WNOV
Encyclopedia
WNOV is a community-oriented
urban contemporary
radio station located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
. WNOV is currently the only station owned by Courier Communications, but on January 18, 2008 it was sold to a new company called Radio Multi-Media. WNOV air a variety of African-American-oriented programming, ranging from rhythm and blues
music, gospel music
, hip-hop and community affairs shows. In 2008, WNOV shifted to an urban AC format, but has moved back to a more broader urban contemporary
direction to more effectively compete with WKKV, resulting in WNOV being placed on Mediabase
's Urban reporting panel.
In the past, they were notable for their controversial local talk
show hosts, particularly former Milwaukee alderman
Michael McGee, Sr.
format. They became WNOV in 1968 and began targeting programming toward the local African-American community.
, but transmits from the WNOV transmitter site. The station, W273AT, is billed on-air as "Majic 102.5." As of 2011, the simulcast has shifted to Mainstream Urban.
In 2010, WNOV filed a request with the FCC to relocate the signal to 93.9 and the COL to Milwaukee as a way to better serve the area. This is due to interference from WNWC
in Madison
, who also broadcasts at 102.5.
Morning Show", "The Lady Pink Show" and Michael Baisden
. These shows have since been dropped. Swiss Money Live Entertainment is the only local weekday show on WNOV airing Thursday and Friday nights.
Weekend programming includes "Old School Reunion with Wayne the Magic Man" and "The Weekend Rollcall" with DJ Mike Mill on Saturdays and "Praise Mixdown", "New Pitts Gospel Hour" with Michelle Pitts and "SD Cooper Law Program" on Sundays.
's Charlie Sykes, whom McGee has verbally battled with for years. Sykes' mother, Katherine B. Sykes, died in a house fire from smoke inhalation two days before the comments were made. He stated that her death was "the vengeance of God" and insinuated that Sykes played a role in the death of his mother. On May 5, 2007, the station announced that the show, which was broadcast under a brokered programming
agreement where McGee paid for his daily air time, would be hosted instead by McGee's son, current Milwaukee alderman Michael McGee, Jr, while the elder McGee was on "indefinite" suspension.
Three weeks later on May 28, 2007, McGee, Jr. was arrested and jailed on federal charges of bribery and extortion and local charges of attempted assault and solicitation for murder. Additional charges from both the Federal and local authorities remain pending.
Community radio
Community radio is a type of radio service, that offers a third model of radio broadcasting beyond commercial broadcasting and public broadcasting. Community stations can serve geographic communities and communities of interest...
urban contemporary
Urban contemporary
Urban contemporary is a music radio format. The term was coined by the late New York DJ Frankie Crocker in the mid 1970s. Urban contemporary radio stations feature a playlist made up entirely of hip hop/rap, contemporary R&B, pop, electronica such as dubstep and drum and bass and Caribbean music...
radio station located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
. WNOV is currently the only station owned by Courier Communications, but on January 18, 2008 it was sold to a new company called Radio Multi-Media. WNOV air a variety of African-American-oriented programming, ranging from rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
music, gospel music
Gospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
, hip-hop and community affairs shows. In 2008, WNOV shifted to an urban AC format, but has moved back to a more broader urban contemporary
Urban contemporary
Urban contemporary is a music radio format. The term was coined by the late New York DJ Frankie Crocker in the mid 1970s. Urban contemporary radio stations feature a playlist made up entirely of hip hop/rap, contemporary R&B, pop, electronica such as dubstep and drum and bass and Caribbean music...
direction to more effectively compete with WKKV, resulting in WNOV being placed on Mediabase
Mediabase
Mediabase is a music industry service that monitors radio station airplay in 180 US and Canadian markets. Mediabase publishes music charts and data based on the most played songs on terrestrial and satellite radio, and provides in-depth analytical tools for radio and record industry professionals...
's Urban reporting panel.
In the past, they were notable for their controversial local talk
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
show hosts, particularly former Milwaukee alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
Michael McGee, Sr.
History
WNOV began broadcasting in 1946 as WFOX, and at one time, aired a country musicCountry 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. They became WNOV in 1968 and began targeting programming toward the local African-American community.
"Majic 102.5"
In December 2009, WNOV acquired a low-powered translator at 102.5 and launched a Urban AC simulcast on the signal. The translator is licensed to the North Shore suburb of MequonMequon, Wisconsin
Mequon is a city in Ozaukee County, Wisconsin, United States. It had a population of 21,823 at the 2000 census, and an estimated population of 23,739 in July 2009...
, but transmits from the WNOV transmitter site. The station, W273AT, is billed on-air as "Majic 102.5." As of 2011, the simulcast has shifted to Mainstream Urban.
In 2010, WNOV filed a request with the FCC to relocate the signal to 93.9 and the COL to Milwaukee as a way to better serve the area. This is due to interference from WNWC
WNWC-FM
WNWC-FM is an American radio station broadcasting a contemporary Christian music format. Licensed to Madison, Wisconsin, USA, "Life 102.5" has an AM sister station, "Faith 1190" , that broadcasts programs on Christian faith...
in Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
, who also broadcasts at 102.5.
Current On-Air Lineup
At one time WNOV ran "The Rickey SmileyRickey Smiley
Rickey Smiley is a standup comedian, television host, actor, and radio personality best known for his prank phone calls. The calls feature Smiley disguising his voice and carrying on a conversation with the recipient of the call....
Morning Show", "The Lady Pink Show" and Michael Baisden
Michael Baisden
Michael Baisden is an American author, motivational speaker, host of the TV One talk show Baisden After Dark, and host of his own nationally-syndicated radio show.-Career:...
. These shows have since been dropped. Swiss Money Live Entertainment is the only local weekday show on WNOV airing Thursday and Friday nights.
Weekend programming includes "Old School Reunion with Wayne the Magic Man" and "The Weekend Rollcall" with DJ Mike Mill on Saturdays and "Praise Mixdown", "New Pitts Gospel Hour" with Michelle Pitts and "SD Cooper Law Program" on Sundays.
Controversy
On May 3, 2007 on his morning show, Michael McGee, Sr. praised the death of the mother of another radio personality, WTMJWTMJ (AM)
WTMJ is a radio station in Milwaukee, Wisconsin broadcasting at 620 AM. It is a 50,000-watt station airing a format of news, talk and sports. WTMJ is owned by Journal Broadcast Group, which also owns the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and sister station WLWK-FM....
's Charlie Sykes, whom McGee has verbally battled with for years. Sykes' mother, Katherine B. Sykes, died in a house fire from smoke inhalation two days before the comments were made. He stated that her death was "the vengeance of God" and insinuated that Sykes played a role in the death of his mother. On May 5, 2007, the station announced that the show, which was broadcast under a brokered programming
Brokered programming
Brokered programming is a form of broadcast content in which the show's producer pays a radio or television station for air time, rather than exchanging programming for pay or the opportunity to play spot commercials...
agreement where McGee paid for his daily air time, would be hosted instead by McGee's son, current Milwaukee alderman Michael McGee, Jr, while the elder McGee was on "indefinite" suspension.
Three weeks later on May 28, 2007, McGee, Jr. was arrested and jailed on federal charges of bribery and extortion and local charges of attempted assault and solicitation for murder. Additional charges from both the Federal and local authorities remain pending.