WGH-FM

Infobox Radio Station


name = WGH-FM
airdate = August 1947
frequency = 97.3 (MHz)
city = Newport News, Virginia
area = Norfolk/Virginia Beach
format = Country
owner = Max Media Radio
erp = 74,000 Watts
haat = 120 meters
branding = "97-3 The Eagle"
slogan = "Hampton Roads Country Station"
class = B
sister_stations =WVBW,WXMM,WXEZ
webcast = [http://player.streamtheworld.com/liveplayer.php?callsign=WGHFM Listen Live]
website = http://www.eagle97.com
callsign_meaning = World's Greatest Harbor

WGH, known on air as "97.3 The Eagle", is a radio station airing a country music format. The call letters stand for "World's Greatest Harbor". Its transmitter is located in Newport News, Virginia.

History

WGH-FM went on the air in August 1947 on its original frequency, 96.5 MHz. The stated intention in 1947 was to shut down the AM station at sometime in the future, once the FM was well-established. They also explored starting a WGH-TV (channel 7) in the late 40s, but this never came to fruition. WGH-FM did a mix of simulcasting with the AM and FM-only programming, including classical music and live sports.

Eventually in the late 60s to early 70s, WGH-FM decided to go with the all-classical format, which would last until the sale on Sept 1, 1983, when it became WNSY-FM "Sunny 97" with a soft rock format. WGH was sold to new owners, Commcor and unceremoniously pulled the plug on WGH-FM so quickly that they interrupted the final strains of Pachelbel's "Canon in D major." in the middle of the track. The soft rock format lasted a year or so, then the format was flipped to Top 40 "Y-97".

In 1985, Susquehanna took over, renamed it WRSR "97 Star" and kept the Top 40 format. The WGH-FM call letters came back in December of 1986. In 1990, when Susquehanna decided to kill the Top 40 format and switch to "New Country Eagle 97". The "Eagle Country" format, which was on 105.3 FM for only 7 days.

In the late 90's, Susquehanna sold WGH-FM to Barnstable Broadcasting, while continuing the "Eagle" country format. WGH to Sold to Max Media from Barnstable Broadcasting in early 2005.

WGH and sisters WFOG (now WVBW) WXEZ, WXMM, WGH-AM were sold in 2005 to Max Media for $80 million. A sixth station in the Barnstable cluster, WVXX-AM 1050 (the former WCMS-AM) was sold separately.

External links

* [http://www.eagle97.com 97.3 The Eagle official website]
* [http://www.w9wi.com/articles/grand_fm.htm List of "grandfathered" FM radio stations in the U.S.]
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