WYXL

Last updated
WYXL
WYXL LiteRock97.3 logo.png
Broadcast area Central New York
Frequency 97.3 MHz (HD Radio)
BrandingLite Rock 97.3
Programming
Format Adult contemporary
Subchannels HD2: AAA "96.7 The Vine"
HD3: Sports "96.3 The Buzzer"
Affiliations Compass Media Networks
Ownership
Owner
  • Saga Communications
  • (Saga Communications of New England, LLC)
WFIZ, WHCU, WIII, WNYY, WQNY
History
First air date
1948;75 years ago (1948) (as WYFC at 95.1)
Former call signs
WYFC (1948-1951)
WHCU-FM (1951-1987)
Former frequencies
95.1 MHz (1948-1950)
Technical information
Facility ID 18051
Class B
ERP 26,000 watts
HAAT 268 meters (879 ft)
Translator(s) HD2: 96.7 W244CZ (Ithaca)
HD3: 96.3 W242AB (Cayuga Heights)
Links
Webcast Listen Live
Listen Live (HD2)
Website literock973.com
967thevine.com (HD2)
963thebuzzer.com (HD3)

WYXL (97.3 FM) is a commercial radio station in Ithaca, New York, known as "Lite Rock 97.3." It broadcasts an adult contemporary radio format. The station has been owned by Saga Communications, operating as part of its Cayuga Radio Group, since 2005. It is co-owned with WHCU, WQNY, WIII, and WNYY. In the evening, WYXL carries the nationally syndicated show John Tesh, Intelligence for Your Life.

Contents

WYXL has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 26,000 watts. It broadcasts using HD Radio technology. The HD2 digital subchannel carries an adult album alternative (AAA) format, feeding an FM translator at 96.7 MHz. The HD3 subchannel carries a sports radio format, feeding an FM translator at 96.3 MHz.

History

Rural Radio Network and Cornell University

The station signed on as WYFC in 1948;75 years ago. It originally broadcast at 95.1 MHz. It was a charter member of the Rural Radio Network. [1] In 1951, it was obtained by Cornell University.

Cornell changed the call letters to WHCU-FM to match those of the AM station it already owned. [2] Under Cornell, the station moved to its current frequency. The university built new studios for the stations in downtown Ithaca in 1957. The AM station carried a news, information and discussion format with hourly news from CBS Radio News while the FM station specialized in classical music. Both stations were commercial operations but were subsidized by Cornell.

Eagle and Saga Communications

Cornell University sold WHCU-AM-FM to Eagle Communications in 1985. Eagle switched WHCU-FM to adult contemporary music, changing the call sign to WYXL. The AM station became a more mainstream talk radio outlet. Six years later, the stations moved into a new complex on Hanshaw Road, northeast of Ithaca in the town of Dryden.

In 2005, WYXL was acquired by the Cayuga Radio Group, a subsidiary of Saga Communications.

HD Radio

WYXL is one of the first stations in the nation to rebroadcast its HD subchannels on its analog translators. Its HD-2 channel was originally a syndicated CHR/Top 40 service known as Hits 103.3, using the W277BS translator. Hits 103.3 signed on in September 2008, shortly after the debut of WFIZ "Z-95.5" FM. The 103.3 translator prior to HD service at WYXL had been an FM simulcast of WNYY.

Its HD-3 channel launched in September 2009 as "98.7 The Vine", a blend of AAA with lesser known independent artists and some local bands. It formerly broadcast on the W254BF translator, which was acquired from Clear Channel in 2009. The translator, formerly on 98.3 FM at much lower power, was used to rebroadcast WPHR-FM (106.9 FM) while it was located in Auburn. On February 17, 2014 WYXL-HD3 and W254BF changed their format to sports, branded as "98.7 The Buzzer", with programming from CBS Sports Radio. [3]

On March 24, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Saga announced that WYXL-HD3 and the translator, which had since moved to 96.3 W242AB, would temporarily suspend regular sports programming between 8AM and 5PM Mondays through Fridays to carry information for patients being tested for the virus at the mobile testing facility at The Shops at Ithaca Mall. Sports programming, which had since shifted to Fox Sports Radio, continued during downtime hours and weekends. [4]

WYXL previously had a translator on 95.5 FM that had simulcast WHCU, but the translator was shut off prior to the sign on of WFIZ.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KQQL</span> Radio station in Anoka–Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minnesota

KQQL is a commercial radio station serving the Minneapolis-St. Paul radio market and is licensed to suburban Anoka. It plays classic hits and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. The studios and offices are on Utica Avenue South in St. Louis Park.

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

WMXC is a commercial radio station licensed to Mobile, Alabama, and serving the Mobile and Pensacola metropolitan areas. The station broadcasts an adult contemporary radio format, switching to Christmas music for much of November and December. It is owned by iHeartMedia, with the broadcast license held by iHM Licenses, LLC. The studios are co-located with former sister television station WKRG-TV on Broadcast Drive in Mobile. WMXC carries several syndicated shows from co-owned Premiere Networks: Murphy, Sam & Jodi in morning drive time, Delilah in the evening and Ellen K on Saturday mornings.

<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">WIBA-FM</span> Radio station in Sauk City, Wisconsin

WIBA-FM (101.5 MHz) is a radio station licensed to Sauk City, Wisconsin and serving Madison and south central Wisconsin. The station is owned and operated by iHeartMedia and broadcasts a classic rock music format on its primary HD radio, while its HD2 channel carries an oldies format that is simulcast to analog translator station W265CV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WHCU</span> Radio station in Ithaca, New York

WHCU is a commercial radio station in Ithaca, New York, that programs a news/talk radio format. The station has been owned by Saga Communications, operating as part of its Cayuga Radio Group, since 2005. The studios and offices are on Hanshaw Road in Ithaca.

WIXY is a commercial radio station broadcasting a country music radio format. Licensed to Champaign, Illinois, United States, the station serves the Champaign-Urbana area. The station is owned by Saga Communications under licensee Saga Communications of Illinois, LLC, and operates as part of its Illini Radio Group. The radio studios and offices are on West Bradley Avenue in Champaign.

WPOZ is a non-commercial, listener-supported FM radio station licensed to Orlando, and serving Central Florida. It is owned by the Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc., and it broadcasts a Contemporary Christian radio format. The radio studios are in Altamonte Springs.

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

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.

WJKR is a commercial radio station licensed to Worthington, Ohio, carrying a country format known as "Country 103.9". Owned by the North American Broadcasting Company, Inc., WJKR serves the Columbus metro area. WJKR's studios and transmitter are both located in Columbus. In addition to a standard analog transmission, WJKR broadcasts over two HD Radio subchannels, and is available online.

WHMP is a radio station broadcasting a news/talk format. Licensed to Northampton, Massachusetts, it serves the Pioneer Valley. It is owned by Saga Communications, and operates as part of its Northampton Radio Group. Its programming is also heard on translator station W268CZ in Northampton, and the second HD Radio channel of WRSI in Turners Falls.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WQNY</span> Radio station in Ithaca, New York

WQNY is a radio station broadcasting a country music format. Licensed to Ithaca, New York, United States, the station serves that market and occasionally has appeared in the Elmira-Corning ratings, as the station can be heard well in the eastern and northeastern parts of that market. The station is owned Saga Communications, and operates as part of its Cayuga Radio Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WNYY</span> Radio station in Ithaca, New York

WNYY is a radio station broadcasting an oldies format. Licensed to Ithaca, New York, United States, the station serves the Ithaca area. The station is owned by Saga Communications, and operates as part of its Cayuga Radio Group.

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

WKNE is a radio station licensed to serve Keene, New Hampshire. The station is owned by Saga Communications and licensed to Saga Communications of New England, LLC. It airs a hot adult contemporary music format. WKNE transmits in HD Digital.

WLZX-FM is a radio station in Northampton, Massachusetts. The station has an active rock format, and is owned by Saga Communications. The station is also simulcast on WLZX and translator station W253CD, both in East Longmeadow, as well as the HD2 channel of WAQY in Springfield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KMIT (FM)</span> Radio station in Mitchell, South Dakota

KMIT is a FM radio station licensed to serve Mitchell, South Dakota. The station is owned by Saga Communications of South Dakota, LLC. It airs a country music format.

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

WWFD is a commercial AM radio station licensed to serve Frederick, Maryland. The station is owned by Hubbard Broadcasting through licensee Washington DC FCC License Sub, LLC and simulcasts the freeform programming branded as The Gamut originating on the HD3 subchannel of sister station WTOP-FM. The Gamut programming is also available on the HD3 subchannels of sister stations WTLP and WWWT-FM, as well as on FM translator W232DG.

WIXK is a commercial AM radio station broadcasting a music, news and talk radio format for the Hmong community of the Twin Cities. It is licensed to New Richmond, Wisconsin, and serves the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. The station is owned by Mai Yia Vang, through licensee Hmong Radio Broadcast, LLC.

WQQO-HD2 – branded 100.7 The Ticket – is a digital subchannel of Sylvania radio station WQQO. Owned by Cumulus Media, WQQO-HD2 functions as a commercial sports radio station, serving the Toledo metropolitan area and much of surrounding Northwest Ohio, and also acts as the Toledo market affiliate for ESPN Radio and the Michigan Sports Network. Using the proprietary technology HD Radio for its main digital transmission, WQQO-HD2 also rebroadcasts over low-power analog Toledo translator W264AK, and streams online. The WQQO-HD2 studios, and the WQQO-HD2 and W264AK transmitters, are co-located in Toledo's Scott Park neighborhood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WXKB</span> Contemporary hit radio station in Cape Coral, Florida

WXKB is a commercial radio station licensed to Cape Coral, Florida, and serving the Fort Myers-Naples radio market and Southwest Florida. WXKB is owned by the Beasley Broadcast Group and airs a Top 40/CHR radio format branded as "B-103.9 All the Hits", sometimes called "The Killer B." In afternoon drive time it carries On Air with Ryan Seacrest, syndicated by Premiere Networks.

XHFMTU-FM is a radio station in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico. Broadcasting on 103.7 FM, XHFMTU is owned by Multimedios Radio and carries a Regional Mexican format known as La Ke Buena 103.7 FM.

References

  1. ↑ "A selection from a decade of visits to tower and studio sites in the Northeast and beyond".
  2. ↑ "Broadcasting Magazine Special Issue, Nov. 2, 1970". members.aol.com. Archived from the original on 2000-08-21.
  3. ↑ Saga Sets Ithaca Shuffle
  4. ↑ 96.3 The Buzzer Ithaca Switches To Coronavirus Testing Info

42°27′54″N76°22′23″W / 42.465°N 76.373°W / 42.465; -76.373

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.