WZZI

Infobox Radio Station


name = WZZI/WZZU
airdate = WZZI: 1995, WZZU: 1979
frequency = WZZI: 101.5 MHz
WZZU: 97.9 MHz
city = Roanoke/Lynchburg
area = Western Virginia/Southside Virginia
format = Rock
branding = "101-5 and 97-9 the Planet"
slogan = "We Play Everything That Rocks"
erp = WZZI: 510 watts
WZZU: 570 watts
haat = WZZI: 239 meters
WZZU: 587 meters
class = WZZI: A
WZZU: C3
webcast = [http://asx.abacast.com/centennial-wzzu-64.asx Listen Live]
owner = Red Zebra Broadcasting
website = [http://www.rocktheplanet.fm/ www.rocktheplanet.fm]
callsign_meaning =

WZZI and WZZU are pair of radio stations based in Roanoke and Lynchburg, Virginia. The stations are both known as The Planet and play a wide variety of rock music from the 70's to today. The stations' programming is based out of Centennial Broadcasting's main office in Lynchburg (home to sister station WLNI. They began broadcasting their current format in October, 2006 as an alternative to longtime Album Rock station WROV.

WZZI History

WZZI began broadcasting as Real Country 101.5, providing a third country music station for Roanoke along with WJLM and WYYD. The station was sold and switched to modern rock in 1999, separating itself from mainly classic rock WROV-FM and WBRW in Blacksburg. On February 9 2004, the station became an Oldies station calling itself Oldies 101.5 and later in November 2004, the station was sold and started calling itself Bob FM. The station performed marginally along with 97.9 in Lynchburg, and in 2006 the new owners attempted a broader-based rock format similar to WWWV in Charlottesville and WNOR in Norfolk. Red Zebra Broadcasting, based in Washington, D.C., took over operations of WZZI and WZZU effective July 1, 2008. The broadcaster is noted for its primary investor, Daniel Snyder, who is the owner of the Washington Redskins NFL franchise. [http://pressroom.vartv.com/] , VARTV.com Pressroom. Accessed July 3, 2008.]

WZZU History

WZZU-FM started operations in 1990 as oldies-based WGOL (Golden Oldies WGOL). The format performed well until the mid-1990s, when the owners flipped the station to Hot Adult Contemporary as WRVX 97.9 the River. The station simulcast WZZI for about a year from 2000-2001 as Z-101. In mid-2001, the station flipped to Oldies and later simulcast again with WZZI in 2004.

The Planet

The Planet was launched on WZZI and WZZU at 2:00 PM on October 11. It's WZZI office is locatedat 210 1st St SW # 240 in Roanoke, and it's WZZU office is located at 19 Wadsworth St # C in Lynchburg. It is one of two rock stations in the Lynchburg area. The other is 96.3 WROV, which focuses more on classic rock. The Planet promoted itself as having the largest rock collection in Central and Southwest Virginia. One of its commercials criticized another station for having a small selection of Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, and AC/DC. The commercial stated that "Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, and AC/DC each played more than three songs," which implied that the radio station it was criticizing was not playing enough variety. Other artists which are played on the planet include: the Police, Metallica, the Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin, Foo Fighters, Neil Young, Jane's Addiction, and others. However, while it is possible to hear a broad range of music on The Planet, WZZI more often than not plays more of the same as other rock stations. The afternoon host is Cody Gray, who also has his own blog on [http://www.theburg.com/index.php/blogit/category/the_cody_gray_blog/ www.The-Burg.com] . In addition to rock music, the station also broadcasts University of Virginia Sports Games and The Bob and Tom Show, a comedy show which includes comic skits and celebrity interviews. The Bob and Tom show airs every weekday from 6AM to 10 AM. It's music shows include Little Steven's Underground Garage (Sunday 9PM-11AM), hosted by former Bruce Springsteen guitarist, Steven Van Zandt; House of Hair (Thurs. 10PM-12AM), hosted by former Twisted Sister member, Dee Snider; and Uncle Scotty's Hot Tub (Saturday 8PM-1AM), hosted by Uncle Scotty, formerly of the band Overkill. Heidi Tate of WROV-FM fame joined The Planet on January 2 2008, hosting the 10AM-2PM shift. It has "Free Rides", ninety minutes without commercials, three times each weekday. It also has no repeat weekends where no song is repeated during that weekend. The management of The Planet includes Michael Williams, Business Manager; Sandi Conner, Promotions and Production Director; and Vice President of Operations, Bob Abbott. They also work as the management of BOB FM, an oldies in the area also owned by Centennial Broadcasting. Both stations run a series of commercials where business owners give testimonials encouraging others to advertise with The Planet or BOB FM.

Technical Specifications

The WZZI antennae broadcasts from 37 degrees 21' 5" North, 79 degrees 52' 01" West. The Effective Radiated Power is 0.51. The antennae make is SWR, the model is FMEC-2.

References

External links

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