WUSH

Last updated

WUSH
WUSH-FM 2016.PNG
Broadcast area Hampton Roads
Frequency 106.1 MHz (HD Radio)
BrandingUS 106.1
Programming
Format Country music [1]
Subchannels HD2: WTAR simulcast (AAA)
Affiliations Premiere Networks
Ownership
Owner
  • Sinclair Telecable, Inc.
  • (Commonwealth Broadcasting, LLC)
History
First air date
April 2001;23 years ago (2001-04) [2]
Former call signs
  • WEXM (2001–2003)
  • WKOC (2003–2004)
  • WPYA (2004)
  • WKCK-FM (2004–2005)
  • WZNR (2005–2006)
  • WNRJ (2006–2007)
  • WUFH (2007–2008) [3]
Call sign meaning
"United States Hampton" (Roads)
Technical information [4]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 78447
Class B1
ERP 11,000  watts
HAAT 149.3 meters (490 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
 36°51′39.0″N76°21′1.0″W / 36.860833°N 76.350278°W / 36.860833; -76.350278
Translator(s) HD2: 96.5 W243DJ (Norfolk)
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen live
Website www.us1061.com

WUSH (106.1 FM) is a country music formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Poquoson, Virginia, serving Hampton Roads. [1] WUSH is owned and operated by Sinclair Telecable, Inc. [5]

Contents

WUSH is licensed by the FCC to broadcast in the HD radio format. [6]

History

The 106.1 frequency was formerly a translator for WROX-FM to service signal dropouts in Downtown Norfolk. This signed on in 1995 and was turned off in 2003. [7] In April 2001, a full-powered frequency signed on the air at 106.1 as WEXM, serving the Eastern Shore of Virginia (with a city of license of Exmore), and simulcasting WKOC. [8] The simulcasting would be discontinued in March 2004, as 106.1 would relocate their tower to Hampton and be re-licensed to Poquoson. [9]

WUSH's HD Radio Channels on a SPARC Radio with PSD. WUSH HD.png
WUSH's HD Radio Channels on a SPARC Radio with PSD.

On March 7, 2004, the 106.1 signal would debut as adult hits WPYA "106.1 Bob-FM". [10] This format was very popular with listeners, and fared much better than sister station WKCK (now WNOB)'s country music format. The two stations swapped signals, formats and call sign, and became "Kick 106" on September 23, 2004. [11] [12] [13] That would last until 5 p.m. on February 2, 2005, when, after playing "Gone Country" by Alan Jackson, the format, which never had high ratings, was dropped and the station began stunting with Snoop Dogg's "Drop It Like It's Hot" for two days straight. The Top 40/CHR format known as WZNR, "The Zone @ 106.1," debuted at 2 p.m. on February 4 (after a brief joke "introduction" for a soft AC format called "Mix 106"), with Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" being the first song played. [14] [15] [16] [17] The station was hoping to fill the market's mainstream top 40 void that was left open by WNVZ in 1993 by giving listeners "All The Hits, Not Just Some Of Them." The station also carried the syndicated morning show, "The Playhouse", which is based out of Portland, Oregon (the reasoning behind this was most likely that the show's host (PK)'s hometown was Virginia Beach). [18] [19]

Even though the format was well received in the area, the station had low ratings. On September 21, 2006, at 12:04 p.m., WZNR exited the "Zone" by segueing from the All-American Rejects' "Move Along" to an introduction to the new WNRJ, "Energy 106.1, Music That Makes You Move", followed by its first song in the new format, Bob Sinclar's Rock This Party (Everybody Dance Now) ." [20] [21] [22] WNRJ's format, branding and logo are also extremely similar to that of Alan Burns' Movin' format. Although this station was billing themselves as a "rhythmic hot AC," WNRJ was expected to lean slightly towards a Dance direction (as evidenced by the Sinclar track they launched with).

In January 2007, WNRJ's playlist began to shift towards rhythmic contemporary by incorporating more current R&B/hip-hop product into the mix and lessening on Dance and Old School tracks as a way to boost ratings and because of WWHV's flip from Urban to Sports (now WXTG). During this time, the station was still suffering from dismal numbers in the Arbitron ratings. On August 27, at Midnight (ET), WNRJ shifted formats to adult top 40, with the current hot AC Pop/Rock fare mixed in with some of the Rhythmic crossovers that were held over from the previous format. [23]

December 2007 relaunch

Energy's new adult top 40 format ultimately failed in the ratings, as the station peaked below a 2 share for the market's ratings. Sinclair Communications decided to take station in a different direction by flipping back to their previous country music format, while going in stunt mode for about 4 days to promote the change. On December 14, 2007, just before 2 pm (ET), after playing "Bye Bye Bye" by NSync, WNRJ began stunting with all Garth Brooks songs as "Garth 106", starting with "The Thunder Rolls"; the stunt would shift over the next few days to songs by Kenny Chesney as "Kenny 106", Martina McBride as "Martina 106", and George Strait as "George 106". [24] [25] [26]

The station completed its shift back to country music as WUSH, "US106, America's Country" at 5 p.m. on December 18, 2007, with the first song on "US106" being "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett. [24] [27] Two days later, though, the station took the WUFH call sign. [3] The station continued to ID as "WUSH", signaling a possible goof with either the station or the FCC. The call sign were corrected on January 2, 2008. [28] [29]

On August 15, 2008, the FCC granted a request from Sinclair Communications to move the antenna and increase the power of WUSH. Owner Bob Sinclair also made the announcement on-air at 5 p.m. The new tower started broadcasting on May 29, 2009 with 11,000 watts in Portsmouth, Virginia. [30]

HD Radio

In 2014, WUSH started broadcasting in HD Radio and put sister station WROX-FM on its HD2 sub-channel. On March 25, 2016, at noon, the HD2 channel shifted to Mainstream Rock, branded as "96.5 Rocks", which is simulcasted on translator W243DJ (96.5 FM). [31] [32]

On June 26, 2017, at noon, WUSH-HD2 changed their format from mainstream rock to soft oldies, branded as "Vintage 96.5", with the first song being "Lookin' out My Back Door" by Creedence Clearwater Revival. [33] Just a few months later, on September 15, 2017, at 3 p.m., WUSH-HD2 flipped to a simulcast of sports-formatted WTAR 850 AM. [34] On September 6, 2022, WUSH-HD2 changed their format to a simulcast of hot adult contemporary-formatted WTAR, as "96.5 "Lucy FM". [35]

Related Research Articles

WRUB is a Spanish tropical music radio station that serves the Tampa Bay. It is owned and operated by iHeartMedia. Licensed to Clearwater, the station's studios are located in South Tampa and the transmitter site is in Gandy.

<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.

WPRT-FM is an ESPN Radio-affiliated sports radio station. It is licensed to the city of Pegram, Tennessee, but serves the Nashville and Clarksville/Hopkinsville markets. The station's studios are located in southeast Nashville along the Murfreesboro Road, and the transmitter is located between Clarksville and Dickson in the unincorporated community of Cumberland Furnace.

WTAR is a commercial radio station licensed to Norfolk, Virginia, and serving the Hampton Roads radio market. WTAR is owned and operated by Sinclair Telecable, Inc. It broadcasts an adult album alternative format as "96.5 The Coast". WTAR's studios and offices are on Waterside Drive in Norfolk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KDHT (FM)</span> Contemporary hit radio station in Denver

KDHT is a commercial FM radio station in Denver, Colorado. KDHT broadcasts a top 40 format branded as "Hits 95.7", and is owned by iHeartMedia. The station has studios and offices on South Monaco Street in the Denver Tech Center, while the transmitter site is atop Lookout Mountain in Golden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WWEG</span> Radio station in Myersville, Maryland

WWEG is a commercial FM radio station licensed to serve Myersville, Maryland. The station is owned by Manning Broadcasting, Inc. and broadcasts a classic hits format.

KYMV is an adult hits formatted radio station serving the Salt Lake Valley. The Broadway Media outlet broadcasts with an ERP of 88 kW and is currently licensed to Woodruff, Utah. They also use five on-channel boosters in the area to cover the metro due to its transmitter being based on Humpy Peak, located 50 miles east of Salt Lake City. The station's studios are located in Downtown Salt Lake City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WJFX</span> Radio station in New Haven, Indiana

WJFX is a Top 40 radio station located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It is owned and operated by Adams Radio Group, through licensee ARG of Fort Wayne LLC. WJFX broadcasts three channels in the HD digital format.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WNOB</span> Radio station in Chesapeake, Virginia

WNOB is an adult hits formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Chesapeake, Virginia, serving Hampton Roads and Northeastern North Carolina. WNOB is owned and operated by Sinclair Telecable, Inc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KWWV</span> Radio station in Santa Margarita, California

KWWV is a commercial radio station that is licensed to San Luis Obispo, California. The station is owned by Dimes Media Corporation and broadcasts a Top 40 (CHR) radio format. Programming includes The Wild Wake Up with Doughboy weekday mornings, DJ Flashback weekday afternoons and XYZ with Erik Zachary weeknights, American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest weekends.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WKSI-FM</span> Radio station in Stephens City, Virginia

WKSI-FM is a contemporary hit radio formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Stephens City, Virginia, serving the Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. WKSI-FM is owned and operated by iHeartMedia

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WZID</span> Radio station in New Hampshire, United States

WZID is an American radio station with an adult contemporary format. WZID is located on Commercial Street in Manchester, New Hampshire. Its signal can be heard as far south as the Massachusetts Turnpike, as far east as southern Maine and as far west as Vermont. WZID also broadcasts in HD Radio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WWRE</span> Radio station in Bridgewater–Harrisonburg, Virginia

WWRE is a classic hits formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Bridgewater, Virginia, serving Harrisonburg/Staunton area. WWRE is owned and operated by Saga Communications, through licensee Tidewater Communications, LLC.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WLRX (FM)</span> Radio station in Vinton, Virginia

WLRX and WAWX are FM radio stations owned by the Educational Media Foundation (EMF). WLRX is licensed to Vinton, Virginia, serving the Roanoke metropolitan area. WAWX is licensed to Lynchburg, Virginia, serving the Lynchburg metropolitan area. WLRX plays a Contemporary Christian radio format from the "K-Love" national network, while WAWX airs a Contemporary Worship format as a network affiliate of "Air1."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KQBL</span> Country music radio station in Emmett, Idaho, United States

KQBL is a commercial radio station licensed to Emmett, Idaho, United States, that serves the Boise metropolitan area. The station is currently owned by the Iliad Media Group Holdings Employee Stock Ownership Trust, through licensee Iliad Media Group Holdings Inc. Known as 101.9 The Bull, it broadcasts a country music format.

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

KTTU-FM is a radio station licensed to New Deal, Texas and owned by Ramar Communications Inc. of Lubbock serving the Lubbock area. KLZK was originally on 104.3. On March 30, 2008, KLZK-FM swapped frequencies with sister station KSTQ-FM.

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

KSSX is a commercial radio station located in San Diego, California, although the station is legally licensed to serve Carlsbad, in nearby North County. The station airs a rhythmic contemporary format, and is one of seven stations in the market owned and operated by iHeartMedia. The station's studios are located in San Diego's Kearny Mesa neighborhood on the northeast side, and the transmitter is atop Mt. Soledad, located in La Jolla.

KRMX is a radio station broadcasting a Texas country format. Licensed to Bellmead, Texas, United States, the station serves the Waco area. The station is currently owned by M&M Broadcasters. Its studios are in Waco, and its transmitter is located on U.S. Highway 84, west of Mexia, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">W237BZ</span> Radio station in Clayton, North Carolina

W237BZ, known on-air as 95.3 The Beat, is a radio station licensed to Clayton, North Carolina. The station airs a Classic hip hop radio format. The station is operated by iHeartMedia. The translator simulcasts the programming of WDCG-HD2, along with a second translator, W236CA in Durham, which began simulcasting on 95.1 FM in late 2015.

References

  1. 1 2 "Arbitron Station Information Profiles". Nielsen Audio/Nielsen Holdings . Retrieved March 26, 2016.
  2. ↑ Broadcasting Yearbook 2010 (PDF). ProQuest, LLC/Reed Publishing (Nederland), B.V. 2010. p. D-552. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Call Sign History". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for WUSH". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  5. ↑ "WUSH Facility Record". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
  6. ↑ HD Radio Guide for Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Newport News
  7. ↑ "FCCdata.org - powered by REC". fccdata.org.
  8. ↑ "FCCdata.org - powered by REC". fccdata.org.
  9. ↑ "FCCdata.org - powered by REC". fccdata.org.
  10. ↑ "106.1 Bob-FM Debuts". March 7, 2004.
  11. ↑ "WHERE'S BOB GOING NOW? FM STATION IS MOVING UP.(LOCAL) - The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA) | HighBeam Research". web.archive.org. April 23, 2018.
  12. ↑ "WPYA 106.1 BOB FM Move to 93.7 (September 23, 2004)". October 10, 2017 – via YouTube.
  13. ↑ "WKCK 93.7 Kick-FM Move to 106.1 (September 23, 2004)". October 11, 2017 – via YouTube.
  14. ↑ "The Virginian-Pilot Archives".
  15. ↑ "Country station makes way for The Zone.(Daily Break) - The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA) | HighBeam Research". web.archive.org. May 3, 2016.
  16. ↑ American Radio History [ dead link ]
  17. ↑ "WZNR radio clip" (WMA). www.vartv.com.
  18. ↑ "Power 96.1 - Atlanta's #1 Hit Music Station!". Archived from the original on June 8, 2007.
  19. ↑ "Playhouse TV: PK's Yearbooks". YouTube . Archived from the original on December 5, 2021.
  20. ↑ "CHR 106.1 WZNR becomes Rhythmic AC "Energy 106.1" WNRJ". FormatChange.com, The Format Change Archive. September 21, 2006. Retrieved December 17, 2007.
  21. ↑ "Music & Radio Station News | AllAccess.com". All Access.
  22. ↑ "Stations announce big developments in the world of local radio.(Daily Break) - The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA) | HighBeam Research". web.archive.org. May 3, 2016.
  23. ↑ Maisey, Jeff (August 31, 2007). "WNRJ now Hot Adult Contemporary". The Virginian Pilot. Archived from the original on May 16, 2011. Retrieved December 17, 2007.
  24. 1 2 "VARTV.com | News Archives - November & December 2007". www.vartv.com.
  25. ↑ "Music & Radio Station News | AllAccess.com". All Access.
  26. ↑ "WNRJ Norfolk/Virginia Beach Becomes "US 106" WUSH". December 19, 2007.
  27. ↑ HighBeam
  28. ↑ "FCCdata.org - powered by REC". fccdata.org.
  29. ↑ "Call Sign History". licensing.fcc.gov.
  30. ↑ "FCCdata.org - powered by REC". fccdata.org.
  31. ↑ "96.5 Rocks Into Norfolk". RadioInsight. March 27, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2022.
  32. ↑ "Music & Radio Station News | AllAccess.com". All Access.
  33. ↑ says, Joseph_Gallant. "A New Vintage For Norfolk".
  34. ↑ Vintage 96.5 Quickly Gives Way to WTAR Simulcast Radioinsight - September 15, 2017
  35. ↑ LUCY IS HOME IN NORFOLK Radioinsight - September 6, 2022
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.