WBWR
Encyclopedia
WBWR — The Brew 105.7 — is a commercial radio station
in Columbus
, Ohio
airing a classic rock
format. The Brew is the Columbus affiliate for the Cleveland Browns
, and was also the English-language radio station of the Columbus Crew
(MLS
) until the common ownership moved the broadcasts to WTVN
in 2008. WBWR is currently owned by Clear Channel Communications
. Its transmitter is located in Columbus
.
The Brew is one of 4 rock stations in the radio market in Columbus, the others being CD 101
, QFM 96
, and 99.7 The Blitz
.
at 105.7 MHz in 1990 and premiered as Top 40 WNRJ "Power Pig". (The "NRJ" in the calls signified "energy" as in "Energy 105.7", a name that was originally considered but never used.) The original format lasted until 1991 when the station became urban WWHT "Hot 105". Not long after, 107.1 MHz (changed from WTLT to WAHC) began simulcasting WWHT's signal. The combo (referred to as "Hot 105-Hot 107") was I.D.'d by the on-air personalities as "the station so big it has two towers."
In an effort to again re-image the station, WWHT "Hot 105" was changed to WAKS "105.7 Kiss-FM" playing more mainstream Top 40 with little or no urban product. With its poor signal and undifferentiated format
, "Kiss" failed to become a viable competitor to WNCI
.
The next format change saw the station become '70s oldies "Arrow 105.7", which was simulcast on Circleville
's 107.1 MHz (now WNKK).
Early in 1997, the station was purchased by Jacor Communications and switched to a country format (as WHQK "Kicks Country 105-7".) Just months later, independent programming was dropped from the 105.7 MHz station and simulcasts of country WHOK-FM
commenced. (The station stunted
in late 1996 when "Country 98-9", WLLD, was briefly simulcast on 105.7 MHz and 107.1 MHz in a short-lived attempt to "surround" country WCOL).
Late in 1997, the station decided to give '70s oldies another try and briefly switched formats again (the third change to take place in 1997). During this time it was known as "The Chicken" in reference to its mascot, a giant whole broiled chicken dressed in seasonal clothing.
105.7 MHz again stunted briefly by airing Ohio State Buckeyes
music 24 hours.
The next format change saw 105.7 become urban. Urban programming lasted until a frequency swap with Upper Arlington
's alternative rock station WZAZ (then located at 98.9 MHz). So, urban programming moved to 98.9 MHz (the current WXMG) and alternative rock moved to 105.7 MHz.
Eventually, the 105.7 MHz station was moved to Columbus and became '70s and '80s rock "The Fox", replacing alternative "Channel Z". The change from "Channel Z" to "The Fox" and transmitter move took place on June 6, 2000. 2005 saw the beginning of digital broadcasts from WBWR as HD-Radio equipment was brought online and used.
A petition to "Bring back Channel Z" was started after the station switched to '70s and '80s rock, but nothing materialized from this effort. Although many liked the music variety played by "Channel Z", it was not competitive in the ratings with Grove City
's alternative station, WWCD
.
The station stunted again, playing several episodes of Cheers over the radio. On September 19, 2005, "The Fox" changed formats to become The Brew @ 105.7.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
in Columbus
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
airing a classic rock
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
format. The Brew is the Columbus affiliate for the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and was also the English-language radio station of the Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
(MLS
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
) until the common ownership moved the broadcasts to WTVN
WTVN
WTVN is a full-service AM radio station in Columbus, Ohio located at 610 kHz. It has news, talk, and sports programs, is the dominant AM station in the Columbus market and is consistently rated either #1 or #2 by Arbitron...
in 2008. WBWR is currently owned by Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008...
. Its transmitter is located in Columbus
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
.
The Brew is one of 4 rock stations in the radio market in Columbus, the others being CD 101
WWCD
WWCD —currently branded CD101 @ 102.5—is a commercial modern rock radio station licensed to Baltimore, Ohio and serving the Columbus metro area....
, QFM 96
WLVQ
WLVQ is an FM radio station in Columbus, Ohio, United States, broadcasting on 96.3 MHz. Its brand identifier is Ohio's Best Rock, QFM 96. WLVQ is currently owned by Wilks Broadcasting and plays classic rock...
, and 99.7 The Blitz
WRKZ
- History :The 93.7 frequency in Pittsburgh began its life as WKJF-FM in the 1950s, an independently-owned FM station. For a brief time, there was a co-owned UHF TV station, WKJF-TV , which operated in 1953-54....
.
History
A new station was constructed in Marysville, OhioMarysville, Ohio
Marysville is a city in and the county seat of Union County, Ohio, United States. The population was 15,942 at the 2000 census, and the Census Bureau estimated that it had risen to 17,621 by 2006.Marysville's longtime slogan is "Where the Grass is Greener"...
at 105.7 MHz in 1990 and premiered as Top 40 WNRJ "Power Pig". (The "NRJ" in the calls signified "energy" as in "Energy 105.7", a name that was originally considered but never used.) The original format lasted until 1991 when the station became urban WWHT "Hot 105". Not long after, 107.1 MHz (changed from WTLT to WAHC) began simulcasting WWHT's signal. The combo (referred to as "Hot 105-Hot 107") was I.D.'d by the on-air personalities as "the station so big it has two towers."
In an effort to again re-image the station, WWHT "Hot 105" was changed to WAKS "105.7 Kiss-FM" playing more mainstream Top 40 with little or no urban product. With its poor signal and undifferentiated format
Radio format
A radio format or programming format not to be confused with broadcast programming describes the overall content broadcast on a radio station. Radio formats are frequently employed as a marketing tool, and constantly evolve...
, "Kiss" failed to become a viable competitor to WNCI
WNCI
WNCI is a radio station in Columbus, Ohio. Its official print brand identifier is WNCI 97.9 in a purple oval, while the station is known on-air as 97.9 WNCI...
.
The next format change saw the station become '70s oldies "Arrow 105.7", which was simulcast on Circleville
Circleville, Ohio
Circleville is a city in and the county seat of Pickaway County, Ohio, United States, along the Scioto River. The population was 13,485 at the 2000 census.-History:...
's 107.1 MHz (now WNKK).
Early in 1997, the station was purchased by Jacor Communications and switched to a country format (as WHQK "Kicks Country 105-7".) Just months later, independent programming was dropped from the 105.7 MHz station and simulcasts of country WHOK-FM
WHOK-FM
WHOK-FM is an FM radio station licensed to Lancaster, Ohio, located at 95.5 MHz. The station operates from a facility located in downtown Columbus, Ohio.-Station history:...
commenced. (The station stunted
Stunting (broadcasting)
In radio broadcasting, stunting occurs when a station abruptly airs programming that is seemingly uncharacteristic compared to what they normally play...
in late 1996 when "Country 98-9", WLLD, was briefly simulcast on 105.7 MHz and 107.1 MHz in a short-lived attempt to "surround" country WCOL).
Late in 1997, the station decided to give '70s oldies another try and briefly switched formats again (the third change to take place in 1997). During this time it was known as "The Chicken" in reference to its mascot, a giant whole broiled chicken dressed in seasonal clothing.
105.7 MHz again stunted briefly by airing Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the intercollegiate sports teams and players of The Ohio State University, named after the state tree, the Buckeye. The Buckeyes participate in the NCAA's Division I in all sports and the Big Ten Conference in most sports...
music 24 hours.
The next format change saw 105.7 become urban. Urban programming lasted until a frequency swap with Upper Arlington
Upper Arlington, Ohio
Upper Arlington is a suburban city in Franklin County, Ohio, United States, on the northwest side of the Columbus metropolitan area. The population was 33,686 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
's alternative rock station WZAZ (then located at 98.9 MHz). So, urban programming moved to 98.9 MHz (the current WXMG) and alternative rock moved to 105.7 MHz.
Eventually, the 105.7 MHz station was moved to Columbus and became '70s and '80s rock "The Fox", replacing alternative "Channel Z". The change from "Channel Z" to "The Fox" and transmitter move took place on June 6, 2000. 2005 saw the beginning of digital broadcasts from WBWR as HD-Radio equipment was brought online and used.
A petition to "Bring back Channel Z" was started after the station switched to '70s and '80s rock, but nothing materialized from this effort. Although many liked the music variety played by "Channel Z", it was not competitive in the ratings with Grove City
Grove City, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 27,075 people, 10,265 households, and 7,544 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,941.2 people per square mile . There were 10,712 housing units at an average density of 768.0 per square mile...
's alternative station, WWCD
WWCD
WWCD —currently branded CD101 @ 102.5—is a commercial modern rock radio station licensed to Baltimore, Ohio and serving the Columbus metro area....
.
The station stunted again, playing several episodes of Cheers over the radio. On September 19, 2005, "The Fox" changed formats to become The Brew @ 105.7.