WCMC-FM
Encyclopedia
WCMC-FM is a Sports Talk
radio station based in Raleigh, North Carolina
and licensed to nearby Holly Springs
. Its studios are located in downtown Raleigh along with WRAL-FM
, an adult contemporary music station. Both stations are owned and operated by Capitol Broadcasting Company
, which also owns WRAL-TV
, FOX 50, and the Durham Bulls
minor-league baseball team, among other properties.
WCMC-FM transmits from an antenna located in the Auburn
community southeast of Raleigh, on a tower shared with WRDC, WRAL-FM, and Fox 50. The station also broadcasts in HD Radio
.
, one of several southern Virginia stations purchased by former Raleigh radio host Tom Joyner in 2001. For 11 years prior to Joyner's purchase of the station, it was a country music
station known as "99.9 The Fox". During Joyner's years as owner, the station was black gospel as "Rejoice Radio 99.9" and adult standards
as "Stardust
99.9." Joyner sold WFXQ to Capitol Broadcasting, and the Stardust format moved to WSHV
in South Hill, Virginia
, one of several Joyner-owned stations purchased by Lakes Media. WFXQ got permission to move its city of license to Creedmoor
and increase its power to 22,000 watts.
WCMC signed on the air in October 2005 with a Country music
format called "99.9 Genuine Country". The slogan was "Country Favorites From Today and Yesterday" and it played a mix of new country and older country
In October 2006, WCMC moved to another tower, taller than the previous one, but reduced its power to 8,000 watts.
On September 10, 2007 the format was dropped at 9 p.m. and changed to a classic rock format in anticipation for a format change to sports. On October 10, the sports format premiered at 3 p.m. known as "99.9 The Fan."
Since moving to the Triangle, WCMC had broadcast from an antenna located 485 feet above ground level located 3 miles northwest of Youngsville
. The short tower and relatively low power resulted in the station providing only grade B coverage to Chapel Hill
, Garner
, Cary
and most of Durham. However, in 2010 WCMC was granted permission to move its city of license to Holly Springs and boost its power to 26,500 watts. However, much of the western Triangle still only gets a grade B signal, largely because the new tower is only 676 feet tall. By comparison, most of the other major Triangle stations operate from towers taller than 1,000 feet.
, following a two-year run on Curtis Media
-owned WWMY
. In addition, the station will broadcast also the weekly football and basketball coaches shows for the NC State Wolfpack
, while sister station WRAL-FM will broadcast the games. However, all ACC Tournament games not involving the Wolfpack will air on WCMC.
On November 30, 2008, WCMC became an ESPN Radio
affiliate. This follows the decision by McClatchey Broadcasting to discontinue ESPN programming on its two sports talk stations, WDNC and WRBZ
, because of ESPN's insistence on the stations airing more ESPN programming than the company wanted to.
On April 1, 2009, WCMC became the new flagship station of the Durham Bulls
. They are expected to carry the full allotment of 144 during the season, along with playoff games, although some games may be moved over to their HD channel on dates that might conflict with a Carolina Hurricanes broadcast.
On May 13, 2010, it was announced that WCMC would air Carolina Panthers
games.
Sports radio
Sports radio is a radio format devoted entirely to discussion and broadcasting of sporting events. A popular format with an almost exclusively male demographic in most areas, sports radio is characterized by an often-boisterous on-air style and extensive debate and analysis by both hosts and...
radio station based in Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
and licensed to nearby Holly Springs
Holly Springs, North Carolina
Holly Springs is a town in Wake County, North Carolina, United States. As of 2009, the town population was estimated at 21,749, and it had gained the title of"The fastest growing town in North Carolina".-Geography:...
. Its studios are located in downtown Raleigh along with WRAL-FM
WRAL-FM
WRAL is an Adult Contemporary music formatted radio station based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Its studios are located on Highwoods Boulevard in Raleigh, along with WCMC-FM, a sports talk station that signed on in October 2005...
, an adult contemporary music station. Both stations are owned and operated by Capitol Broadcasting Company
Capitol Broadcasting Company
Capitol Broadcasting Company is a TV and radio broadcast company based in Raleigh, North Carolina. They also own and operate the minor league baseball team, the Durham Bulls.-TV:*WRAL-TV 5...
, which also owns WRAL-TV
WRAL-TV
WRAL-TV, virtual channel 5 , is a television station in Raleigh, North Carolina. WRAL-TV has been the flagship station of Capitol Broadcasting Company since its inception, and is currently the CBS affiliate for the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill/Fayetteville area, known collectively as the Triangle...
, FOX 50, and the Durham Bulls
Durham Bulls
The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the International League. The Bulls play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park located in the downtown area of Durham, North Carolina. Durham Bulls Athletic Park is often called the "DBAP" or "D-Bap". The Bulls are...
minor-league baseball team, among other properties.
WCMC-FM transmits from an antenna located in the Auburn
Auburn, North Carolina
Auburn is an unincorporated community in Wake County, North Carolina, USA, just southeast of Raleigh. It lies about halfway between Garner and Clayton along Old Garner Road, a former alignment of US 70.-Landmarks:...
community southeast of Raleigh, on a tower shared with WRDC, WRAL-FM, and Fox 50. The station also broadcasts in HD Radio
HD Radio
HD Radio, which originally stood for "Hybrid Digital", is the trademark for iBiquity's in-band on-channel digital radio technology used by AM and FM radio stations to transmit audio and data via a digital signal in conjunction with their analog signals...
.
History
Prior to 2005, this station was WFXQ in Chase City, VirginiaChase City, Virginia
Chase City is a town in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, United States. The population was 2,457 at the 2000 census. Tobacco and other crops are grown nearby...
, one of several southern Virginia stations purchased by former Raleigh radio host Tom Joyner in 2001. For 11 years prior to Joyner's purchase of the station, it was a country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
station known as "99.9 The Fox". During Joyner's years as owner, the station was black gospel as "Rejoice Radio 99.9" and adult standards
Adult standards
Adult standards is a North American radio format heard primarily on AM or class A FM stations.Adult standards is aimed at "mature" adults, meaning mainly those persons over 50 years of age, but it is mostly targeted for senior citizens...
as "Stardust
Timeless (radio network)
Timeless was a 24-hour satellite music service of Citadel Media . It has distributed a mix of soft oldies and adult standards to radio stations around the USA...
99.9." Joyner sold WFXQ to Capitol Broadcasting, and the Stardust format moved to WSHV
WSHV
WSHV is an Urban Adult Contemporary radio station licensed to South Hill, Virginia, serving South Hill and Mecklenburg County, Virginia. WSHV is owned and operated by Lakes Media LLC.-History:...
in South Hill, Virginia
South Hill, Virginia
South Hill is a town in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, United States. As of the 2006 census, the town population was 4,608. Located on major Interstate and U.S. highways, it has a full service hospital , a tobacco market, and several hotels. South Hill has a close relationship with the neighboring...
, one of several Joyner-owned stations purchased by Lakes Media. WFXQ got permission to move its city of license to Creedmoor
Creedmoor, North Carolina
Creedmoor is a city in Granville County, North Carolina, United States . The population was 4,124 at the 2010 census.-Brief History of the Town:...
and increase its power to 22,000 watts.
WCMC signed on the air in October 2005 with a Country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
format called "99.9 Genuine Country". The slogan was "Country Favorites From Today and Yesterday" and it played a mix of new country and older country
In October 2006, WCMC moved to another tower, taller than the previous one, but reduced its power to 8,000 watts.
On September 10, 2007 the format was dropped at 9 p.m. and changed to a classic rock format in anticipation for a format change to sports. On October 10, the sports format premiered at 3 p.m. known as "99.9 The Fan."
Since moving to the Triangle, WCMC had broadcast from an antenna located 485 feet above ground level located 3 miles northwest of Youngsville
Youngsville, North Carolina
Youngsville is a town in Franklin County, North Carolina, United States.The population was 651 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Youngsville is located at ....
. The short tower and relatively low power resulted in the station providing only grade B coverage to Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Chapel Hill is a town in Orange County, North Carolina, United States and the home of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and UNC Health Care...
, Garner
Garner, North Carolina
Garner is a town in Wake County, North Carolina, United States and a suburb of Raleigh. The population was 17,757 at the 2000 census and was 27,533 in 2009.-Geography:Garner is located at ....
, Cary
Cary, North Carolina
Cary is a large town and suburb of Raleigh, North Carolina in Wake and Chatham counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located almost entirely in Wake County, it is the second largest municipality in that county and the third largest municipality in The Triangle after Raleigh and Durham...
and most of Durham. However, in 2010 WCMC was granted permission to move its city of license to Holly Springs and boost its power to 26,500 watts. However, much of the western Triangle still only gets a grade B signal, largely because the new tower is only 676 feet tall. By comparison, most of the other major Triangle stations operate from towers taller than 1,000 feet.
Sports
WCMC is now the flagship station for the Carolina HurricanesCarolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center...
, following a two-year run on Curtis Media
Curtis Media Group
Curtis Media Group is a broadcast media company based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. The company owns and operates several North Carolina radio stations and four radio networks.-AM:*WPTF 680 AM *WQDR 570 AM...
-owned WWMY
WWPL
WWPL is a radio station licensed to Smithfield, North Carolina broadcasting a contemporary hit radio format. The station is owned by Curtis Media Group.-History:...
. In addition, the station will broadcast also the weekly football and basketball coaches shows for the NC State Wolfpack
NC State Wolfpack
The athletic teams of the North Carolina State University, known as the Wolfpack, compete in 24 intercollegiate varsity sports. NC State is a founding member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and has won eight national championships: two NCAA championships, two AIAW championships, and four titles...
, while sister station WRAL-FM will broadcast the games. However, all ACC Tournament games not involving the Wolfpack will air on WCMC.
On November 30, 2008, WCMC became an ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio is an American sports radio network. It was launched on January 1, 1992 under the original banner of "SportsRadio ESPN." ESPN Radio is located at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut...
affiliate. This follows the decision by McClatchey Broadcasting to discontinue ESPN programming on its two sports talk stations, WDNC and WRBZ
WRBZ
WKIX is a radio station broadcasting an oldies format. Licensed to Raleigh, North Carolina, USA, the station serves the Research Triangle, North Carolina area. The station is currently owned by Curtis Media Group.-History:...
, because of ESPN's insistence on the stations airing more ESPN programming than the company wanted to.
On April 1, 2009, WCMC became the new flagship station of the Durham Bulls
Durham Bulls
The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the International League. The Bulls play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park located in the downtown area of Durham, North Carolina. Durham Bulls Athletic Park is often called the "DBAP" or "D-Bap". The Bulls are...
. They are expected to carry the full allotment of 144 during the season, along with playoff games, although some games may be moved over to their HD channel on dates that might conflict with a Carolina Hurricanes broadcast.
On May 13, 2010, it was announced that WCMC would air Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
games.