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WHIZ-FM

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For the radio station that used the WHIZ-FM callsign from 1961 to 2008, see WKVR (FM).
WHIZ-FM
Broadcast areaZanesville, Ohio
Frequency92.7 MHz
BrandingZ92
Programming
FormatContemporary hit radio
Ownership
Owner
History
First air date
January 5, 1983
(41 years ago) (1983-01-05)
Former call signs
WCVZ (1981–2009)
Call sign meaning
Taken from WHIZ (AM)
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID11126
ClassB1
ERP16,000 watts
HAAT124 meters (407 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
39°42′52.00″N 82°4′10.00″W / 39.7144444°N 82.0694444°W / 39.7144444; -82.0694444
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen live
Websitez92radio.com

WHIZ-FM (92.7 FM) is a commercial radio station licensed to South Zanesville, Ohio, featuring a contemporary hit radio format known as "Z92". Owned by Marquee Broadcasting,[2] WHIZ-FM's studios are located on Downard Road in Zanesville and its transmitter is located near Crooksville, Ohio. WHIZ-FM was previously broadcast on 102.5 FM.

History

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The 92.7 facilities, originally located at 2477 East Pike, on the east side of Zanesville, signed on January 5, 1983.[3] It originally operated as WCVZ, a religious station owned by Christian Voice of Central Ohio.[4]

The Christian Voice of Central Ohio had been serving Columbus and surrounding areas since 1972, with Christian programming on 104.9 WCVO-FM. Each station had an illuminated cross on the top of their broadcast tower.

WCVZ-FM programming was very similar to WCVO-FM, and featured many national Christian teaching, preaching, talk programs. These included Focus on the Family, with James Dobson, Turning Point, with Rev. David Jeremiah, Talk Back with Bob Larson, and many more. Seven days a week, a local "Prayer Line" program was broadcast, which invited listeners to share prayer needs, which would be prayed over by volunteer hosts.

Music programming consisted of a local morning drive and afternoon drive program, and the format was an eclectic mix of contemporary, praise, and southern gospel music. In a typical hour of drive time music, all three were featured in a continuous rotation. Friday evenings featured edgier youth oriented Contemporary Christian Music. Saturday evenings featured southern gospel music. Staff and volunteers produced several weekend music programs.

Several WCVZ on air hosts throughout the years include Robin (Sampson) Kelly, Chuck Case, Neil Snelling, Andy Shepherd, and Charles Rice. Locally produced weekend music shows included Gospel Ship (Farris Wilhite), Sunday Serenade (Charlie Swank), Street Light Radio (Michael Lanning), and Yesterday in Christian Music (Chuck Case).

WCVZ was known for including children's programming on Saturday mornings. In 1994, the station began carrying "The SonShine Radio Network", which broadcast children's programming 24/7, via a subcarrier channel. Listeners could access the programming by purchasing a specially tuned receiver.

The station was also known for its "Christmas Extravaganza" that preempted most regular programming for two weeks each December. The "Extravaganza" featured many special Christmas radio productions, including vintage radio productions like "A Christmas Carol" from Campbells' Radio Playhouse.

WCVZ was underwritten by contributions from local businesses and the listening audience. Each September, "Involvathon" invited listeners to pledge gifts to provide for the station's financial needs.

In 1994, a new transmitter site was constructed in rural Rose Farm, Ohio, where it remains today. The move allowed the station to increase its ERP from 6,000 watts to 16,000 watts.

In October 2001, WCVZ was relaunched as "Joy FM". All previous programming was replaced by a 24 hour Contemporary Christian format. Michael James served as the morning show host. [5]

On October 17, 2008, the Southeastern Ohio Broadcasting System, doing business as the WHIZ Media Group, announced the purchase of WCVZ, allowing 102.5 FM WHIZ to move out of the Zanesville area. Under a local marketing agreement, WCVZ then simulcast WHIZ-FM's adult contemporary music format in preparation for this move[6] until December 7, 2008, when WCVZ assumed WHIZ-FM's identity as "Z92", and WHIZ-FM became "Highway 102", featuring an automated country music format.

Studios on Downard Road, Zanesville, Ohio

When 102.5 FM moved to its new location serving Baltimore, Ohio, it took the WCVZ call sign from 92.7, allowing 92.7 to use the WHIZ-FM call sign.[7]

Former owner Christian Voice of Central Ohio continues to serve the Zanesville area on WZNP (89.3 FM) licensed to Newark, Ohio, a part of the company's "River Radio Group".[8] The WCVZ calls remained with WHIZ Media Group, and were used on 102.5 FM until December 23, 2010, when local marketing agreement operator Fun With Radio, LLC's WWCD calls were moved to the frequency.

On October 2, 2014, WHIZ-FM transitioned from a hot adult contemporary format to contemporary hit radio.[9] The Littick family announced the sale of the WHIZ Media Group, including WHIZ-FM, to Marquee Broadcasting on April 20, 2022;[10] the deal was completed on July 15, 2022.[11][12]

References

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  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WHIZ-FM". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ "WHIZ-FM Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  3. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2010 (PDF). 2010. p. D-433. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  4. ^ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1987 (PDF). 1987. p. B-227. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  5. ^ https://www.hisair.net/interviews/interview.james.htm
  6. ^ Hiotis, George (October 17, 2008). "WHIZ Buys WCVZ 92.7 F-M Radio". WHIZ-TV. Retrieved December 22, 2010. Today The WHIZ Media Group and Christian Voice of Central Ohio are announcing an agreement for WHIZ to acquire WCVZ 92.7-FM. WHIZ will take over 92.7 and WCVZ is inviting its listeners to listen at 89.3 - The Promise. WHIZ President Hank Littick says it's a win-win for both radio groups.
  7. ^ Jeffries, Katie (September 30, 2009). "Changes at the WHIZ radio stations". WHIZ-TV. Retrieved December 22, 2010. Some of your Favorite WHIZ Radio Stations are making a change. 102.5 FM, known as Highway 102, is moving to Baltimore, Ohio and will become WCVZ. The current WCVZ signal, known as 92.7, will revert to WHIZ FM here in Zanesville... It will open up access to hundreds of thousands of listeners west of Zanesville and all around the Columbus market. Littick says where a lot of impact will be felt is the northwest and west side of Columbus. He says starting today (Wednesday) that area will have a new radio station. Littick says the move will also be a big win for advertisers who will have access to over 1.4 million potential listeners in the new signal area in an affordable, economical way.
  8. ^ 92.7 The River - We Are Moving
  9. ^ Venta, Lance (October 10, 2014). "WHIZ-FM Shifts To CHR". RadioInsight. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  10. ^ "WHIZ Media Group sold to Marquee Broadcasting". Zanesville Times Recorder. April 20, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  11. ^ Minton, Alexa (July 14, 2022). "Marquee Broadcasting Inc Finalizes Purchase of WHIZ Media Group". WHIZ News. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  12. ^ "Notification of Consummation". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission. July 15, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
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