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WCSX

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WCSX
Broadcast areaMetro Detroit
Frequency94.7MHz(HD Radio)
Branding94.7 WCSX
Programming
FormatClassic rock
Subchannels
Ownership
Owner
WDMK,WMGC-FM,WRIF
History
First air date
September 1, 1958;66 years ago(1958-09-01)
Former call signs
  • WHFI (1958–1973)
  • WHNE (1973–1976)
  • WMJC (1976–1987)
Call signmeaning
"Classics"
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID25084
ClassB
ERP13,500watts
HAAT290 meters (951 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
42°27′13″N83°9′50″W/ 42.45361°N 83.16389°W/42.45361; -83.16389
Translator(s)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen via iHeart
Website

WCSX(94.7FM) is acommercialradio stationlicensedtoBirmingham, Michigan,and servingMetro Detroit.It broadcasts aclassic rockradio formatand is owned by theBeasley Broadcast Group.The studios andtransmitterare on Radio Plaza inFerndale.[2]Despite itscall sign,WCSX is not affiliated with theCSX Corporation.

WCSX transmits its signal from atowerat 951 feet inheight above average terrain(HAAT) with aneffective radiated power(ERP) of 13,500watts.Five other Detroit radio stations transmit their signal from the same tower. WCSX broadcasts usingHD Radiotechnology, with 2 additional HD subchannels.

History

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MOR (1958–1972)

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The stationsigned onthe air on September 1, 1958;66 years ago(1958-09-01).Its originalcall signwasWHFI( "Whiffieland" ), featuring aMiddle of the Road(MOR) format. Thedisc jockeysincluded Lee Alan (formerly of 1270WXYZ).

The original FCCconstruction permitfor WHFI was issued to Garvin H. Meadowcroft, President of Meadowcroft Broadcasting, Inc. on January 18, 1957 with an address of 1095 Badder Road in Troy, Michigan. Meadowcroft began broadcasting on WHFI with an office address at 139 Maple in Birmingham.

Oldies (1972–1976)

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In 1972, WHFI shifted to asyndicatedoldiesformat provided by Draper-Blore called "Olde Golde." The programming wasautomatedwith no DJs. It featured hits of the 1950s and 1960s, similar toDrake-Chenault's "Solid Gold" format except without the softer current hits that the Solid Gold format played.

In July 1973,Greater Mediabought the station. The "Olde Golde" format evolved the following year into all-oldies. The call letters were changed toWHNE,"Honey Radio." Sister station 560WQTEchanged its call sign to WHND and began shadowcasting the format in 1974. WQTE continued as "Honey Radio" until 1994, by which time 94.7 FM had gone through several changes. Honey Radio was originally automated using Drake-Chenault's "Classic Gold" format, but transitioned to live personalities (on AM 560 only) around 1980.

Soft Adult Contemporary (1976–1987)

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In 1976, WHNE becameWMJC,"Magic 95," with aSoft Adult Contemporaryformat modeled after Greater Media's successfulWMGKinPhiladelphia.DJs did not speak over the song intros and four songs were usually played in a row without interruption. The format was syndicated by TM and was also picked up on other Greater Media FM stations includingWMGQinNew Brunswick, New Jersey,in theNew York Citysuburbs.

By 1987, the adult contemporary field in Detroit had become quite crowded. In addition to WMJC, Detroit hadWNIC,WOMC,WLTI,andWNTM,with WNIC and the oldies-based WOMC dominating in the format. Greater Media later brought the "Magic" format and branding back to the Detroit market withWMGC-FMfrom 2001 to 2011 (that station currently airs aclassic hip-hopformat).

Classic Rock (1987–present)

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On March 14, 1987,WCSXwas launched, withBob Seger's "Old Time Rock and Roll"as its first song.[3]It was one of the first Classic Rock stations in the United States, and is also one of few nationwide to have endured with the classic rock format for several decades.

WCSX's most played bands are classic rock staplesThe Eagles,Fleetwood Mac,The Rolling Stones,AerosmithandTom Petty,along with hometown artistBob Seger.WCSX generally takes a more mainstream, older-sounding approach to classic rock reminiscent ofprogressiveandalbum rockradio of the 1970s, sincesister stationWRIFincludes a good deal of harder classic rock titles in itsplaylist,including 1980sglam metal,which WCSX generally does not play. WCSX competition includesWLLZ,owned byiHeartMedia,which returned to the format in January 2019 with a harder-edged sound, after once being Classic Rock WDTW-FM.

WCSX did briefly expand its playlist to harder classic rock in 1996-97 (bands likeRush,Van Halen,Def Leppard,etc.) when Greater Media bought then-recently defunct stationWLLZ's library, but went back to its toned down approach whenWWBRwent to a harder classic-rock format. The station also had a short run of playing current songs from their mainstay artists, using the slogan; "It doesn't have to be old to be a classic".

Beasley ownership

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On July 19, 2016, theBeasley Media Groupannounced it would acquire Greater Media and its 21 stations (including WCSX) for $240 million.[4]TheFCCapproved the sale on October 6, and the sale closed on November 1.[5]

WCSX kept its format through the sale and has continued as Detroit's classic rock leader under Beasley ownership.

HD programming

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WCSX broadcasts usingHD Radiotechnology.[6][unreliable source?] In August 2005, WCSX launched its HD2digital subchannelwith a "Deep Trax" format.[7]In January 2014, the "Deep Trax" format was replaced "Detroit's Oldies 94.7 HD2", playing anoldiesformat.

On August 30, 2021, WCSX-HD2 changed its format from oldies tosports radio.It used programming fromFox Sports Radioand called itself "The Roar".[8]The subchannel then fed twoFM translators:93.5W228CJinOak Park[9]and 99.1W256EAinShelby Township.[10]

On September 22, 2023, WCSX-HD2 flipped to an all-podcast format, as part of Beasley's "Podcast Radio US"network.[11]

The 93.5 and 99.1 signals' as of late August 2024 no longer relays WCSX HD-2, and instead relays sister station WMGC HD-2, leaving Podcast Radio US only to be heard on local radio via WCSX HD-2 and internet streaming.

WCSX's HD3 subchannel carriesChristian Contemporary musicfrom theSmile FMNetwork. It feeds an FM translator 103.9W280EL,inYates, Michigan.[12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^"Facility Technical Data for WCSX".Licensing and Management System.Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^Radio-Locator /WCSX
  3. ^Gary Graff, "The magic will be gone as WCSX starts to rock,"The Detroit Free Press,March 14, 1987.
  4. ^"Beasley Acquires Greater Media".August 3, 2016.
  5. ^"Beasley Closes On Greater Media Purchase; Makes Multiple Staff Moves".November 1, 2016.
  6. ^[1]HD Radio Guide for Detroit
  7. ^Tucker, Ken (January 19, 2006)."Greater Media, Emmis Unveil HD2 Strategies".Billboard.RetrievedJanuary 19,2016.
  8. ^Beasley Launches The Roar In DetroitRadioinsight - August 30, 2021
  9. ^Radio-Locator /W228CJ
  10. ^Radio-Locator /W256EA
  11. ^Beasley Launches Podcast Radio in Four MarketsRadioinsight - September 22, 2023
  12. ^Radio-Locator /W280CL
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