WYLD-FM

Infobox Radio Station
name = WYLD-FM


city = New Orleans, Louisiana
area = New Orleans metropolitan area
branding = WYLD FM 98
slogan = The Best from Back in the Day & Today
airdate = 1960s (former station) February 1975 (WYLD)
frequency = 98.5 (MHz) HD Radio
98.5 HD-2 for Smooth Jazz
format = Urban Adult Contemporary
erp = 97,800 watts
haat = 300 meters
class = C0
facility_id = 11972
owner = Clear Channel Communications
sister_stations = KYRK, WNOE, WODT, WQUE, WRNO, WYLD (AM)
webcast = [http://www.wyldfm.com/cc-common/streaming_new/index.html?refreshed=yes Listen Live]
website = http://www.wyldfm.com/
callsign_meaning = Play on the word WILD

WYLD-FM, known as WYLD FM 98, is a very successful Urban Adult Contemporary outlet in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Clear Channel Communications station operates at 98.5 megahertz. Its current slogan is "The Best From Back In The Day & Today."

History

WYLD-FM, which began its life as WWOM-FM (companion to WWOM (AM)), was better known as Top 40 WIXO ("98.5 - a little cooler than normal"), which made its debut in 1972 after it was converted into the format by its new owner, where it enjoyed a brief but successful run.

On September 24, 1974, WIXO signed off for good at 4:00 PM; "Golden Slumbers," "Carry That Weight," and "The End", tracks from The Beatles’ "Abbey Road" album, were the final tunes to be played on the station. After Program Director and morning jock Michael Greene (formerly of WTIX-AM) read the sign-off announcement, "Her Majesty," the very last track from "Abbey Road", wrapped it up.

The WIXO callsign has been used by a few unrelated stations in other states; since the late 1990s, it has been in the Peoria, Illinois market, on a station that is now on 105.7 MHz.

98.5 MHz remained empty on the New Orleans radio dial until the following February, when WYLD signed on and began its successful run as an Urban Contemporary outlet after the format was shifted over from WYLD (AM). But by the late 1980s it got into a battle with WQUE-FM, which would last until 1992 when it became Q93's sister station and in the process evolved to its current format as an Urban Adult Contemporary. Today it carries the syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show.

External links

* [http://www.wyldfm.com FM 98 WYLD's website]
* [http://www.online-radio-stations.com/WYLD_FM98_-_New_Orleans_Hot_AC.html Website Review]
*FMQ|WYLD
*FML|WYLD
*FMARB|WYLD