WENN (AM)

Last updated

WENN
Broadcast area Greater Birmingham
Frequency 1320 kHz
BrandingBeautiful 1320
Programming
Format Easy listening
Ownership
Owner
WAGG, WBHJ, WBHK, WBPT, WPYA, WZZK-FM
History
First air date
1950;74 years ago (1950) (as WEZB)
Former call signs
  • WEZB (1950–1959)
  • WENN (1959–1983)
  • WAGG (1983–1999)
  • WEZN (1999–2000)
  • WRJS (2000–2003)
  • WZZK (2003–2006)
  • WPSB (2006–2009)
[1]
Technical information [2]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID 6411
Class D
Power
  • 5,000 watts (day)
  • 111 watts (night)
Transmitter coordinates
33°33′41″N86°51′37″W / 33.56139°N 86.86028°W / 33.56139; -86.86028
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen Live
Website beautifulmusic.us

WENN (1320 kHz) is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Birmingham, Alabama. It airs an easy listening format and is owned by SummitMedia, which also owns six other Birmingham stations, and all share studios and offices in the Cahaba neighborhood in southeast Birmingham, but is not related to the fictional radio WENN in the American Movie Classics sitcom Remember WENN , which ran from 1996 to 1998.

Contents

By day, WENN broadcasts at 5,000 watts. To avoid interfering with other stations on 1320 AM, it reduces power to 111 watts at night. The transmitter is in Hopper City on the city's northside.

History

WEZB, WENN and WAGG

The station that now broadcasts at 1320 AM in Birmingham started in 1950 as WEZB, an easy listening music station licensed to Homewood, Alabama. When WEZB changed frequencies, moving to 1220 AM in 1959, it was replaced by WENN, playing R&B and black gospel music that targeted Birmingham's African-American community. During the turbulent 1960s, the new WENN was one of two stations that served black listeners; the other was WJLD. Because of FCC restrictions, WENN was a daytimer, broadcasting only from sunrise until sunset. Still, it enjoyed dominance over its main rival, WJLD. In 1969, WENN launched an FM companion station on 107.7 FM. The new WENN-FM was the first FM station in Birmingham aimed at the listening tastes of the community's African-American population.

The popularity of FM radio in Birmingham greatly increased during the late 1970s and early 1980s. WENN-FM's audience growth in particular led the station management to seek a separate identity for the AM 1320. In 1983, the AM station changed its call sign to WAGG, and it became an urban gospel music station. [1] This change in programming proved to be successful, and by the end of the 1980s, WAGG was one of the highest-rated AM stations in Birmingham.

Cox Radio

In 1998, Cox Radio, which already owned WZZK-FM, WODL-FM and WEZN, bought WAGG. One year later, WEZN, at the time an adult standards-formatted station, and WAGG swapped dial positions in order for WAGG to take advantage of the superior nighttime signal on 610 AM. As a result, 610 would be the new station for gospel music, while 1320 would be the new home for adult standards.

After WAGG and WEZN swapped dial positions, the 1320 AM frequency has changed both its call sign and its programming format several times. In 2000, the adult standards programming was dropped, and the station was relaunched as WRJS ("Rejoice 1320"), another urban gospel station. In 2002, the station changed formats again, becoming a regional Mexican music station known on the air as "La Favorita." In 2003, the station was reincarnated as WZZK (the call sign of 610 AM from 1985–1998), playing classic country music.

Urban Talk and Regional Mexican

The station became WPSB in February 2006, with an urban talk format under the moniker "The People's Station of Birmingham." [3]

On January 29, 2007, the station began stunting with a loop of "Oye Como Va" by Santana. On February 1, the station was officially relaunched as a Regional Mexican music station branded as "Radio Centro Birmingham". [4] The station was run out of Cox Radio's Birmingham facilities but was operated under a local marketing agreement by KPI Latino. [4] [5]

On March 15, 2009, the legacy WENN call sign was returned to this station. [1] At about the same time, the station dropped the Regional Mexican music format and reverted to urban-oriented talk programming.

Urban AC

On February 16, 2010, WENN changed its format to neo soul/urban AC, branded as "WENN 101.9, Birmingham's Neo Soul Station", with AM 1320 simulcasting on W270BW (101.9 FM). After approved modifications, W270BW now broadcasts at 102.1 FM (as W271BN), and could be received over most of downtown Birmingham.

On December 12, 2011, WENN/W271BN flipped to old-school hip-hop and R&B, branded as "Power 102.1." It carried the syndicated Birmingham native comedian Rickey Smiley in morning drive.

Sports radio

On August 30, 2012, WENN changed formats again. The old-school music previously played on 1320 AM moved to WZNN-HD2, and WENN became a sports radio station as a full-time network affiliate of ESPN Radio. At the same time, the station's programming began simulcasting on a new FM translator, W297BF (107.3 FM).

On July 20, 2012, Cox Radio, Inc. announced the sale of WENN and 22 other stations to Summit Media LLC for $66.25 million. The sale was consummated on May 3, 2013. [6] [7]

Summit Media ownership

On July 2, 2013, Summit Media announced a format change for 107.3 FM/97.3 HD-2. At Noon that day, the frequency became the over-the-air station for Birmingham Mountain Radio, a formerly internet-only radio station that had been receiving accolades in the market since its inception in 2010. [8] On that same day, WENN reverted to their simulcast of W271BN.

On November 15, 2013, WENN and W271BN changed the format to adult hits, simulcasting WZNN, branded as "102.1 Y'all FM". [9] The simulcast lasted until November 21, 2013, at midnight; at that time, the former WZNN became soft adult contemporary WEZZ, "Easy 97.3".

Going silent, subsequent formats

On October 3, 2014, WENN went silent, with W271BN switching to a simulcast of gospel-formatted sister station WAGG. [10]

In November 2014, WENN returned to the air, simulcasting WEZZ-FM's soft adult contemporary format.

In April 2015, WENN changed its format back to adult hits. The following month, WENN went silent, though it would later be reported to come back on air the following month with the same adult hits format, and would begin simulcasting on new FM translator W261BX (100.1 FM).

On September 25, 2015, WENN/W261BX began stunting with Christmas music, becoming the first station to change over for the season. The station was not selling any commercials during the stunt. [11]

On December 28, 2015, WENN changed its format to hot adult contemporary, branded as "All the Hits 100.1".

On March 14, 2016, WENN changed their format to soft AC, branded as "Easy 102.1", and switched translators to W271BN (102.1 FM). [12]

After the sale of its translator to the Educational Media Foundation, WENN went dark in April 2017. [13]

On May 4, 2017, WENN returned to the air with soft AC, branded as "Easy 1320".

In July 2017, WENN switched to a simulcast of urban adult contemporary-formatted WBHK. That simulcast gave way back to a simulcast of WAGG sometime later.

On November 23, 2024, WENN returned to the air with a beautiful music format, branded as "Beautiful 1320". [14]

WPSB-AM logo.png WPSB-AM logo Radio Centro.png

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WUHT</span> Radio station in Alabama, United States

WUHT is an urban adult contemporary radio station that serves the Birmingham, Alabama, area. The station is also the flagship station of the UAB Blazers Radio Network which had previously been heard on sister station WWMM. Owned by Cumulus Media, the station has studios in Homewood and its transmitter is atop Red Mountain.

WXGT is a commercial oldies radio station licensed to serve Columbus, Ohio, serving the Columbus metropolitan area. Owned by ICS Communications, Inc., the WXGT studios are located in beautiful Downtown Lewis Center, Ohio in the Lewis Center Metroplex, while the station transmitter resides in Columbus' Brandywine neighborhood on Morse Road,

WBPT is a classic rock music-formatted radio station licensed to Homewood, Alabama, that serves the Birmingham and central Alabama area. The station was assigned the WBPT call letters by the Federal Communications Commission on October 17, 2001. From October 2005 to December 20, 2022, it used the branding "106.9 the Eagle". The station is owned by SummitMedia, along with six other stations in the cluster, and all share studios in the Cahaba neighborhood in far southeast Birmingham. Its transmitter is located atop Red Mountain in Birmingham.

WAGG is a commercial radio station licensed to Birmingham, Alabama. It is owned by SummitMedia and broadcasts an urban gospel radio format that targets Birmingham's African-American community. The studios and offices are in the Cahaba neighborhood in Southeast Birmingham, along with six other stations owned by SummitMedia.

WPYA is an American radio station licensed to Gardendale, a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, United States. It is owned by SummitMedia. It airs a top 40 (CHR) format. It shares studios with six other sister stations in the Cahaba neighborhood in far southeast Birmingham, and the transmitter is based atop Red Mountain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WZRR</span> Radio station in Alabama, United States

WZRR is a radio station licensed to Birmingham, Alabama. It carries a news/talk format, simulcast with AM sister station WAPI. WZRR is one of several Birmingham-area radio stations owned by Cumulus Media, with radio studios and offices on Goodwin Crest Drive in Homewood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WZZK-FM</span> Radio station in Alabama, United States

WZZK-FM is a country music-formatted radio station licensed to Birmingham that serves northern and central Alabama. As of January 3, 2007, WZZK-FM is the flagship station of the Rick and Bubba radio network. It was the first FM station in Birmingham to switch to country music, and throughout much of the 1980s and 1990s was the top-rated radio station in Birmingham. The station is owned by SummitMedia alongside six other stations, and all share studios in the Cahaba neighborhood in far southeastern Birmingham. Its transmitter is located atop Red Mountain in Birmingham.

WYDE is a commercial AM radio station. The station is owned by the Crawford Broadcasting Company and airs a Southern Gospel radio format with some Christian talk and teaching programs. It is simulcast with WYDE-FM 92.5 MHz in Cordova.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WSRB</span> Urban adult contemporary radio station in Lansing, Illinois

WSRB is an urban adult contemporary radio station serving the Chicago metropolitan area and Northwest Indiana. It is licensed to the Southland suburb of Lansing, Illinois. Weekdays begin with the nationally syndicated Rickey Smiley Morning Show with local DJs heard the rest of the day. The station is owned by Crawford Broadcasting with studios and offices in Hammond, Indiana.

WBBF is a commercial AM radio station in Buffalo, New York. It airs a top 40 (CHR) radio format and is owned by Cumulus Media. The studios and offices are on James E. Casey Drive in Buffalo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WJLD</span> Radio station in Fairfield, Alabama

WJLD is a radio station licensed to Fairfield, Alabama, that serves most of the Birmingham metropolitan area. The station offers talk and music programming targeted towards African-American listeners, including a mixture of locally originated talk programming and urban oldies music. The station is owned by Richardson Broadcasting Corporation, a company based in Birmingham. Richardson Broadcasting Corporation also owns WAYE 1220 AM in Birmingham, Alabama and has construction permits for low power television stations in Dothan, Montgomery and Selma Alabama. The station's studios and transmitter are located separately in Southwest Birmingham.

WXLA is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Dimondale, a suburb of Lansing, Michigan. It is owned by MacDonald Broadcasting and airs a soft adult contemporary radio format. During the months of November and December, the station switches to an all-Christmas music format. It uses the branding "Easy 93.3". The dial position refers to WXLA's FM translator, W227DO at 93.3 MHz in Lansing.

WPLW-FM is a contemporary hit radio station licensed to Goldsboro, North Carolina, which is east of the Raleigh-Durham Triangle. The station is owned by Curtis Media Group. Its studios are located in Raleigh, and its transmitter is near Princeton, North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WJRD</span> Radio station in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

WJRD is a radio station licensed to serve Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States. The station is owned by JRD, Inc. WJRD simulcasts on FM translators W271AM and W276DP in Tuscaloosa.

WACT is a radio station licensed to serve Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States. The station, founded in 1958, is currently owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. and the license is held by iHM Licenses, LLC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WEZN-FM</span> Radio station in Bridgeport, Connecticut

WEZN-FM is a commercial radio station, licensed to Bridgeport, Connecticut, and serving Southern Connecticut. The station is owned by Connoisseur Media and it airs a hot adult contemporary radio format. The WEZN studios are located on Wheelers Farms Road in Milford, and its transmitter is on Green Haven Road in Trumbull.

WBTP is a commercial FM radio station broadcasting a classic hip hop format. Licensed to Sarasota, Florida, it serves the Sarasota / Bradenton / Tampa Bay Areas. The station is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc., with studios on West Gandy Boulevard in Tampa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WAYE</span> Radio station in Birmingham, Alabama

WAYE is a radio station broadcasting a Spanish variety format. Licensed to Birmingham, Alabama, United States, the station serves the Birmingham market. The station is currently owned by Dulce and Maria Rivera, through licensee Rivera Communications, LLC, and features programing from Westwood One.

KFXZ is a commercial AM radio station in Lafayette, Louisiana. It is owned by Delta Media and broadcasts a news/talk radio format. KFXZ's studios and offices are on Evangeline Thruway in Carencro. The transmitter is in Lafayette, northeast of the I-10/I-49 interchange.

WERC-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to Hoover, Alabama, and serving Greater Birmingham. It is owned by iHeartMedia and it simulcasts a talk radio format with sister station WERC 960 AM. The studios and offices are in Beacon Ridge Tower on First Avenue South in Birmingham, off Interstate 65.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Call Sign History". FCC Media Bureau CDBS Public Access Database.
  2. "Facility Technical Data for WENN". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. Ekman, Jennifer (September 1, 2006). "Cox rocks Birmingham". Birmingham Business Journal.
  4. 1 2 DeButts, Jimmy (February 9, 2007). "Hispanic radio station launched". Birmingham Business Journal.
  5. "Strategic Bilingual Media Services". KPI Latino. Retrieved March 6, 2009.
  6. "Cox Puts Clusters up for Sale". July 20, 2012.
  7. "Cox Sells Stations in Six Markets to Two Groups". May 6, 2013.
  8. "Internet station Birmingham Mountain Radio begins broadcasting over-the-air today on 107.3 FM and WZNN-HD2". al.com. July 2, 2013. Retrieved July 2, 2013.
  9. Y'all Moving Easily in Birmingham
  10. 102.1 Y'all Birmingham Goes to Heaven
  11. "Radio station defends Christmas music in September". October 2015.
  12. Easy, WAGG Move in Birmingham as Summit Launches 97.3 Play
  13. Easy 102.1 Birmingham Signs Off
  14. Alabama Broadcast Media Page