WXQW

Last updated
WXQW
WXQW 660News-Information logo.png
Broadcast area Mobile metropolitan area
Frequency 660 kHz
Branding660 News/Information
Programming
Format News/talk
Affiliations CBS News Radio
Fox News Radio
Westwood One
Ownership
Owner
WABD, WBLX-FM, WDLT-FM, WGOK
History
First air date
1964;60 years ago (1964) (as WMOO)
Former call signs
WMOE (1964) [1]
WMOO (1964–1988)
WLIT (1988)
WBLX (1988–1996)
WHOZ (1996–1998)
WDLT (1998–2007)
WWFF (2007) [2]
Former frequencies
1550 kHz (1964–1988)
Technical information
Facility ID 2541
Class D
Power 10,000 watts day
19 watts night
Transmitter coordinates
 30°35′51″N87°52′57″W / 30.59750°N 87.88250°W / 30.59750; -87.88250
Repeater(s) 104.1 WDLT-HD3 (Saraland)
Links
Webcast Listen Live
Website 660wxqw.com

WXQW (660 AM) is a news/talk radio station licensed to Fairhope, Alabama, and serving the Mobile metropolitan area. The station is owned by Cumulus Media and the broadcast license is held by Cumulus Licensing LLC. The radio studios and offices are on Dauphin Street in Midtown Mobile.

Contents

By day, WXQW broadcasts at 10,000 watts non-directional, covering parts of Alabama, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle. But at night, it reduces power to 19 watts to avoid interfering with other stations on 660 kHz, a clear-channel frequency. WXQW's transmitter is on Pollard Road at Newman Road in Daphne, Alabama. [3]

Programming

WXQW airs mostly nationally syndicated conservative talk shows from Westwood One, a subsidiary of Cumulus Media. They include Dan Bongino, Chris Plante, Ben Shapiro, Mark Levin, Michael J. Knowles and "Red Eye Radio." Mornings begin with two Westwood One news shows, "America in The Morning" and "First Light." From Fox News Talk, Brian Kilmeade is heard in middays. National news is heard at the beginning of each hour from CBS News Radio.

The station began as a country & western outlet in 1964, later broadcasting contemporary Christian music, children's radio, urban contemporary gospel, all-news radio from CNN Headline News, blues music, and syndicated talk formats in its nearly 50 years on the air. [1] [4] [5] [6]

History

Launch

In the early 1960s, Springhill Broadcasting, Inc., applied to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a new AM radio station in Mobile which would be powered at 50,000 watts. It would broadcast on 1550 kHz as a daylight-only station, required to go off the air at sunset. [1] The FCC granted the company a construction permit to build this new station and assigned call letters "WMOE" while construction was under way. Springhill Broadcasting was initially led by Marvin Burton as president and Samuel R. David as both vice president and general manager. [1]

Assigned new call sign "WMOO", the station began licensed broadcast operations in 1964 with a country & western music format. [2] [5] [7] By 1969, Samuel R. David would take over as president of license holder Springhill Broadcasting. [8] Under his leadership, Springhill Broadcasting reached a deal to sell WMOO to Trio Broadcasters, Inc. (George Beasley, president) which was consummated on December 17, 1969. [9] The new owners flipped the format from country to contemporary Christian music and maintained it through the 1970s and into the 1980s. [9]

Move to 660 kHz

Early WMOO branding WMOO-AM Christian Radio logo.jpg
Early WMOO branding

In March 1981, Trio Broadcasters, Inc., applied to the FCC to make extensive changes to their broadcast license for WMOO. [10] The company applied to change the community of license from Mobile to Fairhope, Alabama, to convert from daytimer status to a 24-hour operation with reduced daytime power plus nighttime service at 1,000 watts, to change broadcast frequency from 1550 kHz to 660 kHz, and to move the reconfigured antenna system to a new location just outside Daphne, Alabama. The FCC accepted the filing on May 15, 1981, and finally granted a construction permit for these changes on September 26, 1984. This permit was scheduled to expire one year later, on September 2, 1985. [10] After a long series of modifications and extensions, the station completed construction and applied for a license to cover these changes in August 1988. [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] The FCC granted this request and the station began licensed operation on the new frequency from the new location with the new operating hours and power levels on November 10, 1988. [16] As part of these changes, the station requested a new call sign from the FCC and was assigned "WLIT" on January 24, 1988. That change proved short-lived as the station became "WBLX" on July 4, 1988. [2]

The new WBLX was sold shortly after it was completed. Trio Broadcasters, Inc., reached a deal to sell the station to Central Life Broadcasting of Alabama, Inc., in September 1988. The FCC approved the sale on November 2, 1988, and the transaction was formally consummated on May 11, 1989. [17]

1990s

Less than a year later, in April 1990, a deal was reached to sell WBLX to April Broadcasting, Inc. The FCC approved the sale on July 23, 1990, and the transaction was formally consummated on October 31, 1990. [18]

On October 4, 1996, the station's call sign was changed to "WHOZ" when the station flipped to children's radio as an affiliate of Radio AAHS. The new format made its formal debut with a promotion at Bayfest on October 5, 1996. [6] WHOZ became the first radio station in the Mobile metropolitan area to air a radio format designed for children. [6] Unable to compete with Radio Disney, the entire Radio AAHS network discontinued programming in January 1998. [19]

Cumulus era

On January 21, 1998, the FCC assigned this station the "WDLT" call sign. [2] Cumulus Media agreed to purchase WDLT from April Broadcasting, Inc., in November 1999. After a legal challenge to the sale was dismissed, the FCC approved the sale on November 30, 1999, and the transaction was formally consummated the same day. [20]

Nine years later, the station was briefly assigned the call letters "WWFF" on September 21, 2007, before switching to the current "WXQW" on December 31, 2007. [2] This WXQW call sign was most recently assigned to a sister station (now WHRP, 94.1 FM) in the Huntsville, Alabama, market.

On October 12, 2015, WXQW changed its format from urban gospel (simulcasting WGOK 900 AM in Mobile) to conservative talk.

On January 20, 2016 WXQW was granted an FCC construction permit to decrease the night power to 180 watts. [21] On January 4, 2017 WXQW filed an application for a construction permit to decrease night power to 19 watts. The application was accepted for filing on January 20, 2017. [22]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WBLX-FM</span> Radio station in Mobile, Alabama

WBLX-FM is an American urban contemporary music-formatted radio station that serves Mobile, Lower Alabama, and Pensacola, Florida. The station has served the Gulf Coast for more than 50 years. Owned by Cumulus Media, its studios are on Dauphin Avenue in Midtown Mobile, and its transmitter is near Robertsdale, Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WLVM</span> K-Love radio station in Chickasaw-Mobile, Alabama

WLVM is an American radio station licensed to serve the community of Chickasaw, Alabama, and broadcasting to the Mobile metropolitan area. The station is owned by the Educational Media Foundation.

KMMQ is a radio station licensed to serve Plattsmouth, Nebraska, United States. The station is owned by NRG Media and the license is held by NRG License Sub, LLC, headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Its studios are located at Dodge Street and 50th Avenue in Midtown Omaha, while its transmitter site is located near Glenwood, Iowa.

WARB is a radio station licensed to serve Dothan, Alabama, United States. The station, which began licensed operation in 1996, is currently owned by Brian Baker and Anthony Donelson, through licensee good Guys Broadcasting, LLC. The station is licensed to broadcast only during daylight hours.

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

WXFX is an American radio station licensed to serve the community of Prattville, Alabama. The station, established in 1977 as WQIM, is currently owned by Cumulus Media and the broadcast license is held by Cumulus Licensing LLC. The WXFX studios are located on the 3rd floor of The Colonial Financial Center in downtown Montgomery, and the transmitter tower is in Montgomery's northeast side.

WLWI is an AM radio station licensed to serve Montgomery, Alabama, United States. The station is owned by Cumulus Media and the license is held by Cumulus Licensing, LLC. The WLWI studios are located on the third floor of The Colonial Financial Center in downtown Montgomery, and the transmitter tower is in Montgomery's southside.

WZKD is a radio station licensed to serve Montgomery, Alabama, United States. The station, originally launched in 1953, is currently owned by Roscoe Miller and the broadcast license is held by Autaugaville Radio, Inc. The WZKD studios are located on the 3rd floor of The Colonial Financial Center in downtown Montgomery, and the transmitter tower is in Montgomery's northeast side.

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

WHRP is a radio station licensed to serve Gurley, Alabama, United States. The station is owned by Cumulus Media and the license is held by Cumulus Licensing LLC. WHRP broadcasts an urban adult contemporary music format to the Huntsville, Alabama, market. Its transmitter is located southeast of downtown Huntsville, but its main studios are in Athens, Alabama.

WLXQ is a radio station licensed to serve Greensboro, Alabama, United States. The station is owned by Educational Media Foundation.

WNCV is a radio station licensed to serve Shalimar, Florida, United States. The station is owned by Cumulus Media and the license is held by Cumulus Licensing LLC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WDLT-FM</span> Radio station in Saraland, Alabama

WDLT-FM is an American radio station licensed to the community of Saraland, Alabama. The station, founded in 1966, broadcasts to the greater Mobile metropolitan area. The station is owned and operated by Cumulus Media. The WDLT broadcast license is held by Cumulus Licensing LLC.

WLAY-FM is a radio station licensed to serve Littleville, Alabama, United States. The station is owned by Mike Self and Parker Griffith, through licensee Singing River Media Group, LLC

WCOC was a radio station licensed to the community of Dora, Alabama, United States, and serving the greater Birmingham, Alabama, area. The station is owned by Azteca Communications of Alabama, Inc. It aired a Regional Mexican music format but as of August 2011 shut down operations due to "financial difficulties".

WQCR is a radio station licensed to serve Alabaster, Alabama, United States. The station is owned by Rivera Communications, LLC.

WERM is an American radio station licensed to serve the community of Fairhope, Alabama, since 1961. The station's broadcast license is currently held by Donald H. Pugh Sr., through licensee Eternity Media Group, LLC.

WMOB was a radio station licensed to serve Mobile, Alabama, United States. The station, founded in 1961 as WLIQ, is owned by Dave Minard, through licensee UM Enterprise, LLC.

WINL is an American radio station licensed to serve the community of Linden, Alabama. The station's broadcast license is held by Westburg Broadcasting Alabama, LLC.

WBZR-FM is an American radio station licensed to serve Atmore, Alabama. The station, which began regular broadcast operations in 1991, is currently owned and operated by Larry and Earnest White, through licensee Tri-County Broadcasting Inc.

WTOF is an American radio station licensed to serve Bay Minette, Alabama. The station is owned by Dave Minard, through licensee UM Enterprise, LLC. It previously aired a Christian radio format including syndicated Christian talk and Christian ministry plus Southern Gospel music.

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

WRKK – branded as Rock 94.9 – is a commercial active rock radio station licensed to Hughesville, Pennsylvania, serving the Williamsport metro area. Owned by iHeartMedia, Inc., WRKK is the local affiliate for Rover's Morning Glory and Sixx Sense with Nikki Sixx. The WRKK studios are located in Williamsport, while the station transmitter resides in Muncy. Besides a standard analog transmission, WRKK is available online via iHeartRadio. WRKK also simulcasts over Williamsport translator W235BA.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Directory of AM and FM Radio Stations in the U.S.". 1964 Broadcasting Yearbook. Washington, DC: Broadcasting Publications, Inc. 1964. p. B-6. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Call Sign History". FCC Media Bureau CDBS Public Access Database. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  3. ↑ Radio-Locator.com/WXQW
  4. ↑ "AM Technical Profile: WXQW". Alabama Broadcast Media Page. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  5. 1 2 "Country Music". Billboard . February 13, 1965. p. 48. Retrieved September 4, 2011. After many delays, including even a change in call letters, WMOO, Mutual Broadcasting System affiliate, went on the air here recently to give Mobile its first high-power radio station. The 50,000-watt daytimer plays all country music.
  6. 1 2 3 Brantley, Mike (October 5, 1996). "'Radio AAHS' plays for children; WHOZ-AM becomes first station in area to feature a format aimed at young listeners". Mobile Register . p. 1. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Directory of AM and FM Radio Stations in the U.S.". 1965 Broadcasting Yearbook. Washington, DC: Broadcasting Publications, Inc. 1965. p. B-6. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Directory of AM and FM Radio Stations in the U.S.". 1970 Broadcasting Yearbook. Washington, DC: Broadcasting Publications, Inc. 1970. p. B-7. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  9. 1 2 "The Facilities of Radio". 1979 Broadcasting Yearbook. Washington, DC: Broadcasting Publications, Inc. 1979. p. C-6. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  10. 1 2 "Application Search Details (BP-19810309AN)". FCC Media Bureau. September 26, 1984. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  11. ↑ "Application Search Details (BMP-19850919AG)". FCC Media Bureau. January 17, 1986. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  12. ↑ "Application Search Details (BMP-19860314AF)". FCC Media Bureau. June 13, 1986. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Application Search Details (BMP-19861112AG)". FCC Media Bureau. October 6, 1987. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  14. ↑ "Application Search Details (BMP-19880318AF)". FCC Media Bureau. April 11, 1988. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  15. ↑ "Application Search Details (BMP-19880610AD)". FCC Media Bureau. July 18, 1988. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  16. 1 2 "Application Search Details (BL-19880817AE)". FCC Media Bureau. November 10, 1988. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  17. ↑ "Application Search Details (BAL-19880923EB)". FCC Media Bureau. May 11, 1989. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  18. ↑ "Application Search Details (BAL-19900424EB)". FCC Media Bureau. October 31, 1990. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  19. ↑ "ABC Radio Loses Contract Lawsuit". The New York Times . October 1, 1998. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  20. ↑ "Application Search Details (BAL-19991117AAK)". FCC Media Bureau. November 30, 1999. Retrieved September 4, 2011.
  21. ↑ Application for Construction Permit for Commercial Broadcast Station - Federal Communications Commission
  22. ↑ Application for Construction Permit for Commercial Broadcast Station - Federal Communications Commission
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.