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{{short description|Urban contemporary radio station in New York City}}
{{Refimprove|date=November 2009}}
{{more citations needed|date=June 2016}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox radio station
{{Infobox radio station
| name = WWPR-FM
| name = WWPR-FM
| city = [[New York, New York]]
| image = [[File:Power1051newyork.jpg]]
| country = US
| city = [[New York City]]
| logo = Power1051newyork.png
| area = [[New York metropolitan area|New York City area]]
| area = [[New York metropolitan area]]
| branding = ''Power 105.1''
| frequency = {{Frequency|105.1|[[MHz]]}} {{HD Radio}}
| slogan = ''New York's R&B and Only the Best Hip-Hop''
| branding = Power 105.1
| airdate = 1953
| languages = [[American English|English]]
| frequency = 105.1 ([[Megahertz|MHz]]) {{HD Radio}}<br><small>105.1-2 FM ''One Caribbean Radio'' ([[HD Radio]])</small>
| format = [[Urban Contemporary]]
| format = [[Urban contemporary]]
| subchannels = {{ubl|HD2: DaNu Radio ([[Russian language in the United States|Russian programming]])|HD3: [[WWRL]] simulcast}}
| erp = 6,000 [[watt]]s
| affiliations = {{ubl|[[iHeartRadio]]|[[Premiere Networks]]}}
| haat = 415 [[meter]]s
| owner = [[iHeartMedia]]
| class = B
| licensee = iHM Licenses, LLC
| facility_id = 6373
| operator =
| callsign_meaning = '''W'''orld '''W'''ide '''P'''ower '''R'''adio
| sister_stations = [[WAXQ]], [[WHTZ]], [[WKTU]], [[WLTW]], [[WOR (AM)|WOR]], [[WWRL]]
| former_callsigns = WWRL-FM (1953-1957)<br>WRFM (1957-1986)<br>WNSR (1986-1992 and 1997-1998)<br>WMXV (1992-1996)<br>WDBZ (1996-1997)<br>WBIX (1998-1999)<br>WTJM (1999-2002)
| airdate = {{start date and age|1953|12|14|p=y|br=yes}}
| affiliations =
| last_airdate =
| owner = [[Clear Channel Communications]]
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|WWRL-FM (1953–1957)|WRFM (1957–1986)|WNSR (1986–1992)|WMXV (1992–1996)|WDBZ (1996–1997)|WNSR (1997–1998)|WBIX (1998–1999)|WTJM (1999–2002)}}
| sister_stations = [[WAXQ]], [[WHTZ]], [[WKTU]], [[WLTW]] [[WOR (AM)|WOR]]
| callsign_meaning = scrambling of "Power"
| webcast = [http://www.iheart.com/#/live/1481/?autoplay=true Listen Live!]
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| website = [http://www.power1051fm.com/ power1051fm.com]
| facility_id = 6373
| class = B
| power = <!--AM stations only-->
| erp = {{ubl|{{val|6000|u=watts|fmt=commas}} (analog)|{{val|239|u=watts|fmt=commas}} (digital)}}
| haat = {{convert|415|m|ft|sp=us}}
| coordinates = {{coord|40.748417|N|73.985694|W|type:landmark_region:US-NY_source:FCC|display=inline,title}}
| translators =
| repeaters =
| webcast = {{ubl|{{iHeartRadio|power-1051-1481}}|{{iHeartRadio|danu-russian-american-radio-6495}} (HD2)|{{iHeartRadio|black-information-network-8666}} (HD3)}}
| website = {{ubl|{{url|https://power1051.iheart.com/}}|{{url|http://www.danuradio.com/}} (HD2)|{{url|https://newyork.binnews.com/}} (HD3)}}
}}
}}
'''WWPR-FM''' (105.1 [[FM broadcasting|FM]]) is an [[urban contemporary music]] radio station [[city of license|licensed]] to [[New York, New York]]. The station is owned by [[iHeartMedia]] and broadcasts from studios located at [[125 West 55th Street]] in [[Midtown Manhattan]], while its [[transmitter]] is located at the [[Empire State Building]]. WWPR-FM is the flagship station of the nationally syndicated morning show, ''[[The Breakfast Club (radio show)|The Breakfast Club]]''.

'''WWPR-FM''', also known as "'''Power 105.1'''", is an [[urban contemporary]] [[radio station]] that features [[Hip hop music|hip hop]] and [[R&B]] licensed to [[New York City]] that serves the [[New York metropolitan area|Greater New York]] area. WWPR-FM is owned by [[Clear Channel Communications]]. WWPR-FM broadcasts with an ERP of 6,000 watts from a transmitter atop the [[Empire State Building]].


==History==
==History==
===WWRL-FM and WRFM (1953–1985)===
The first station to sign on to this frequency was '''WWRL-FM''' in 1953. It became '''WRFM''' in 1957, breaking away from [[simulcast]]ing its [[WWRL|AM sister station]] with a diversified and classical music format. [[Bonneville International]], the broadcast arm of [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints]], purchased WRFM in 1963.
The station first [[Sign-on and sign-off|signed-on]] the air on December 14, 1953, as WWRL-FM.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1954/Radio%20NE%20Ter%20BC%20YB%201954.pdf#page=19 Broadcasting Yearbook 1954] p. 226</ref> The station was co-owned with [[WWRL]] (1600 AM) by radio enthusiast William Reuman, studios were in [[Woodside, Queens]]. The [[call sign]] was changed to WRFM in October 1957, breaking away from the AM simulcast with a diversified and classical music format.


In 1968 WRFM, billing itself "Stereo 105", adopted a [[beautiful music]] format. The format was mostly instrumental with about one vocal every 15 minutes. Their music featured the works of such artists as [[Mantovani]], [[Henry Mancini]], [[John Fox]], [[Percy Faith]], [[Hollyridge Strings]], [[Leroy Anderson]], [[Frank Mills]] and [[Richard Clayderman]]. Mixed in were vocals by such artists as [[Frank Sinatra]], [[Neil Diamond]], [[Kenny Rogers]], [[Nat King Cole]] and [[Barbra Streisand]]. Ratings for the station were high, and a couple times they hit number one overall. A pair of rival stations, the simulcast of then-co-owned [[WPAT (AM)|WPAT-AM]]-[[WPAT-FM|FM]], tended to do slightly better in the ratings, but both outlets held their own.
[[Bonneville International]], the broadcast arm of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]], purchased WRFM in 1967. The following year, WRFM, billing itself as "Stereo 105", adopted a [[beautiful music]] format that was developed by program director [[Marlin Taylor]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Marlin Taylor gets beautiful ratings with 'beautiful music' |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-TV-Radio-Age/70s/TVRA-1970-09-07.pdf#page=28 |access-date=November 5, 2021 |work=Television/Radio Age |date=September 7, 1970 |pages=28}}</ref> WRFM played mostly instrumental music with about one vocal every 15 minutes. It featured the works of such artists as [[Mantovani]], [[Henry Mancini]], [[Ferrante & Teicher]], [[Percy Faith]], [[Hollyridge Strings]], [[Leroy Anderson]], [[Frank Mills]] and [[Richard Clayderman]]. Mixed in were vocals by such artists as [[Frank Sinatra]], [[Johnny Mathis]], [[Peggy Lee]], [[the Lettermen]], [[Nat King Cole]] and [[Barbra Streisand]].


Ratings for the station were satisfactory, and for a couple of times, WRFM was the top-rated FM station in New York. WRFM competed for beautiful music listeners with the simulcast of [[WPAT (AM)|WPAT]] and [[WPAT-FM]], with two other [[easy listening]] stations, [[WKTU|WTFM]] and [[WVNJ-FM]] usually trailing. As the 1980s began, WRFM started mixing in some soft contemporary artist vocals including [[the Carpenters]], [[Barry Manilow]], [[Kenny Rogers]] and [[Dionne Warwick]], and it was also used on an electronic program guide in Manhattan throughout the '80s. In 1984, the station increased vocals to six per hour and cut back on [[adult standards]] titles, while also adding softer songs by [[top 40]] artists, such as [[Billy Joel]], [[Michael Jackson]], [[Chicago (band)|Chicago]], [[Elton John]], [[the Beatles]] and [[Whitney Houston]].
[[Image:WNSR.png|thumb|left|The WNSR logo that was in use from 1986 until rebranding as "Mix 105" in 1990.]]
The station's ratings would continue to be strong through the years, but by 1985, the station's management noticed that their demographics skewed old. So in April 1986, the station switched to a gold-based [[adult contemporary]] format with the call letters '''WNSR''' (for "[[soft rock]]").<ref>"For the record." ''Broadcasting'', April 28, 1986, pg. 100. [http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-IDX/86-OCR/1986-04-28-BC-0100.pdf]</ref> With this new format, the station would mainly play pop songs from the 1960s and the 1970s, with 1980s and a moderate amount of then current adult contemporary songs included as well. Initially, the station's ratings were low, but once competitor [[WYNY (New York)|WYNY]] (the present-day [[WQHT]], the main rival of today's 105.1 frequency) went to a country format, their ratings went up.


===Soft Rock 105FM (1986–1990)===
By 1990, the station became known as "Mix 105", and shifted to more of a [[hot adult contemporary]] format, cutting back (but still playing) on 1960s music, focusing on 1970s and 1980s hits. By 1992, when the station changed its call letters to '''WMXV''', the 1960s hits were gone, and the station played more recent music. By 1995, the station was only playing hits of the 1980s and 1990s, and even mixing in some lighter [[alternative rock]] songs, as many other hot adult contemporary stations were doing at this time.
[[Image:WNSR.png|thumb|The WNSR logo that was in use from 1986 until rebranding as "Mix 105" in 1990.]]
The station's ratings continued to be strong, but by 1985, the [[easy listening]] audience was starting to age and was not as attractive to advertisers.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} On April 17, 1986, the station switched to a gold-based [[adult contemporary]] format with the call letters WNSR, for New York's Soft Rock.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-04-28.pdf#page=100 "For the record."] ''Broadcasting'', April 28, 1986, pg. 96</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://formatchange.com/1051-wrfm-flips-from-beautiful-music-to-ac-wnsr/|title=105.1 WRFM flips from Beautiful Music to AC WNSR – Format Change Archive|date=April 15, 1986|access-date=January 3, 2017}}</ref> WNSR focused on songs from the 1960s and 1970s, with some 1980s titles and a moderate number of current adult contemporary songs as well. Initially, the station's ratings were modest. However, once AC competitor [[WQHT|WYNY]] went to a [[country music]] format, WNSR's ratings went up.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}


===Mix 105 (1990–1996)===
On November 13, 1996, the Hot AC format at WMXV abruptly ended, and after a day of playing music from [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] [[musical theater|musicals]], the station switched formats to an adult-friendly [[modern rock]] (technically called "Modern AC") format as '''WDBZ''' ("The Buzz"). In August 1997, with ratings on the decline, the call letters would change back to '''WNSR'''. The original plan was for the station to drop the "Buzz" format in favor of a gold-based AC format playing songs from 1964 through then current product. The station was to have launched on August 18, 1997, with television commercials set to air. Their owners, Bonneville, instead decided to sell the station to Chancellor Media (which owned [[WHTZ]], [[WLTW]], [[WKTU]], and [[WAXQ]]). As a result, the format change for 105.1 was canceled and the station would remain "The Buzz" for a while longer with the reverted '''WNSR''' call letters. Gradually, from September through November 1997, the station would return to Hot AC, and then [[Adult contemporary|Mainstream AC]]. For the next few months, the station would simply be known on-air as "FM 105.1", and would only use the WNSR calls for station ID's.
In January 1990, the station's moniker became "Mix 105", and shifted to more of a [[hot adult contemporary]] format, focusing on the 1970s, 1980s, and current hits, with only a few 1960s titles. By April 1992, when the station changed its call letters to WMXV, the 1960s hits were gone, and more recent music was added. By 1995, the station was only playing hits of the 1980s and 1990s, and even mixing in some lighter [[modern rock]] songs, as many other hot AC stations were doing at this time.


===105.1 The Buzz (1996–1997)===
On January 21, 1998, at 5:30 PM, the station relaunched as "Big 105", with the call letters '''WBIX'''. Despite this relaunch, the station played basically the same music as they did in the months before, and could not compete with highly-rated [[WLTW]] ("Lite FM"). Initially, in January 1998, Big 105 was musically very close to WLTW but evolved to a Hot AC format by that May similar to what WPLJ was playing at the time. They also added [[Danny Bonaduce]] as their morning show host and added [[Casey Kasem]]'s ''American Top 20'' countdown program on Sundays, coinciding with Kasem's move to Chancellor Media from Westwood One earlier in the year. Ratings continued to fail, and by October 1998, Big 105 was sounding more like a Modern Rock-based Hot AC, similar to their former Buzz format, but not as deep.
On November 13, 1996, the hot AC format at WMXV abruptly ended, and after a day of [[stunting (broadcasting)|stunting]] with music from [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] musicals, the station switched formats to an adult-friendly [[adult contemporary music#Modern adult contemporary|modern AC]] format as WDBZ ("The Buzz").<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1996/R&R-1996-11-22.pdf|title=R&R 11/22/96}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://formatchange.com/1051-wmxv-ends-showtunes-stunt-launches-modern-ac-the-buzz/|title=105.1 WMXV ends Showtunes stunt, launches Modern AC "The Buzz"|date=November 14, 1996}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fmairchecks.com/2017/02/14/wdbz-105-1-buzz-new-york-2997-josh-bennett/|title=WDBZ (105.1 The Buzz) - New York - 2/9/97 - Josh Bennett|date=February 14, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bvfvoz9iWtg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/Bvfvoz9iWtg| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live|title=WDBZ 105.1 New York, NY - 22 May 1997|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>


On August 5, 1997, with ratings on the decline, the call sign changed back to WNSR. The original plan was for the station to drop the "Buzz" format in favor of an [[oldies]]-based AC format, playing songs from 1964 to current hits. The station was to have launched on August 18, 1997, with television commercials set to air. However, Bonneville instead decided to sell the station to Chancellor Media, which also owned [[WHTZ]], [[WLTW]], [[WKTU]], and [[WAXQ]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Furman |first1=Phyllis |title=Signal's Getting Stronger Chancellor Broadcasting Set To Add WDBZ To City Collection |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/money/signal-stronger-chancellor-broadcasting-set-add-wdbz-city-collection-article-1.770696 |access-date=February 4, 2023 |work=Daily News|location=New York |date=August 6, 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305234430/http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/money/signal-stronger-chancellor-broadcasting-set-add-wdbz-city-collection-article-1.770696 |archive-date=March 5, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Fabrikant |first1=Geraldine |title=WDBZ Is Optioned To 2 Broadcasters |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/08/nyregion/wdbz-is-optioned-to-2-broadcasters.html |access-date=February 4, 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=August 8, 1997 |location=Section B |page=5}}</ref>
[[Image:Jammin105.png|thumb|right|The Jammin 105 logo that lasted from 1999 through early 2002.]]
On December 10, 1998, the station had a more drastic format change, as they converted to the then-popular "[[Jammin' Oldies]]" format, with the call letters subsequently changing to '''WTJM''' in 1999, and the station nicknamed "Jammin' 105." The station, which would play popular urban, dance, and rhythmic pop music of the mid-1960s through the 1980s, did better in the ratings than the previous format, and Jammin' Oldies' results initially challenged those of longtime oldies station [[WCBS-FM]]. Chancellor merged with Capstar Broadcasting to form AMFM Inc. in 1999. Then, in 2000, [[Clear Channel Communications]] merge with AMFM Inc., giving this and the other four stations a new owner. Under Clear Channel, WTJM would evolve into an urban oldies format, and then an [[urban adult contemporary]] format, while keeping the "Jammin' 105" moniker. Frankie Blue was brought in to program the shift to the urban adult contemporary format. He immediately brought in Jeff Foxx (formerly of [[WEPN-FM|WRKS]] and [[WBLS]]) and teamed him with comedian George Wallace to form the "Jammin' New York Wake-up Club". The morning show was a hit and the rest of the station benefitted; however, it did not warrant keeping the format.


As a result, the format change for 105.1 was canceled and the station remained "The Buzz" for a while longer, with the reverted WNSR call letters. Gradually, from September through November 1997, the station returned to hot AC, and then [[Adult contemporary|mainstream AC]]. For the next few months, the station would simply be known on-air as "FM 105.1", and only used the WNSR call sign for the legal [[station identification]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://fmairchecks.com/2016/11/17/wnsr-fm-105-1-new-york-111497-karen-carson/|title=WNSR ("FM 105.1") - New York - 11/14/97 - Karen Carson|date=November 17, 2016}}</ref>
In March 2002, the station would abruptly change, as it shifted to its current [[mainstream urban]] format as '''WWPR-FM''' ("Power 105.1"). (Some wags declared the new format to be "Jammin' Homies".) A speculated reason for the format change is that while they could not beat competitor [[WQHT]] ("Hot 97"), they could take enough ratings away from them to keep them from being number one, which would leave Power 105.1's sister station Lite FM with a comfortable lead in that race (prior to the change Hot 97 and Lite FM had alternated at the top spot).


===Big 105 (1998)===
By [[2004 in radio|2004]], WWPR-FM became the market's only [[urban contemporary]] station because of the transition of [[WBLS]] from [[urban contemporary]] to [[urban adult contemporary]]. [[WQHT]] is closer, but they report as [[rhythmic contemporary]] per [[Mediabase]] & [[Nielsen BDS]], although WQHT was an urban reporter on [[Nielsen BDS]] from [[2006 in radio|2006]]-[[2007 in radio|2007]] despite Mediabase continuing to report WQHT as a rhythmic.
On January 21, 1998, at 6:30&nbsp;pm, the station relaunched as "Big 105", with the call letters WBIX (which took effect on April 13). The first song on "Big 105" was "[[Big Time (Peter Gabriel song)|Big Time]]" by [[Peter Gabriel]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1998/RR-1998-01-23.pdf|title=R&R 1/23/1998}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://formatchange.com/1051-wnsr-becomes-big-105/|title=105.1 WNSR becomes "Big 105" – Format Change Archive|date=January 21, 1998|access-date=January 3, 2017}}</ref> Despite this relaunch, the station played basically the same music as it did in the months before, and could not compete with highly rated [[WLTW]].


Initially, Big 105 was musically very close to WLTW, but evolved to a hot AC format by that May, similar to what [[WPLJ]] was playing at the time. WBIX also added [[Danny Bonaduce]] as its morning show host. It also added [[Casey Kasem]]'s ''[[American Top 20]]'' syndicated countdown program on Sundays, coinciding with Kasem's move to Chancellor Media from [[Westwood One (1976–2011)|Westwood One]] earlier in the year. Ratings continued to decline, and by October 1998, WBIX leaned toward modern AC, similar to the former "Buzz" format, but not as deep.
WQHT had been the only New York station featuring current [[Hip hop music|hip hop]] and [[R&B]] since its owner, [[Emmis Communications]] purchased WRKS in 1994 and moved that station towards an adult R&B format. In an effort to build an audience, WWPR-FM brought in former Hot 97 personalities and ''[[Yo! MTV Raps]]'' hosts [[Ed Lover]] and [[Doctor Dre]] to anchor their morning show. The station then entered into the top five of the [[Arbitron]] ratings, a position it maintained for several years.


===Jammin' 105 (1998–2002)===
The station terminated Doctor Dre's contract in December 2003 and gave Ed Lover a new co-host in rapper-turned-radio personality [[Monie Love]], which would last for about a year. By the end of 2004, WWPR decided to heat up their rivalry with WQHT by bringing in ex-Hot 97 morning show hosts [[Star & Buc Wild]] as their new morning drive team, as well-known [[disc jockey]]s were deemed critical to their success.
[[Image:Jammin105.png|thumb|right|The Jammin 105 logo that lasted from 1998 through early 2002.]]
On December 4, 1998, at 6:00{{nbsp}}p.m., after playing "[[Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)]]" by [[Green Day]], the station flipped to the then-growing "[[Jammin' Oldies]]" format, and (after a "name the station" contest) branded as "Jammin' 105". The first song on "Jammin'" was "[[Celebration (Kool & the Gang song)|Celebration]]" by [[Kool & the Gang]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/big-change-105-jammin-oldies-article-1.818558|title=BIG CHANGE AT 105: NOW, JAMMIN' OLDIES|website=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]|location=New York|access-date=January 3, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://formatchange.com/1051-wbix-flips-from-ac-to-rhythmic-oldies/|title=105.1 WBIX flips from AC to Rhythmic Oldies – Format Change Archive|date=December 10, 1998|access-date=January 3, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gilbert |first1=Calvin |title=Chancellor Spreads Big Apple Jam |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1998/RR-1998-12-11.pdf#page=3 |access-date=October 28, 2021 |work=R&R |date=December 11, 1998 |page=1}}</ref> On March 1, 1999, WBIX changed call letters to WTJM, to match the "Jammin'" branding. The station played rhythmic and dance pop hits of the mid-1960s through the 1980s. TV comedian [[Jay Thomas]] was hired for morning [[drive time]]. WTJM did better in the ratings than the previous format, and its results initially challenged those of longtime oldies station [[WCBS-FM]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/11/nyregion/turn-down-elvis-crank-up-disco-upstart-with-younger-twist-sets-off-rivalry.html|title=Turn Down the Elvis, Crank Up the Disco; Upstart With a Younger Twist Sets Off a Rivalry on Oldies Radio|date=September 11, 1999|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 3, 2017}}</ref>


Chancellor merged with Capstar Broadcasting to form AMFM Inc. in 1999. Then, in 2000, [[Clear Channel Communications]] merged with AMFM Inc., giving WTJM and the other four stations a new owner. Under Clear Channel (now [[iHeartMedia]]), WTJM evolved into an [[urban oldies]] direction, and then to an [[urban adult contemporary]] format, while keeping the "Jammin' 105" moniker. Frankie Blue was brought in to program the shift to urban AC. He immediately brought in Jeff Foxx (formerly of [[WEPN-FM|WRKS]] and [[WBLS]]) and teamed him with comedian [[George Wallace (American comedian)|George Wallace]] to form the "Jammin' New York Wake-up Club". While the morning show was a hit, it did not warrant keeping the format due to the station's low ratings in other dayparts.
The "Star and Buc Wild Morning Show" was replaced in 2006 by ''Live With [[Big Tigger]] and Egypt'' which would be replaced by a returning Ed Lover, who would later be joined by [[Malikha Mallette]]. This last show incarnation ended on November 19, 2010, when Ed Lover was released from the station and Mallette was re-assigned to the midday shift, replacing De Ja.


===Power 105.1 (2002–present)===
The WWPR-FM call letters were previously used in New York by [[WPLJ]] for exactly one year between 1987 and 1988, when it was a Top 40 station using the "Power 95" branding.
At 6:05&nbsp;a.m. on March 14, 2002, the station abruptly changed, as it flipped to its current mainstream urban format as WWPR-FM "Power 105.1".<ref>{{cite news |title=WTJM Turns On The 'Power' |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2002/RR-2002-03-22.pdf#page=5 |access-date=October 9, 2020 |work=R&R |issue=1445 |date=March 22, 2002}}</ref> A speculated reason for the format change is that while they could not beat competitor [[WQHT]] ("Hot 97"), they could take enough ratings away from them to keep them from being number one, which would leave WWPR's sister station WLTW with a comfortable lead in that race (prior to the change, WQHT and WLTW had alternated at the top spot).


By 2004, WWPR-FM technically became the market's only [[urban contemporary]] station due to the transition of 107.5 [[WBLS]] from urban contemporary to [[urban adult contemporary]]. WQHT reports as [[rhythmic contemporary]] to [[Mediabase]] & [[Nielsen BDS]], although WQHT was an urban reporter on Nielsen BDS from 2006 to 2007. WWPR-FM and WQHT's [[playlist]]s are similar, and the two stations aim at roughly the same audience.
==DJ Carl Blaze's death==
[[DJ Carl Blaze]], who was a popular DJ at Power 105.1 for over three years, was fatally shot outside an apartment building near Manhattan's [[Inwood, Manhattan|Inwood]] section on December 7, 2006 about 4:30 AM and his $20,000 diamond chain was stolen from him. He was taken to [[Harlem Hospital Center]], where he died Saturday, December 23. No arrest have been made and the investigation into the shooting was ongoing.


WQHT had been the only New York station featuring current [[hip hop]] and [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] since its owner, [[Emmis Communications]], purchased WRKS in 1994 and moved that station towards an adult R&B format. In an effort to build an audience, WWPR-FM brought in former Hot 97 personalities and ''[[Yo! MTV Raps]]'' hosts [[Ed Lover]] and [[Doctor Dré]] to anchor the station's morning show. The station then entered into the top five of the [[Arbitron]] ratings, a position it maintained for several years.
==Star controversy==
Troi Torain, who previously worked at Power 105's rival hip-hop station [[WQHT]] until he switched to Power 105, is known as "Star" from the Star & Buc Wild morning show. He had a running on-air feud with Hot 97's [[DJ Envy]], whose real name is Raashaun Casey.


The station terminated Doctor Dre's contract in December 2003 and gave Ed Lover a new co-host in rapper-turned-radio personality [[Monie Love]]. The morning team lasted for about a year. By the end of 2004, WWPR decided to heat up the rivalry with WQHT by bringing in ex-Hot 97 morning show hosts Star & Buc Wild as their new morning drive team, as well-known disc jockeys were deemed critical to the station's success.
In a May 3, 2006 broadcast, Torain mentioned DJ Envy's wife and child. Torain said he would pay $500 to any listener who told him where the girl attended school. Torain, who is bi-racial, also used racial and sexual epithets about D.J. Envy's wife, Gia Casey, who is part Asian.

The "Star and Buc Wild Morning Show" was replaced in 2006 by ''Live with [[Big Tigger]] and Egypt''. That team was later replaced by a returning Ed Lover, who was later joined by [[Malikha Mallette]]. This last show incarnation ended on November 19, 2010, when Ed Lover was released from the station and Mallette was reassigned to the midday shift, replacing De Ja.

===Star controversy===
{{onesource|section|date=April 2022}}
Troi Torain (born May 3, 1964), who previously worked at Power 105's rival hip-hop station [[WQHT]] with his half-brother Timothy Joseph (born January 3, 1979) who took Torain's old stage name "Buc Wild" until he switched to Power 105, is known as "Star" from the ''Star & Buc Wild'' morning show. Star stands for "Strange Thoughts and Revelations". He had a running on-air feud with Power 105.1's [[DJ Envy]], whose real name is Raashaun Casey.

In a May 3, 2006, broadcast, Torain mentioned DJ Envy's wife and child. Torain said he would pay $500 to any listener who told him where the girl attended school. Torain, who is bi-racial, also used racial and sexual epithets about DJ Envy's wife, Gia Casey, who is part Asian.


New York City Council members called for an investigation by law enforcement and the Federal Communications Commission. After the protests, Clear Channel Communications, the corporate owner of Power 105, suspended Torain. After reviewing transcripts of the broadcast, New York City law enforcement officials called Torain to police headquarters in Lower Manhattan to surrender his target pistol license and 9-millimeter handgun. Detectives from the Hate Crimes Unit charged him with endangering the welfare of a child.
New York City Council members called for an investigation by law enforcement and the Federal Communications Commission. After the protests, Clear Channel Communications, the corporate owner of Power 105, suspended Torain. After reviewing transcripts of the broadcast, New York City law enforcement officials called Torain to police headquarters in Lower Manhattan to surrender his target pistol license and 9-millimeter handgun. Detectives from the Hate Crimes Unit charged him with endangering the welfare of a child.


Leaving the precinct house, Torain leaned back and grinned for television cameras, saying "You're looking at the new [[Lenny Bruce]]." Torain's lawyer's defended his broadcasts on first amendment grounds.<ref>"D.J. Is Arrested Over His Threat to Rival's Child." ''The New York Times'' 13 May 2006.[http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/13/nyregion/13arrest.html]</ref>
Leaving the precinct house, Torain leaned back and grinned for television cameras, saying "You're looking at the new [[Lenny Bruce]]." Torain's lawyer's defended his broadcasts on first amendment grounds.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/13/nyregion/13arrest.html "D.J. Is Arrested Over His Threat to Rival's Child."] ''The New York Times'' May 13, 2006.</ref>


Star and Buc Wild were replaced with ''Live With [[Big Tigger]] and Egypt'' on May 4, 2006.
Star and Buc Wild were replaced with ''Live with [[Big Tigger]] and Egypt'' on May 4, 2006.


==Power in HD2==
==''The Breakfast Club''==
{{Main|The Breakfast Club (radio show)}}
In early 2006, Clear Channel launched 105.1 [[HD radio|HD2]], playing [[Reggaeton]] and [[Hispanic Rhythmic]] music. The format was similar to that heard on [[WCAA]].
WWPR is the [[flagship station]] of the [[radio syndication|nationally syndicated]] ''The Breakfast Club'' morning show. It is hosted by [[Charlamagne tha God]] and [[DJ Envy]]. It debuted in December 2010 and grew to be one of the most popular morning programs in New York.<ref>[http://www.urbanradionation.com/2010/12/breakfast-club-debuts-at-power-1051.html The Breakfast Club Debuts at Power 105.1] Urban Radio Nation</ref> The program is heard in dozens of other cities through [[Premiere Networks]], co-owned with WWPR-FM. ''[[The Source]]'', a hip-hop magazine, named ''The Breakfast Club'' the No. 1 radio program in the nation.<ref>[http://www.urbaninsite.com/?p=28822 NY Power 105.1 Breakfast Club Launches National Morning Show] Urban Insite</ref>


Both personalities have experience in radio and television. DJ Envy is the host of [[MTV2]] shows ''[[Sucker Free]]'' and ''[[The Week in Jams]]''. Charlamagne Tha God is the co-host of MTV2's ''[[Guy Code]]'' and was a former co-host of ''The [[Wendy Williams]] Experience''.
Around 2008, the HD2 channel started broadcasting Clear Channel Premiere's "Mia" channel, a Spanish language music channel featuring tropical music.


In April 2013, Premiere Networks launched a weekend version of the show ''Weekends with the Breakfast Club'', which features a Top 20 countdown. Four months later, ''The Breakfast Club'' weekday version went into national syndication.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vibe.com/2013/03/power-1051s-weekends-breakfast-club-earns-national-syndication|title=Power 105.1's Weekends With The Breakfast Club Earns National Syndication|date=March 31, 2013|website=Vibe}}</ref> The show is heard in [[KOHT|Tucson]]; [[WKKV-FM|Milwaukee]], [[WWWZ|Charleston, South Carolina]]; [[W281AB|Birmingham]]; [[WQUE-FM|New Orleans]]; [[KBHT|Waco]]; [[WZHT|Montgomery]]; [[WJBT|Jacksonville]]; [[WMIB|Miami]]; [[WOWI|Norfolk]]; [[WZCB|Columbus, Ohio]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/123922/miami-s-103-5-the-beat-adds-the-breakfast-club|title=Miami's 103.5 The Beat Adds 'The Breakfast Club'|access-date=January 3, 2017}}</ref> [[KQBT|Houston]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dayandadream.com/2013/12/31/937-the-beat-debuts-in-houston/|title=Goodbye To The Arrow: 93.7 The Beat Is Houston's New Hip-Hop Station [@937thebeat] » Day & A Dream|date=December 31, 2013}}</ref> [[WJLB|Detroit]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/detroit/index.ssf/2014/01/detroits_fm_98_wjlb_stays_mum.html|title=Detroit's FM 98 WJLB stays mum on Coco and Foolish firing reports; fans show anger online|date=January 6, 2014|access-date=January 3, 2017}}</ref> [[WFXE|Columbus, Georgia]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/127193/wfxe-wakes-up-with-the-breakfast-club|title=WFXE Wakes Up With The Breakfast Club|access-date=January 3, 2017}}</ref> [[W233BF|Atlanta]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://radiotvtalk.blog.ajc.com/2014/03/28/streetz-94-5-signs-the-breakfast-club-from-nyc-drops-rashan-ali/|title=Streetz 94.5 signs The Breakfast Club, drops Rashan Ali - Radio and TV Talk|first=Rodney|last=Ho|access-date=January 3, 2017}}</ref> [[W280DO|Lexington, Kentucky]]; [[WDHT|Dayton]]; [[WCST-FM|Charleston, West Virginia]]; [[KVEG|Las Vegas]]; [[WCZQ|Champaign, Illinois]]; [[WGOV-FM|Valdosta, Georgia]]; [[KKMY|Beaumont, Texas]], [[WKJS|Wilmington]]; [[WTFX-FM|Louisville]]; [[WEBN#HD3: 102.3 The Beat|Cincinnati]]; and [[WTKS-FM|Orlando]]. A video version of the show is also carried weekdays on [[BET Networks|BET.]]
Around 2011, the HD2 channel started broadcasting the feed from One Caribbean Radio, featuring news, features and music from Caribbean countries and territories along with Caribbean-influenced artists. This feed has gone silent at times, possibly due to financial problems at One Caribbean Radio<ref>http://onecaribbeanradio.com/</ref> or technical difficulties transmitting the signal from One Caribbean Radio to WWPR's HD2 channel.


==Staff==
==Staff==
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2020}}
<!--==Notable people==
Please add only people who have their own Wikipedia articles.-->
===On-air===
===On-air===
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Charlamagne Tha God]]
* [[DJ Clue?]]
* [[DJ Envy]]
* [[DJ Envy]]
* [[Angela Yee]]
* Charlamagne Tha God
* Cherry Martinez
* [[DJ Prostyle]]
* [[DJ Prostyle]]
* [[DJ Clue?]]
* [[DJ Self]]
* [[Angie Martinez]]
* Geespin
{{Div col end}}
* [[Big Tigger]]
* Kim Kane
* Emez
* Curt Flirt
*Kazstarbran (twitter @Kazstarbran)

===Mixshow DJs===
* DJ Cre8
* DJ First Choice
* DJ Flipstar
* DJ J-Star
* DJ Rey-Mo
* DJ Self
* DJ Suss-One
* DJ Will
* DJ Whutevva
* DJ Norie
* DJ Ty-Boogie


===Former DJs===
===Former DJs===
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* Borasio (now at Pulse 87.7 (WNYZ-FM) in New York, NY)
* [[Tony Touch]]
* DJ [[Tony Touch]]
* [[DJ Carl Blaze]]
* [[DJ Yonny]]
* [[Star and Buc Wild]]
* [[DJ Yonny]] (now at 92.3 NOW-FM (WXRK-FM) in New York, NY)
* [[DJ Spinbad]]
* [[DJ Spinbad]]
* [[Egypt (media personality)|Egypt]] (now at WVEE-FM 103.3 in Atlanta, GA)
* [[Egypt (media personality)|Egypt]] (now at HGTV in Atlanta, Georgia)
* [[Doctor Dré]]
* DJ [[Doctor Dré]]
* [[Ed Lover]]
* Colby Colb (Now at WENZ Cleveland)
* Jay Wright
* Chuck Dogg
* Big R.
* Jayson Fox
* [[Anthony Caiazzo]] (Anthony Cruz)
* Will2Be
* [[Steph Lova]] (now at DTF Radio)
* [[Ed Lover]] (now at 98.7 Kiss FM (WRKS) in New York, NY)
* Lady O.
* Lady Chellez
* Q.
* Déjà Vu
* [[Malikha Mallette]]
* [[Malikha Mallette]]
{{Div col end}}

===Former shows===
{{Importance-section|date=December 2010}}
* ''Star and Buc Wild In The Morning''
* ''Ed Lover And Doctor Dré In The Morning''
* ''Colby Colb Show''
* ''Tony Touch's Reggeatony Show''
* '' The Jayson Fox Show''
* ''The Ed Lover Show''
* ''The Steph Lova Program''
* ''Middays with Déjà Vu''


==References==
==References==
Line 142: Line 129:


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Official site|https://power1051.iheart.com/}}
*[http://www.power1051fm.com/ Power 105.1's Website]
*{{FM station data|WWPR}}
{{FM station data|6373|WWPR-FM}}
* {{Cite web|url= https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=82810 |title= History Cards for WWPR-FM|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]}} ([[Wikipedia:WikiProject Radio Stations/History Cards|Guide to reading History Cards]])<!--Converted from {{FCC letter}}-->
* [http://danuradio.com DaNu Radio (HD2)]
* [https://www.binnews.com/ BIN (HD3)]

===Format changes===
* [http://formatchange.com/1051-wrfm-flips-from-beautiful-music-to-ac-wnsr/ 105.1 WRFM flips from Beautiful Music to AC WNSR]
* [http://formatchange.com/1051-wmxv-ends-showtunes-stunt-launches-modern-ac-the-buzz/ 105.1 WMXV ends Showtunes stunt, launches Modern AC "The Buzz"]
* [http://formatchange.com/1051-wnsr-becomes-big-105/ 105.1 WNSR becomes "Big 105"]
* [http://formatchange.com/1051-wbix-flips-from-ac-to-rhythmic-oldies/ 105.1 WBIX flips from AC to Rhythmic Oldies]


{{New York Radio}}
{{New York Radio}}
{{Urban Radio Stations in New York}}
{{Urban Radio Stations in New York}}
{{Clear Channel}}
{{IHeartMedia}}

{{coord|40.748|N|73.986|W|type:landmark_region:US_source:FCC|display=title}}


[[Category:Clear Channel radio stations]]
[[Category:1953 establishments in New York City]]
[[Category:Urban contemporary radio stations|WPR]]
[[Category:IHeartMedia radio stations]]
[[Category:Mainstream urban radio stations]]
[[Category:Radio stations in New York City]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1953]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1953]]
[[Category:1953 establishments in New York]]
[[Category:Radio stations in New York City|WPR-FM]]
[[Category:Urban contemporary radio stations in the United States|WPR]]

Latest revision as of 21:10, 25 December 2024

WWPR-FM
Broadcast areaNew York metropolitan area
Frequency105.1 MHz (HD Radio)
BrandingPower 105.1
Programming
Language(s)English
FormatUrban contemporary
Subchannels
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
WAXQ, WHTZ, WKTU, WLTW, WOR, WWRL
History
First air date
December 14, 1953
(71 years ago) (1953-12-14)
Former call signs
  • WWRL-FM (1953–1957)
  • WRFM (1957–1986)
  • WNSR (1986–1992)
  • WMXV (1992–1996)
  • WDBZ (1996–1997)
  • WNSR (1997–1998)
  • WBIX (1998–1999)
  • WTJM (1999–2002)
Call sign meaning
scrambling of "Power"
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID6373
ClassB
ERP
  • 6,000 watts (analog)
  • 239 watts (digital)
HAAT415 meters (1,362 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
40°44′54″N 73°59′08″W / 40.748417°N 73.985694°W / 40.748417; -73.985694
Links
Public license information
Webcast
Website

WWPR-FM (105.1 FM) is an urban contemporary music radio station licensed to New York, New York. The station is owned by iHeartMedia and broadcasts from studios located at 125 West 55th Street in Midtown Manhattan, while its transmitter is located at the Empire State Building. WWPR-FM is the flagship station of the nationally syndicated morning show, The Breakfast Club.

History

[edit]

WWRL-FM and WRFM (1953–1985)

[edit]

The station first signed-on the air on December 14, 1953, as WWRL-FM.[2] The station was co-owned with WWRL (1600 AM) by radio enthusiast William Reuman, studios were in Woodside, Queens. The call sign was changed to WRFM in October 1957, breaking away from the AM simulcast with a diversified and classical music format.

Bonneville International, the broadcast arm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, purchased WRFM in 1967. The following year, WRFM, billing itself as "Stereo 105", adopted a beautiful music format that was developed by program director Marlin Taylor.[3] WRFM played mostly instrumental music with about one vocal every 15 minutes. It featured the works of such artists as Mantovani, Henry Mancini, Ferrante & Teicher, Percy Faith, Hollyridge Strings, Leroy Anderson, Frank Mills and Richard Clayderman. Mixed in were vocals by such artists as Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Peggy Lee, the Lettermen, Nat King Cole and Barbra Streisand.

Ratings for the station were satisfactory, and for a couple of times, WRFM was the top-rated FM station in New York. WRFM competed for beautiful music listeners with the simulcast of WPAT and WPAT-FM, with two other easy listening stations, WTFM and WVNJ-FM usually trailing. As the 1980s began, WRFM started mixing in some soft contemporary artist vocals including the Carpenters, Barry Manilow, Kenny Rogers and Dionne Warwick, and it was also used on an electronic program guide in Manhattan throughout the '80s. In 1984, the station increased vocals to six per hour and cut back on adult standards titles, while also adding softer songs by top 40 artists, such as Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, Chicago, Elton John, the Beatles and Whitney Houston.

Soft Rock 105FM (1986–1990)

[edit]
The WNSR logo that was in use from 1986 until rebranding as "Mix 105" in 1990.

The station's ratings continued to be strong, but by 1985, the easy listening audience was starting to age and was not as attractive to advertisers.[citation needed] On April 17, 1986, the station switched to a gold-based adult contemporary format with the call letters WNSR, for New York's Soft Rock.[4][5] WNSR focused on songs from the 1960s and 1970s, with some 1980s titles and a moderate number of current adult contemporary songs as well. Initially, the station's ratings were modest. However, once AC competitor WYNY went to a country music format, WNSR's ratings went up.[citation needed]

Mix 105 (1990–1996)

[edit]

In January 1990, the station's moniker became "Mix 105", and shifted to more of a hot adult contemporary format, focusing on the 1970s, 1980s, and current hits, with only a few 1960s titles. By April 1992, when the station changed its call letters to WMXV, the 1960s hits were gone, and more recent music was added. By 1995, the station was only playing hits of the 1980s and 1990s, and even mixing in some lighter modern rock songs, as many other hot AC stations were doing at this time.

105.1 The Buzz (1996–1997)

[edit]

On November 13, 1996, the hot AC format at WMXV abruptly ended, and after a day of stunting with music from Broadway musicals, the station switched formats to an adult-friendly modern AC format as WDBZ ("The Buzz").[6][7][8][9]

On August 5, 1997, with ratings on the decline, the call sign changed back to WNSR. The original plan was for the station to drop the "Buzz" format in favor of an oldies-based AC format, playing songs from 1964 to current hits. The station was to have launched on August 18, 1997, with television commercials set to air. However, Bonneville instead decided to sell the station to Chancellor Media, which also owned WHTZ, WLTW, WKTU, and WAXQ.[10][11]

As a result, the format change for 105.1 was canceled and the station remained "The Buzz" for a while longer, with the reverted WNSR call letters. Gradually, from September through November 1997, the station returned to hot AC, and then mainstream AC. For the next few months, the station would simply be known on-air as "FM 105.1", and only used the WNSR call sign for the legal station identification.[12]

Big 105 (1998)

[edit]

On January 21, 1998, at 6:30 pm, the station relaunched as "Big 105", with the call letters WBIX (which took effect on April 13). The first song on "Big 105" was "Big Time" by Peter Gabriel.[13][14] Despite this relaunch, the station played basically the same music as it did in the months before, and could not compete with highly rated WLTW.

Initially, Big 105 was musically very close to WLTW, but evolved to a hot AC format by that May, similar to what WPLJ was playing at the time. WBIX also added Danny Bonaduce as its morning show host. It also added Casey Kasem's American Top 20 syndicated countdown program on Sundays, coinciding with Kasem's move to Chancellor Media from Westwood One earlier in the year. Ratings continued to decline, and by October 1998, WBIX leaned toward modern AC, similar to the former "Buzz" format, but not as deep.

Jammin' 105 (1998–2002)

[edit]
The Jammin 105 logo that lasted from 1998 through early 2002.

On December 4, 1998, at 6:00 p.m., after playing "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" by Green Day, the station flipped to the then-growing "Jammin' Oldies" format, and (after a "name the station" contest) branded as "Jammin' 105". The first song on "Jammin'" was "Celebration" by Kool & the Gang.[15][16][17] On March 1, 1999, WBIX changed call letters to WTJM, to match the "Jammin'" branding. The station played rhythmic and dance pop hits of the mid-1960s through the 1980s. TV comedian Jay Thomas was hired for morning drive time. WTJM did better in the ratings than the previous format, and its results initially challenged those of longtime oldies station WCBS-FM.[18]

Chancellor merged with Capstar Broadcasting to form AMFM Inc. in 1999. Then, in 2000, Clear Channel Communications merged with AMFM Inc., giving WTJM and the other four stations a new owner. Under Clear Channel (now iHeartMedia), WTJM evolved into an urban oldies direction, and then to an urban adult contemporary format, while keeping the "Jammin' 105" moniker. Frankie Blue was brought in to program the shift to urban AC. He immediately brought in Jeff Foxx (formerly of WRKS and WBLS) and teamed him with comedian George Wallace to form the "Jammin' New York Wake-up Club". While the morning show was a hit, it did not warrant keeping the format due to the station's low ratings in other dayparts.

Power 105.1 (2002–present)

[edit]

At 6:05 a.m. on March 14, 2002, the station abruptly changed, as it flipped to its current mainstream urban format as WWPR-FM "Power 105.1".[19] A speculated reason for the format change is that while they could not beat competitor WQHT ("Hot 97"), they could take enough ratings away from them to keep them from being number one, which would leave WWPR's sister station WLTW with a comfortable lead in that race (prior to the change, WQHT and WLTW had alternated at the top spot).

By 2004, WWPR-FM technically became the market's only urban contemporary station due to the transition of 107.5 WBLS from urban contemporary to urban adult contemporary. WQHT reports as rhythmic contemporary to Mediabase & Nielsen BDS, although WQHT was an urban reporter on Nielsen BDS from 2006 to 2007. WWPR-FM and WQHT's playlists are similar, and the two stations aim at roughly the same audience.

WQHT had been the only New York station featuring current hip hop and R&B since its owner, Emmis Communications, purchased WRKS in 1994 and moved that station towards an adult R&B format. In an effort to build an audience, WWPR-FM brought in former Hot 97 personalities and Yo! MTV Raps hosts Ed Lover and Doctor Dré to anchor the station's morning show. The station then entered into the top five of the Arbitron ratings, a position it maintained for several years.

The station terminated Doctor Dre's contract in December 2003 and gave Ed Lover a new co-host in rapper-turned-radio personality Monie Love. The morning team lasted for about a year. By the end of 2004, WWPR decided to heat up the rivalry with WQHT by bringing in ex-Hot 97 morning show hosts Star & Buc Wild as their new morning drive team, as well-known disc jockeys were deemed critical to the station's success.

The "Star and Buc Wild Morning Show" was replaced in 2006 by Live with Big Tigger and Egypt. That team was later replaced by a returning Ed Lover, who was later joined by Malikha Mallette. This last show incarnation ended on November 19, 2010, when Ed Lover was released from the station and Mallette was reassigned to the midday shift, replacing De Ja.

Star controversy

[edit]

Troi Torain (born May 3, 1964), who previously worked at Power 105's rival hip-hop station WQHT with his half-brother Timothy Joseph (born January 3, 1979) who took Torain's old stage name "Buc Wild" until he switched to Power 105, is known as "Star" from the Star & Buc Wild morning show. Star stands for "Strange Thoughts and Revelations". He had a running on-air feud with Power 105.1's DJ Envy, whose real name is Raashaun Casey.

In a May 3, 2006, broadcast, Torain mentioned DJ Envy's wife and child. Torain said he would pay $500 to any listener who told him where the girl attended school. Torain, who is bi-racial, also used racial and sexual epithets about DJ Envy's wife, Gia Casey, who is part Asian.

New York City Council members called for an investigation by law enforcement and the Federal Communications Commission. After the protests, Clear Channel Communications, the corporate owner of Power 105, suspended Torain. After reviewing transcripts of the broadcast, New York City law enforcement officials called Torain to police headquarters in Lower Manhattan to surrender his target pistol license and 9-millimeter handgun. Detectives from the Hate Crimes Unit charged him with endangering the welfare of a child.

Leaving the precinct house, Torain leaned back and grinned for television cameras, saying "You're looking at the new Lenny Bruce." Torain's lawyer's defended his broadcasts on first amendment grounds.[20]

Star and Buc Wild were replaced with Live with Big Tigger and Egypt on May 4, 2006.

The Breakfast Club

[edit]
Main article: The Breakfast Club (radio show)

WWPR is the flagship station of the nationally syndicated The Breakfast Club morning show. It is hosted by Charlamagne tha God and DJ Envy. It debuted in December 2010 and grew to be one of the most popular morning programs in New York.[21] The program is heard in dozens of other cities through Premiere Networks, co-owned with WWPR-FM. The Source, a hip-hop magazine, named The Breakfast Club the No. 1 radio program in the nation.[22]

Both personalities have experience in radio and television. DJ Envy is the host of MTV2 shows Sucker Free and The Week in Jams. Charlamagne Tha God is the co-host of MTV2's Guy Code and was a former co-host of The Wendy Williams Experience.

In April 2013, Premiere Networks launched a weekend version of the show Weekends with the Breakfast Club, which features a Top 20 countdown. Four months later, The Breakfast Club weekday version went into national syndication.[23] The show is heard in Tucson; Milwaukee, Charleston, South Carolina; Birmingham; New Orleans; Waco; Montgomery; Jacksonville; Miami; Norfolk; Columbus, Ohio;[24] Houston,[25] Detroit;[26] Columbus, Georgia;[27] Atlanta,[28] Lexington, Kentucky; Dayton; Charleston, West Virginia; Las Vegas; Champaign, Illinois; Valdosta, Georgia; Beaumont, Texas, Wilmington; Louisville; Cincinnati; and Orlando. A video version of the show is also carried weekdays on BET.

Staff

[edit]

On-air

[edit]

Former DJs

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WWPR-FM". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1954 p. 226
  3. ^ "Marlin Taylor gets beautiful ratings with 'beautiful music'" (PDF). Television/Radio Age. September 7, 1970. p. 28. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  4. ^ "For the record." Broadcasting, April 28, 1986, pg. 96
  5. ^ "105.1 WRFM flips from Beautiful Music to AC WNSR – Format Change Archive". April 15, 1986. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  6. ^ "R&R 11/22/96" (PDF).
  7. ^ "105.1 WMXV ends Showtunes stunt, launches Modern AC "The Buzz"". November 14, 1996.
  8. ^ "WDBZ (105.1 The Buzz) - New York - 2/9/97 - Josh Bennett". February 14, 2017.
  9. ^ "WDBZ 105.1 New York, NY - 22 May 1997". Archived from the original on December 12, 2021 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ Furman, Phyllis (August 6, 1997). "Signal's Getting Stronger Chancellor Broadcasting Set To Add WDBZ To City Collection". Daily News. New York. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  11. ^ Fabrikant, Geraldine (August 8, 1997). "WDBZ Is Optioned To 2 Broadcasters". The New York Times. Section B. p. 5. Retrieved February 4, 2023.
  12. ^ "WNSR ("FM 105.1") - New York - 11/14/97 - Karen Carson". November 17, 2016.
  13. ^ "R&R 1/23/1998" (PDF).
  14. ^ "105.1 WNSR becomes "Big 105" – Format Change Archive". January 21, 1998. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  15. ^ "BIG CHANGE AT 105: NOW, JAMMIN' OLDIES". Daily News. New York. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  16. ^ "105.1 WBIX flips from AC to Rhythmic Oldies – Format Change Archive". December 10, 1998. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  17. ^ Gilbert, Calvin (December 11, 1998). "Chancellor Spreads Big Apple Jam" (PDF). R&R. p. 1. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  18. ^ "Turn Down the Elvis, Crank Up the Disco; Upstart With a Younger Twist Sets Off a Rivalry on Oldies Radio". The New York Times. September 11, 1999. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  19. ^ "WTJM Turns On The 'Power'" (PDF). R&R. No. 1445. March 22, 2002. Retrieved October 9, 2020.
  20. ^ "D.J. Is Arrested Over His Threat to Rival's Child." The New York Times May 13, 2006.
  21. ^ The Breakfast Club Debuts at Power 105.1 Urban Radio Nation
  22. ^ NY Power 105.1 Breakfast Club Launches National Morning Show Urban Insite
  23. ^ "Power 105.1's Weekends With The Breakfast Club Earns National Syndication". Vibe. March 31, 2013.
  24. ^ "Miami's 103.5 The Beat Adds 'The Breakfast Club'". Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  25. ^ "Goodbye To The Arrow: 93.7 The Beat Is Houston's New Hip-Hop Station [@937thebeat] » Day & A Dream". December 31, 2013.
  26. ^ "Detroit's FM 98 WJLB stays mum on Coco and Foolish firing reports; fans show anger online". January 6, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  27. ^ "WFXE Wakes Up With The Breakfast Club". Retrieved January 3, 2017.
  28. ^ Ho, Rodney. "Streetz 94.5 signs The Breakfast Club, drops Rashan Ali - Radio and TV Talk". Retrieved January 3, 2017.
[edit]

Format changes

[edit]
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