WMMR
This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2011) |
English | |
Format | Active rock |
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Subchannels | HD2: Live rock |
Affiliations |
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Ownership | |
Owner |
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WBEN-FM, WMGK, WPEN, WTEL, WTMR, WWDB, WXTU | |
History | |
First air date | April 20, 1942[1] | (as W49PH)
Former call signs |
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Former frequencies |
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Call sign meaning | Metromedia Radio |
Technical information | |
Facility ID | 25438 |
Class | B |
ERP | |
HAAT | 264 meters (866 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 39°57′9.4″N 75°10′3.6″W / 39.952611°N 75.167667°W |
Links | |
Webcast | |
Website | wmmr |
WMMR (93.3
WMMR broadcasts using HD Radio.[2] Its HD2 subchannel plays live rock performances and sessions in WMMR's studios.
WMMR carries
History
1940s
On February 11, 1941, the
On November 1, 1943, the station was assigned the WIP-FM call sign.[4] After the FCC created the current FM broadcast band on June 27, 1945,[5] Pennsylvania Broadcasting applied to the FCC for a construction permit on October 24, 1946, to install a new transmitter and antenna for operation on 97.5 MHz. On July 10, 1947, the FCC reallocated the station to 93.3 MHz, modifying the construction permit. The commission granted Pennsylvania Broadcasting a new license for the station for operation on 93.3 MHz on December 22, 1948.[4]
1950s and 1960s
In the 1950s and 1960s, WIP-FM carried a
On July 1, 1966, the station's call sign was changed to WMMR.[4] The call sign reflected the name of the station's owner, "Metromedia" (and "Radio"). (From 1948 to 1993, WMMR was used unofficially as a slogan by a local student-run carrier current radio station at the University of Minnesota.) The MOR format was still being used, but with different programming from the AM side, although the AM disc jockeys' announcements were used for both stations. Studios of WIP and WMMR were on 19th Street near Rittenhouse Square.
Beginning in 1968, WMMR began adopting a progressive rock format, similar to that of several Metromedia-owned stations including WNEW-FM in New York City. WNEW-FM and WMMR had a close relationship, ran similar promotions, and sometimes featured each other's disc jockeys on the air. WMMS in Cleveland, KMET in Los Angeles, and KSAN in San Francisco were also part of the Metromedia chain and also helped pioneer the progressive rock format in the 1960s.
Dave Herman was WMMR's first rock DJ. His show, dubbed The Marconi Experiment, debuted on April 29, 1968.[6] Before Herman's arrival, WMMR ran an "MOR" format featuring programs such as "Sinatra and Company". The Marconi Experiment was very much an experiment for the station, with progressive rock still new to the FM band. The first song played on the show was "Flying" by The Beatles. Over the instrumental song, Herman recited these words: "Arise my heart, and fill your voice with music. For he who shares not dawn with his song, is one of the sons of ever darkness." This was known as "The Incantation" and continued as the regular show opening.
Several Philadelphia FM stations tried to compete with WMMR in the late 1960s, including
1970s
Michael Cuscuna from the
Later in the 1970s, two other Philadelphia radio stations became competitors: WYSP (formerly WIBG-FM) and WIOQ. WYSP later became a classic rock outlet while WIOQ became a Top 40 radio station.
One of WMMR's most influential disc jockeys during the 1970s was
1980s
On July 17, 1980, Metromedia applied for a construction permit to increase the station's ERP to 29,000 watts. The FCC granted the permit on July 17, 1981, followed by a new license with the upgraded facilities on August 1, 1981.[4]
WMMR's license was transferred to Metropolitan Broadcasting Corporation on October 22, 1986.[9]
On October 26, 1987, Metropolitan Broadcasting applied for a construction permit to change the transmitter location to "Building Rooftop 1650 Market St., Philadelphia, PA" (the address of One Liberty Place) and increase the station's HAAT to 271 meters (889 ft). The FCC granted the permit on May 1, 1989.[10] On October 26, 1989, WMMR was purchased by Group W Radio Acquisition Company, with the sale consummating on December 7, 1989, thus becoming a sister station to KYW-TV and KYW radio.[11]
1990s
Group W Radio modified the construction permit on February 12, 1992, by decreasing the HAAT to 252 meters (827 ft) and changing the ERP to 18,000 watts. The FCC granted the change on March 9, 1992.[12] The FCC granted a new license with the new facilities on January 6, 1997.[13] Greater Los Angeles Radio, Inc. (a division of Greater Media) purchased WMMR, with the sale consummating on August 22, 1997.[14]
2000s
In May 2005, the station began airing the Preston & Steve show in morning drive, which was previously heard on WPLY. In early 2006, WMMR launched its digital HD2 subchannel with the "WMMaRchives" format, airing the station's archive of live and studio performances.[15]
2010s
On July 19, 2016, Beasley Media Group announced it would acquire Greater Media and its 21 stations (including WMMR) for $240 million.[16] The FCC approved the sale on October 6, and the sale closed on November 1.[17]
2020s
In 2021, midday DJ Pierre Robert celebrated his 40th year on the air at WMMR. The Philadelphia City Council passed a resolution to declare November 24 as Pierre Robert Day.[18]
For many years, WMMR prided itself on having live and local DJs 24/7/365, a rarity in modern radio. This run would end in October 2022, when owners Beasley Media made major cuts to the staff of WMMR and other stations, resulting in the elimination of the live overnight block. Among those laid off were 18-year WMMR afternoon host Paul Jaxon.[19][20]
Awards
In 2007, WMMR was nominated for the Radio & Records magazine award for "Active Rock Station of the Year" in a top 25 market. Other nominees included WIYY in Baltimore, WAAF in Boston, KBPI in Denver, WRIF in Detroit, and KISW in Seattle.[21]
In 2010, the station was honored by the National Association of Broadcasters with the Marconi Award for "Rock Station of the Year".[22] WMMR has also been honored as the Major Market Radio Station of the Year by the rock community RadioContraband in both 2011 and 2012.[23] In the late 1980s, WMMR was recognized as one of the best rock stations in America by Rolling Stone Magazine.[citation needed]
In 2014, WMMR was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the "Heritage Rock Stations" category.
References
- ^ a b "The Beginning of FM Broadcasting in Philadelphia". broadcastpioneers.com. 2007. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
- ^ a b "FCC 335-FM Digital Notification [WMMR]". fcc.gov. Federal Communications Commission. September 19, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
- ^ "FM Query Results for WMMR". fcc.gov. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "History Cards for WMMR". fcc.gov. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
- ^ "In the Matter of Allocation of Frequencies to the Various Class of Non-Governmental Services in the Radio Spectrum from 10 Kilocycles to 30,000,000 Kilocycles (Docket No. 6651)" (PDF). fcc.gov. Federal Communications Commission. June 27, 1945. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
- ISBN 9780738575087.
- ISBN 9780738575087.
- ^ "Glory Days". Archived from the original on December 19, 2007. Retrieved July 9, 2007.
- ^ "Assignment of License [WMMR]". fcc.gov. Federal Communications Commission. October 22, 1986. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
- ^ "Minor Change to a Licensed Facility [WMMR]". fcc.gov. Federal Communications Commission. October 26, 1987. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
- ^ "Transfer of Control [WMMR]". fcc.gov. Federal Communications Commission. December 7, 1989. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
- ^ "Minor Modification to a Construction Permit [WMMR]". fcc.gov. Federal Communications Commission. February 12, 1992. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
- ^ "License to Cover [WMMR]". fcc.gov. Federal Communications Commission. January 6, 1997. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
- ^ "Assignment of License [WMMR]". fcc.gov. Federal Communications Commission. August 22, 1997. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
- ^ Tucker, Ken (January 19, 2006). "Greater Media, Emmis Unveil HD2 Strategies". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
- ^ Venta, Lance (August 3, 2016). "Beasley Acquires Greater Media". radioinsight. radioINSIGHT. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
- ^ Venta, Lance (November 1, 2016). "Beasley Closes on Greater Media Purchase; Makes Multiple Staff Moves". radioinsight. radioINSIGHT. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
- ^ "November 24th is Officially Pierre Robert Day in Philadelphia". November 24, 2021.
- ^ "More Names from the Beasley Media Layoffs as Additional Markets Affected".
- ^ "Chaos at WMMR: "A Really Dark Day in the Station's History"". Philadelphia Magazine. October 12, 2022.
- ^ "2007 Industry Achievement Awards". Radio and Records. September 28, 2008. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007.
- ^ "2010 Marconi Awards". FMQB. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
- ^ Radio Contraband.com
External links
- Official website
- WMMR on Twitter
- WMMR in the FCC FM station database
- WMMR in Nielsen Audio's FM station database