WXTU
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (February 2011) |
MHz (HD Radio) | |
| Branding | 92-5 XTU |
|---|---|
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Format | Country |
| Subchannels | HD2: Future country |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| WBEN-FM, WMGK, WMMR, WPEN, WTEL, WTMR, WWDB | |
| History | |
First air date | 1958 (as WIFI) |
Former call signs | WIFI (1958-1983) |
Call sign meaning | Visually similar to calls of New York station WKTU, which it attempted to emulate for a short time |
| Technical information | |
| Facility ID | 74213 |
| Class | B |
| ERP | 15,000 watts |
| HAAT | 279 meters (915 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 40°02′21″N 75°14′13″W / 40.03917°N 75.23694°W |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen live |
| Website | 925xtu |
WXTU (92.5
WXTU broadcasts in HD; its HD2 sub-channel airs a contemporary country format known as "Future Country".
History
Early years
The first Philadelphia FM station on 92.5 was Westinghouse-owned KYW-FM, the sister station to KYW. In 1942, Westinghouse put the station on the air in the old FM band and in 1948 moved it to 92.5 MHz.[1] The development of FM radio in the post-war years was slow and Westinghouse decided not to continue operating KYW-FM, relinquishing its license in 1955. The 92.5 frequency stayed empty for three years.
In September 1958, WIFI
Top 40 and alternative rock years
On January 1, 1973, WIFI instituted a high-energy
When WCAU-FM (now WOGL) debuted its Hot Hits format in October 1981, WIFI's ratings fell as WCAU-FM quickly grabbed most of the teen audience. In March 1983, a move to a new wave/alternative rock format, branded as "I-92" and "Rock of the Eighties," attracted press attention, but ratings fell to a 0.5 share in the Arbitron Spring 1983 Book.
Switch to WXTU
In August 1983, the station was sold to Beasley Broadcast Group.[3] The new owners instituted a dance music/rhythmic contemporary format as "92X," with a call sign change to WXTU (reminiscent of New York City's WKTU). That format failed to find an audience and was gone in a matter of months. On March 1, 1984, at 1 p.m., the station switched to its current country format. The first country song on WXTU was "Are You Ready For The Country" by Waylon Jennings.
In 2007, the station was nominated for the Radio & Records Magazine "Country Music Station of The Year Award" for the top 25 markets. Other nominees included WUSN Chicago, KYGO-FM Denver, WYCD Detroit, KEEY-FM Minneapolis, and KSON-FM San Diego.[4]
Changes in ownership
On October 2, 2014, Beasley Broadcast Group announced that it would trade WXTU and four other radio stations in
On February 2, 2017, CBS Radio announced it would merge with
On July 19, 2018, Entercom announced that it would sell WXTU back to Beasley for $38 million as part of its purchase of WBEB. The sale closed September 28, 2018.[10][11]
Awards and nominations
CMA Awards
- 2002 Radio Station (Major Market) (Nominated)
- 2005 Radio Station (Major Market) (Nominated)
- 2006 Radio Station (Major Market) (Nominated)
- 2007 Radio Station (Major Market) (Nominated)
- 2008 Radio Station (Major Market) (Nominated)
- 2013 Radio Station (Major Market) (Nominated)
- 2013 Broadcast Personality of the Year "Doc and Andie Show" (Major Market) (Won)
- 2014 Broadcast Personality of the Year "Razz on the Radio" (Major Market) (Nominated)
- 2020 Radio Station (Major Market) (Nominated)
ACM Awards
- 2007 Radio Station (Major Market) (Nominated)
- 2008 Radio Station (Major Market) (Nominated)
- 2012 Radio Station (Major Market) (Nominated)
- 2014 Radio Station (Major Market) (Won) (Tied with KUPL/Portland)
- 2015 On-Air Personality of the Year - Major Market (Nominated)
Industry Achievement Awards
- 2007 Radio Station (Major Market) (Nominated)
- 2007 Personality (Bob Marly) (Nominated)
- 2017 Country Music Station of the Year (Won)
References
- ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1953 page 256
- ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1961-62 page B-143
- ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1984 page B-221
- ^ "2007 Industry Achievement Awards". Radio and Records. September 28, 2008. Archived from the original on February 27, 2008. Retrieved November 29, 2007.
- ^ CBS And Beasley Swap Philadelphia/Miami For Charlotte/Tampa from Radio Insight (October 2, 2014)
- ^ Venta, Lance (December 1, 2014). "CBS Beasley Deal Closes". RadioInsight. Retrieved December 1, 2014.
- ^ CBS Radio to Merge with Entercom
- ^ "Entercom Receives FCC Approval for Merger with CBS Radio". Entercom. November 9, 2017. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
- ^ Venta, Lance (November 17, 2017). "Entercom Completes CBS Radio Merger". Radio Insight. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
- ^ "Alabama FM Translator Changes Hands, Entercom Closes On WXTU/Philadelphia Sale And WBEB Acquisition". All Access. Retrieved 2018-09-28.
- ^ "Entercom Acquires 101.1 More-FM Philadelphia; Divests WXTU Back To Beasley". RadioInsight. 2018-07-19. Retrieved 2018-07-20.
External links
- Official website
- WXTU in the FCC FM station database
- WXTU in Nielsen Audio's FM station database