WLUN
Encyclopedia
WLUN 100.9 FM is a radio station broadcasting a sports radio
format in Pinconning, Michigan
, USA, owned by the Great Lakes Loons
, under the licensee name of Michigan Radio Communications.
WLUN has broadcast a variety of different formats since signing on in 1983, including country music
, adult contemporary, and classic hits. The station is fondly remembered by some in the Tri-Cities market for its time as Top 40/album rock station WFXZ, "Foxy 101," in the early 1980s. As WYLZ, 100.9 FM and its former sister station, WILZ
, were known together as "Wheelz 104.5 and 101" from 1999 to 2007.
In June 2007, WYLZ was sold by Citadel Broadcasting
(along with ten other stations) to The Last Bastion Station Trust
, as part of ABC Radio's absorption into Citadel. Upon ending the simulcast, WYLZ switched to a satellite-fed country
format ("Mainstream Country" from Dial Global
) under the "Thunder Country" moniker. Despite the programming changes, WYLZ continued to air play-by-play of Great Lakes Loons
baseball during the summer of 2007. The satellite country format was a stopgap measure to keep the station on the air until it could be sold to a new owner and debut a permanent format. WILZ 104.5 maintains its classic rock format and Citadel ownership.
On March 24, 2008, it was announced that WYLZ will change formats to sports radio
, with programming from ESPN Radio
, under a new moniker, "ESPN 100.9", effective March 25. Also, the Loons will acquire the station from Last Bastion, pending FCC approval. (http://www.michiguide.com/archives/2008/03/espn_1009fm_to_launch_in_bay_c.html). On March 31, 2008 WYLZ changed their call letters to WLUN.
With the debut of WLUN, the sports-talk format returns to the Tri-Cities area for the first time since 1440 AM WMAX
discontinued its simulcast of WTRX
in Flint.
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...
format in Pinconning, Michigan
Pinconning, Michigan
Pinconning is a city in Bay County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,386 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Bay City, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, USA, owned by the Great Lakes Loons
Great Lakes Loons
The Great Lakes Loons, based in Midland, Michigan, is a Low Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team plays in the Midwest League and their home park is Dow Diamond, which opened in April 2007.-History:...
, under the licensee name of Michigan Radio Communications.
WLUN has broadcast a variety of different formats since signing on in 1983, including 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...
, adult contemporary, and classic hits. The station is fondly remembered by some in the Tri-Cities market for its time as Top 40/album rock station WFXZ, "Foxy 101," in the early 1980s. As WYLZ, 100.9 FM and its former sister station, WILZ
WILZ
WILZ is a radio station broadcasting a classic rock format in Saginaw, Michigan, owned by Cumulus Media. The station is the local affiliate of the syndicated programs The Bob and Tom Show and Nights with Alice Cooper...
, were known together as "Wheelz 104.5 and 101" from 1999 to 2007.
In June 2007, WYLZ was sold by Citadel Broadcasting
Citadel Broadcasting
Citadel Broadcasting Corporation was a Las Vegas, Nevada-based broadcast holding company. Citadel owned 243 radio stations across the United States and was the third-largest radio station owner in the country...
(along with ten other stations) to The Last Bastion Station Trust
The Last Bastion Station Trust, LLC
The Last Bastion Station Trust, LLC is a privately owned trust company that temporarily owns 6 radio stations previously owned by Citadel Broadcasting...
, as part of ABC Radio's absorption into Citadel. Upon ending the simulcast, WYLZ switched to a satellite-fed country
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 ("Mainstream Country" from Dial Global
Dial Global
Dial Global is a radio syndication company. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Triton Media Group and is a sister company to Townsquare Media, both of which are owned by Oaktree Capital Management....
) under the "Thunder Country" moniker. Despite the programming changes, WYLZ continued to air play-by-play of Great Lakes Loons
Great Lakes Loons
The Great Lakes Loons, based in Midland, Michigan, is a Low Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team plays in the Midwest League and their home park is Dow Diamond, which opened in April 2007.-History:...
baseball during the summer of 2007. The satellite country format was a stopgap measure to keep the station on the air until it could be sold to a new owner and debut a permanent format. WILZ 104.5 maintains its classic rock format and Citadel ownership.
On March 24, 2008, it was announced that WYLZ will change formats to sports radio
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...
, with programming from 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...
, under a new moniker, "ESPN 100.9", effective March 25. Also, the Loons will acquire the station from Last Bastion, pending FCC approval. (http://www.michiguide.com/archives/2008/03/espn_1009fm_to_launch_in_bay_c.html). On March 31, 2008 WYLZ changed their call letters to WLUN.
With the debut of WLUN, the sports-talk format returns to the Tri-Cities area for the first time since 1440 AM WMAX
WMAX (AM)
WMAX is a radio station broadcasting a Catholic religious format. It is co-owned with WDEO 990 AM in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and features the same programming from the EWTN Global Catholic Radio network...
discontinued its simulcast of WTRX
WTRX (AM)
WTRX is an American radio station broadcasting a sports radio format in Flint, Michigan. It is the Flint affiliate for the Detroit Tigers, the Detroit Lions, the Detroit Red Wings, the Detroit Pistons, and the Michigan Wolverines, as well as ESPN Radio.The station first began broadcasting in 1947...
in Flint.