WHMJ

Infobox Radio Station
name = WHMJ / WXMJ
city = WHMJ: Franklin, Pennsylvania
WXMJ: Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania
area = Meadville-Franklin, Pennsylvania and Erie, Pennsylvania
branding = "Majic 99.3 and 104.5"
frequency = WHMJ: 99.3 MHz
WXMJ: 104.5 MHz
format = Adult Hits
erp = WHMJ: 7,300 Watts
WXMJ: 2,550 Watts
haat = WHMJ: 183 meters
WXMJ: 156 meters
class = WHMJ: B1
WXMJ: A
owner = Forever Broadcasting, LLC
website = http://www.mymajicspace.com
callsign_meaning = "Majic"|

WHMJ (99.3 FM) and WXMJ (104.5 FM) are a Variety Hits music formatted radio station combo broadcasting in Northwest Pennsylvania. The station is owned by Forever Broadcasting, and broadcasts from the Downtown Mall in Meadville, PA.

History

Beginnings as WVEN-FM

This station debuted on 99.3 as WVEN-FM on March 5, 1971, as a partial simulcast of AM affiliate WFRA, with occasional break-aways for its own original programming (usually during periods of the broadcast day where WFRA offered talk and more news-intensive programming), which closely mirrored WFRA. As more and more cars became equipped with FM radios, the two radio stations broke away from each other and became completely separate programming operations, though WVEN would recapture the call letters of its sister AM station in 1989.

For many years, WVEN was known as "Mix 99.3", boasting an Adult CHR format with full-service local elements.

WXXO 104.5 made its debut on November 21, 1996 as WAQM. This station was sold in July 2000 from owner MacBeth Communications to Forever Broadcasting. Macbeth Communications was a company owned by Tom Sauber, the son of Robert H. Sauber, WFRA's founder.

Also in July 2000, Bob Sauber, whose son Tom managed WFRA-AM/FM in addition to his own WAQM, wanted to retire and put his stations up for sale. All three (Sauber also owned WTIV in Titusville, the first of the group) were purchased by Altoona-based Forever Broadcasting, LLC for an undisclosed sum. Sauber died in October 2004 at the age of 72.

Time as Kiss FM

The stations became Kiss FM in November 2000. Kiss FM aired a Hot Adult Contemporary format from 5am-6pm, and a cross between CHR and Hot AC in the evening hours.

The call letters used were WOXX for the 99.3 signal and WXXO for the 104.5 signal.

Throughout its run as Kiss FM, the station was known in the community for the Kiss FM Sunday Night Dance Parties held in Conneaut Lake held during the summer months.

Special programming features during the Kiss FM tenure included the Top 9 at 9, Goodnight Kisses, the Kiss Cafe, Kiss Cartunes, Kiss It Or Diss It, and more recently the 5:00 Traffic Jam, 4 Play at 4, The Jammin' Saturday Night Kiss Party, and the Back In The Day Buffet.

Throughout its run as Kiss FM (and even dating back to the Mix 99.3 days) legendary countdown host Casey Kasem's shows were always carried on the station. Other syndication throughout Kiss FM's reign included Backtrax USA with Kid Kelly and Saturday Night 80's.

Flip to Majic

At 5pm on October 10, 2007, the stations flipped to "Majic" 99.3 and 104.5". From 5pm on October 10 through 6am October 12, the station went jockless, airing Majic teaser sweepers but still played the Kiss FM playlist. At 6am on Friday October 12, the station officially kicked off.

Reaction to Majic

Reaction in NW PA to the "Majic" rebranding has been overwhelmingly negative. Besides removing the only radio outlet for new music in the area, consistent technical problems plague Majic. Kiss FM is greatly missed in the community.

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