WAVF

WAVF (101.7

WAVF has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 100,000 watts, the maximum for non-grandfathered FM stations. The transmitter is off Venning Road in Mount Pleasant.^[3]

Managing Partner Paul W. Robinson of Emerald City Media Partners oversaw the construction of a new radio station in the Charleston market. WAVF came on the air on March 11, 1985 on 96.1 FM as "96 Wave". It used the sound effects of ocean waves, played continuously over a week. When the stunt was over, the station debuted with an album-oriented rock (AOR) format.

Over time, 96 Wave shifted its format to alternative rock.^{[citation needed]}

Atom Taler was the wake-up host at 96 Wave for nine years. For the last three of those years he was joined by Jim Voigt, known as "The Critic". As their once-popular morning show began to see a decline in ratings, it was replaced. On February 23, 1998, "

After a year and a half, Charleston radio listeners had grown to like the program. Stern had the market's no. 1 morning show. WAVF also brought back The Critic for afternoons.[6] 96 Wave was sold to Apex Broadcasting late in 2001.^[7]

On February 22, 2002, 96 Wave dropped Stern. Some advertisers did not like the show, so they would buy time on 96 Wave but not on Stern's show, or they avoided WAVF altogether. Stern's show also cost the station a high subscription fee, so airing his show became too expensive. Dick Dale, syndicated from

On August 31, 2007 at 5 p.m., "96 Wave" became known as "96.1 Chuck FM". Leading up to the switch, the station stunted for over 20 minutes playing the "Charles in Charge" theme song. The first song played on the new 96.1 FM was "Take This Job and Shove It" by Johnny Paycheck. The final song played on WAVF was "My Wave" by Soundgarden.

On September 6, 2017, the sale of the station to Saga Communications was complete.^[8]

WTZR-FM

By the late 1980s, it was playing mainstream rock, then active rock in the 1990s and finally alternative rock. With this alternative format, WKZQ was a popular radio station both in South Carolina and among alternative rock fans across the country. Rolling Stone magazine named it one of the "Top 5 Radio Stations" in America.

Because Myrtle Beach is a smaller radio market than Charleston, the decision was made to move WKZQ to a community near Charleston. That would allow it to charge more for the commercials it played and enjoy more revenue.

In September 2008, WKZQ abandoned its historic frequency of 101.7 MHz and migrated to 96.1 MHz in a frequency swap with WAVF.^[9] WKZQ continues as an alternative rock station serving the Myrtle Beach market from its city of license in Forestbrook, South Carolina. WAVF remains an adult hits station, serving the Charleston market from its 101.7 MHz frequency.