WMXZ
MHz | |
Branding | Mix 95.9 |
---|---|
Programming | |
Format | Adult Top 40 |
Affiliations | Compass Media Networks Premiere Networks |
Ownership | |
Owner |
|
WAVF, WCKN, WSPO, WXST | |
History | |
First air date | May 1967 (as WWBD-FM at 95.7) |
Former call signs | WWBD-FM (1978–1985) WWLT (1985–1993) WWBD (1993–2009) WIOP (1/09-2/09)[1] WSPO (2/09-6/09) WIOP (2009–2012)[1] |
Former frequencies | 95.7 MHz (1967–2009) |
Call sign meaning | W MiX Z |
Technical information | |
Facility ID | 6634 |
Class | C2 |
ERP | 50,000 watts |
HAAT | 107.4 meters |
Transmitter coordinates | 32°49′27.00″N 80°00′10.00″W / 32.8241667°N 80.0027778°W |
Links | |
Webcast | Listen Live |
Website | mix959.com |
WMXZ (95.9
In 2012, WMXZ commenced HD Radio service with 99.3 The Box on the HD2 channel, featuring Urban and R&B music.
History
Vic Whetstone owned WWBD in Bamberg, South Carolina for 25 years. Miller Communications, a company based in Sumter, South Carolina, acquired it in 2003. It then became a classic rock station as "Bad Dog 95.7". In September 2005, WWBD upgraded from 6,000 to 25,000 watts with a new 500-foot tower in Canaan. In 2006, WWBD changed to country music as "Outlaw 95.7" but listeners overwhelmingly demanded that Bad Dog return, so it did after four months. In June 2007, Miller applied for a change in the city of license to Isle of Palms near Charleston but said Bad Dog would stay in Orangeburg.[3]
Apex Broadcasting, owner of WXTC, WIHB, and WXST, purchased WWBD from Miller in a deal announced in July 2008. The power had been increased to 50,000 watts.[4]
WSPO was part of a large frequency swap in Charleston and
The station was assigned the WSPO call letters by the
On June 18, 2009 FM 95.9 launched in the Charleston area with a
On May 31, 2011 WIHB (now WCKN) began simulcasting WIOP. On June 13, 2011 WIOP stopped simulcasting and began stunting with construction sounds. On June 15, 2011 WIOP ended stunting and changed their format to soft adult contemporary, branded as "Lite 95.9".[9] The station featured a blend of light AC hits, softer rock oldies, and some adult standards from the 1960s through the early 2000s but was entirely gold-based, playing no current product. Artists heard on Lite 95.9 included Lionel Richie, Elton John, Billy Joel, Carly Simon, Mariah Carey, Olivia Newton-John, Josh Groban, Eric Clapton, Celine Dion, Kenny Rogers, and Barbra Streisand.
On March 5, 2012, WIOP became the "New Mix 95.9", with
In 2014, "Mix 95.9" became "Mix 96" and while still CHR the station is trying to compete with Charleston's Cumulus-owned WSSX "95-SX.", the only other CHR in the market. That all changed in April 2017, when Mediabase moved the station to the Top 40/CHR panel.[10]
In July 2017, WMXZ reverted to the "Mix 95.9" branding.
On September 6, 2017, the sale of the station to Saga Communications was complete.[11]
HD2 format change
On March 27, 2013, WMXZ's HD2 subchannel changed their format from Regional Mexican to mainstream urban, branded as "99.3 The Box" (using the frequency of FM translator W257BQ in its branding).[12]
References
- ^ a b c "Call Sign History". FCC Media Bureau CDBS Public Access Database.
- ^ "Station Information Profile". Arbitron.
- ^ Zaleski, Gene (2007-08-29). "Radio change – Miller says shifting license for Bamberg's WWBD to Isle of Palms won't impact local service". The Times and Democrat. Retrieved 2011-07-14.
- ^ "Deals". Broadcasting & Cable. July 14, 2008.
- ^ "FM Query Results (WQKI)". Retrieved January 27, 2009.
- ^ Sharek, Dylan (2009-08-15). "Stay tuned, IOP beach music hits the airwaves". Island Eye News. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
- ^ "WIOP Flips From Classic Hits To Country". allaccess.com. 2010-09-16. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
- Charleston City Paper. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
- ^ Venta, Lance (2011-06-15). "Kickin' Moves To 92.5; WIOP Becomes Lite 95.9". radionisight.com. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
- ^ "Mediabase Panel Changes" from All Access (April 20, 2017)
- ^ "Saga Closes The Door On TV, Welcomes Apex Stations". Radio + Television Business Report. 2017-09-06. Retrieved 2018-04-18.
- ^ Venta, Lance (2013-03-27). "The Box To Reopen In Charleston". radioinsight.com. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
External links
- Mix 95.9 website
- WMXZ in the FCC FM station database
- WMXZ in Nielsen Audio's FM station database