WSFM (FM)

Infobox Radio station
name = WSFM


city = Oak Island, North Carolina
area = Wilmington, North Carolina
slogan = Wilmington's New Rock
branding = "Surf 98.3 FM"
frequency = 98.3 MHz
airdate = 2000
share = 1.9
share as of = Fa'07
share source = R&R [cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Wilmington Market Ratings | date= | url=http://www.radioandrecords.com/RRRatings/DefaultSearch.aspx?MarketName=Wilmington&MarketRank=%20 | work =Radio and Records | pages = | date = | language = ]
format = Modern Rock
power =
erp = 18,500 watts
haat = 116.0 meters
class = C3
facility_id = 48626
coordinates = coord|33|57|40|N|78|01|37|W|type:landmark
callsign_meaning =
former_callsigns = WAZO (1998-2004)
owner = NextMedia_Group
licensee =
sister_stations = WAZO, WILT, WKXB, WMFD
webcast =
website = [http://www.surf983.com surf983.com]
affiliations =

WSFM (98.3 FM) is a radio station broadcasting a modern rock format. Licensed to Oak Island, North Carolina, USA, the station serves the Wilmington area. The station is currently owned by NextMedia. [ cite web|url=http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=WSFM |title=WSFM Facility Record |work=United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division ]

History

For many years, WJYW "Joy 107" in Southport, North Carolina, played beautiful music. In the late 1980s, the station moved from 107.1 FM and increased its power from 3000 to 50,000 Watts, changed its name to WSFM "Surf 107.5", and changed its format to album oriented rock. During the 1990s, Surf 107.5 changed to modern rock.

The local "Morning Disaster with Bryan & Jim," featuring Bryan Keith and Jim Whitmeyer, aired on WSFM for more than ten years. Then-owner Sea-Comm moved the show to Classic Rock sister WBNE when Surf signed the syndicated "Lex and Terry."

In July 2004, NextMedia Group purchased WKXB and WSFM from Sea-Comm Inc., and WRQR, WAZO, and WMFD from Ocean Broadcasting LLC. [Bonnie Eksten, "Ocean Broadcasting, Sea-Comm Stations Sold to NextMedia - New Owner to Operate Locally," "Star-News", July 14, 2004.] The sale meant two big changes for Surf: the move to 98.3 FM, and the end of the controversial Lex and Terry, replaced with "The Mad Max Morning Show with Special K," based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. [Amy Hotz, "Radio Changes Bring Two New Morning Teams," "Star-News", September 20, 2004.]

The station was a finalist for Radio and Records magazine's 2007 Industry Achievement Award for best Alternative Station for markets 100 and up. Other finalists include WKZQ-FM, WJSE, WBTZ, KQXR, and KXNA.cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=2007 Industry Achievement Awards | date=Sept 28, 2008 | publisher= | url =http://www.radioandrecords.com/Conventions/con2007/awards/altFinal.asp | work =Radio and Records]

In July 2008, Capitol Broadcasting announced its purchase of NextMedia's Wilmington stations [http://www.wral.com/business/story/3215727/, Retrieved on 2008/09/22.] .

References

External links

* [http://www.surf983.com Official Website]
*fmq|WSFM