WMPX (AM)

Last updated
WMPX
Simulcasting WMRX-FM Beaverton
Broadcast area Saginaw-Bay City-Midland
Frequency 1490 kHz
BrandingSunny 97.7/107.7
Programming
Format Classic hits
Ownership
OwnerBlack Diamond Broadcasting
WMRX-FM
History
First air date
1948 (as WMDN)
Former call signs
WMDN (1948–1971)
Call sign meaning
Myron P. Patten (former owner)
Technical information
Facility ID 39673
Class C
Power 980 watts
Translator(s) 107.7 W299CK (Midland)
Links
Webcast Listen Live
Website sunny977fm.com

WMPX (1490 kHz) is an AM radio station licensed to Midland, Michigan broadcasting a classic hits format, simulcasting WMRX-FM 97.7 Beaverton. The station is imaged as "Sunny 97.7107.7", with 107.7 being the frequency of translator W299CK Midland. Until January 2014, the station featured the America's Best Music format distributed by Westwood One.

Contents

Until March 1, 2019, WMPX was simulcast with WMRX-FM 97.7 24/7 except for some local sports play-by-play. Although there are other radio stations licensed to Midland, WMPX is today the only commercial radio station that primarily serves the Midland area (WUGN-FM is a non-commercial religious station and WKQZ-FM is licensed to Midland but has studios in Saginaw).

History

WMPX began broadcasting in 1948 as WMDN. WMDN was Midland's first radio station, owned by the city's newspaper, the Midland Daily News. That station continued to use that callsign until July 1971.

The station was sold in 1959 to a group of Bay City businessmen.

The station was then sold in 1968 to Patten Broadcasting Co. and changed the call letters in 1971 to WMPX after firm president Myron P. Patten.

WMPX general manager Ronald Maines bought the station from Patten Communications Corp in 1981.

WMPX-AM in Midland, along with WMRX-FM in Beaverton, changed hands again in late 1992 with Steel Broadcasting as the new owners. Steel Broadcasting was headed up by Tom Steel (55 percent) and previous WMPX shareholder Pat Patten (45 percent). Steel, Assistant General Manager at the station at the time of the sale, was originally hired as a sales rep at WMPX in 1977.

WMPX was acquired by Black Diamond Briadcasting in 2020.

On March 1, 2019 WMPX split from its simulcast with WMRX-FM and launched a classic country format, branded as "107.7 The Highway" (simulcast on FM translator W299CK 107.7 FM Midland). [1]

On July 1, 2023 WMPX dropped its classic country format and switched back to a simulcast of WMRX-FM's classic hits format, branded as "Sunny 97.7/107.7". [2]

The Highway 107.7.jpg

Related Research Articles

WNSY is a commercial radio station in northwest Georgia, licensed to Talking Rock. It is owned by Davis Broadcasting of Atlanta and it simulcasts WJZA on 1310 kHz in Decatur. The two stations, along with an Atlanta FM translator station at 101.1 MHz, simulcast a smooth jazz radio format. The stations use the dial position of the translator, calling themselves "101.1 WJZA."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WCBF (FM)</span> Radio station in Elmira, New York

WCBF is an FM radio station licensed to Elmira, New York. It is owned by Seven Mountains Media and airs a country music format.

WSBX is a radio station based in Mackinaw City, Michigan.

WOWW is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Germantown, Tennessee, and serving the Memphis metropolitan area. WOWW carries an adult album alternative radio format and calls itself "Radio Pig". It is owned and operated by Flinn Broadcasting Corporation. The studios and offices are in Southaven, Mississippi.

WYUP is a commercial radio station licensed to Loretto, Pennsylvania and serving Blair, and Cambria Counties in west central Pennsylvania. WYUP operates fulltime with 1,000 watts. The station is owned by Matt Lightner, through licensee Lightner Communications, LLC.

WNWZ is a radio station broadcasting an urban contemporary format, licensed to Grand Rapids, Michigan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WWCK (AM)</span> Radio station in Flint, Michigan

WWCK is a commercial AM radio station in Flint, Michigan. It is owned by Cumulus Media and it broadcasts a classic hits radio format. Its studios are south of the Flint city limits and the AM transmitter is east of downtown Flint near the intersection of Dort Highway and I-69. WWCK carries Michigan State Spartans college football and men's basketball.

WMRX-FM is a radio station licensed to Beaverton, Michigan in the United States, broadcasting a classic hits format. In January 2021, the station began branding as "Mid-Michigan's Favorite Hits". The station also is an affiliate of the Detroit Tigers Radio Network. Black Diamond Broadcasting is the owner of WMRX-FM.

WCEH is an AM radio station licensed to serve Hawkinsville, Georgia. The station is operated by Shanks Broadcasting with a classic rock format.

WLYV is a radio station broadcasting a news/talk/sports format. Licensed to Bellaire, Ohio, United States, it serves the Wheeling area. The station is currently owned by Cody Barack, through licensee Ohio Midland Newsgroup, LLC.

WRZE is a radio station airing a classic rock format. Licensed to Kingstree, South Carolina, United States, the station is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc., through licensee iHM Licenses, LLC.

WGTN is a radio station broadcasting a classic country format, which is licensed to Georgetown, South Carolina, United States. The station was first licensed October 4, 1949. The station is currently owned by R.J. Stalvey. It previously featured programming from America's Radio News Network and CBS News. It aired Fox Sports Radio on weekends.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WTSL</span> Radio station in Hanover, New Hampshire

WTSL is a commercial radio station licensed to Hanover, New Hampshire, United States. It airs an adult hits radio format and serves the Lebanon-Hanover-White River Junction area. The station is owned by Great Eastern Radio, LLC. WTSL also broadcasts Dartmouth College Big Green football and hockey games.

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

WSDV is a commercial radio station licensed to Sarasota, Florida, and broadcasting to the Sarasota - Bradenton radio market. The station airs a hot adult contemporary format, switching to Christmas music for much of November and December. It is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc.

WMML is a radio station broadcasting a classic country format. Licensed to Glens Falls, New York, United States, the station serves the Glens Falls area. Established in 1959 as WSET, the station is owned by Pamal Broadcasting, through licensee 6 Johnson Road Licenses, Inc.

WABY is a commercial radio station licensed to Watervliet, New York, and serving the Capital District. The station broadcasts a 1990s-2000s rock radio format and is owned by Loud Media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WWTF</span> Radio station in Georgetown, Kentucky

WWTF is a commercial radio station broadcasting an active rock and alternative rock radio format. Licensed to Georgetown, Kentucky, United States, WWTF serves the Lexington Metro Area. The station is currently owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. WWTF programming is simulcast on FM translator W249DJ at 97.7 MHz. Since most listening to rock music is on FM, the station uses its FM dial position to identify itself, as "97.7 Lexington's Rock Alternative."

KYMO is a radio station licensed to East Prairie, Missouri, United States. The station is currently owned by Delta Broadcasting, LLC.

KRJO is an American radio station broadcasting a classic country music format. The station is licensed to Monroe, Louisiana and is owned by Holladay Broadcasting of Louisiana, LLC. Studios are located in Monroe, and its single-tower transmitter site is located east of Monroe.

KSIG is an AM radio station broadcasting a classic country format. Licensed to Crowley, Louisiana, United States, the station serves the Crowley and Lafayette areas. The station is currently owned by Acadia Broadcast Partners, Inc. Both the studios and transmitter for the station are located separately in Crowley.

References

  1. 107.7 The Highway Debuts in Midland MI Radioinsight - March 1, 2019
  2. Sunny Doubles Up in Central Michigan Radioinsight - July 7, 2023

43°36′48″N84°13′17″W / 43.61333°N 84.22139°W / 43.61333; -84.22139