WGRF
MHz (HD Radio) | |
Branding | 97 Rock |
---|---|
Programming | |
Format | Classic rock |
Affiliations | United Stations Radio Networks |
Ownership | |
Owner |
|
WBBF, WEDG, WHLD, WHTT-FM | |
History | |
First air date | September 14, 1959 | (as WGR-FM)
Former call signs |
|
Call sign meaning | "WGR-FM" |
Technical information[2] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
Facility ID | 56102 |
Class | B |
ERP | 24,000 watts |
HAAT | 217 meters (712 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 42°57′14″N 78°52′34″W / 42.954°N 78.876°W |
Links | |
Public license information | |
Webcast | Listen live |
Website | 97rock.com |
WGRF (96.9
WGRF has an effective radiated power of 24,000 watts. The transmitter is off Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo.[3] It uses a directional antenna to protect CHYM-FM in Kitchener, Ontario, which is on 96.7 MHz.
History
This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2018) |
Beautiful music
WGRF started as the FM
Over the years, WGRF was owned by the
Top 40 and AOR
In 1973, the station became WGRQ with a
In 1975, flipped to
AC music and classic rock
On January 4, 1985, WGRQ dumped its rock format and shifted to an
On September 20, 1988, WRLT changed its call sign back to WGR-FM. It switched to classic rock and rehired most of its former DJs under the legendary "97 Rock" name.[5] By the end of the year, WHTT and AM 1400 both changed to oldies, while WBYR flipped to beautiful music. Three years later, WGR-FM changed its call letters to the current WGRF. The station staff and format have largely been unchanged ever since. The 97Rock air personality who has been there the longest is Carl Russo. That started August 1, 1980 and he left in 1985 when all the DJs were fired for the soft rock format change. Russo then returned in September 1988 when Rich Communications brought 97 Rock back on. Russo now has over 40 years total with 97 Rock and is still going.
From 1999 to 2013, WGRF was the flagship station of the Buffalo Bills Radio Network. Every game day, WGRF devoted hours to airing the game as well as pre-game and post-game shows.
WGRF streamed its programming on the Internet until 2002, when it became economically unfeasible for some stations to continue their streams given changes in licensing and royalty agreements. In March 2006, Citadel launched an initiative that provided for the streaming of many of Citadel's stations. WGRF was among the first commercial stations in Buffalo to resume streaming after the earlier changes.
Morning show changes
In December 2015, morning host Larry Norton retired from broadcasting. He decided to devote his time to charity and ministry.[6]
In April 2021, WGRF fired the station's program director and the entire morning show, after co-host Rob Lederman had made off-color remarks on the show a month prior.[7] Owner Cumulus Media then brought over longtime WEDG morning show Shredd and Ragan in August 2021 to host WGRF's morning drive time slot.[8]
References
- ^ "FCC History Cards for WGRF".
- ^ "Facility Technical Data for WGRF". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ Radio-Locator.com/WGRF
- ^ "Cumulus now owns Citadel Broadcasting". Atlanta Business Journal. September 16, 2011. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
- ^ "WGR-FM - 97 Rock returns to Buffalo - 1988". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-05.
- ^ Larry Norton, radio staple at 97 Rock, announces his retirement on-air. WIVB-TV. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
- ^ "WGRF Fires Program Director & Rest of Morning Show Following Racist Morning Show Comments". 8 April 2021.
- ^ "Shredd and Ragan move to 97 Rock to replace Morning Bull Show".
External links
- Official WGRF website
- WGRF in the FCC FM station database
- WGRF in Nielsen Audio's FM station database
- 1970s Photos of 97 Rock jocks from Steve Cichon's staffannouncer.com