WAZO

Last updated

WAZO
Broadcast area Wilmington, North Carolina
Frequency 107.5 MHz
BrandingZ1075
Programming
Format Top 40 (CHR)
Affiliations Premiere Networks
Ownership
OwnerSunrise Broadcasting, LLC
WKXB, WILT, WMFD, WRMR
History
First air date
April 15, 1978 (as WLCF at 107.1)
Former call signs
WLCF (1978–1983)
WJYW (1983–1988)
WSFM (1988–2004)
Former frequencies
107.1 MHz (1978–1988)
Technical information [1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID 59480
Class C2
ERP 21,000 watts
HAAT 234 meters
Transmitter coordinates
34°14′37″N78°07′24″W / 34.24361°N 78.12333°W / 34.24361; -78.12333
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen Live
Website z1075.com

WAZO (107.5 FM, "Z107.5") is a radio station broadcasting a Top 40 (CHR) format. [2] Licensed to Southport, North Carolina, United States, the station serves the Wilmington area. [3] WAZO is currently owned by Sunrise Broadcasting, LLC.

Contents

History

For many years, WJYW "Joy 107" in Southport, North Carolina, played beautiful music. The format had a negative reputation as one intended only for older listeners, intended only as background music. [4]

In February 1986, Will Bowen became WJYW station manager, and soon the station was successful with a new version of easy listening music, with "ultra-contemporary" from Bonneville Broadcasting replacing "matched flow". The target audience was 25-54, with more vocals and more instrumental versions of newer songs. The station also had more live DJs. Bowen said, "We're not an easy listening station. We're a radio station that happens to play easy listening music."

In 1986, the "Year of Relaxation" won WJYW a national award for creativity. Owner Atlantic Broadcasting, which took over the station when it was having problems, asked for a power increase from 3,000 to 50,000 watts. By this time, the station offices were in Wilmington. [4]

In the late 1980s, WJYW changed its name to WSFM "Surf 107.5", and changed its format to album oriented rock. During the 1990s, Surf 107.5 changed to alternative rock.

The local "Morning Disaster with Bryan & Jim," featuring Bryan Keith and Jim Whitmeyer, aired on WSFM for more than ten years. Then owner Sea-Comm moved the show to Classic Rock sister WBNE when Surf signed the syndicated "Lex and Terry".

In July 2004, NextMedia Group purchased WRQR, WAZO, and WMFD from Ocean Broadcasting, and WKXB and WSFM from Sea-Comm Inc. [5] The sale meant WSFM and WAZO would trade frequencies. JoJo, Jamie and Flave of WERO (Bob 93.3) (also owned by NextMedia at the time) in Greenville, North Carolina joined what was now Z1075. [6]

In July 2008, Capitol Broadcasting announced its purchase of NextMedia's Wilmington stations. [7]

On July 31, 2009 the station increased effective radiated power to 75,000 watts.

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References

  1. "Facility Technical Data for WAZO". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. "WAZO Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  3. "Station Information Profile". Arbitron.
  4. 1 2 Steelman, Ben (December 21, 1986). "Format redirects Joy to the world". Star-News . Retrieved June 5, 2012.
  5. Bonnie Eksten, "Ocean Broadcasting, Sea-Comm Stations Sold to NextMedia - New Owner to Operate Locally," Star-News, July 14, 2004.
  6. Amy Hotz, "Radio Changes Bring Two New Morning Teams", Star-News, September 20, 2004.
  7. "Capitol Broadcasting acquires seven radio stations in deals worth nearly $13M". WRAL-TV . July 16, 2008. Retrieved February 23, 2021.