WEDG

Infobox_Radio_station | name = WEDG


city = Buffalo, New York
area = Buffalo, New York
frequency = 103.3 MHz
branding = 103-3 The Edge
slogan = Rock Radio Lives Here
airdate = 1947
format = Active Rock
power =
erp = 49,000 watts
haat = 106 meters
class = B
facility_id = 56103
callsign_meaning = W EDGe
former_callsigns = WYSL-FM (1949-1970)
WPHD-FM (1970-1989)
WUFX (1989-1995)
owner = Citadel Broadcasting
webcast = [http://www.wedg.com/article.asp?id=552973 Listen Live]
website = http://www.wedg.com
sister_stations = WGRF, WHTT:"This article is about the radio station, for the defunct UPN affiliate on Albany-area cable systems see WEDG-TV. WEDG is also a UK based voluntary organisation, World Education Development Group."

WEDG is a radio station in Buffalo, New York, USA. The station's on air branding is "103.3 The Edge" and broadcasts on 103.3 MHz FM. WEDG has an active rock format and is best known for its afternoon-drive hosts, "Shredd and Ragan," and being the co-flagship of the Buffalo Bills Radio Network with sister WGRF. The station is owned by Citadel Broadcasting.

History

WEDG signed on in 1947 as WYSL-FM. The station switched calls to WPHD in 1970, when a progressive rock format was added to the overnight programming. This format made WPHD famous, as well as its morning duo, Robert W. Taylor and Harv Moore, which ran from 1978 to 1989.

In 1989, the station changed call signs from WPHD to WUFX, "103.3 The Fox." Taylor and Moore were fired in favor of Shredd and Ragan, with Shredd coming from AM 1400 WXBX. The format lasted about six years. (Both Taylor and Moore would eventually end up on WHTT, which is now WEDG's sister station, on different shifts. Moore would leave WHTT in 2007 and now works at WECK).

In 1995, the station adopted an alternative rock format and its current call sign and branding. At the time, Toronto radio station CFNY, known as "The Edge", was making inroads in Western New York. Originally an alternative rock station, it shifted to active rock in 2004 since WBUF flipped from mainstream rock to FM talk. However, R&R began reporting them as an active rock station in the fall of 2005. From August 2006 to March 2007, R&R reported them again to the alternative panel, but it has since reverted to the active rock panel. Recently in 2008, the station began playing more classic rock like The Cult, Van Halen and U2 along with it's current playlist.

Programming

*"Morning Bull" with "Bull", 6am-10am
*"Rock at Work" with "James", 10am-3pm
*Shredd and Ragan, 3-7pm
*Paul Brenon, 7-mid
*Steve K, overnights Monday-Wednesday and Friday
*Tyler Banks, overnights Thursday
*"Nextwave" with Josh Potter, Sunday 7pm-10pm

Shredd and Ragan are the most recognizable and longest-serving on-air personalities at the station and have hosted the 3-7 drivetime shift since 2006, when they were moved from mornings after 12 years to make way for Opie and Anthony--a homecoming of sorts for Gregg "Opie" Hughes, a former WUFX staffer. After O&A was dropped from the schedule in July 2008, program director "Evil" Jim Kurdziel hosted the morning shift on an interim basis until August 25, 2008, when midday host Rich "Bull" Gaenzler was named the pernament host. The midday shift is now occupied by Kurdziel, who voicetracks the 10-3 block as "James".

WEDG began streaming on the Internet in 2006. However, Bills games are likely to be blocked from the stream, as well as on the stream of WEDG's sister station, WGRF, who shares the Bills broadcasting rights with WEDG.

The weekend lineup consists of two regular shows featured on Sunday night:

*"Nextwave": Josh Potter (also a member of the "Shredd and Ragan" show) features three hours of the newest local, regional and national music.
*"Edge Underground": Edge Underground (Hosted by Rockin' Steve K) is a two hour show focussing on the more extreme side of music. Hard-rock, heavy metal and hardcore will all be covered in one way or another.

External links

* [http://www.wedg.com Official WEDG Website]
*FMQ|WEDG
*FML|WEDG
*FMARB|WEDG