Wikipedia

WMMR

WMMR(93.3FM,"93-3 WMMR" ) is a commercial radio station licensed to servePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania.The station is owned by theBeasley Broadcast Groupthrough licensee Beasley Media Group, LLC and broadcasts anactive rockradio format.The station's studios and offices are located inBala Cynwydand the transmitter is atopOne Liberty Placeat (39°57′9.4″N75°10′3.6″W/ 39.952611°N 75.167667°W/39.952611; -75.167667) inCenter City Philadelphia.[4]

WMMR
Broadcast areaDelaware Valley
Frequency93.3MHz(HD Radio)
Branding93-3 WMMR
Programming
Language(s)English
FormatActive rock
SubchannelsHD2: Live rock
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
WBEN-FM,WMGK,WPEN,WTEL,WTMR,WWDB,WXTU
History
First air date
April 20, 1942;82 years ago(1942-04-20)(as W49PH)[1]
Former call signs
  • W47PH (1941)
  • W49PH (1941–1943)
  • WIP-FM (1943–1966)
Former frequencies
  • 44.7 MHz (1941)
  • 44.9 MHz (1941–1946)
  • 97.5 MHz (1946–1948)
Call signmeaning
MetromediaRadio
Technical information[2]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID25438
ClassB
ERP
  • 16,500 watts (analog)
  • 165 watts (digital)[3]
HAAT264 meters (866 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
39°57′9.4″N75°10′3.6″W/ 39.952611°N 75.167667°W/39.952611; -75.167667
Links
Public license information
Webcast
Websitewmmr.com

WMMR broadcasts usingHD Radio.[3]Its HD2 subchannel plays live rock performances and sessions in WMMR's studios.

WMMR carriesPhiladelphia Flyershockeygames when itsall-sportssister station97.5WPENis airing another sporting event and cannot broadcast the Flyers game. WMMR is the home ofPreston and Steve,heard weekday mornings, and midday personalityPierre Robert,heard on WMMR since 1981.

In 2014, WMMR was inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Famein its "Heritage Rock Stations" category.

History

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1940s

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On February 11, 1941, theFederal Communications Commissiongranted Pennsylvania Broadcasting Company a construction permit for a new FM station on 44.7 MHz on the original 42-50 MHz FM broadcast band with the W47PHcall sign.The construction permit was modified on November 4, 1941, when the FCC reallocated the station to 44.9 MHz with a corresponding call sign change to W49PH. The FCC also on this date granted the station authority for the first time to begin broadcasting.[5]The stationsigned onfor the first time on April 20, 1942,[1]and was granted its first license on March 2, 1943.[5]Programming was initially asimulcastof sister stationAM 610WIP.

On November 1, 1943, the station was assigned the WIP-FM call sign.[5]After the FCC created the current FM broadcast band on June 27, 1945,[6]Pennsylvania Broadcasting applied to the FCC for a construction permit on October 24, 1946, to install a new transmitter and antenna for operation on 97.5 MHz. On July 10, 1947, the FCC reallocated the station to 93.3 MHz, modifying the construction permit. The commission granted Pennsylvania Broadcasting a new license for the station for operation on 93.3 MHz on December 22, 1948.[5]

1950s and 1960s

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In the 1950s and 1960s, WIP-FM carried afull serviceformat ofmiddle of the road(MOR) music, news, sports and talk. The station's license was voluntarily reassigned by the FCC to WIP Broadcasting, Inc. on September 17, 1958, followed by another voluntary reassignment to Metropolitan Broadcasting Corporation on December 29, 1959. The FCC granted a licensee name change from Metropolitan Broadcasting Corporation toMetromedia, Inc.on May 11, 1961. On August 6, 1962, Metromedia applied for a construction permit to relocate the station's transmitter and antenna in Philadelphia from 35 South 9th Street to 12 South 12th Street at[5]theLoews Philadelphia Hotel.This resulted in raising the station'sheight above average terrain(HAAT) from 430 feet to 668 feet, while decreasing the station'seffective radiated power(ERP) from 20,000 watts to 7,500 watts. The FCC granted Metromedia a new license for the station with the new facilities on September 30, 1963.[5]

On July 1, 1966, the station's call sign was changed to WMMR.[5]The call sign reflected the name of the station's owner, "Metromedia" (and "Radio" ). From 1948 to 1993, WMMR was used unofficially as a slogan by a local student-runcarrier currentradio station at theUniversity of Minnesota.The MOR format was still being used, but with different programming from the AM side, although the AM disc jockeys' announcements were used for both stations. Studios of WIP and WMMR were on 19th Street nearRittenhouse Square.

Beginning in 1968, WMMR began adopting aprogressive rockformat, similar to that of several Metromedia-owned stations includingWNEW-FMin New York City. WNEW-FM and WMMR had a close relationship, ran similar promotions, and sometimes featured each other's disc jockeys on the air.WMMSinCleveland,KMETin Los Angeles, andKSANin San Francisco were also part of the Metromedia chain and also helped pioneer the progressive rock format in the 1960s.

Dave Hermanwas WMMR's first rock DJ. His show, dubbedThe Marconi Experiment,debuted on April 29, 1968.[7]Before Herman's arrival, WMMR ran an "MOR" format, including programs such asSinatra and Company.The Marconi Experimentwas very much an experiment for the station, with progressive rock still new to the FM band. The first song played on the show was "Flying"byThe Beatles.Over the instrumental song, Herman recited these words: "Arise my heart, and fill your voice with music. For he who shares not dawn with his song, is one of the sons of ever darkness." This was known as "The Incantation" and continued as the regular show opening.

Several Philadelphia FM stations tried to compete with WMMR in the late 1960s, includingWIFIandWDAS-FM.Neither station stayed with the rock format for long. In 1970, WIFI switched to aTop 40format, while WDAS-FM changed format around 1971 to reflect its AM counterpart as anurban contemporarystation.[8]

1970s

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Michael Cuscuna from theUniversity of Pennsylvania'sWXPNreplaced Herman in 1970, but was quickly hired away by WABC-FM (nowWPLJ) in New York City.Michael Tearson,also from WXPN, replaced Cuscuna and remained a mainstay at WMMR for over 20 years. Herman went to WABC-FM and then for a couple of decades on WNEW-FM, and later onWXRK.[9]Tearson later worked atWMGKin Philadelphia, from April 2002 until January 2013. He was also heard onSirius XM'sDeep Trackschannel.

Later in the 1970s, two other Philadelphia radio stations became competitors:WYSP(formerly WIBG-FM) andWIOQ.WYSP later became aclassic rockoutlet while WIOQ became a Top 40 radio station.

One of WMMR's most influential disc jockeys during the 1970s wasEd Sciaky,who was known for playing and boosting the careers of new artists such asBilly JoelandYes.Sciaky is credited with introducingBruce Springsteento Philadelphia, and decades later, the city remains one of Springsteen's strongest fan bases and the scenes of many of his best-received concerts. WMMR alumni includeDavid Dye,host of theWorld CafeonWXPNandsyndicatedon manyNPRstations. Another former WMMR DJ is Nick Spitzer, now aNew Orleansresident and host of "American Routes"on NPR. One-time WMMR midday DJ Dick Hungate later switched toWYSP,pioneering theclassic rockformat in Philadelphia.John DeBella,now hosting mornings on co-ownedWMGK,was the morningdrive timeDJ for many years, alongside newscaster and sidekick Mark "The Shark" Drucker, who later was a reporter onall-newsKYW.Some WMMR DJs such as Dave Herman andCarol Millerwould later go onto longtime careers on New York stations.

1980s

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On July 17, 1980, Metromedia applied for a construction permit to increase the station's ERP to 29,000 watts. The FCC granted the permit on July 17, 1981, followed by a new license with the upgraded facilities on August 1, 1981.[5]

WMMR's license was transferred to Metropolitan Broadcasting Corporation on October 22, 1986.[10]

On October 26, 1987, Metropolitan Broadcasting applied for a construction permit to change the transmitter location to "Building Rooftop 1650 Market St., Philadelphia, PA" (the address ofOne Liberty Place) and increase the station's HAAT to 271 meters (889 ft). The FCC granted the permit on May 1, 1989.[11]On October 26, 1989, WMMR was purchased byGroup WRadio Acquisition Company, with the sale consummating on December 7, 1989, thus becoming a sister station toKYW-TVandKYW radio.[12]

1990s

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Group W Radio modified the construction permit on February 12, 1992, by decreasing the HAAT to 252 meters (827 ft) and changing the ERP to 18,000 watts. The FCC granted the change on March 9, 1992.[13]The FCC granted a new license with the new facilities on January 6, 1997.[14]

Greater Los Angeles Radio, Inc., a division ofGreater Media,purchased WMMR, with the sale consummating on August 22, 1997.[15]

2000s

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In May 2005, the station began airing thePreston & Steveshow in morning drive, which was previously heard onWPLY.In early 2006, WMMR launched its digital HD2 subchannel with the "WMMaRchives" format, airing the station's archive of live and studio performances.[16]

2010s

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On July 19, 2016,Beasley Media Groupannounced it would acquire Greater Media and its 21 stations (including WMMR) for $240 million.[17]The FCC approved the sale on October 6, and the sale closed on November 1.[18]

2020s

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In 2021, midday DJPierre Robertcelebrated his 40th year on the air at WMMR. The Philadelphia City Council passed a resolution to declare November 24 as Pierre Robert Day.[19]

For many years, WMMR prided itself on having live and local DJs 24/7/365, a rarity in modern radio. This run would end in October 2022, when owners Beasley Media made major cuts to the staff of WMMR and other stations, resulting in the elimination of the live overnight block. Among those laid off were 18-year WMMR afternoon host Paul Jaxon.[20][21]

Awards

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In 2007, WMMR was nominated for theRadio & Recordsmagazine award for "Active RockStation of the Year "in a top 25 market. Other nominees includedWIYYinBaltimore,WAAFinBoston,KBPIinDenver,WRIFin Detroit, andKISWinSeattle.[22]

In 2010, the station was honored by theNational Association of Broadcasterswith theMarconi Awardfor "Rock Station of the Year".[23]WMMR has also been honored as the Major Market Radio Station of the Year by the rock communityRadioContrabandin both 2011 and 2012.[24]In the late 1980s, WMMR was recognized as one of the best rock stations in America byRolling StoneMagazine.[citation needed]

In 2014, WMMR was inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Famein the "Heritage Rock Stations" category.

References

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  1. ^ab"The Beginning of FM Broadcasting in Philadelphia".broadcastpioneers.com.2007.RetrievedDecember 9,2016.
  2. ^"Facility Technical Data for WMMR".Licensing and Management System.Federal Communications Commission.
  3. ^ab"FCC 335-FM Digital Notification [WMMR]".fcc.gov.Federal Communications Commission.September 19, 2013.RetrievedDecember 9,2016.
  4. ^"FM Query Results for WMMR".fcc.gov.Federal Communications Commission.RetrievedApril 8,2018.
  5. ^abcdefgh"History Cards for WMMR".fcc.gov.Federal Communications Commission.RetrievedApril 8,2018.
  6. ^"In the Matter of Allocation of Frequencies to the Various Class of Non-Governmental Services in the Radio Spectrum from 10 Kilocycles to 30,000,000 Kilocycles (Docket No. 6651)"(PDF).fcc.gov.Federal Communications Commission.June 27, 1945.RetrievedApril 7,2018.
  7. ^Boris, Alan (2011).Philadelphia Radio.Charleston, South Carolina: ArcadiaPublishing. p. 101.ISBN9780738575087.
  8. ^Boris, Alan (2011).Philadelphia Radio.Charleston, South Carolina: ArcadiaPublishing. p. 105.ISBN9780738575087.
  9. ^"Glory Days".Archived fromthe originalon December 19, 2007.RetrievedJuly 9,2007.
  10. ^"Assignment of License [WMMR]".fcc.gov.Federal Communications Commission.October 22, 1986.RetrievedApril 8,2018.
  11. ^"Minor Change to a Licensed Facility [WMMR]".fcc.gov.Federal Communications Commission.October 26, 1987.RetrievedApril 8,2018.
  12. ^"Transfer of Control [WMMR]".fcc.gov.Federal Communications Commission.December 7, 1989.RetrievedApril 8,2018.
  13. ^"Minor Modification to a Construction Permit [WMMR]".fcc.gov.Federal Communications Commission.February 12, 1992.RetrievedApril 8,2018.
  14. ^"License to Cover [WMMR]".fcc.gov.Federal Communications Commission.January 6, 1997.RetrievedApril 8,2018.
  15. ^"Assignment of License [WMMR]".fcc.gov.Federal Communications Commission.August 22, 1997.RetrievedApril 8,2018.
  16. ^Tucker, Ken (January 19, 2006)."Greater Media, Emmis Unveil HD2 Strategies".Billboard.RetrievedJanuary 19,2016.
  17. ^Venta, Lance (August 3, 2016)."Beasley Acquires Greater Media".radioinsight.radioINSIGHT.RetrievedDecember 9,2016.
  18. ^Venta, Lance (November 1, 2016)."Beasley Closes on Greater Media Purchase; Makes Multiple Staff Moves".radioinsight.radioINSIGHT.RetrievedDecember 9,2016.
  19. ^"November 24th is Officially Pierre Robert Day in Philadelphia".November 24, 2021.
  20. ^"More Names from the Beasley Media Layoffs as Additional Markets Affected".
  21. ^"Chaos at WMMR:" A Really Dark Day in the Station's History "".Philadelphia Magazine.October 12, 2022.
  22. ^"2007 Industry Achievement Awards".Radio and Records.September 28, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon October 11, 2007.
  23. ^"2010 Marconi Awards".FMQB. Archived fromthe originalon March 7, 2016.RetrievedDecember 9,2016.
  24. ^Radio Contraband.com
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