WZBZ
Encyclopedia
WZBZ is a radio station
also known as "99.3 Kiss FM" in Atlantic City, New Jersey
. The station plays a Rhythmic Top 40/Rhythmic Contemporary format. It is simulcast on WSNQ.
. WGRF was branded as Stereo 99. Together, WGRF and WMID were referred to as "The Dynamic Duo"; WMID was "The Jersey Giant" and WGRF was "The Jersey Mermaid." In 1984, WGRF became WLQE, a rock station branded as Lucky 99. Three years later in 1987, Lucky 99 switched to classic rock and picked up the FM version of its sister's call letters, becoming WMID-FM. It was branded as "MID Rocks." In 1995, sister station 102.3 WSJL
began simulcastin WMID-FM. This format would last seven years, until it became a smooth jazz station with the call letters WSAX in 1997. WSJL continued simulcasting 99.3 as 102.3 WJSX.
Meanwhile, 105.5 WBNJ in Cape May County had flipped in February 1999 to a Dance/Rhythmic A/C station known as WZBZ, "The Buzz 105.5." Don Brooks, owner and general manager, hired Ted Noah in January 1999 to launch the radio station in its new dance format. His first official full time on air position and programming job at 19 years old. Ted programmed and directed The Buzz musically and was also the afternoon announcer for the first 3 years. The station operated in Atlantic City right in front of The Tropicana Casino. Ironically its signal reached the actual broadcast facilities. The broadcast tower served the extreme southern end of the Atlantic City/Cape May market on 105.5 FM "B 105.5 The Buzz, The Beat Of South Jersey". It mainly covered Cape May, Southern and Western Atlantic and Eastern Cumberland Counties its first year.
In January 2000 the station then picked up 99.3 WSAX as a second frequency. This brought the station to cover the entire Atlantic City/Cape May market along with the fringes of the Monmouth-Ocean market. The WZBZ calls were moved from 105.5 to 99.3, replacing the WSAX calls; 105.5 became WGBZ. 99.3 was now the primary Buzz frequency, with 105.5 as the simulcast. Later that year the station added radio personality Shane Coyle as its main night DJ following from Ted Noah in the afternoons. Mike Ray "Big Daddy" was hired later on as well. A syndicated morning show "Bob and Sherri" was added to the line up. This left over nights and mid-days automated, as well as some weekend mornings.
In less than a years time Shane Coyle's position was made automated, having only Ted Noah live in the afternoons. Another Fill in and weekend DJ was added to the line up: Ms. Kelly Rich or known on the air as "Kelly D-Vine". Kelly was the main mid-day weekend DJ and Ted Noah's main fill in.
In late February 2002 Ted Noah resigned passing Programming responsibilities to Rob Garcia. Rob also took over the afternoon time slot. With the resignation of Ted Noah Kelly Rich also resigned and removed herself completely from the broadcasting business. Within 2 months time of Rob acquiring the programming and on air position, WZBZ, along with all its sister stations WGBZ, WMID
and WMID-FM
(the former WSJL/WJSX), were purchased by the competition. The new owner, Gary Fisher/Equity Broadcasting then changed the Dance format to Hip-Hop and RnB. Rob Garcia and Big Daddy Mike Ray remained on air. In 2007, the WGBZ calls on simulcast 105.5 were changed to WSNQ.
On June 5, 2008, WZBZ flipped from rhythmic "99.3 the Buzz" to mainstream Top 40 KissFM
brand as "99-3 KissFM." Days before the official format change, they silently started adding top 40 songs to their playlist.
To avoid competition with sister station WAYV
95.1 and to boost ratings back up, a week before thanksgiving WZBZ started to remove the top 40 songs from their playlist and re-added Rhythmic songs from all dayparts except overnights which still has some top 40. On December 5 R&R moved WZBZ back to the rhythmic airplay panel.
In fall 2010, 99.3 Kiss Fm was ranked the Number One Station in Atlantic City/Cape May, with Arbitron Ratings at 9.2
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...
also known as "99.3 Kiss FM" in Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
. The station plays a Rhythmic Top 40/Rhythmic Contemporary format. It is simulcast on WSNQ.
History
WZBZ's initial sign on was in 1974 as WGRF, an adult contemporary station and sister station to 1340 AM, WMIDWMID
WMID is a radio station in Atlantic City, New Jersey which plays "the classic oldies". Its parent company is Equity Communications ....
. WGRF was branded as Stereo 99. Together, WGRF and WMID were referred to as "The Dynamic Duo"; WMID was "The Jersey Giant" and WGRF was "The Jersey Mermaid." In 1984, WGRF became WLQE, a rock station branded as Lucky 99. Three years later in 1987, Lucky 99 switched to classic rock and picked up the FM version of its sister's call letters, becoming WMID-FM. It was branded as "MID Rocks." In 1995, sister station 102.3 WSJL
WAIV
WAIV is a radio station licensed to Cape May, New Jersey, broadcasting on 102.3 FM. WAIV serves Cape May County in the Atlantic-Cape May Market.-History:...
began simulcastin WMID-FM. This format would last seven years, until it became a smooth jazz station with the call letters WSAX in 1997. WSJL continued simulcasting 99.3 as 102.3 WJSX.
Meanwhile, 105.5 WBNJ in Cape May County had flipped in February 1999 to a Dance/Rhythmic A/C station known as WZBZ, "The Buzz 105.5." Don Brooks, owner and general manager, hired Ted Noah in January 1999 to launch the radio station in its new dance format. His first official full time on air position and programming job at 19 years old. Ted programmed and directed The Buzz musically and was also the afternoon announcer for the first 3 years. The station operated in Atlantic City right in front of The Tropicana Casino. Ironically its signal reached the actual broadcast facilities. The broadcast tower served the extreme southern end of the Atlantic City/Cape May market on 105.5 FM "B 105.5 The Buzz, The Beat Of South Jersey". It mainly covered Cape May, Southern and Western Atlantic and Eastern Cumberland Counties its first year.
In January 2000 the station then picked up 99.3 WSAX as a second frequency. This brought the station to cover the entire Atlantic City/Cape May market along with the fringes of the Monmouth-Ocean market. The WZBZ calls were moved from 105.5 to 99.3, replacing the WSAX calls; 105.5 became WGBZ. 99.3 was now the primary Buzz frequency, with 105.5 as the simulcast. Later that year the station added radio personality Shane Coyle as its main night DJ following from Ted Noah in the afternoons. Mike Ray "Big Daddy" was hired later on as well. A syndicated morning show "Bob and Sherri" was added to the line up. This left over nights and mid-days automated, as well as some weekend mornings.
In less than a years time Shane Coyle's position was made automated, having only Ted Noah live in the afternoons. Another Fill in and weekend DJ was added to the line up: Ms. Kelly Rich or known on the air as "Kelly D-Vine". Kelly was the main mid-day weekend DJ and Ted Noah's main fill in.
In late February 2002 Ted Noah resigned passing Programming responsibilities to Rob Garcia. Rob also took over the afternoon time slot. With the resignation of Ted Noah Kelly Rich also resigned and removed herself completely from the broadcasting business. Within 2 months time of Rob acquiring the programming and on air position, WZBZ, along with all its sister stations WGBZ, WMID
WMID
WMID is a radio station in Atlantic City, New Jersey which plays "the classic oldies". Its parent company is Equity Communications ....
and WMID-FM
WAIV
WAIV is a radio station licensed to Cape May, New Jersey, broadcasting on 102.3 FM. WAIV serves Cape May County in the Atlantic-Cape May Market.-History:...
(the former WSJL/WJSX), were purchased by the competition. The new owner, Gary Fisher/Equity Broadcasting then changed the Dance format to Hip-Hop and RnB. Rob Garcia and Big Daddy Mike Ray remained on air. In 2007, the WGBZ calls on simulcast 105.5 were changed to WSNQ.
On June 5, 2008, WZBZ flipped from rhythmic "99.3 the Buzz" to mainstream Top 40 KissFM
KISS-FM
KISS-FM is a radio station broadcasting an active rock format serving the San Antonio, Texas area. The Cox Radio outlet broadcasts at 99.5MHz.- History :...
brand as "99-3 KissFM." Days before the official format change, they silently started adding top 40 songs to their playlist.
To avoid competition with sister station WAYV
WAYV
WAYV is a commercial radio station located in Atlantic City, New Jersey. WAYV airs a contemporary hit radio format. It has been among the top rated and billing stations in the Atlantic City market since 1980....
95.1 and to boost ratings back up, a week before thanksgiving WZBZ started to remove the top 40 songs from their playlist and re-added Rhythmic songs from all dayparts except overnights which still has some top 40. On December 5 R&R moved WZBZ back to the rhythmic airplay panel.
In fall 2010, 99.3 Kiss Fm was ranked the Number One Station in Atlantic City/Cape May, with Arbitron Ratings at 9.2
See also
- WZBZ's simulcast, WSNQ, licensed to Cape May Court HouseCape May Court House, New JerseyCape May Court House is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Middle Township, in Cape May County, New Jersey. It is part of the Ocean City Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 4,704...