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Coordinates: 40°34′12″N 78°26′24″W / 40.570°N 78.440°W / 40.570; -78.440
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{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{short description|Radio station in Altoona, Pennsylvania}}
{{short description|Radio station in Altoona, Pennsylvania}}
{{original research|date=March 2011}}
{{original research|date=March 2011}}
{{Infobox radio station
{{Infobox radio station
| logo = WWOT HOT100 logo.png
| name = WALY
| logo_size = 200px
| logo =
⚫
| logo_size =
| city = [[Altoona, Pennsylvania]]
| city = [[Altoona, Pennsylvania]]
⚫
| format = [[Top 40]]
⚫
| owner = Forever Broadcasting
⚫
| name = WWOT
| branding = Hot 100.1
| slogan = Central PA's Hit Music Station
⚫
| frequency = 100.1 [[megahertz|MHz]]
| area = [[Altoona, Pennsylvania]]
| area = [[Altoona, Pennsylvania]]
| affiliations = [[Westwood One]]
| branding = ''WALY 100.1''
⚫
| frequency = 100.1 [[megahertz|MHz]]
⚫
| airdate = January 27, [[1954 in radio|1954]]<br>(first license granted)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=WWOT |title=FM Query Results - Audio Division (FCC) USA |publisher=Transition.fcc.gov |date=March 1, 2018 |access-date=October 15, 2019}}</ref>
⚫
| format = [[Adult contemporary]]
| erp = 3,000 [[watt]]s
| erp = 3,000 [[watt]]s
| haat = {{convert|291|meters}}
| haat = {{convert|291|meters}}
| class = B1
| class = B1
| facility_id = 47090
| facility_id = 47090
⚫
| sister_stations = [[WALY]], [[WFBG]], [[WFGY]], [[WRKY-FM|WRKY]], [[WTNA]]
| webcast = [http://player.listenlive.co/50961 Listen Live]
⚫
| website = {{url|http://www.foreveraltoona.com/hot100pa/}}
⚫
| callsign_meaning = WW(H)OT
⚫
| airdate = January 27, [[1954 in radio|1954]]<br>(first license granted)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=WWOT |title=FM Query Results - Audio Division (FCC) USA |publisher=Transition.fcc.gov |date=2018-03-01 |access-date=2019-10-15}}</ref>
| coordinates =
| coordinates =
⚫
| callsign_meaning =
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|WVAM-FM (1953–1980)|WPRR (1980–2005)|WWOT (2005–2023)}}
| affiliations = [[Compass Media Networks]]
⚫
| owner = Seven Mountains Media
| licensee = Southern Belle Media Family, LLC
⚫
| sister_stations = [[WFBG]], [[WFGY]], [[WQWY]], [[WRKY-FM]], [[WTNA]]
| webcast = [https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/index.cfm?stationCallSign=WALY Listen Live]
⚫
| website = {{url|https://walyradio.com}}
| licensing_authority= [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
}}
}}


'''WWOT''' is the [[Top 40]] music formatted [[radio station]] in [[Altoona, Pennsylvania]]. The station is owned by Forever Broadcasting and is related to [[WJHT|Hot 92.1]] in [[Johnstown, Pennsylvania]]. The station has an ERP of 3,000 Watts.
'''WALY''' (100.1 [[Hertz|MHz]]) is an [[adult contemporary]] music formatted [[FM radio|FM]] [[radio station]] in [[Altoona, Pennsylvania]]. The station is owned by Seven Mountains Media. The station has an ERP of 3,000 [[watt]]s.


==History of the 100.1 frequency==
==History of the 100.1 frequency==
===As WVAM-FM===
⚫
100.1 was previously held by WPRR, which was also a CHR formatted station from 1986 until the call letter change to WWOT on March 15, 2005. Prior to the format change in 1986, WPRR had been formatted as AOR since 1980, and prior to 1980 it had been WVAM-FM, an automated, Drake-Chenault, Top 40 station. One of its most popular features in the 1990s was the morning show with Tommy Edwards and Danice Bell, which aired every weekday. Other popular personalities to pass through WPPR during the 1980s and 1990s were Scott St. John, Dave McCall, Steve Hilton, Bob McCarty, Dave Austin, J.B. Savage, Kristen Fox, Chad Bender, Jim Hatch, Darrell Ray, Hollywood John Harlow, Doug Taylor (Doug Yoel) and Rich Dennis.{{Citation needed|reason=Lots of information without a source|date=August 2020}}
The station was originally licensed on January 27, 1954, as WVAM-FM and was owned first by The General Broadcasting Corporation, and then by Blair County Broadcasters Incorporated.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://streamingradioguide.com/streaming-schedule.php?stationid=16333 | title=Streaming Information for WWOT FM 100.1 (Altoona, Pennsylvania) - Hot 100 }}</ref> WVAM-FM was initially an automated [[Drake-Chenault]] Top-40 station until 1980. Top-40 initially aired on [[WTNA|WVAM (1430 AM)]] before the launch of WVAM-FM. When the FM station was launched, WVAM was changed to a country format.

===Sale to Phyldel Communications===
In 1979, Blair County Broadcasters Inc., the owners of WVAM-FM and WVAM, were charged with engaging in fraudulent billing practices by the FCC and order to either sell the stations or facing a hearing.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/14026722/?terms=WVAM-FM&match=1 | title=Tyrone Daily Herald 25 Sep 1980, page Page 1 }}</ref> The fraudulent charges occurred with billing advertisers.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/20130852/?terms=WVAM-FM&match=1 | title=Altoona Mirror 07 May 1980, page Page 37 }}</ref> The two stations were sold to Phyldel Communications Corp. in September 1980 for $913,000.

===1980 studio fire===
In April 1980, a fire occurred at the stations' main office at West Albert Drive. The station was silenced for a day due to the fire. When returning on air, WVAM had to use borrowed equipment at a lesser power of 20 watts instead of the typical 3,000. New transmitters allowed the station to return to 3,000 watts on May 5, 1980. Operations were moved to a trailer parked on station grounds until May 6, 1980. The fire was caused by a faulty ballast in a fluorescent light fixture and resulted in an estimated $225,000 in damage. The new equipment resulted in technical problems at the stations temporarily location, which lead to WVAM moving operations to avoid radio interference. <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/20130852/?terms=WVAM-FM&match=1 | title=Altoona Mirror 07 May 1980, page Page 37 }}</ref>

===WPRR-FM===
On December 26, 1980, the station changed its call sign to WPRR and changed format from automated Top 40 to an [[Album-oriented rock|AOR]] format. WPRR changed formats again in the mid-1980s to automated [[Contemporary hit radio|Top 40 (CHR)]]. By 1986, a full on-air staff was hired and automation was no longer used.

⚫
One of its most popular features in the 1990s was the morning show with Tommy Edwards and Danice Bell, which aired every weekday. Other popular personalities to pass through WPPR during the 1980s and 1990s were Scott St. John, Dave McCall, Steve Hilton, Bob McCarty, Dave Austin, J.B. Savage, Kristen Fox, Chad Bender, Jim Hatch, Darrell Ray, Hollywood John Harlow, Doug Taylor (Doug Yoel) and Rich Dennis.

In 1999, WPRR was known as "Today's Hit Music 100.1 WPRR" and had a slogan of "Serving all of Central Pennsylvania: Altoona, State College."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://fmairchecks.com/2014/11/16/wprr-100-1-altoonastate-college-pa-111499-bob-mccarty/ | title=WPRR (100.1) - Altoona/State College, PA - 11/14/99 - Bob McCarty | date=November 16, 2014 }}</ref> In 2000, WPRR was rated second in Altoona with a market share of 11.5.

WPRR was known as "Power 100" in the 2000s and remained a CHR station until its call sign was changed in 2005.

===WWOT===
The station changed its call sign to WWOT on March 15, 2005. Shortly after changing its call sign, WWOT changed its name to "Hot 100" and changed formats to [[Contemporary hit radio|Top 40 (CHR)]].

It was announced on October 12, 2022, that Forever Media was selling 34 stations and 12 translators, including WWOT and the entire Altoona cluster, to [[State College, Pennsylvania|State College]]-based Seven Mountains Media for $17.375 million.<ref>{{cite news|title=SEVEN MOUNTAINS MEDIA TO ACQUIRE 34 STATIONS FROM FOREVER MEDIA|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/242955/seven-mountains-media-to-acquire-34-stations-from-forever-media/|access-date=October 14, 2022|publisher=RadioInsight.com|date=October 12, 2022}}</ref> The deal closed on January 1, 2023.<ref>{{cite news|title=Seven Mountains Media-Forever Media Deal To Close Jan. 2.|url=https://www.insideradio.com/free/seven-mountains-media-forever-media-deal-to-close-jan-2/article_467f2cbe-8814-11ed-b12a-ab2dcff45403.html|date=October 12, 2022}}</ref>

===WALY===
On March 23, 2023, WWOT changed its format from Top 40/CHR to adult contemporary, which moved from [[WQWY|103.9 FM]].<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/250121/seven-mountains-begins-altoona-shuffle-as-wfbg-prepares-to-pop/ Seven Mountains Makes More Changes in Altoona] Radioinsight - March 23, 2023</ref> The WALY call sign moved from 103.9 to 100.1 on March 27.<ref name="fcc-wwottowaly">{{cite web |last1=Williamson |first1=Charles |title=Form 380 - Exchange Request |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076ff386f28a46018705c72bc31124&id=25076ff386f28a46018705c72bc31124&goBack=N |website=Licensing and Management System |publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |access-date=March 26, 2023 |date=March 21, 2023}}</ref>


==Conflict with 100.1 in Romney, West Virginia==
==Conflict with 100.1 in Romney, West Virginia==
As one travels southbound on [[Interstate 99]] towards [[Bedford, Pennsylvania]], WWOT's signal will start to conflict with [[WVMD]] in [[Romney, West Virginia]], a [[Country music|Country]] station.{{citation needed|date=October 2013}} Romney is located near the intersection of [[U.S. Route 220 in West Virginia|US 220]], [[U.S. Route 50 in West Virginia|US 50]] and [[West Virginia Route 28]].
As one travels southbound on [[Interstate 99]] towards [[Bedford, Pennsylvania]], WALY's signal will start to conflict with [[WVMD]] in [[Romney, West Virginia]], a [[Country music|country]] station.{{citation needed|date=October 2013}} Romney is located near the intersection of [[U.S. Route 220 in West Virginia|US 220]], [[U.S. Route 50 in West Virginia|US 50]] and [[West Virginia Route 28]].


[[Temperature inversion]]s can cause [[FM broadcasting|FM]] signals to travel farther, but the two stations are operating within [[Federal Communications Commission]] guidelines.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fcc.gov/media/radio/fm-station-classes|title=FM Broadcast Station Classes and Service Contours|date=Dec 11, 2015|website=Federal Communications Commission|access-date=Oct 15, 2019}}</ref>
[[Temperature inversion]]s can cause [[FM broadcasting|FM]] signals to travel farther, but the two stations are operating within [[Federal Communications Commission]] guidelines.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fcc.gov/media/radio/fm-station-classes|title=FM Broadcast Station Classes and Service Contours|date=December 11, 2015|website=Federal Communications Commission|access-date=October 15, 2019}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.hot100pa.com/}}
*{{official website|https://walyradio.com}}
* {{FM station data|WWOT}}
*{{FM station data|47090|WALY}}


{{Altoona Radio}}
{{Altoona Radio}}
{{CHR-T40 Pennsylvania}}
{{Adult Contemporary Radio Stations in Pennsylvania}}
{{Seven Mountains Media}}


{{coord|40.570|N|78.440|W|type:landmark_region:US_source:FCC|display=title}}
{{coord|40.570|N|78.440|W|type:landmark_region:US_source:FCC|display=title}}


[[Category:Radio stations in Altoona, Pennsylvania|WOT]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Altoona, Pennsylvania|ALY]]
[[Category:Contemporary hit radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Mainstream adult contemporary radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1954]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1954]]
[[Category:1954 establishments in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:1954 establishments in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Seven Mountains Media]]

Latest revision as of 02:34, 25 August 2024

WALY
Broadcast areaAltoona, Pennsylvania
Frequency100.1 MHz
BrandingWALY 100.1
Programming
FormatAdult contemporary
AffiliationsCompass Media Networks
Ownership
Owner
  • Seven Mountains Media
  • (Southern Belle Media Family, LLC)
WFBG, WFGY, WQWY, WRKY-FM, WTNA
History
First air date
January 27, 1954
(first license granted)[1]
Former call signs
  • WVAM-FM (1953–1980)
  • WPRR (1980–2005)
  • WWOT (2005–2023)
Technical information[2]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID47090
ClassB1
ERP3,000 watts
HAAT291 meters (955 ft)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen Live
Websitewalyradio.com

WALY (100.1 MHz) is an adult contemporary music formatted FM radio station in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The station is owned by Seven Mountains Media. The station has an ERP of 3,000 watts.

History of the 100.1 frequency

[edit]

As WVAM-FM

[edit]

The station was originally licensed on January 27, 1954, as WVAM-FM and was owned first by The General Broadcasting Corporation, and then by Blair County Broadcasters Incorporated.[3] WVAM-FM was initially an automated Drake-Chenault Top-40 station until 1980. Top-40 initially aired on WVAM (1430 AM) before the launch of WVAM-FM. When the FM station was launched, WVAM was changed to a country format.

Sale to Phyldel Communications

[edit]

In 1979, Blair County Broadcasters Inc., the owners of WVAM-FM and WVAM, were charged with engaging in fraudulent billing practices by the FCC and order to either sell the stations or facing a hearing.[4] The fraudulent charges occurred with billing advertisers.[5] The two stations were sold to Phyldel Communications Corp. in September 1980 for $913,000.

1980 studio fire

[edit]

In April 1980, a fire occurred at the stations' main office at West Albert Drive. The station was silenced for a day due to the fire. When returning on air, WVAM had to use borrowed equipment at a lesser power of 20 watts instead of the typical 3,000. New transmitters allowed the station to return to 3,000 watts on May 5, 1980. Operations were moved to a trailer parked on station grounds until May 6, 1980. The fire was caused by a faulty ballast in a fluorescent light fixture and resulted in an estimated $225,000 in damage. The new equipment resulted in technical problems at the stations temporarily location, which lead to WVAM moving operations to avoid radio interference. [6]

WPRR-FM

[edit]

On December 26, 1980, the station changed its call sign to WPRR and changed format from automated Top 40 to an AOR format. WPRR changed formats again in the mid-1980s to automated Top 40 (CHR). By 1986, a full on-air staff was hired and automation was no longer used.

One of its most popular features in the 1990s was the morning show with Tommy Edwards and Danice Bell, which aired every weekday. Other popular personalities to pass through WPPR during the 1980s and 1990s were Scott St. John, Dave McCall, Steve Hilton, Bob McCarty, Dave Austin, J.B. Savage, Kristen Fox, Chad Bender, Jim Hatch, Darrell Ray, Hollywood John Harlow, Doug Taylor (Doug Yoel) and Rich Dennis.

In 1999, WPRR was known as "Today's Hit Music 100.1 WPRR" and had a slogan of "Serving all of Central Pennsylvania: Altoona, State College."[7] In 2000, WPRR was rated second in Altoona with a market share of 11.5.

WPRR was known as "Power 100" in the 2000s and remained a CHR station until its call sign was changed in 2005.

WWOT

[edit]

The station changed its call sign to WWOT on March 15, 2005. Shortly after changing its call sign, WWOT changed its name to "Hot 100" and changed formats to Top 40 (CHR).

It was announced on October 12, 2022, that Forever Media was selling 34 stations and 12 translators, including WWOT and the entire Altoona cluster, to State College-based Seven Mountains Media for $17.375 million.[8] The deal closed on January 1, 2023.[9]

WALY

[edit]

On March 23, 2023, WWOT changed its format from Top 40/CHR to adult contemporary, which moved from 103.9 FM.[10] The WALY call sign moved from 103.9 to 100.1 on March 27.[11]

Conflict with 100.1 in Romney, West Virginia

[edit]

As one travels southbound on Interstate 99 towards Bedford, Pennsylvania, WALY's signal will start to conflict with WVMD in Romney, West Virginia, a country station.[citation needed] Romney is located near the intersection of US 220, US 50 and West Virginia Route 28.

Temperature inversions can cause FM signals to travel farther, but the two stations are operating within Federal Communications Commission guidelines.[12]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "FM Query Results - Audio Division (FCC) USA". Transition.fcc.gov. March 1, 2018. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  2. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WALY". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. ^ "Streaming Information for WWOT FM 100.1 (Altoona, Pennsylvania) - Hot 100".
  4. ^ "Tyrone Daily Herald 25 Sep 1980, page Page 1".
  5. ^ "Altoona Mirror 07 May 1980, page Page 37".
  6. ^ "Altoona Mirror 07 May 1980, page Page 37".
  7. ^ "WPRR (100.1) - Altoona/State College, PA - 11/14/99 - Bob McCarty". November 16, 2014.
  8. ^ "SEVEN MOUNTAINS MEDIA TO ACQUIRE 34 STATIONS FROM FOREVER MEDIA". RadioInsight.com. October 12, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  9. ^ "Seven Mountains Media-Forever Media Deal To Close Jan. 2". October 12, 2022.
  10. ^ Seven Mountains Makes More Changes in Altoona Radioinsight - March 23, 2023
  11. ^ Williamson, Charles (March 21, 2023). "Form 380 - Exchange Request". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  12. ^ "FM Broadcast Station Classes and Service Contours". Federal Communications Commission. December 11, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
[edit]

40°34′12″N 78°26′24″W / 40.570°N 78.440°W / 40.570; -78.440

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