MI Radio: MidWest Extends 'The Touch' To Battle Creek

Adult urban music and entertainment has hit the radio waves in Battle Creek as Midwest Communications launched two new radio stations, according to MLive.com.

WTOU 930 AM and (W274AQ) 102.7 T-FM which were launched over the weekend, will be an extension of the adult urban programming that has been the focus of "The Touch," WNWN 1560 AM and its FM translator station (W238AL) 95.5 T-FM in Kalamazoo.

"The Touch," has aired adult urban music, local news, local weather, Gospel music, Christian spoken-word programs and community talk programs for more than 17 years.

The new Battle Creek stations went on the air for testing late Friday and programming started Saturday.

W274AQ 102.7 FM (250 watts) Red=60DBu Coverage Area

"The Battle Creek area has been asking for 'The Touch' ever since we brought adult urban programming to Kalamazoo," station Brand Manager Troy "TRobb" Robertson said in a press release. "We finally are able to answer their call."

Robertson, who will provide simulcast programming for the stations in Battle Creek as well as Kalamazoo, said he looks forward to including Battle Creek in the news and community service programming that has been a mainstay of "The Touch."

W238AL 95.5 FM (130 watts) Red=60dBu Coverage Area

"It is basically two independent radio stations that are married via programming," Michael R. Klein, vice president and market manager for Wausau, Wisc.-based Midwest Communications Inc., said referring to the AM-FM station pairs in each community. "They have the ability to break off and go in special directions. In the short-term, we intend to keep them going together."

He said WTOU-AM 930 and FM-102.7 in Battle Creek will repeat what is  broadcast in the Kalamazoo market by WNWN-AM 1560 and FM 95.5 but they have the capacity to broadcast such things as a church service being held in Battle Creek while the Kalamazoo stations are broadcasting one held in Kalamazoo.