Smile FM


Smile FM is a network of non-commercial, contemporary Christian radio stations. Most programming originates from studios in Williamston, Michigan and is relayed by an expanding number of stations throughout the state. The network also has studios in Imlay City, Michigan.
Smile FM was originally two separate networks. The first, The Light, was founded on December 2, 1996, when WLGH Lansing, Michigan began broadcasting. The second, Joy FM, began on December 12, 2000, with WHYT in Imlay City. While both played contemporary Christian music, The Light aimed for a younger audience. In June 2004 the two networks were combined to form Smile FM in a "wedding ceremony" conducted at Oldsmobile Park in Lansing. The new name eliminated confusion since many other unrelated stations used The Light and Joy FM names.
The network is notable for putting stations on the air at a low cost. They lease existing towers and manufacture some of their own equipment. Unlike many Christian stations, they play music with only a few short breaks for weather, news, announcements, and features. Smile FM has also pioneered the use of new technology to help distribute and customize its programming, including developing an emergency weather notification system that is faster and more reliable than the required EAS system.
The network's stations, although having the same ownership, are officially owned by one of four non-profit entities: Superior Communications, Michigan Community Radio, Northland Community Broadcasters and Smile FM.
In January 2008, Smile FM established WWKM Imlay City as the flagship of an experimental Smile FM Praise network playing Christian contemporary worship music. Previously, the station had broadcast traditional Christian music and hymns. The Smile FM Praise experiment was ended in 2009 and plans made to move that station to the northern suburbs of Detroit.
The owners have often recycled the call letters of famous Michigan stations of the past for their stations. WDTR, WHYT, and WVMV were once used by Detroit stations. WTAC was the leading top 40 station in Flint during the 1960s. WKPK was used by a popular top 40 station of the 1980s and 1990s in northern Michigan. WAIR was an oldies station in northern Michigan and the calls were also used for a construction permit for a station in Honor. WWKM was a now-defunct station in Harrison.
Others were named for the original formats of the stations. WLGH and WTLI were The Light. All of the stations beginning with WJ were in or scheduled to be in the Joy FM network. All call letters beginning with WDT serve portions of the Detroit metropolitan area.

On-air staff

Stations owned and operated by Smile FM include:
Translators rebroadcasting Smile FM include:

Future Stations/Upgrades Approved by the FCC