WMGS

Infobox Radio Station
name = WMGS


city = Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania
area = Scranton, Pennsylvania
branding = Magic 93
slogan = Continuous Soft Rock
frequency = 92.9 (MHz) HD Radio
format = Adult Contemporary
owner = Citadel Broadcasting
website = [http://www.magic93fm.com/ http://www.magic93fm.com/]
sister_stations = WARM-AM, WBHD/WBHT, WBSX, WSJR

WMGS is an adult contemporary station in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania called "Magic 93 - Continuous Soft Rock". The station broadcasts on 92.9 FM and is fully owned by Citadel Broadcasting.

History

The station began operation back in 1946. By the 1970's, the station was known as "Whiz Radio" with the call letters "WYZZ". The station had a broad based Adult Standards format, playing music from the 1930's, 1940's, early 50's, along with non rock and limited amounts of soft rock hits from the late 1950's, 1960's, and 1970's. Core artists included Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Neil Diamond, Peggy Lee, Nat "King" Cole, Ray Charles, Harry James, Ella Fitzgerald, Barbara Streisand, softer Elvis Presley, Tony Bennett, Tommy Dorsey, Lettermen, Doris Day, Carpenters, Jack Jones, Kay Starr, Frankie Laine, and many more. The station played standards from Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m., 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., and from midnight to 6 a.m.The station played Classical music Monday through Saturday 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight. On Sundays, the station played standards about half the day. The other half of the day included specialty programming such as a Polka show, Irish music program, a big band show, among others. The station was owned by Dick Evans Sr.

The station was sold to Susquehanna Broadcasting the spring of 1985. The sale only included the transmitter and license. The building, music library, and licensing rights to the "Whiz Radio" unit were retained by Dick Evans Sr.The station went off the air for the last time at 11:59 p.m. On March 12, 1985.

WMGS Magic 93 signed on the next morning on March 12 at 6 a.m. withan adult contemporary/soft rock format. Core artists included Billy Joel, Beatles, Wham, James Taylor, Phil Collins, Stevie Wonder, Madonna, Kenny Loggins, Elton John, Supremes, and many more. The station played the best mix of the 1960's, 1970's, 1980's, and a decent amount of current product. In the 1990's artists like Hootie & The Blowfish, Janet Jackson, Seal, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Sheryl Crow, and others were added. The station stayed the course as a mainstream adult contemporary station, rather than evolve to Hot AC, like some stations did. The station remained successful.

In 1997, WMGS, along with WARM, was sold to Citadel Briadcasting. The format continued to not change substantially, though the station plays mostly music from 1980 to today at this time. A small amount of music from the late 1960's and 1970's is mixed in.

Broadcast Schedule and Staff

* Frankie Warren 5:30a to 10:00a
* Stan Phillips 10:00a to 2:00p
* Fran Pantuso 2:00p to 7:00pm
* Jeff Gordon 7:00p to 12:00m
* Brian Hughes Magic 93 News Director

External References

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