WEGX

Last updated
WEGX
WEGX.jpg
Broadcast area Florence, South Carolina
Frequency 92.9 MHz
BrandingEagle 92.9
Programming
Format Country music
Affiliations Premiere Networks
Ownership
Owner
WDAR-FM, WDSC, WJMX, WJMX-FM, WRZE, WWRK, WZTF
History
First air date
February 16, 1954;68 years ago (1954-02-16)
Former call signs
WDSC-FM (1954–1986)
WZNS (1986–1994)
Call sign meaning
EGX = 'Eagle' [1]
Technical information
Facility ID 16936
Class C
ERP 100,000 watts
HAAT 492.9 meters (1,617 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
34°22′4.00″N79°19′21.00″W / 34.3677778°N 79.3225000°W / 34.3677778; -79.3225000
Links
Webcast Listen Live
Website eagle929online.iheart.com

WEGX (92.9 FM) is a country music station licensed to Dillon, South Carolina and serves the Florence and Myrtle Beach areas. The iHeartMedia outlet is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to broadcast with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 100,000 watts. The station goes by the name Eagle 92.9 and its current slogan is "Today's Country." Its studios are in Florence, and the transmitter is located at WBTW's nearly 2000-foot tower in Dillon County northeast of Florence.

Contents

History of WEGX, Philadelphia

The WEGX call letters were formerly on Philadelphia's "Eagle 106," and was owned by Malrite Communications Group. The format was "Churban," a hybrid of the contemporary hit radio (CHR) and urban formats with a target demographic in the teens to early 20s, with a focus on dance music. Danny Bonaduce, formerly of the Partridge Family and talk show host, was one of the station's well-known personalities, second to John Lander and the "Nut Hut". On March 12, 1993, the station changed its format to Jazz. The call letters changed to WJJZ, Smooth Jazz 106, on March 22. WJJZ is also now defunct. The station is currently known as "The Breeze".

During the early 1990s WEGX had a great run in the Philadelphia market. Some notable talent that were involved with the station: Brian Philips (President of CMT as of 2008), Jay Beau Jones, Brian Murphy, Gary Leigh, Max Viera, Welch & Woody, Rumble & Thrower, John Lander, Danny Bonaduce, Lucy St. James, Spyder Harrison, Cadillac Jack, JoJo, Daryle Lee (Party Patrol), Sean Caldwell and Karen Clauss (news).

History of WEGX, Dillon

former logo WEGX logo.jpg
former logo

For many years Eagle 92.9 had the call letters WDSC-FM. The format was adult contemporary in the 1980s when WDSC-FM became WZNS Z-92.9 and increased its signal power, already at 100,000 watts, by moving to one of the area's tallest towers, the one already used by WPDE-TV.

WZNS "Z93" played classic rock in the early 1990s. During the summer of 1993, WRCQ owner Metropolitan Broadcasting managed the station and aired the same programming on WZNS and WRCQ. In November, WZNS went off the air. [2] Leading up to the switch in format, the station engaged in several stunts meant to attract attention, such as broadcasting the sound of chickens clucking, bouncing balls, barking dogs, running water, and a computerized countdown from 32,084. After the switch to country in 1994, billboards and newspaper ads advised people "Do not listen to 92.9 FM." [3]

Eagle 92.9 announced a move to studios in Fayetteville, North Carolina later that year. Owner Beasley Broadcasting also owned Fayetteville country station WKML. [4]

The station did not do well in Fayetteville, and after 5 months, the station moved back to Dillon. [5] On July 2, 1997, three years after buying the station, Beasley announced it would sell WEGX. Root Communications of Daytona Beach owned several stations in the Florence, South Carolina and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina markets, areas where Beasley had not succeeded in buying radio stations. [6]

Qantum Communications Inc. purchased Florence's Root Communications Group LP stations in 2003. [7]

With Qantum Communications once again concentrating their efforts on the Florence market and surrounding Pee Dee Region, the station quickly ascended to the top of the Arbitron rankings and has held its position consistently over the years, finishing second only to contemporary urban station WYNN 106.3. The station plays host to all MRN and PRN broadcasts as the official home for NASCAR in the region.

On May 15, 2014, Qantum Communications announced that it would sell its 29 stations, including WEGX, to Clear Channel Communications (now iHeartMedia), in a transaction connected to Clear Channel's sale of WALK AM-FM in Patchogue, New York to Connoisseur Media via Qantum. [8] The transaction was consummated on September 9, 2014.

See also

Related Research Articles

WWRK is a classic rock radio station located in Florence, South Carolina, United States. The station is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to broadcast on 970 AM with power of 10,000 watts during the day and 31 watts at night, non-directionally. WWRK is owned by iHeartMedia.

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

WQSM is a licensed FM class C1 Top 40 (CHR) radio station based in Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States. Owned and operated by Cumulus Media, Q98 has offices and studios located at 1009 Drayton Road in downtown Fayetteville. Its transmitter is located near Bragg Boulevard in Fayetteville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WFNC (AM)</span> Radio station in Fayetteville, North Carolina

WFNC is an AM radio station in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The station has a conservative talk format and is under ownership of Cumulus Media. Its studios and transmitter are co-located in Fayetteville.

WAZZ is a Top 40 (CHR) radio station in Fayetteville, North Carolina, owned by Beasley Media Group, LLC., and is "Never More Than 60 Seconds Away From Music". Its studios and transmitter are located separately in Fayetteville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WMRV (AM)</span> Radio station in Spring Lake, North Carolina

WMRV is a radio station licensed to Spring Lake, North Carolina, serving the Fayetteville area. The station is currently licensed to Jeffrey Andrulonis' Colonial Media and Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WGTR</span> Radio station in Bucksport–Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

WGTR is a country music radio station owned by iHeartMedia. Licensed to Bucksport, South Carolina, it serves the Myrtle Beach area. The station is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to broadcast with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 20,000 watts. WGTR goes by the name The Gator and its current slogan is "#1 For New Country, Gator 107.9". Its studios are located on the U.S. 17 Bypass in Myrtle Beach, and its transmitter is in Murrells Inlet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WYNA</span> Radio station in Calabash, North Carolina, serving Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

WYNA is a variety hits formatted radio station licensed to Calabash, North Carolina but serving the Grand Strand area of South Carolina. The iHeartMedia, Inc. outlet is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to broadcast at 104.9 MHz. The station goes by the name 104.9 Bob FM and its current slogan is "We Play Anything". Its studios are located on the U.S. 17 Bypass in Myrtle Beach, and its transmitter is located north of Atlantic Beach, South Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WIOZ-FM</span> Radio station in Southern Pines, North Carolina

WIOZ-FM is a radio station broadcasting an adult contemporary format. Licensed to Southern Pines, North Carolina, United States, the station is currently owned by Meridian Communications. L.L.C. and features programming from Premiere Radio Networks.

WMGU is an Urban Adult Contemporary music formatted radio station in the Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States, market, and licensed to Southern Pines. It is owned by Cumulus Media. Its studios are located in west Fayetteville, and its transmitter is located in Raeford, North Carolina.

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

WZFX is a mainstream urban formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Whiteville, North Carolina and located in Fayetteville, North Carolina. WZFX broadcasts under the branding "Foxy 99." WZFX is owned and operated by Beasley Media Group. Its studios are located east of downtown Fayetteville, and its transmitter is located in Tar Heel, North Carolina.

WFVL is a K-Love-affiliated Contemporary Christian radio station in the Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States, market which broadcasts on 102.3 FM.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WJMX-FM</span> Contemporary hit radio station in Cheraw–Florence, South Carolina

WJMX-FM, also known as "103X", is a Top 40 (CHR) station located in the Florence, South Carolina, radio market. The station is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to the town of Cheraw, South Carolina, and broadcasts on 103.3 FM with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 50 kW. Its studios are located in Florence, and its transmitter is located west of Society Hill, South Carolina. WJMX-FM is owned by iHeartMedia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WZTF</span> Radio station in Scranton, South Carolina

WZTF is a radio station broadcasting an urban adult contemporary format. Licensed to Scranton, South Carolina, United States, the station serves the Florence, South Carolina area. The station is currently owned by iHeartMedia, Inc., through licensee iHM Licenses, LLC. Its studios are located in Florence, and its transmitter is located south of Effingham, South Carolina.

WJMX is an AM radio station broadcasting a news/talk format. Licensed to Darlington, South Carolina, United States, it serves the Florence area. The station is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc., through licensee iHM Licenses, LLC, and features programming from Premiere Networks and the Salem Radio Network. Its studios are located in Florence, and its transmitter is located in Darlington.

WUKS is a radio station broadcasting an urban adult contemporary format. Licensed to St. Pauls, North Carolina, United States, the station serves the Fayetteville area. The station is currently owned by Beasley Media Group, through licensee Beasley Media Group Licenses, LLC, and features programming from ABC Radio. Its studios are located east of downtown Fayetteville, and its transmitter is located west of Lumber Bridge, North Carolina.

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

WRCQ is a radio station broadcasting a mainstream rock music format. Licensed to Dunn, North Carolina, United States, it serves the Fayetteville area. The station is currently owned by Cumulus Media. Its studios are located in west Fayetteville, and its transmitter is located east of Fayetteville in rural Sampson County, North Carolina.

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

WFAY is a radio station licensed to serve Fayetteville, North Carolina, United States. The station is owned by Jeffrey Andrulonis' Andrulonis Media. WFAY serves the Fayetteville area.

WCLN-FM is a radio station broadcasting a Contemporary Christian Music format. Licensed to Rennert, North Carolina, United States, it serves the greater Fayetteville, North Carolina area. The station is currently owned by Grander Vision Media, 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WDSC (AM)</span> Radio station in Dillon, South Carolina

WDSC is a radio station broadcasting a sports format. Licensed to Dillon, South Carolina, United States, the station is currently owned by iHeartMedia, Inc., through licensee iHM Licenses, LLC. Its studios are located in Florence, and its transmitter is located south of Dillon.

References

  1. "Call Letter Origins". Radio History on the Web.
  2. Paul Woolverton, "WRCQ Owners to Purchase Competitors," The Fayetteville Observer, November 2, 1993.
  3. Bob Horne, "Do Not -- I Repeat, Do Not -- Read the Column Below," The Fayetteville Observer, June 7, 1994.
  4. Michael Futch, "WEGX One Eagle That's Migrating North," The Fayetteville Observer, September 30, 1994.
  5. Michael Futch, "Country Music Station Heads Back to Dillon," The Fayetteville Observer, November 17, 1995.
  6. Michael Futch, "'The Eagle' Lands on the Market," The Fayetteville Observer, July 6, 1997.
  7. "Changing Hands". Broadcasting & Cable . 2003-03-16. Retrieved 2011-10-13.
  8. Venta, Lance (May 15, 2014). "Qantum Sells To Clear Channel; Connoisseur Expands In Long Island". RadioInsight. Retrieved May 15, 2014.