WDSY-FM

Last updated
WDSY-FM
WDSY-FM logo.png
Broadcast area Pittsburgh metro area
Frequency 107.9 MHz (HD Radio)
BrandingY108
Programming
Language(s) English
Format Country
Subchannels HD2: Urban contemporary (WAMO)
HD3: Sports gambling "The Bet"
Ownership
Owner
History
First air date
August 6, 1962 (1962-08-06)
Former call signs
WYRE-FM (1962–63)
WEEP-FM (1963–77)
Call sign meaning
"Daisy" (former on-air moniker)
Technical information [1]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 18525
Class B
ERP 17,500  watts
HAAT 252 meters (827 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
 40°28′20″N79°59′40″W / 40.4723°N 79.9945°W / 40.4723; -79.9945
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen live (via  Audacy)
Listen live (via  Audacy) (HD3)
Website www.audacy.com/y108

WDSY-FM (107.9 MHz, "Y108") is a commercial radio station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is owned by Audacy, Inc. and airs a country radio format. The studios and offices are in Foster Plaza on Holiday Drive in Green Tree, Pennsylvania, but using a Pittsburgh address.

Contents

WDSY-FM has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 17,500 watts. The transmitter is located off Shreve Street in Pittsburgh's Spring Hill district. [2] WDSY-FM broadcasts in the HD Radio hybrid format.

History

WDSY's HD Radio Channels on a SPARC Radio with PSD and EAS. WDSY HD.png
WDSY's HD Radio Channels on a SPARC Radio with PSD and EAS.

On August 6, 1962, WYRE-FM first signed on, co-owned with WYRE (1080 AM, now WWNL). [3] Originally as a fully simulcast outlet of its AM sister station, it was owned by Golden Triangle Broadcasting and carried a country music format. WYRE (AM) was a daytimer station, while WYRE-FM operated primarily as a vehicle to serve listeners after the AM station was mandated to shut down after sunset. The following year, both stations switched their call signs to WEEP and WEEP-FM. [4]

In the late 1960s, the Federal Communications Commission ordered FM stations to air separate programming from their AM counterparts most of the day. WEEP-FM broke away from its AM sister during the required hours, airing a softer vocal-based country music format, while its AM sister played more contemporary country hits. In 1977, WEEP-FM changed its call letters to WDSY-FM, and adopting the moniker "We're fresh as a Daisy!...The all new WDSY FM 108."

As more listeners began tuning to FM stations for music, WDSY-FM took on more of a flagship approach between the two stations, with WEEP simulcasting it, rather than the other way around. WDSY-FM evolved into a contemporary country station, and eventually was recognized as the exclusive country music outlet serving the Pittsburgh area. The station's ratings flourished in the late 1980s with the addition of two on-air personalities from top album rock station WDVE joining the WDSY-FM lineup: morning DJ Jimmy Roach and midday personality Chris DeCarlo.

In 1991, then-owner Entercom decided to change the station's branding and the station became known as "Pittsburgh's Country, Y108," though the music and call letters remained the same. Channel mentions of 107.9 FM later were incorporated into the branding as more radios came equipped with digital tuners.

In 1993, WDSY-FM moved from its longtime home in the Fulton Theatre (now known as the Byham Theater) building in downtown Pittsburgh to Gateway Towers, occupying space formerly used by WPIT, which had moved to Green Tree.

The station was acquired by CBS Radio in 1998. [5] WDSY-FM then moved to studios and offices in Foster Plaza in Green Tree, about three miles southwest of downtown Pittsburgh.

The station’s ratings flourished under CBS ownership, thanks in large part to a strong lineup of veteran air personalities, including Brian “Monty” Montgomery, Rick “Zeke” Eberhart, Ally Butler, Chris DeCarlo, Stoney Richards, and later the return of Jimmy Roach following a stint at crosstown competitor WOGI. [6]

In the mid-2010s, the station began experimenting with different playlist tweaks. In response to the launch of iHeartMedia’s Big 104.7 (WPGB), the station dropped most gold titles from the 1990s and 2000s in favor of more current material. In early 2017, select classic rock titles were added to the station’s gold library, focusing on heartland and southern rock from artists such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Seger, The Georgia Satellites, and The Eagles. Both changes only lasted a matter of months.

On February 2, 2017, CBS Radio announced it would merge with Entercom, bringing WDSY-FM back to its former owners for the first time in nearly 20 years. [7] The merger was approved on November 9, 2017, and was consummated on November 17. [8] [9] Shortly after the Entercom merger, the station’s playlist tightened significantly and moved in a Top 40 direction both stylistically and musically, incorporating additional titles from the contemporary hit radio and adult contemporary formats not typically heard on country radio. [10] The station reverted to a more mainstream country playlist in late 2022.

WDSY-FM-HD2

WDSY-FM-HD2 initially aired a classic country format, branded as "The Wolf." This lasted until June 2017, when it switched to a rebroadcast of sister station WBZZ, airing a Hot Adult Contemporary format.

WDSY-FM-HD3

WDSY-FM HD3 initially aired a format of all-new country songs, branded as "The Bull." On July 19, 2017, WDSY-FM-HD3 flipped to a 24/7 traffic and weather format powered by co-owned KDKA called "KDKA Traffic and Weather Together." Reports aired every 3 minutes and was live weekdays from 5 a.m.-7 p.m., with road closures, construction reports and freshly updated weather forecasts inserted regularly at all other times. [11]

In August 2019, WDSY-FM-HD3 flipped to "Channel Q," Entercom's Talk/EDM service for the LGBTQ community.

On February 23, 2022, WDSY-FM-HD3 flipped to "The Bet", Audacy's sports gambling network. Channel Q would be moved to WBZZ-HD3. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WZGC</span> Sports radio station in Atlanta

WZGC – branded 92-9 The Game – is a commercial sports radio station licensed to serve Atlanta, Georgia, covering the Atlanta metropolitan area. Owned by Audacy, Inc., WZGC is the Atlanta affiliate for CBS Sports Radio; the flagship station for the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta United FC radio networks; and the radio home of Hugh Douglas and Randy McMichael. The WZGC studios are located at Colony Square in Midtown Atlanta, while the station transmitter is located in Atlanta's North Druid Hills neighborhood. In addition to a standard analog transmission, WZGC broadcasts over one HD Radio channel, and is available online via Audacy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WTDY-FM</span> Hot adult contemporary radio station in Philadelphia

WTDY-FM is a commercial radio station that is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The station is owned by Audacy, Inc. and broadcasts a hot adult contemporary format. WTDY features programming from Premiere Networks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KMNB</span> Radio station in Minneapolis, Minnesota

KMNB is an American commercial FM radio station in Minneapolis-St. Paul that carries a country radio format. KMNB is owned by Audacy, Inc. Its main transmitter is located on the KMSP Tower in Shoreview, Minnesota, with backup facilities on the nearby Telefarm installation. The station's studios are located on Second Avenue South in Downtown Minneapolis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KCBS-FM</span> Adult hits radio station in Los Angeles

KCBS-FM is a commercial radio station in Los Angeles, California, serving Greater Los Angeles. It is owned by Audacy, Inc., and broadcasts an adult hits music format branded as "93.1 Jack FM".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KXSN</span> Adult contemporary radio station in San Diego

KXSN is a commercial radio station in San Diego, California, branded as Sunny 98.1. Owned by Audacy, Inc., the station airs a classic hits radio format. The studios and offices are located in San Diego's Stonecrest area, off Granite Ridge Drive, across the street from rival station KMYI. The transmitter is off La Jolla Scenic Drive South in La Jolla, amid towers for several other San Diego FM and TV stations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WBGB (FM)</span> Adult hits radio station in Boston

WBGB – branded as Big 103 – is a commercial adult hits FM radio station licensed to Boston, Massachusetts. Owned by Audacy, Inc., the station serves Greater Boston. The WBGB studios are located in the Boston neighborhood of Brighton, while the station's transmitter resides in nearby Newton. Besides a standard analog transmission, WBGB broadcasts over two HD Radio channels, and is available online via Audacy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WBZZ</span> Radio station in New Kensington–Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

WBZZ is a top 40/CHR station licensed to New Kensington, Pennsylvania, targeting Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and owned by Audacy, Inc. Its transmitter is located in Pittsburgh's Spring Hill district and its studios are located west of downtown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KDKA-FM</span> Radio station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

KDKA-FM is a commercial FM radio station licensed to serve Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The station is owned by Audacy, Inc. through licensee Audacy License, LLC and broadcasts a sports radio format. Studios are located at Foster Plaza near Green Tree while the broadcast tower used by the station is located near Mount Washington, next to its former studios in Pittsburgh's South Shore neighborhood at.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WPGB</span> Radio station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

WPGB is a commercial FM radio station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It broadcasts a country music format and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. Its studios and offices are located on Abele Rd. in Bridgeville next to I-79, along with its sister stations. WPGB carries The Bobby Bones Show on weekday mornings, syndicated from Nashville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WAMO (AM)</span> Radio station in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania

WAMO is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, and serving the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. It broadcasts an urban contemporary radio format, is owned by the Martz Communications Group and is operated by Audacy, Inc., under a local marketing agreement (LMA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WQMP</span> Radio station in Daytona Beach, Florida

WQMP is a radio station licensed to Daytona Beach serving the Orlando and Space Coast areas of Central Florida. Owned by Audacy, Inc., it broadcasts an alternative rock format branded as "FM 101.9". Its studios are located in Maitland and the transmitter is in Orange City. To the north, the station can be heard as far as St. Augustine, to the south, the station can be heard as far as Palm Bay and is one of the few Orlando stations that covers Ocala.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WDZH</span> Alternative rock radio station in Detroit

WDZH is a commercial radio station licensed to Detroit, Michigan and serving the Metropolitan Detroit radio market in Southeastern Michigan. It is owned by Audacy, Inc. and airs an alternative rock radio format.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KFRG</span> Radio station in San Bernardino, California

KFRG is a commercial radio station licensed to San Bernardino, California, and broadcasting to the Riverside-San Bernardino-Inland Empire radio market. KFRG airs a country music radio format calling itself "K-FROG" and is believed to be the original "Frog" station under previous owner Keymarket. The brand name has been subsequently licensed by Keymarket to dozens of American radio stations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KMVK</span> Regional Mexican radio station in Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas

KMVK, is a commercial radio station licensed to Fort Worth, Texas and serving the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. The station is owned and operated by Audacy, Inc. KMVK broadcasts in Spanish and airs a radio format featuring Regional Mexican music. The station's studios are located along North Central Expressway in Uptown Dallas and the transmitter site is in Cedar Hill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KVIL</span> Radio station in Highland Park-Dallas, Texas

KVIL is a commercial radio station dual-licensed to Highland Park and Dallas, Texas. It is owned by Audacy, Inc. and it serves the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex in North Texas. The station's studios are located along North Central Expressway in Uptown Dallas. The station is branded as "Alt 103.7" and airs an alternative rock radio format.

KJKK is a commercial radio station in Dallas, Texas and serving the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. It is owned by Audacy, Inc., and airs an adult hits radio format known as "Jack FM". The station's studios and offices are along the North Central Expressway in Uptown Dallas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KEZK-FM</span> Adult contemporary radio station in St. Louis

KEZK-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to St. Louis, Missouri. It broadcasts an adult contemporary radio format and is owned by Audacy, Inc. From mid-November through the Christmas holiday, KEZK switches to an all-Christmas music format. The studios and offices are on Olive Street in Downtown St. Louis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WRCH (FM)</span> Adult contemporary radio station in New Britain–Hartford, Connecticut

WRCH is a commercial FM radio station licensed to New Britain, Connecticut, and serving the Greater Hartford and New Haven areas. It is owned by Audacy, Inc. and airs an adult contemporary radio format. In the evenings, it carries the syndicated Delilah program from Premiere Networks. On Saturday mornings, Your Weekend with Jim Brickman is heard and on Sunday mornings, Smooth Jazz Brunch airs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">W261AX</span> Radio station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

W261AX is a translator station serving the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania market, broadcasting on 100.1 MHz on the FM dial with a power of 99 watts. The station is owned by the Martz Communications Group, but broadcasts the programming of Audacy, Inc.-owned news/talk station KDKA. From 2011 to 2020, the translator carried a mainstream urban format, for most of that time in conjunction with Martz-owned WAMO. Audacy operates the station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KSON (FM)</span> Radio station in California, United States

KSON is a commercial radio station licensed to San Diego, California. Owned by Audacy, Inc., the station broadcasts a country music format.

References

  1. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for WDSY-FM". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ↑ Radio-Locator.com/WDSY-FM
  3. ↑ Broadcasting Yearbook 1963 page B-159
  4. ↑ Broadcasting Yearbook 1965 page B-132
  5. ↑ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1999 page D-383
  6. ↑ Staff Writer. "Mac is back, though he's not just partying". Beaver County Times. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  7. ↑ CBS Radio to Merge with Entercom
  8. ↑ "Entercom Receives FCC Approval for Merger with CBS Radio". Entercom. November 9, 2017. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  9. ↑ Venta, Lance (November 17, 2017). "Entercom Completes CBS Radio Merger". Radio Insight. Retrieved November 17, 2017.
  10. ↑ "Kane Brown's Pop Record A Genre-Buster For WDSY Pittsburgh". Country Insider. 10 March 2022. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  11. ↑ CBS Radio Debuts KDKA Traffic and Weather Together
  12. ↑ "Audacy Adds The Bet In Eight More Markets". RadioInsight. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 2022-02-23.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.