WBGG-FM
| File:WBGG-FM logo.jpg | |
| Broadcast area | West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 105.9 MHz |
| Branding | Big 105.9 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Classic Rock |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Clear Channel Communications |
| WHYI, WINZ, WIOD, WLVE, WMGE, WMIB | |
| History | |
Former call signs | WAXY-FM (1983-1994) |
Call sign meaning | BGG = 'The Burgh', was WWSW[1] |
| Technical information | |
| Facility ID | 11965 |
| Class | C0 |
| ERP | 100,000 watts |
| HAAT | 314 meters |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | big1059.com |
WBGG-FM is Big 105.9 in the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale radio market. The station plays classic rock.
It is licensed for HD Radio and planned to commence HD Radio broadcasts in April, 2006.[3]
History
Under the callsign WAXY, the radio station was owned by RKO General. In the early 1970's, the station had a rock format, but flipped to automated oldies in 1975.[4] [5]. In 1990 RKO sold WAXY to Ackerley Communications.
Clear Channel Communications acquired the station in March, 1994.[6] The callsign was changed to WBGG-FM on September 1, 1994.[7]
In April 2004, the Federal Communications Commission fined Clear Channel Communications $495,000 for broadcasting allegedly indecent material on the Howard Stern show. Subsequently, Clear Channel dropped the Stern show from six stations: WBGG-FM' in Fort Lauderdale, FL; WTKS-FM, Cocoa Beach, FL; WTFX-FM, Louisville, KY; KIOZ-FM, San Diego; WNVE-FM, Honeoye Falls, N.Y.; and WXDX-FM, Pittsburgh. [8]
To fill the morning talk slot, in May, 2004, Clear Channel moved Paul & Young Ron from WZTA, Miami (94.9 Zeta)[9]. (Lex and Terry took over the morning show at WZTA, but lost that outlet for their syndicated program when it abruptly switched formats to Hispanic Urban in February 2005, changing its callsign to WMGE.) Since the switch, Paul and Young Ron has continued to be a popular program in South Florida.
Prior to RKO's ownership of WAXY, the station was initially WFLM, Broward's first all-stereo station, with an easy listening format. They were sold to the owners of then WIXX (1520), continuing their easy format with the new calls WIXX-FM, while the AM was country. The WAXY calls came on line before RKO's purchase of the station; the combo was WEXY-WAXY after the AM switched to a more contemporary format. WAXY was later sold to RKO, and the AM switched to gospel.
By April 2006, South Florida had only two major rock radio stations: WBGG-FM with the Classic Rock format, and WHDR-FM (93.1, South Florida's Pure Rock), a Cox Radio station, which is WBGG-FM's only competition. WBGG-FM ranked 14 in market share [10]. The top four stations had either a Spanish, urban or urban AC format.
Air Talent
Air Staff consists of Maria Milito middays, Doc Reno Afternoons and Ken Dashow nights. Weekend staff includes Jay Zeager, Greg LaMega (AKA Toast from the Paul and Young Ron Show) Brie Miller (also stations current program director.
References
- ^ "Call Letter Origins". Radio History on the Web.
- ^ "Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood Market Ratings". Radio & Records.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ WBBG-FM Official Website
- ^ Reel Radio vintage radio site
- ^ South Florida Radio History site
- ^ Buckmaster Annual Stockholder Reports
- ^ Federal Communications Commission database query site
- ^ www.cnnmoney.com article
- ^ Radio Hot Talk News
- ^ Radio Online's Arbitrend results
External links
- WBGG in the FCC FM station database
- WBGG in Nielsen Audio's FM station database
