WYRX-FM

WYRX-FM
Simulcast of WIRX Benton Harbor
Broadcast areaSouth Bend / Michiana
Frequency94.3 MHz
BrandingWIRX
Programming
FormatMainstream rock
AffiliationsDetroit Lions Radio Network
Ownership
Owner
WSBT, WQLQ, WNSN, WIRX
History
First air date
July 20, 1966 (as WTCA-FM)[1][2]
Former call signs
  • WTCA-FM (1966–1981)[2]
  • WNZE (1981–1994)[3]
  • WLTA (1994–1996)[3]
  • WZOC (1996–2024)
Call sign meaning
Similar to WIRX
Technical information[4]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID12999
ClassB1
ERP11,500 watts
HAAT150 meters (490 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
41°31′41″N 86°15′58″W / 41.528°N 86.266°W / 41.528; -86.266
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen live
Websitewww.wirx.com

WYRX-FM (94.3 MHz) is a radio station licensed to Plymouth, Indiana, serving Michiana and the South Bend area. WYRX-FM has a mainstream rock format, simulcasting WIRX, and is owned by Mid-West Family Broadcasting.

History

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WTCA-FM

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The station began broadcasting on July 20, 1966, holding the call sign WTCA-FM, a sister station to AM 1050 WTCA.[1][2][5] The station was owned by the Kunze family's Community Service Broadcasters.[2][5] Its transmitter was located one mile south of Plymouth, Indiana, and it had an ERP of 3,000 watts at a HAAT of 220 feet.[2]

WNZE

[edit]

In 1981, the station's call sign was changed to WNZE.[2] As WNZE, the station aired a country music format.[6][7] In 1992, the station's transmitter was moved to Lakeville, Indiana, and it ERP was increased to 11,300 watts at a HAAT of 150 meters.[8][9]

WLTA

[edit]

In 1994, the station's call sign was changed to WLTA, and the station adopted a soft AC format.[3][7] The call sign WLTA had been held by 100.7 in Elkhart, Indiana, which changed formats from soft AC to country as WBYT "B-100".[7]

WZOC

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In spring 1996, the station adopted an oldies format, and its call sign was changed to WZOC.[10][3] The station was branded "Oldies 94.3".[11] In summer 1996, the station was sold to Plymouth Broadcasting for $575,000.[12] In March 2012, WZOC was sold to Douglas Road Radio for $2,100,000.[13][14]

Logos as Z94.3

On February 28, 2014, after the station had shifted from an oldies format to a classic hits format, it was re-branded from "Oldies 94.3" to "Z94.3".[15]

In September 2015, Schurz Communications, which previously held a minority interest in Douglas Road Radio, agreed to acquire full ownership of the company. The transaction was part of the $442.5 million acquisition of Schurz' broadcast interests, including WZOC, by Gray Television.[16][17][18] Though Gray initially intended to keep Schurz' radio stations, on November 2, it announced that Mid-West Family Broadcasting would acquire WZOC and Schurz' other South Bend radio stations for $5.5 million.[19][20][21] The sale to Mid-West was consummated on February 16, 2016.[22]

In February 2022, WZOC shifted its format from classic hits to classic rock.[23]

WYRX-FM

[edit]

In mid-December 2024, the station quietly changed its call sign to WYRX-FM. The change was a prelude to a switch to a South Bend-oriented simulcast of the mainstream rock format of WIRX in St. Joseph, Michigan, at 7 p.m. on January 6, 2025.[24]

References

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  1. ^ a b Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2005, Broadcasting & Cable, 2005. p. D-200. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f History Cards for WZOC, fcc.gov. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d Call Sign History, fcc.gov. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  4. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WYRX-FM". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  5. ^ a b "Station History". WTCA. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  6. ^ The M Street Radio Directory. 1989. p. S-111. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  7. ^ a b c "Format Changes & Updates", The M-Street Journal. Vol. 11 No. 25. June 22, 1994. p. 1. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  8. ^ "Facilities Changes", Broadcasting, April 1, 1991. p. 72. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  9. ^ Application Search Details, fcc.gov. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  10. ^ "Format Changes", The M-Street Journal. Vol. 13 No. 13. March 27, 1996. p. 1. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  11. ^ "Oldies 94.3 fm - Good Times, Great Oldies!". WZOC. Archived from the original on January 7, 2007. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  12. ^ "Changing Hands", Broadcasting & Cable, August 26, 1996. p. 36. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  13. ^ Asset Purchase Agreement, fcc.gov. February 9, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  14. ^ Application Search Details, fcc.gov. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  15. ^ Venta, Lance (February 28, 2014). "Schurz Rebrands Two In South Bend". radioINSIGHT. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  16. ^ "Schurz Communications to sell WSBT and other TV, radio stations". South Bend Tribune. September 14, 2015. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  17. ^ Kuperberg, Jonathan (September 14, 2015). "Gray Acquiring TV, Radio Stations from Schurz for $442.5 Million". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  18. ^ "APPLICATION FOR CONSENT TO ASSIGNMENT OF BROADCAST STATION CONSTRUCTION PERMIT OR LICENSE". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. September 17, 2015. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  19. ^ "Gray Sells Radio Stations From Schurz Deal". TVNewsCheck. November 2, 2015. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
  20. ^ Venta, Lance (November 2, 2015). "Gray Television Divests Schurz Clusters To Three Buyers". RadioInsight. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
  21. ^ Allen, Kevin (November 2, 2015). "WSBT Radio Group will have a new owner, again". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved November 2, 2015.
  22. ^ Application Search Details, fcc.gov. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  23. ^ "Z94.3 South Bend Shifts To Quality Rock". Radioinsight. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  24. ^ WIRX Expands to South Bend
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