Radio station rolls out all-health format

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AURORA, Ill., Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Aurora, Ill., radio station WKKD-AM Tuesday became the first in America to talk only about health all the time, backers said.

The station, owned by Kovas Communications, has been part of the Health Radio Network since October and began airing only health-related programming Tuesday, the Aurora (Ill.) Beacon News reported.

"The exciting part about it is we're doing something new in radio," said Greg Batton, a Chicago radio veteran and Health Radio Network's special projects director.

"To my knowledge, there really has never been another network specifically focused on health that I know of," said Tim Disa, a founder of Health Radio Network. Disa and radio executives Darrel Peters and Rick Jakle came up with the Health Radio Network idea during a brainstorming session last summer.

"I think there's a whole group of people, young and old, that would like to tune in and listen to programming that deals with health and fitness," Disa said.

WKKD-AM, the pilot station for the 24-hour health format, made its debut Tuesday with syndicated programming. Local content will be added later, Disa said.