WFYY

Last updated

WFYY
Broadcast area Greater Orlando
Frequency 103.1 MHz (HD Radio)
BrandingKaliente 103.1
Programming
Format Spanish tropical
Subchannels
Ownership
Owner
  • Norsan Media
  • (Norsan Media, LLC)
WDYZ
History
First air date
February 1966;58 years ago (1966-02)
Former call signs
  • WLOQ (1965–2011)
  • WHKQ (2011–2014)
  • WOTW (2014–2022)
Call sign meaning
"Fly" (former branding)
Technical information [1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID 25403
Class C2
ERP 22,000 watts
HAAT 227 metres (745 ft)
Translator(s) HD3: 105.5 W288CJ (Oviedo)
Links
Public license information
Website kaliente1031.com
suave1055.com (HD3)

WFYY (103.1 FM) is a commercial radio station licensed to Windermere, Florida, and serving Greater Orlando. The station is owned by Norsan Media, and airs a Spanish tropical format.

Contents

The studios and offices are on Lucien Way in Maitland. [2] The transmitter is on West Story Road in Winter Garden, at Veterans Memorial Park. [3]

WFYY broadcasts in the HD Radio format; its HD2 subchannel simulcasts sister station WDYZ, which carries a Regional Mexican format, while their HD3 subchannel carries a Spanish adult contemporary format, which is rebroadcast on FM translator W288CJ, at 105.5 MHz.

History

Smooth jazz as WLOQ

In February 1966, the station first signed on as WLOQ. [4] Its original city of license was Winter Park. The station's effective radiated power was 3,000 watts, a fraction of its current output. It was housed in the Langford Hotel. [5] For its first couple of decades, WLOQ aired a middle of the road and easy listening format. In 1977, Gross Communications, headed by Herbert P. Gross, bought WLOQ. [6] Herbert Gross later passed control of the station onto his son, John.

Through the 1990s and 2000s, WLOQ was a smooth jazz station. As the large national radio companies bought most of the major stations in the region, WLOQ was the last independently owned FM radio station in Greater Orlando; in 2011, CEO John Gross decided to retire for medical reasons and put WLOQ up for sale.

Spanish CHR as WHKQ

In 2011, WLOQ was sold to the TTB Media Corporation. [7] At midnight on August 1 that year, WLOQ signed off after 35 years with "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong, and WLOQ's smooth jazz format moved exclusively online. The station then began stunting with an all-Elvis Presley format as "Elvis 103.1." On August 3, at 9 pm, the station flipped to Spanish Contemporary as "KQ103", launching with 20,000 songs in a row. [8]

On August 1, 2011, WLOQ changed its call sign to WHKQ. The WLOQ branding and smooth jazz format continued as an internet radio station, at WLOQRadio.com. The WLOQ branding was revived in August 2011 on an FM translator, W273CA (102.5 FM) in Orlando, simulcast from the HD Radio signal of WMGF, owned by iHeartMedia. Eventually, iHeart ended the smooth jazz format on the translator, although it continues on WMGF's HD2 signal and online.

Country as WOTW

On September 5, 2014, JVC Media, a New York-based broadcasting company that has been expanding its portfolio of radio properties in Florida, acquired WHKQ from TTB. [9] That same month, two websites were registered possibly showing JVC, upon closing the sale, may flip WHKQ to country music as My Country 103.1 to go up against longtime country leader WWKA, owned by Cox Radio. Other websites registered showed WHKQ possibly flipping to Dance music as Party 103.1. [10] JVC also requested to change the station's call letters to WOTW. [11]

JVC's purchase of WHKQ was consummated on December 15, 2014, at a price of $10 million. That night, at midnight, after on-air staff members bid farewell and began redirecting listeners to Spanish Tropical-formatted WRUM, WHKQ began stunting with simulcasts of other stations owned by JVC. The new WOTW call letters took effect on December 16. On December 19, at noon, the stunting switched to sounds of a radio static, a heartbeat, and wolves howling. At 1:03 p.m. that day, the station officially flipped to country as 103.1 The Wolf. The first song on WOTW was "My Kinda Party" by Jason Aldean, the first of 10,000 songs in a row to launch the format. [12] [13] [ non-primary source needed ]

In May 2017, JVC announced that WOTW would activate its HD Radio signal, signing on an HD2 sub-channel to air a mainstream rock format, branded as Bud 94.1 (in reference to recently acquired translator W231CT, which had previously simulcast WRSO). The sub-channel/translator signed on at 5:15 p.m. on July 13. [14] [15] On September 30, 2019, W231CT was acquired by iHeartMedia and began to simulcast WFLF. Bud 94.1 was rebranded Bud FM and still continued to be available on the HD2 subchannel until 2022. [16]

Rhythmic contemporary as WFYY

On July 25, 2022, it was reported that JVC applied to change WOTW's call letters to WFYY effective August 1, signaling a possible format change coming for the station. Multiple domains were registered for the station back in late June, including some with the branding of "Fly 103.1", suggesting a rhythmic-based format under that name, especially as new JVC Florida Director of Programming Stevie DeMann had spent much of his career in the format, previously programming WPYO and WJHM in Orlando. [17] [18] On July 29, at midnight, after playing "The Cowboy Rides Away" by George Strait, WOTW dropped the country format and began stunting with a loop of "Jam on It" by Newcleus, the song choice most likely a tribute to the longtime branding of WJHM, while promoting a change to come on August 1, at noon. [17] On July 30, the stunting shifted to a loop of songs containing the word "Party" in their titles, and on July 31, it shifted to a loop of songs with the word "Power" in their titles; both were similarly a tribute to the previous brands of WPYO. On August 1 at midnight, the playlist shifted to songs with the word "Fly" in their titles, and the new WFYY callsign went into effect. At the promised time, the station flipped to a rhythmic-leaning Top 40/CHR format as "Fly 103.1", with "First Class" by Jack Harlow being the first song played. [17] [19] WFYY competed with WXXL in their format. In September 2022, the country format and "The Wolf" branding returned on the station's HD2 subchannel and on streaming, replacing "Bud FM". [20]

Florida Man Radio

Despite its efforts, WFYY ultimately failed to capture the former listeners of WJHM or WPYO, carrying just a 1.3 rating in the January 2024 Nielsen Audio market ratings; while it tied with translator-fed rival W283AN/WTKS-HD2, it would ultimately be too little, too late for the format.

On February 28, 2024, JVC announced that WFYY would assume the hot talk format heard on its HD3 subchannel and on translator W288CJ (105.5 FM) as "Florida Man Radio" beginning the following Monday, March 4. The "Fly" airstaff would be released with the move. [21]

Sale to Norsan Media

Just three months after the flip to "Florida Man", JVC announced on June 13, 2024, that it would sell their Orlando stations, including WFYY, to Norsan Media for an undisclosed amount, which was later revealed to be $6 million. The station will flip to a Spanish-language format upon the sale closure, as Norsan focuses on such formats on their stations nationwide. [22] The following day at 6:00 pm, after airing The Shannon Burke Show, WFYY and its sister station WDYZ began airing programming from the new owners 3 days before the LMA deal was supposed to start the following Monday, the 17th. The station was rumored to launch its new radio format under the “Latina 103.1” branding. The sale was finalized on August 30, 2024. [23] The station did not officially launch its new Spanish Tropical radio format as “Kaliente 103.1” until October 1, 2024. [24]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WTKS-FM</span> Talk/alternative rock radio station in Cocoa Beach–Orlando, Florida

WTKS-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to Cocoa Beach, Florida, and serving Central Florida and Greater Orlando. It broadcasts a hybrid hot talk and alternative rock radio format. The station is owned and operated by iHeartMedia, Inc., with studios and offices is in Maitland, Florida).

WJHM is a radio station licensed to Daytona Beach serving the Orlando and Space Coast areas of Central Florida. Owned by Audacy, Inc., it broadcasts a classic hip hop format branded as "102 JAMZ". Its studios are located in Maitland and the transmitter is in Orange City.

KTXX-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to Bee Cave, Texas, and serving the Greater Austin metropolitan area. The station broadcasts a Regional Mexican radio format simulcast from KZNX. Genuine Austin Radio owns, and Norsan Media operates the station, with a sale to the latter pending. KTXX-FM's transmitter is located on State Highway 71 in southwest Austin. The station has studios and offices along Loop 360 in southwest Austin.

WCFB is a commercial radio station licensed to Daytona Beach, Florida, serving the Greater Orlando area. The station is owned by Cox Media Group, and airs an urban adult contemporary radio format. Its studios and offices are located on North John Young Parkway in Orlando. On weekdays, WCFB carries the syndicated Rickey Smiley Morning Show, as well as an hour of urban contemporary gospel music at 5 a.m., and a Quiet Storm program at night.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WPYO</span> Radio station in Maitland–Orlando, Florida

WPYO, is a radio station licensed to Maitland, Florida. The station airs a Spanish contemporary hits format, and is branded as "El Zol 95.3.” Owned by Spanish Broadcasting System, it serves the Greater Orlando area. The station's transmitter is located in Pine Hills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WFLF (AM)</span> Radio station in Florida, United States

WFLF is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Pine Hills, Florida, and serving Greater Orlando. It is owned by iHeartMedia and airs a news/talk format. The studios and offices are in the iHeart Orlando complex in Maitland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WSUN (FM)</span> Radio station in Holiday, Florida

WSUN is a commercial FM radio station, licensed to Holiday, Florida, and serving the Tampa Bay Area. The station is owned by Spanish Broadcasting System, and airs a Spanish contemporary hits format branded as "El Zol 97.1". The transmitter site is off Dartmouth Drive in Holiday.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WOEX</span> Spanish contemporary radio station in Orlando, Florida

WOEX is a commercial radio station in Orlando, Florida. It is owned by Cox Media Group and airs a bilingual adult contemporary radio format. WOEX's studios and offices are located in Orlando on North John Young Parkway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WRUM</span> Tropical music radio station in Orlando, Florida

WRUM is a commercial radio station in Orlando, Florida, known as "Rumba 100.3". It airs a Spanish-language radio format featuring Latin pop and reggaeton. It is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. The studios and offices are on Maitland Center Parkway in Maitland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WMGF</span> Radio station in Mount Dora–Orlando, Florida

WMGF is a commercial radio station licensed to Mount Dora, and serving Orlando and Central Florida. It is owned by iHeartMedia and airs an adult contemporary radio format, switching to a Christmas music for much of November and December. Its offices and studios are on Maitland Center Parkway in Maitland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WMTX</span> Radio station in Tampa, Florida

WMTX is a commercial radio station in Tampa, Florida, known as "Mix 100.7". It has an adult contemporary radio format, switching to Christmas music for much of November and December. It is owned by iHeartMedia, with its studios and offices on Gandy Boulevard in Tampa. WMTX serves as the primary Emergency Alert System station for the Tampa Bay area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">W227BF</span> Radio station in Shoreview, Minnesota

W227BF is a translator broadcasting Black Information Network programming from the HD2 subcarrier of iHeartMedia's KQQL. Licensed to Shoreview, Minnesota, it serves the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area inside the I-494/I-694 beltway. The station is owned by iHeartMedia. All the offices and studios are located in St. Louis Park and the transmitter is atop the IDS Center in downtown Minneapolis.

WHEL is a Top 40 (CHR) station licensed to Sanibel, Florida, broadcasting to the Fort Myers–Naples area. The station is owned by Sun Broadcasting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KXBG</span> Radio station in Cheyenne, Wyoming

KXBG is a radio station licensed to Cheyenne, Wyoming. Owned by iHeartMedia, it broadcasts a country format targeting the Fort Collins-Greeley, Colorado, area. Its studios are located in Loveland, Colorado.

KTFM is a commercial radio station licensed to Floresville, Texas, and serving Greater San Antonio. It broadcasts a sports radio format and is owned by Alpha Media. On weekdays it has local personalities hosting sports shows, with ESPN Radio heard nights and weekends. The studios are on Eisenhauer Road in San Antonio.

WDYZ is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Altamonte Springs, Florida, and serving Greater Orlando. The station is owned by Norsan Media, and airs a regional Mexican radio format. The studios and offices are in Maitland, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WBGF</span> Radio station in Belle Glade, Florida

WBGF is a radio station serving the West Palm Beach, Florida market. Owned by ANCO Media Group and licensed to Belle Glade, Florida, it broadcasts a dance/EDM format, branded as Revolution 93.5.

W273CA is a non-commercial FM radio station translator in Orlando, Florida. It is owned by the Central Florida Educational Foundation, airing a Christian Spanish format branded as "La Z 102.5". From 2011 until February 2014, the translator aired a smooth jazz format as "102.5 WLOQ," when it was leased by iHeartMedia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WZFL</span> Radio station in Islamorada, Florida

WZFL is a radio station licensed to Islamorada, Florida, and serves South Florida metropolitan areas of Miami, Dade County, and the Florida Keys. The station also utilizes a pair of relay transmitters that also broadcast at 93.5, W228BY, and Miami Beach, which also simulcasts WSFS-HD4) and 93.5 WBGF. WZFL itself is owned by ANCO Media Group and features programming from Compass Media Networks.

W283AN is an FM translator station licensed to cover Orlando, Florida. It rebroadcasts a mainstream urban format from the HD2 subchannel of WTKS-FM. The station, which was launched on February 12, 2014, is owned and operated by iHeartMedia. The station launched the day after WJHM shifted from Rhythmic CHR to Top 40/CHR.

References

  1. "Facility Technical Data for WFYY". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. "Nothing found for Contact Station Info". WFYY-FM - (JVC Media of Florida, LLC).
  3. "WFYY-FM 103.1 MHz - Windermere, FL". radio-locator.com.
  4. Broadcasting Yearbook 1968 page B-40
  5. Hinson, Sandra (February 17, 1966). "'Batman,' Despite Everything, Makes Top 10". The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando, Florida. p. 14-A. Retrieved July 31, 2022 via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Broadcasting Yearbook 1980 page C-52" (PDF).
  7. "WLOQ sold because of CEO's medical retirement" Orlando Business Journal , July 18, 2011.
  8. "103.1 WLOQ Orlando Sold; Now Stunting With Elvis" Lance Venta, radioinsight.com, August 1, 2011.
  9. JVC Media Acquires KQ103 Orlando from Radio Insight (September 5, 2014)
  10. Country Wolf Howling Into Orlando from Radio Insight (September 24, 2014)
  11. "Media Bureau Call Sign Actions" (PDF). Federal Communications Commission. December 9, 2014. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  12. 103.1 The Wolf Debuts from Format Change Archive December 23, 2014
  13. "Twitter - 103.1 The Wolf".
  14. "Bud 94.1 Orlando Officially Signs-On - RadioInsight".
  15. "WOTW-HD2 / W231CT Orlando - Bud 94.1 First Day - July 13 2017" via YouTube.
  16. "WFLA Orlando Expands To 94.1; Bud Moves To HD2 Only - RadioInsight".
  17. 1 2 3 "Fly 103.1 Debuts In Orlando". RadioInsight. August 2022. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  18. "Domain Insight 6/22: Is Orlando's Wolf Looking For New Prey? - RadioInsight".
  19. "WOTW 1031 The Wolf Last Hour + WFYY FLY 103.1 Format Launch / Debut FIRST HOUR" via YouTube.
  20. "Orlando's Wolf Returns On HD2/Streaming". RadioInsight. Retrieved September 21, 2022.
  21. "More On Florida Man Radio's Expansion - RadioInsight". March 4, 2024.
  22. "Norsan Media Acquires JVC's Orlando Properties". RadioInsight. Retrieved August 31, 2024.
  23. "Deal Digest: Former Entravision Executive Builds His Own Radio Company". Insideradio.com. September 5, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  24. "Norsan Media Launches Three New Brands In Orlando". RadioInsight. October 1, 2024. Retrieved October 1, 2024.