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Coordinates: 42°03′32″N 75°57′04″W / 42.059°N 75.951°W / 42.059; -75.951
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| logo = WAAL logo.png
| logo = WAAL logo.png
| city = [[Binghamton, New York]]
| city = [[Binghamton, New York]]
| area = [[Binghamton metropolitan area]] - [[Southern Tier]]
| area = [[Binghamton metropolitan area]]; [[Southern Tier]]
| branding = ''99.1 The Whale''
| branding = ''99.1 The Whale''
| frequency = 99.1 [[Megahertz|MHz]]
| frequency = 99.1 [[Megahertz|MHz]]
| airdate = March 1954 (as 95.3 WKOP-FM)
| airdate = {{start date|1954|3}} (as 95.3 WKOP-FM)
| format = [[Classic rock]]
| format = [[Classic rock]]
| erp = 8,700 [[watt]]s
| erp = 8,700 [[watt]]s
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| facility_id = 7920
| facility_id = 7920
| callsign_meaning = Play on the word "Whale"
| callsign_meaning = Play on the word "Whale"
| former_callsigns = WKOP (1954-1975)
| former_callsigns = WKOP-FM (1954–1975)
⚫
| affiliations = [[New York Giants Radio Network]]
| owner = [[Townsquare Media]]
| owner = [[Townsquare Media]]
| licensee = Townsquare Media Binghamton License, LLC
| licensee = Townsquare License, LLC
⚫
| affiliations = {{ubl|[[New York Giants Radio Network]]|[[Compass Media Networks]]|[[United Stations Radio Networks]]}}
| sister_stations = [[WHWK]], [[WNBF]], [[WWYL]], [[WYOS]]
| sister_stations = [[WHWK]], [[WNBF]], [[WWYL]]
⚫
| webcast = [http://991thewhale.com/listen-live/ Listen Live]
| website = [http://www.991thewhale.com 991TheWhale.com]
| webcast = [https://991thewhale.com/listen-live/ Listen Live]
⚫
| website = [https://www.991thewhale.com 991thewhale.com]
| licensing_authority= [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
}}
}}


'''WAAL''' (99.1 [[Hertz|MHz]] "The Whale") is a [[commercial radio|commercial]] [[FM radio|FM]] [[radio station]] licensed to [[Binghamton, New York]]. It airs a [[classic rock]] [[radio format]] and is owned by [[Townsquare Media]]. WAAL is the oldest FM radio station in the [[Binghamton metropolitan area]]. It is an [[network affiliate|affiliate]] of the [[New York Giants Radio Network]].
'''WAAL''' (99.1 [[FM broadcasting|FM]]; "The Whale") is a [[commercial radio|commercial]] [[radio station]] licensed to [[Binghamton, New York]]. It airs a [[classic rock]] [[radio format]] and is owned by [[Townsquare Media]]. WAAL is the oldest FM radio station continuously broadcasting in the [[Binghamton metropolitan area]]. It is an [[network affiliate|affiliate]] of the [[New York Giants Radio Network]].


The studios and offices are on Court Street in Binghamton.<ref>[http://991thewhale.com/help/ 991TheWhale.com/help]</ref> The [[transmitter]] is off Ingraham Hill Road, also in Binghamton, amid other towers for local TV and FM stations.<ref>[https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/finder?sr=Y&s=C&call=Waal&nav= Radio-Locator.com/WAAL]</ref>
The studios and offices are on Court Street in Binghamton.<ref>[http://991thewhale.com/help/ 991TheWhale.com/help]</ref> The [[transmitter]] is off Ingraham Hill Road, also in Binghamton, amid other [[radio masts and towers|tower]]s for local TV and FM stations.<ref>[https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/finder?sr=Y&s=C&call=Waal&nav= Radio-Locator.com/WAAL]</ref>


==History==
==History==
===WKOP-FM===
===WKOP-FM===
In March 1954, the station [[sign-on|signed on]] as '''WKOP-FM''' at 95.3&nbsp;MHz.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1955/Radio-NE-Ter-1955-BC-YB.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1955 page 210]</ref> It was the FM counterpart of [[AM 1360]] WKOP (now [[WYOS]]). The two stations [[simulcast]] and were [[network affiliate]]s of the [[Mutual Broadcasting System]]. They were owned by Binghamton Broadcasters, Inc. At first, WKOP-FM broadcast at only 420 [[watt]]s, a fraction of the station's current power.
In March 1954, the station [[sign-on|signed on]] as WKOP-FM at 95.3&nbsp;MHz.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1955/Radio-NE-Ter-1955-BC-YB.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1955 page 210]</ref> It was the FM counterpart of WKOP (1360 AM; later [[WYOS]]). The two stations [[simulcast]] and were [[network affiliate]]s of the [[Mutual Broadcasting System]]. They were owned by Binghamton Broadcasters, Inc. At first, WKOP-FM broadcast at only 420 [[watt]]s, a fraction of the station's current power.

While WKOP-FM (now WAAL) has been continuously on the air since 1954, [[WNBF-FM]] (now 98.1 [[WHWK]]) went on the air 14 years earlier as an experimental station owned by the Howitt-Wood Radio Company.<ref>[https://archive.org/details/broadcasting19unse/page/n1074/mode/1up "New FM Call Letters Proposed"], ''Broadcasting'', November 15, 1940, page 77.</ref> But it left the airwaves from 1952 to 1956.


In the 1960s, WKOP-FM received [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) permission to move to 99.1&nbsp;MHz, with an increase in power to 33,000 watts.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1970/B%20N-Ter%20BC%20YB%201970%20All-3.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1970 page B-134]</ref> By 1970, it ended its simulcast with WKOP 1360 and began playing a [[progressive rock]] format.
In the 1960s, WKOP-FM received [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) permission to move to 99.1&nbsp;MHz, with an increase in power to 33,000 watts.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1970/B%20N-Ter%20BC%20YB%201970%20All-3.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1970 page B-134]</ref> By 1970, it ended its simulcast with WKOP 1360 and began playing a [[progressive rock]] format.


===WAAL===
===WAAL===
In 1974, the station was sold to Butternut Broadcasting, which switched the [[call sign]] to '''WAAL''', running an AOR format.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1978/C-2-Broadcasting-Yearbook-1978-Full.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1978 page C-144]</ref> The station was known as "WAAL (pronounced like whale) Stereo FM 99." The station dropped its AOR format in October 1985 for [[contemporary hit radio|Top 40/CHR]] after the drop of CHR station WWWT-FM for adult contemporary due to the station's complaint on its listeners. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, it was known as "The Hot FM" and was affiliated with the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC FM Network]].
In 1974, the station was sold to Butternut Broadcasting, which switched the [[call sign]] to WAAL. It moved to an [[album-oriented rock]] (AOR) format, playing the top tracks from the biggest selling albums.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1978/C-2-Broadcasting-Yearbook-1978-Full.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1978 page C-144]</ref> The station was known as "WAAL Stereo FM 99". It pronounces its call letters as "[[Whale]]" and uses a cartoon whale as its mascot.

1996 brought an ownership change to Wicks Broadcasting, which changed WAAL's format to [[classic rock]].

⚫
===Citadel Ownership, then Townsquare===
⚫
WAAL was acquired by [[Citadel Broadcasting]] in 1998 from Wicks Broadcast Group in a $77 million deal that included a total of 16 radio stations.<ref>[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Citadel+Communications+Acquires+16+Radio+Stations+From+Wicks...-a053253254 Citadel Communications Acquires 16 Radio Stations From Wicks Broadcast Group for $77 Million]</ref> Citadel merged with [[Cumulus Media]] on September 16, 2011.<ref name=abj-citadelcumulus>{{cite news|title=Cumulus now owns Citadel Broadcasting|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2011/09/16/cumulus-now-owns-citadel-broadcasting.html|access-date=September 16, 2011|newspaper=Atlanta Business Journal|date=September 16, 2011}}</ref>


The station dropped its AOR format in October 1985 for [[contemporary hit radio|Top 40/CHR]] after contemporary hit station WWWT-FM switched to [[adult contemporary music]]. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, WAAL was known as "The Hot FM" and was affiliated with the [[ABC News Radio|ABC FM Network]].
⚫
In 2013, in a $281 million, multi-station deal involving Cumulus, [[Townsquare Media]] and Peak Broadcasting, 99.1 WAAL and AM 1360, now known as [[WYOS]], were acquired by Townsquare.<ref>[http://www.townsquaremedia.com/press/townsquare-media-acquiring-assets-from-cumulus-and-peak TownsquareMedia.com/press/"Townsquare Acquiring Assets from Cumulus and Peak"]</ref> The classic rock format has remained in place on WAAL.


Wicks Broadcasting bought WAAL in 1996. It ended its run as a Top 40/CHR station and changed its format to [[classic rock]].
==On-air lineup==
*Free Beer & Hot Wings - 5am-10am, Monday - Saturday
*Jen Austin - 10am-3pm, Monday - Saturday
*Don Morgan- 3pm-7pm, Monday - Saturday
*Ultimate Classic Rock with Uncle Joe Benson - 7pm-Midnight, Monday - Friday
*Ultimate Classic Rock with Matt Wardlaw - 7pm-Midnight, Saturday & Sunday


⚫
===Citadel ownership, then Townsquare===
On Air Alumni - The Oz, Pete Bucky, Big Wally, Thunder Reynolds, Rick Kelly, Mr. Mandyke, Steve Willet, The Wildman, The Banana Queen, John Carter, Doug Mosher, Captain, Doc Wells, Jim Free
⚫
WAAL was acquired by [[Citadel Broadcasting]] in 1998 from Wicks Broadcast Group. It was part of a $77 million deal that included a total of 16 radio stations.<ref>[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Citadel+Communications+Acquires+16+Radio+Stations+From+Wicks...-a053253254 Citadel Communications Acquires 16 Radio Stations From Wicks Broadcast Group for $77 Million]</ref> Citadel merged with [[Cumulus Media]] on September 16, 2011.<ref name=abj-citadelcumulus>{{cite news|title=Cumulus now owns Citadel Broadcasting|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2011/09/16/cumulus-now-owns-citadel-broadcasting.html|access-date=September 16, 2011|newspaper=Atlanta Business Journal|date=September 16, 2011}}</ref>


⚫
In 2013, a $281 million, multi-station deal was worked out between Cumulus Media, [[Townsquare Media]] and Peak Broadcasting. Townsquare acquired all of Cumulus Media's Binghamton radio stations, including WAAL.<ref>[http://www.townsquaremedia.com/press/townsquare-media-acquiring-assets-from-cumulus-and-peak TownsquareMedia.com/press/"Townsquare Acquiring Assets from Cumulus and Peak"]</ref> With Townsquare's take over, the classic rock format has remained in place on WAAL.
==Shows==
* '''Free Beer & Hot Wings''' - from 5am-10am Monday - Saturday featuring Dumber Than The Show Trivia.
* '''99 Minute Classic Rock Ride''' - with Jen Austin, weekdays beginning at 10 am.
* '''6 Pack Classic Rock Ride''' - Features at least six Classic Rock songs in a row every hour.
* '''The Southern Tier Closeup''' - Sundays at 7 am, hosted by Kathy Whyte, a radio program showcasing community issues.
* '''Encounter''' - Sundays at 7:15 am from the Broome County Council of Churches.
* '''Time Warp''' - Sundays at 8am, a syndicated 4-hour classic rock radio show hosted by Bill St. James.
* '''Ultimate Classic Rock''' - Monday through Sunday from 7 pm to Midnight with Uncle Joe Benson and Matt Wardlaw.


==References==
==References==
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*[http://www.r80s.com The Rockin' 80's - Official website]
*[http://www.r80s.com The Rockin' 80's - Official website]
*[http://www.myspace.com/991wally Big Wally's MySpace]
*[http://www.myspace.com/991wally Big Wally's MySpace]
{{FM station data|WAAL}}
{{FM station data|7920|WAAL}}


{{Binghamton Radio}}
{{Binghamton Radio}}
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[[Category:Classic rock radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Classic rock radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Townsquare Media radio stations]]
[[Category:Townsquare Media radio stations]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1954]]
[[Category:1954 establishments in New York (state)]]

Latest revision as of 01:50, 13 July 2024

This article is about the Binghamton radio station. For other uses, see Waal.
WAAL
Broadcast areaBinghamton metropolitan area; Southern Tier
Frequency99.1 MHz
Branding99.1 The Whale
Programming
FormatClassic rock
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
WHWK, WNBF, WWYL
History
First air date
March 1954 (1954-03) (as 95.3 WKOP-FM)
Former call signs
WKOP-FM (1954–1975)
Call sign meaning
Play on the word "Whale"
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID7920
ClassB
ERP8,700 watts
HAAT291 meters (955 ft)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen Live
Website991thewhale.com

WAAL (99.1 FM; "The Whale") is a commercial radio station licensed to Binghamton, New York. It airs a classic rock radio format and is owned by Townsquare Media. WAAL is the oldest FM radio station continuously broadcasting in the Binghamton metropolitan area. It is an affiliate of the New York Giants Radio Network.

The studios and offices are on Court Street in Binghamton.[2] The transmitter is off Ingraham Hill Road, also in Binghamton, amid other towers for local TV and FM stations.[3]

History

[edit]

WKOP-FM

[edit]

In March 1954, the station signed on as WKOP-FM at 95.3 MHz.[4] It was the FM counterpart of WKOP (1360 AM; later WYOS). The two stations simulcast and were network affiliates of the Mutual Broadcasting System. They were owned by Binghamton Broadcasters, Inc. At first, WKOP-FM broadcast at only 420 watts, a fraction of the station's current power.

While WKOP-FM (now WAAL) has been continuously on the air since 1954, WNBF-FM (now 98.1 WHWK) went on the air 14 years earlier as an experimental station owned by the Howitt-Wood Radio Company.[5] But it left the airwaves from 1952 to 1956.

In the 1960s, WKOP-FM received Federal Communications Commission (FCC) permission to move to 99.1 MHz, with an increase in power to 33,000 watts.[6] By 1970, it ended its simulcast with WKOP 1360 and began playing a progressive rock format.

WAAL

[edit]

In 1974, the station was sold to Butternut Broadcasting, which switched the call sign to WAAL. It moved to an album-oriented rock (AOR) format, playing the top tracks from the biggest selling albums.[7] The station was known as "WAAL Stereo FM 99". It pronounces its call letters as "Whale" and uses a cartoon whale as its mascot.

The station dropped its AOR format in October 1985 for Top 40/CHR after contemporary hit station WWWT-FM switched to adult contemporary music. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, WAAL was known as "The Hot FM" and was affiliated with the ABC FM Network.

Wicks Broadcasting bought WAAL in 1996. It ended its run as a Top 40/CHR station and changed its format to classic rock.

Citadel ownership, then Townsquare

[edit]

WAAL was acquired by Citadel Broadcasting in 1998 from Wicks Broadcast Group. It was part of a $77 million deal that included a total of 16 radio stations.[8] Citadel merged with Cumulus Media on September 16, 2011.[9]

In 2013, a $281 million, multi-station deal was worked out between Cumulus Media, Townsquare Media and Peak Broadcasting. Townsquare acquired all of Cumulus Media's Binghamton radio stations, including WAAL.[10] With Townsquare's take over, the classic rock format has remained in place on WAAL.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WAAL". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ 991TheWhale.com/help
  3. ^ Radio-Locator.com/WAAL
  4. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1955 page 210
  5. ^ "New FM Call Letters Proposed", Broadcasting, November 15, 1940, page 77.
  6. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1970 page B-134
  7. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1978 page C-144
  8. ^ Citadel Communications Acquires 16 Radio Stations From Wicks Broadcast Group for $77 Million
  9. ^ "Cumulus now owns Citadel Broadcasting". Atlanta Business Journal. September 16, 2011. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
  10. ^ TownsquareMedia.com/press/"Townsquare Acquiring Assets from Cumulus and Peak"
[edit]

42°03′32″N 75°57′04″W / 42.059°N 75.951°W / 42.059; -75.951

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