WCSX

WCSX

City of license	Birmingham, Michigan
Broadcast area	Metro Detroit [1]
Branding	94.7 WCSX
Slogan	"The Motor City's Classic Rock Station"
Frequency	94.7 MHz (also on HD Radio) 94.7 HD-2: Deep Trax Classic Rock
Format	Classic rock
ERP	13,500 watts
HAAT	290 meters
Class	B
Facility ID	25084
Transmitter coordinates	42°27′13″N 83°09′50″W
Callsign meaning	ClaSsiX
Former callsigns	WMJC (1976-3/14/87) WHNE (1973–1976) WHFI (1973)
Owner	Greater Media
Sister stations	WMGC-FM, WRIF
Webcast	Listen Live Deep Trax
Website	wcsx.com

WCSX is a Detroit-based FM radio station broadcasting a classic rock format. WCSX's transmitter is located in suburban Oakland County in Royal Oak Township near the intersection of 8 Mile Rd. and Wyoming Avenue. WCSX transmits its signal from an antenna 951 feet in height with an effective radiated power of 13,500 watts. 5 other Detroit radio stations transmit their signal from the same tower as WCSX. The station is owned by Greater Media and is licensed to the Detroit suburb of Birmingham.

History

Whiffieland/Honey Radio

94.7 FM was originally home to WHFI ("Whiffieland"), featuring a MOR/adult contemporary format with disc jockeys such as Lee Alan (formerly of WXYZ-AM). In 1972, WHFI shifted to a syndicated, automated oldies format provided by Draper-Blore called "Olde Golde," featuring hits of the 1950s and 1960s (similar to Drake-Chenault's "Solid Gold" format except without the AC/MOR currents that the Solid Gold format played). The "Olde Golde" format evolved the following year into all-oldies WHNE, "Honey Radio." Sister station WQTE-AM 560 changed its calls to WHND and began shadowcasting the format in 1974; it would continue as "Honey Radio" until 1994, by which time 94.7 FM had gone through several changes. Honey Radio was originally automated using Drake-Chenault's "Classic Gold" format, but transitioned to live personalities (on AM 560 only) around 1980, by which time 94.7 FM had changed format.

Magic 95

In 1976, WHNE became WMJC, "Magic 95," with an adult contemporary format modeled after Greater Media's successful WMGK-FM in Philadelphia.

94.7 WCSX

By 1987, the adult-contemporary format in Detroit had become quite crowded; in addition to WMJC, Detroit had four other AC stations, WNIC, WOMC, WLTI, and WNTM, with WNIC and the oldies-based WOMC dominating in the format. In May 1987 Magic 95 switched its format to what became known as "classic rock" and changed their calls to what they are today. WCSX was one of the first radio stations in the United States to have a classic rock format; it is also one of very few nationwide to have endured with the classic rock format for over twenty years.

WCSX is licensed for HD Radio operations. Their HD broadcast, called "WCSX Deep Trax," plays classic rock album tracks. Both WCSX-FM and WCSX Deep Trax stream webcasts for internet listeners. WCSX's most played bands are classic rock staples The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Pink Floyd and hometown classic rockers such as Bob Seger and Ted Nugent. WCSX generally takes a softer, older-sounding approach to classic rock reminiscent of progressive and album-oriented rock radio of the 1970s, since sister station WRIF includes a good deal of harder classic rock titles in its playlist, including 1980s glam metal which WCSX generally does not play. WCSX had competed up against classic rocker WDTW-FM (now Rhythmic adult contemporary), but gave up the competition to CHUM Limited (now CTVglobemedia)'s CIDR-FM, which shifted from hot AC to adult album alternative. Today, the twinstick Detroit rockers are either owned by Greater Media (WRIF & WCSX) or CTVglobemedia (CIMX-FM & CIDR-FM). CKUE-FM's Windsor, Ontario repeater is the only rocker in Detroit not part of a twinstick operation along with Clear Channel Communications' own WDTW-FM, which returned to classic rock after a five-year hiatus in 2011.

November 2010 PPM Rating: #5 (4.9)

Airstaff

The current weekday lineup (as of August 9, 2010) Starting off the day from 5am-9am its Ken Calvert With Ashley Asphalt (Traffic) and Jamie Samuelson (Sports). During the mid-day from 9am-2pm is longtime Detroit jock Karen Savelly. Next on the ride home from 2pm-6pm its Doug Podell. Wrapping up the day from 6pm-11pm its Steve Kostan, and Uncle Buck from 11pm-5am.

Weekend's/Fill-ins include Dave Doran, Jim Hughes, Julianne Jordan, John O’Leary, Mark Pasman, Pam Rossi, Scott Shepard, Peter Werbe, & Tim Morley.

DEEP TRAX HD2: (Weekdays)- John O'Leary, Peter Werbe, Scott Shepard. (Weekends) - Jon Ray, Wally Londo, Jim Hughes, Ben Perez,& Tim Morley. The HD2 Channel also features two specialty shows on the weekedns, Motor City Beat with Doug Podell (Saturday) and Kostans Classic Rondevous with Steve Kostan (Sunday)

Much of the on-air talent of WCSX had previously been with WRIF since the 80s and 90s, including Ken Calvert, Karen Savelly, and most recently, Doug Podell.

See also

• Media in Detroit

Sources

• Michiguide.com - WCSX History

External links

• Query the FCC's FM station database for WCSX
• Radio-Locator information on WCSX
• Query Arbitron's FM station database for WCSX
• Sample Broadcast