A Clear Channel Communications press release dated April 25, 2006, announced the launch of nearly 200 new HD Radio "multicast channels" in dozens of markets across the United States; among these was WAKS-HD2, a digital subchannel for Cleveland market radio station WAKS (96.5 FM), set to broadcast an "all new hits" format.[3] As of September 1, 2006, WAKS-HD2 was still not on the air, but by October 5, 2006, the new channel had launched an "underground dance" format known as "Trancid".[4][5] As of October 2007, WAKS-HD2 had adopted a new automated format called "Kiwi Radio"; The Plain Dealer described it as a collection of "tweener tunes of the Hannah Montana and High School Musical variety."[6] By June 2008, and lasting until at least March 2012, WAKS-HD2 aired a dance radio format known as "Club Phusion".[7][8] As of November 2014, WAKS-HD2 was airing a "Soul and R&B" format.[9]
On December 11, 2018, WAKS-HD2 switched to a mainstream urban format; and also began simulcasting over low-power FM translator W291BV (106.1 FM) under the brand "Real 106.1". The simulcast was made possible by a May 3, 2010, decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Although low-power FM translators in the United States are generally not permitted to originate their own programming, the FCC decision affirmed that translators are free to retransmit the programming of HD Radio digital subchannels – effectively creating new analog "radio stations" on the FM band – and thereby expanding the potential audience of digital-only channels like WAKS-HD2.[10] At the launch of this new simulcast, WAKS-HD2 aired 10,000 consecutive songs free of commercial interruption, and thereby positioned itself in direct competition to Cleveland hip-hop station WENZ.[11] WAKS program director "Java Joel" Murphy was announced as the program director for Real 106.1.[12]
96.5 HD2/106.1 FM also serves as the FM radio outlet for the Cleveland Charge of the NBA G League, airing games when sister station and Charge flagship WARF AM 1350 is unable to do so because of conflicts with other events.[2]
^Feran, Tom (October 24, 2007). "Will HD Radio be the wave of the future?". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland.com. Archived from the original on October 27, 2007. Retrieved October 4, 2018. Nine have additional 'HD2' channels, all of them automated and designed as alternatives or complements. ... and WAKS HD2's KiWi has tweener tunes of the 'Hannah Montana' and 'High School Musical' variety.
^"96-5 KISS FM: Club Phusion HD Radio". KissCleveland.com. Clear Channel Communications, Inc. 2008. Archived from the original on June 16, 2008. Retrieved June 16, 2008. Your HD2 and HD3 Multicast Channels: WAKS-FM - 96.5 - Club Phusion; ...
^"HD Radio station guide for Akron". HDRadioAlliance.com via HDRadio.com. HD Radio Alliance. 2012. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012. Retrieved March 4, 2012. WAKS-HD2; 96.5-2 FM; Club Phusion...
^"National Stations: R&B". HDRadio.com. Ibiquity Digital Corporation. 2014. Archived from the original on November 8, 2014. Retrieved November 8, 2014. WAKS-HD2; Akron, OH; Soul and R&B
^Venta, Lance (December 11, 2018). "iHeartMedia Launches Real 106.1 Cleveland". RadioInsight.com. RadioInsight. Archived from the original on January 28, 2019. Retrieved January 28, 2019. Launching with 10,000 songs commercial-free, the new format gives a direct format competitor to Urban One's 'Z 107.9' WENZ. The launch coincides with the upgrade of W291BV to 200w/263m giving it full coverage of Cleveland proper.
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