WIRO, which originally signed on the air in 1973 as WITO, would later go through format and call sign changes as WMLV (1985–97) and WFXN (1997–2002) before Clear Channel Communications transformed them into a local version of the KISS-FM brand under the WBKS call sign. But unlike the traditional mainstream top 40 format that was used at their sister stations, this version focused on rhythmic hits and did not use the trademarked blue ball. The reason for this was due to having a sister station in WKEE, which is the market's top 40 outlet.
