WMMO: Difference between revisions

WMMO
Orlando, Florida;
Broadcast area	Greater Orlando
Frequency	98.9 MHz (HD Radio)
Branding	98.9 WMMO
Programming
Format	Classic hits/Classic rock
Ownership
Owner	Cox Media Group; (Cox Radio, LLC);
Sister stations	WCFB, WDBO, WOEX, WWKA; part of Cox cluster with TV station WFTV
History
First air date	August 19, 1990 (as WEZO)
Former call signs	WURG (1988–1990, CP); WEZO (2/1990-9/1990)
Call sign meaning	May mean More Music for Orlando, though the station wanted a call sign similar to WMMS in Cleveland
Technical information
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	23444
Class	C2
ERP	44,000 watts
HAAT	159 meters (522 ft)
Links
Public license information	Public file; LMS;
Webcast	Listen Live
Website	WMMO.com

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WMMO (98.9 MHz) is a commercial FM radio station in Orlando, Florida. It is owned by the Cox Media Group, and airs a classic hits radio format that leans toward classic rock. Most songs heard on WMMO were hits from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, on both the Top 40 charts and on the Album Rock charts. WMMO's studios and offices are located in Orlando on North John Young Parkway (Route 423).^[2] WMMO broadcasts in the HD Radio format.

The transmitter tower is off Park Hamilton Boulevard in Pine Hills.^[3] The site is shared with WTLN, owned by the Salem Media Group.

History

Early years

Former logo of the radio station used from August 19, 1990 through January 31, 2001

In the late 1980s, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) awarded a construction permit to build a new FM radio station in Orlando to the Urban Broadcasting Corporation. The call sign WURG was granted as the station was being built.^[4]

The station signed on the air on August 19, 1990.^[5] It was owned by Radio Orlando and it aired a unique format with a large library, a mix of soft rock, adult album alternative and classic rock, and was considered to be the first ever example of the "Rock Adult Contemporary" format. Its creators sought to bring back a listening experience similar to early FM rock stations of the late 1960s and 1970s, focusing on music rather than contests and promotions. A popular slogan in its early days was, "if you want to win money, play the lottery."

WMMO used a wide ranging playlist of songs from many genres. Its library stretched from the mid-1960s to current releases, unlike many stations that focus on small slices of music from specific genres. WMMO also made a promise to always identify songs by title and artist, and to never talk over the music. "We love the music as much as you do" was a slogan the station used during this era.^[6]

Unusual call sign and transmitter location

The call letters used at first were WEZO. After a month on the air, the call sign switched to WMMO. The station derives its call letters from WMMS in Cleveland; the founding programmer and chief engineer, Cary Pall, was a fan of WMMS, and secured the call sign to honor the legendary rock station, even though WMMO's format was not as rock-oriented.^[7]

WMMO was one of only two radio stations in the world broadcasting from a fully enclosed transmitter. WMMO was located at the top of the SunBank Center (now the SunTrust Center), Orlando's tallest building.^[8] Its effective radiated power (ERP) was 38,000 watts and its antenna was only 439 feet in height above average terrain (HAAT), while most of the top FM stations in Orlando broadcast at 100,000 watts on towers 1,500 feet or taller. The station's coverage area was limited due to WKGR in Fort Pierce, which broadcasts on 98.7 FM. Around 2015, WKGR's transmitter was moved about 20 miles south to Wellington, near West Palm Beach; because of this, WMMO was able to increase its power and antenna height slightly.

Ownership changes

In 1991, WMMO was bought by Granam Communications for $8.15 million.^[9] The station continued its unique playlist of Soft Rock, Adult Album Rock and Classic Rock. In 1997, Granam Communications was acquired by Infinity Broadcasting, later part of CBS Radio. Infinity quickly spun off WHOO (now WTLN), WHTQ (now WOEX) and WMMO to Cox Radio, so the company could acquire WCKG in Chicago.

Cox had plans move WMMO's transmitter to WHTQ's former tower in Pine Hills for better coverage, but a breakdown in negotiations with WHTQ's former owner forced WMMO's transmitter to remain at the SunBank Center/SunTrust Center for several more years.

In 2008, longtime personalities Jerry Steffen and Jay Francisco were let go. Steffen was at WMMO for 18 years and Francisco for 14 years. Francisco was rehired in 2011 for several more years. Also in 2011, longtime morning host Shawn Burke was released after 12 years at WMMO. In 2012, the station abandoned its previous practice of listing the names of all the songs and artists played. The music also became more rock-oriented during these years. In July 2015, WMMO began referring to itself as a classic hits station in an effort to compete with classic hits outlet WOCL. Recently, WMMO has moved its music in a direction to become the de facto Classic Rock station for Orlando.

DJ Line Up

Mornings—Denise Ryan
Middays—Joe Rock
Afternoons—Hildi
Evenings—A.J. Maguire

Former logo of the radio station used from May 2002 through December 2011

Former logo through early 2015.

References

^ "Facility Technical Data for WMMO". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
^ "WMMO".
^ Radio-Locator.com/WMMO
^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1989 page B-66
^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1991 page B-72
^ Central Florida Radio.net/WMMO History
^ CentralFloridaRadio.net/WMMO History Accessed February 24, 2007.
^ CFLradio.net/WMMO History
^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1997 page B-97

External links

98.9 WMMO
Facility details for Facility ID 23444 (WMMO) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
WMMO in Nielsen Audio's FM station database

28°34′26″N 81°27′47″W / 28.574°N 81.463°W / 28.574; -81.463

[1] "Facility Technical Data for WMMO". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.

[2] "WMMO".

[3] Radio-Locator.com/WMMO

[4] Broadcasting Yearbook 1989 page B-66

[5] Broadcasting Yearbook 1991 page B-72

[6] Central Florida Radio.net/WMMO History

[7] CentralFloridaRadio.net/WMMO History Accessed February 24, 2007.

[8] CFLradio.net/WMMO History

[9] Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1997 page B-97

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[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

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[9]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}}
-{{Infobox Radio Station |
+{{Infobox radio station
-  name      = 98-9 WMMO |
-  image     = |
+| name             = WMMO
+| logo             = WMMO_Orlando_2015.jpg
-  area      = [[Orlando, Florida]] |
+| logo_size        = 220px
-  branding  = 98-9 WMMO|
+| city             = [[Orlando, Florida]]
-  slogan    = ''Soft Rock and Roll of Yesterday and Today''|
+| area             = [[Greater Orlando]]
-  airdate   = 1990|
+| branding         = ''98.9 WMMO''
-  frequency = 98.9 [[megahertz|MHz]] |
+| frequency        = 98.9 MHz {{HD Radio}}
-  format    = [[Adult Hits]]/ [[Rock A.C.]] |
-  erp       = 50kW|
+| airdate          = August 19, 1990 (as WEZO)
+| format           = [[Classic hits]]/[[Classic rock]]
-  class     = C2|
+| sister_stations  = [[WCFB]], [[WDBO (AM)|WDBO]], [[WOEX]], [[WWKA]]<br>''part of Cox cluster with TV station [[WFTV]]''
-  owner     = [[Cox Communications]] |
+| erp              = 44,000 [[watt]]s
-  website   = [http://wmmo.com/ www.wmmo.com] |
+| haat             = 159 meters (522 ft)
-  callsign_meaning = May mean '''M'''ore '''M'''usic for '''O'''rlando, though the station took similar call signs from WMMS in Cleveland|
+| class            = C2
+| facility_id      = 23444
+| callsign_meaning = May mean '''M'''ore '''M'''usic for '''O'''rlando, though the station wanted a call sign similar to [[WMMS]] in [[Cleveland]]
+| former_callsigns = WURG (1988–1990, CP)<br>WEZO (2/1990-9/1990)
+| owner            = [[Cox Media Group]]
+| licensee         = Cox Radio, LLC
+| webcast          = [http://www.wmmo.com/stream/ Listen Live]
+| website          = [http://wmmo.com/ WMMO.com]
+| licensing_authority= [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
 }}
+'''WMMO''' (98.9&nbsp;MHz) is a [[Commercial radio|commercial]] [[FM radio|FM]] [[radio station]] in [[Orlando, Florida]].  It is owned by the [[Cox Media Group]], and airs a [[classic hits]] [[radio format]] that leans toward [[classic rock]].  Most songs heard on WMMO were hits from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, on both the [[Top 40]] charts and on the [[Album Rock]] charts.   WMMO's studios and offices are located in Orlando on North John Young Parkway (Route 423).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wmmo.com/contact-us/|title = WMMO}}</ref> WMMO broadcasts in the [[HD Radio]] format.
-WMMO is a [[Cox Radio]] station in [[Orlando, Florida]], broadcasting at 98.9 FM with an [[Adult Hits]] format. The station signed on as WEZO in 1990 before taking its current callsign. Previous owners of this station include [[Infinity Broadcasting]] and [[Granum Communications]].
+The [[transmitter]] tower is off Park Hamilton Boulevard in [[Pine Hills, Florida|Pine Hills]].<ref>[https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/finder?sr=Y&s=C&call=Wmmo&nav= Radio-Locator.com/WMMO]</ref>  The site is shared with [[WTLN (AM)|WTLN]], owned by the [[Salem Media Group]].
 ==History==
+===Early years===
-WMMO signed on [[August 19]], [[1990]] as one of only two radio stations in the world broadcasting from a fully-enclosed transmit antenna.  The station broadcast from the top of Orlando's SunBank Center, a skyscraper with a pyramid-like spire atop the building.  The station derives its call letters from [[WMMS]] in [[Cleveland, Ohio]].  The founding programmer and chief engineer, Cary Pall, was reported to have been a fan of WMMS, and secured the call letters to honor the longtime Cleveland rock station.<ref>[http://www.cflradio.net/98.9_WMMO_FM.htm WMMO page] on Central Florida Radio.  Accessed [[24 February]] [[2007]].</ref>  WMMS and WMMO, however, are owned by different companies, and have been owned by different companies throughout their histories despite several ownership changes for each station.  The two stations also feature different radio formats.
+[[File:WMMO former logo (August 1990-January 2001).png|thumb|left|200px|Former logo of the radio station used from August 19, 1990 through January 31, 2001]]
+In the late 1980s, the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) awarded a [[construction permit]] to build a new FM radio station in Orlando to the Urban Broadcasting Corporation.  The [[call sign]] '''WURG''' was granted as the station was being built.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1989/B-1%20Radio%20Ala%20to%20Mont%201989-5.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1989 page B-66]</ref>
+The station [[sign-on|signed on]] the air on August 19, 1990.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1991/B-Radio-AL-MT-1991-B&W.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1991 page B-72]</ref>  It was owned by Radio Orlando and it aired a unique format with a large library, a mix of [[soft rock]], [[adult album alternative]] and [[classic rock]], and was considered to be the first ever example of the "Rock Adult Contemporary" format. Its creators sought to bring back a listening experience similar to early FM rock stations of the late 1960s and 1970s, focusing on music rather than contests and promotions. A popular slogan in its early days was, "if you want to win money, play the lottery."
+WMMO used a wide ranging [[playlist]] of songs from many genres.  Its library stretched from the mid-1960s to current releases, unlike many stations that focus on small slices of music from specific genres.  WMMO also made a promise to always identify songs by title and artist, and to never talk over the music. "We love the music as much as you do" was a slogan the station used during this era.<ref>[http://cflradio.net/98.9_WMMO_FM.htm Central Florida Radio.net/WMMO History]</ref>
+===Unusual call sign and transmitter location===
+The call letters used at first were '''WEZO'''.  After a month on the air, the call sign switched to '''WMMO'''.  The station derives its call letters from [[WMMS]] in [[Cleveland]]; the founding programmer and chief engineer, Cary Pall, was a fan of WMMS, and secured the call sign to honor the legendary rock station, even though WMMO's format was not as rock-oriented.<ref>[http://www.cflradio.net/98.9_WMMO_FM.htm CentralFloridaRadio.net/WMMO History Accessed February 24, 2007].</ref>
+WMMO was one of only two radio stations in the world broadcasting from a fully enclosed transmitter.  WMMO was located at the top of the SunBank Center (now the [[SunTrust Center]]), Orlando's tallest building.<ref>[http://cflradio.net/98.9_WMMO_FM.htm CFLradio.net/WMMO History]</ref>  Its [[effective radiated power]] (ERP) was 38,000 [[watt]]s and its antenna was only 439 feet in [[height above average terrain]] (HAAT), while most of the top FM stations in Orlando broadcast at 100,000 watts on towers 1,500 feet or taller.  The station's coverage area was limited due to [[WKGR]] in [[Fort Pierce, Florida|Fort Pierce]], which broadcasts on 98.7 FM. Around 2015, WKGR's transmitter was moved about 20 miles south to [[Wellington, Florida|Wellington]], near [[West Palm Beach]]; because of this, WMMO was able to increase its power and antenna height slightly.
+===Ownership changes===
+In 1991, WMMO was bought by Granam Communications for $8.15 million.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1997/B-Radio-AL-MT-BC-YB-1997.pdf Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1997 page B-97]</ref>  The station continued its unique playlist of Soft Rock, Adult Album Rock and Classic Rock.  In 1997, Granam Communications was acquired by [[Infinity Broadcasting]], later part of [[CBS Radio]].  Infinity quickly spun off WHOO (now [[WTLN (AM)|WTLN]]), WHTQ (now [[WOEX]]) and WMMO to [[Cox Radio]], so the company could acquire [[WCFS-FM|WCKG]] in [[Chicago]].
+Cox had plans move WMMO's transmitter to WHTQ's former tower in [[Pine Hills, Florida|Pine Hills]] for better coverage, but a breakdown in negotiations with WHTQ's former owner forced WMMO's transmitter to remain at the SunBank Center/SunTrust Center for several more years.
+In 2008, longtime personalities Jerry Steffen and Jay Francisco were let go. Steffen was at WMMO for 18 years and Francisco for 14 years. Francisco was rehired in 2011 for several more years.  Also in 2011, longtime morning host Shawn Burke was released after 12 years at WMMO.  In 2012, the station abandoned its previous practice of listing the names of all the songs and artists played.  The music also became more rock-oriented during these years.  In July 2015, WMMO began referring to itself as a [[classic hits]] station in an effort to compete with classic hits outlet [[WOCL]].
+Recently, WMMO has moved its music in a direction to become the de facto [[Classic Rock]] station for Orlando.
+==DJ Line Up==
+*Mornings—Denise Ryan
+*Middays—Joe Rock
+*Afternoons—Hildi
+*Evenings—A.J. Maguire
+[[File:WMMO former logo (February 2001-April 2002).png|thumb|left|200px|Former logo of the radio station used from February 2001 through April 2002]]
+[[File:WMMO former logo (May 2002-December 2011).png|thumb|200px|left|Former logo of the radio station used from May 2002 through December 2011]]
+[[File:WMMO logo.png|thumb|left|200px|Former logo through early 2015.]]
 ==References==
+{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
-<references />
+==External links==
+*[http://wmmo.com/ 98.9 WMMO]
+*{{FM station data|23444|WMMO}}
-{{Orlando FM}}
+{{Orlando Radio}}
+{{Classic Hits Radio Stations in Florida}}
+{{Classic Rock Radio Stations in Florida}}
+{{COXMG}}
+{{coord|28.574|N|81.463|W|type:landmark_region:US_source:FCC|display=title}}
-{{COX}}
-{{Florida-radio-station-stub}}
-[[Category: Radio stations in Florida]]
+[[Category:Radio stations in Orlando, Florida|MMO]]
-[[Category: Orlando, Florida]]
+[[Category:Classic hits radio stations in the United States]]
+[[Category:Classic rock radio stations in the United States]]
+[[Category:Cox Media Group]]
+[[Category:1990 establishments in Florida]]
+[[Category:Radio stations established in 1990]]

v t e Classic Hits radio stations in Florida
By frequency	1130 1170 1220 1340 94.3 95.1 95.3 96.9 98.5 98.9 99.5 100.7 100.9 102.7 103.7 104.1 104.1 104.7 104.7 105.9 106.3 106.9 107.3 107.9 107.9
By callsign	WBPC WEAT WGHR WGLF WITG-LP WITS WJGL WJTQ WLOV-FM WMMO WMXJ WNFB WOCL WOLZ WQOL WRBQ-FM WSBH WSOS WSRQ WSRQ-FM WSRZ-FM WWBF WWUS WXGL WXJZ
By city	Bartow Big Pine Key Coral Cove Deland/Orlando Daytona Beach Shores Ebro Fort Myers Gainesville Hobe Sound Jacksonville Lake City Ocala Orlando Pensacola Pompano Beach Saint Augustine Beach Saint Petersburg Sarasota (AM) Sarasota (FM) Satellite Beach Sebring Spring Hill Tallahassee Tampa Vero Beach West Palm Beach
See also adult contemporary classic hits college country news/talk NPR oldies religious rock sports top 40 urban other radio stations in Florida See also Oldies Classic Hits

v t e Classic rock radio stations in the state of Florida
By frequency	840 92.1 92.5 94.5 95.5 95.7 95.9 95.9 96.7 98.7 98.9 98.9 99.5 100.3 103.1 104.7 105.9 105.9 106.5 107.9
By callsign	WAIL WARO WBCG WBGG-FM WFKZ WHOG-FM WMMO WNDD WOYS WPBB WPGS WPRY-FM WRBA WROK-FM WTKE-FM WTZB WWCQ WXOF WYND-FM
By city	Alachua Carrabelle Chiefland Englewood Fort Lauderdale Holmes Beach Key West Mims Murdock Naples Niceville Ormond-By-The-Sea Orlando Perry Plantation Key Sebastian Silver Springs Springfield Yankeetown
See also adult contemporary classic hits college country news/talk NPR oldies religious rock sports top 40 urban other radio stations in Florida See also active rock classic rock mainstream rock modern rock