WSWD

Infobox_Radio_station
name = WSWD


area = Cincinnati, Ohio
Dayton, Ohio
city = Fairfield, Ohio
branding = 94.9 The Sound
airdate = November 9 2006
frequency = 94.9 MHz
ERP = 10,500 watts @ 1779 feet
format = Alternative, mainstream, and triple-A rock music
callsign_meaning = W SoWnD (play on the word SOUND, as in "The Sound")
owner = Bonneville International
First Song Played: Welcome To Paradise by Green Day
website = [http://www.949thesound.com 94.9 The Sound]

WSWD, better known as 94.9 The Sound, is an FM radio station in Cincinnati, Ohio that began broadcasting on November 9 2006, replacing the former alternative radio station in Cincinnati, WAQZ. The station features a blend of three traditional radio formats: alternative rock, mainstream rock, and adult album alternative rock music.

The station's on-air staff currently consists of Clayton (6a.m. - 10a.m. weekdays), Jimmy (on the air 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. weekdays), Lisa Biello (3 p.m. – 7 p.m. weekdays) and Kevin (7p.m. - 11p.m. weekdays).

Station format

94.9 The Sound features a blend of alternative, mainstream, and adult album alternative rock. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the station airs "a hybrid rock format aimed at luring listeners from longtime rock leader WEBN."

Entercom's vice president Mike Fredrick said the new station was specifically created for Cincinnati. Fredrick also explained that 94.9 The Sound will be "more sophisticated" than WEBN, with all local and live DJs. This is in contrast to WEBN's "outlaw, in-your-face radio station" that features a mix of live and pre-recorded DJs.Kiesewetter, John. [http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061109/ENT/61109016/1025 "Radio station switches to rock"] . Cincinnati Enquirer. November 9, 2006.]

Initially, a morning show was expected to debut on the station, which Fredrick said might have been similar in concept to "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart". He described the show as "a little wittier, not your typical rock and roll station."Kiesewetter, John. [http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061109/ENT/61109016/1025 "Radio station switches to rock"] . Cincinnati Enquirer. November 9, 2006.]

94.9 The Sound launched ichannel.fm's broadcast as a sub channel (HD-2) on their HD Radio signal near the end of August 2008.

Station history

:"See also: WAQZ, the former alternative radio station in Cincinnati."

Previous stations on 94.9 FM

Originally, the 94.9 FM frequency in the Cincinnati area was licensed to Fairfield, Ohio as WFOL-FM in 1962, airing "beautiful music". Then, it became WCNW-FM in 1965, sister to then country-formatted WCNW-AM at 1560 AM. Beautiful music returned to this frequency in the mid 1970s as WLVV-FM "Love 95."

The frequency was sold off to a different owner in 1980, becoming WYYS-FM "Yes 95" with a Top 40 format, before softening to "Lite 95" at WLLT-FM in 1983. In 1988, WOFX-FM "The Fox" replaced WLLT-FM, airing classic rock, before moving the call letters and format to 92.5 FM. In 1995, WVAE-FM "The Wave" took over the 94.9 FM frequency, airing smooth jazz, then switching to rhythmic oldies as WMOJ-FM "Mojo 94.9 FM." Most recently, in 2007, after a few short-lived format changes, 94.9 FM became WSWD.

Launch of WSWD

On Thursday, November 9, 2006 at 12 p.m. EST, 94.9 The Sound began broadcasting. Although the station used the WYGY call letters for the first month The Sound was on the air, station management stressed those letters would be moved to 97.3 FM where the country format previously at 94.9 FM was relocated. The WSWD call letters debuted in early December. The first song played on 94.9 The Sound was "Welcome to Paradise" by Green Day at 12:02 p.m. EST.

Initial programming stunts

Upon its launch, the station began a programming stunt that consisted of 9,490 songs in a row without commercials or DJ interruption, though they replayed many songs multiple times in a day. This stunt took 22 days to complete, and it finished on December 1, 2006 at 5 p.m. EST. At this time, the station announced that it would begin airing commercials. The first song played after the 9,490 song promotion was "Wonderwall" by Oasis, launching a set of personal "Perfect 10" playlists sent in by individuals. After the "Perfect 10" promotion ended, WSWD returned to its alternative variety format.

Current events

In January 2007, Tommy BoDean was named program director of the station. He and assistant program director Julie Evans went on-air live a few times to discuss the station with listeners. BoDean promised that live disc jockeys would be coming in the near future.

On January 18, 2007, Entercom announced plans to swap its entire Cincinnati radio cluster, including WSWD, together with three of its radio stations in Seattle, Washington, to Bonneville International in exchange for all three of Bonneville's FM stations in San Francisco, California and $1 million cash. [http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/300350_radioswap19.html Entercom trades radio stations ] ] In May 2007, Bonneville officially took over control of the Cincinnati stations through a time brokerage agreement. On March 14, 2008, Bonneville officially closed on the stations.

On January 16, 2008, Program Director Tommy BoDean exited the station on the eve of the station receiving its highest ratings.

ee also

*WAQZ, the former alternative radio station in Cincinnati
*WMOJ (Mojo 100.3), the station previously at 94.9 FM and now located at 100.3 FM
*Entercom Communications
*Bonneville International

References

External links

* [http://www.949thesound.com 94.9 The Sound]
* [http://www.ichannel.fm iChannel.FM]