ones during the holidays,” Bouvard says. “This is good news for advertisers.”

E-commerce retailers also benefit from AM/FM radio advertising this time of year. According to a MARU/Matchbox study measuring the effect of Amazon’s December 2023 holiday campaign, consumers exposed to Amazon’s radio ads showed brand familiarity, ad recall, holiday association, favorability, purchase intent and prior purchase than those not exposed.

Retailers adjusting their media plan to spend more on AM/FM radio this time of year can experience the “20 gets you 50” effect, as in, shifting 20% to AM/FM radio generates a 50% incremental reach increase to their investment in linear TV, according to Nielsen Media Impact. Additionally, “shifting 20% of TV investment to a mix of AM/FM radio and podcasts grows reach by an average of +53%,” Bouvard says. “The smaller the retailer’s TV investment, the greater the incremental reach lift achieved with the addition of AM/FM radio.”

One more big plus for retail advertisers investing in AM/FM radio: a Nielsen study shows that for every dollar spent on AM/FM, retailers generate an average $15 of incremental sales, with the boost as high as $21-23 for grocery or auto aftermarket advertisers. “AM/FM radio has a proven track record for retail,” Bouvard says, “[as] campaigns generate extraordinary return on advertising spend for retailers.”

✨ Let’s continue those Thanksgiving vibes. 🦃 What is your favorite dessert at Thanksgiving? And go ⬇️
11/25/2025

✨ Let’s continue those Thanksgiving vibes. 🦃 What is your favorite dessert at Thanksgiving? And go ⬇️

SOOOO LOONNGGG MOOSE!!This Wednesday, Nov. 26th...the WKSK Farm Family says goodbye to a local legend! Our own Mike Powe...
11/24/2025

SOOOO LOONNGGG MOOSE!!

This Wednesday, Nov. 26th...the WKSK Farm Family says goodbye to a local legend! Our own Mike Powers (aka The Moose), is hanging up his headphones. It's hard to believe it's been 40+ years since little Moose began his radio career.

We invite you to celebrate with us this Wednesday with call-ins & text messages. We hope to celebrate the Moose all day, so if you have a short, funny message or memory, we look forward to hearing from you.

Congratulations Moose on an outstanding career! YOU WILL BE MISSED!! All the best!!

The Farm!

11/24/2025

Local Radio Emerges as America’s Most Trusted News Source
(Radioink.com)

As disinformation and social media fatigue reshape America’s relationship with news, traditional news radio is experiencing a resurgence. According to a new report, local all-news stations now rank as the nation’s most trusted source for credible information.

While social platforms struggle to combat misinformation and audience confidence in digital news declines 16% year over year, radio’s blend of immediacy, context, and human reporting offers an antidote to algorithmic distortion. An Alter Agents study commissioned by Audacy found that 84% of Americans place their confidence in local news radio—outpacing broadcast TV (82%), national news radio (79%), and social media (74%).

That credibility extends to the commercial breaks, too.

The research reveals that 77% of listeners find all-news station advertising trustworthy, making the format particularly attractive to brands targeting informed, affluent consumers in an increasingly polarized media landscape. Audacy’s internal metrics demonstrate this advantage: news radio advertisers see a 20% lift in website traffic compared to baseline campaign performance, proving that trusted environments generate measurable results.

The momentum is translating into audience growth. Across major US markets, Audacy reports double-digit year-over-year increases for its all-news station portfolio, even following the 2024 Presidential election.

A similar 2024 Katz Radio Group study found that traditional radio remains America’s most trusted mass medium, although its results placed radio’s overall trust at nearly three times that of social media.

Surveying 1,000 US adults, the study showed nearly 80% consider radio “very trustworthy” or “trustworthy,” placing it slightly ahead of newspapers and more than ten points above television and magazines. In stark contrast, only 27% of respondents trust social media, making it the least reliable medium.

Radio’s credibility was found to spans generations, peaking among adults 55 and older at 83%, though younger listeners also rank it above digital platforms. Separate Morning Consult data released in 2024 showed similar results, with over-the-air radio maintaining the highest credibility of any US news source and trust levels rising from 60% to 63% in four years.

11/24/2025

Radio Campaign Boosts Engagement For Dental-Implant Provider

A recent radio campaign for a leading dental-implant provider proved highly effective in connecting with key decision-makers in the dental and implant category, according to creative diagnostics research. According to Katz Radio Group, the 30-second spot resonated with listeners, particularly adults 35 and older, positioning radio as a strong medium for reaching potential patients during drive-time windows.

Radio Hits the Right Audience

Nearly 80% of survey respondents reported regular AM/FM listening, with peak engagement during morning (6-10am) and afternoon (3-7pm) drive times. This reinforced radio’s ability to reach adults actively considering dental implants or advising family members on treatment options.

Ad Resonates With Listeners

Listeners rated the spot highly, with the majority labeling it “Excellent” or “Good.” Strengths included its informative, straightforward tone (35%), friendly and trustworthy voice (11%), and clear, easy-to-understand messaging (10%). One respondent noted, “It made me feel more comfortable about exploring implants,” highlighting the importance of credibility and approachability in health-related messaging.

Campaign Sparks Consideration and Action

The ad prompted tangible interest: a significant portion of respondents said they were “Very Likely” or “Somewhat Likely” to consider the provider for future treatment. Others reported wanting to learn more about dental implants, citing key benefits such as high-quality products, long-term reliability, and flexible financing.

Opportunities for Creative Expansion

While the campaign performed well, listeners expressed interest in deeper information on:

Payment plans and affordability
Treatment timelines and expected outcomes
Patient testimonials or before/after examples to enhance credibility
The campaign demonstrates radio’s enduring value as a trusted, high-reach medium. For dental-implant providers, the results highlight that effective messaging – clear, credible, and action-oriented – can move consumers from awareness to confident consideration in what is often a significant healthcare investment.

✨ Thanksgiving vibes: activated. What is your favorite side? And go ⬇️
11/24/2025

✨ Thanksgiving vibes: activated. What is your favorite side? And go ⬇️

🎶 It’s ALL REQUEST FRIDAY on WKSK The Farm 🎶Text us at 336-846-9467 or message us on social media with your song request...
11/21/2025

🎶 It’s ALL REQUEST FRIDAY on WKSK The Farm 🎶

Text us at 336-846-9467 or message us on social media with your song requests!
Let’s kick off the weekend the right way 💥🎉🙌🏼

Tune in now on 93.5FM or 580AM 📻

✨❄️ Save the Dates! ❄️✨Ashe County Farmers Holiday Markets are right around the corner, and the Backstreet in West Jeffe...
11/20/2025

✨❄️ Save the Dates! ❄️✨
Ashe County Farmers Holiday Markets are right around the corner, and the Backstreet in West Jefferson is about to glow with the magic of the season!

Nov. 22, 28, 29 & Dec. 6 from 10am–2pm for cozy mountain charm and all your holiday favorites:
🎄 Fresh baked goods
🧺 Specialty foods
🌿 Holiday garlands & wreaths
🎁 Hand-crafted gifts made with heart

Come stroll the Backstreet, sip something warm, and celebrate the joy of Thanksgiving and Christmas with your local farmers & makers.

Always Fresh, Always Local, always festive! ✨🎁

📸:

✨ Elevate Your Health with Elevation Health, PC — This Friday at 8:25 AM on WKSK! ✨This week on Elevate Your Health, we’...
11/19/2025

✨ Elevate Your Health with Elevation Health, PC — This Friday at 8:25 AM on WKSK! ✨

This week on Elevate Your Health, we’re diving into a hot topic many people have questions about: Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) — and the difference between bio-identical and synthetic hormones.
Not all hormone ingredients are the same. Some are bio-identical, meaning they match the hormones your body naturally makes. Others are synthetic versions that can work differently in the body. Knowing the difference empowers you to make informed choices about your health.

Tune in Friday at 8:25 AM on WKSK to learn:
✔️ What “bio-identical” really means
✔️ Common ingredients in each category
✔️ Why these differences matter
✔️ How to advocate for your hormonal health with confidence

Because at Elevation Health, PC, they believe “normal is not optimal.”

📻 Join us Friday!

Looking for a holiday venue? 🎄✨ Come celebrate the holiday season with Red Dog Bistro! They are booking Christmas partie...
11/18/2025

Looking for a holiday venue?

🎄✨ Come celebrate the holiday season with Red Dog Bistro! They are booking Christmas parties and holiday gatherings for groups of up to 30 guests.

Let their team handle the food, drinks, and atmosphere — you just bring the cheer! 📍

Stop by, call (336) 846-2121, or email [email protected] to plan your perfect holiday event.

Address

240 Radio Road
West Jefferson, NC
28694

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

(336) 846-WKSK (9575)

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when 580 WKSK posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category

580 AM & 93.5 FM WKSK (The Farm)

For over five decades (May 27, 1959) WKSK has been broadcasting information and entertainment to the citizens of Ashe County and surrounding Northwestern North Carolina.

We began broadcasting at 1600-AM on the dial, moving in the 70’s to 580 AM. On Monday, June 9th 2014 @ 4:25pm WKSK made history by simulcasting their signal on 93.5 FM.

WKSK operates at a pre-sunrise power of 500 watts and at 5000 watts during daylight hours. We begin our broadcast day Monday through Saturday at 6am and Sundays at 7am. In 2005, we began broadcasting 24 hours a day and in 2006 began streaming our broadcast signal on the World Wide Web. www.580wksk.com. WKSK also broadcasts their audio signal on Skybest TV Channel 680.

WKSK has been described by the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters as one of the truly “Small Market Broadcasters” still in existence. We attribute our audience loyalty to “localism." We describe our Country Music format as a means to move from one piece of information to another. Keeping our finger on the pulse of the community is important to our listeners and our station.