WCSX

Infobox Radio station
name = WCSX


city = Birmingham, Michigan
area = [http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WCSX&service=FM&status=L&hours=U]
branding = 94.7 WCSX
slogan = The Motor City's Classic Rock Station
airdate =
frequency = 94.7 MHz HD Radio 94.7 HD-2: Deep Trax Classic Rock
format = Classic rock
erp = 13,500 watts
haat = 290 meters
class = B
facility_id = 25084
coordinates = coord|42|27|13|N|83|09|50|W|type:landmark
callsign_meaning = Clasicx
former_callsigns = WMJC (1976-3/14/87) WHNE (1973–1976) WHFI (1973)
owner = Greater Media
sister_stations = WMGC-FM, WRIF
webcast = [http://wcsx.com/wcsxlive.asx Listen Live] [http://www.wcsxdeeptrax.com/wcsxdeeptrax.asx WCSX "Deep Trax"]
website = [http://www.wcsx.com/ www.wcsx.com]
affiliations =

WCSX is a Detroit-based FM radio station broadcasting a classic rock format. WCSX's transmitter is located in suburban Oakland County in Royal Oak Township near the intersection of 8 Mile Rd. and Wyoming Avenue. WCSX transmits its signal from an antenna 951 feet in height with an effective radiated power of 13,500 watts. 5 other Detroit radio stations transmit their signal from the same tower as WCSX. The station is owned by Greater Media and is licensed to the Detroit suburb of Birmingham.

History

Whiffieland/Honey Radio

WCSX was originally home to WHFI ("Whiffieland"), featuring a MOR/adult contemporary format with disc jockeys such as Lee Alan (formerly of WXYZ-AM). In 1972, WHFI shifted to a syndicated, automated oldies format provided by Draper-Blore called "Olde Golde," featuring hits of the 1950s and 1960s (similar to Drake-Chenault's "Solid Gold" format except without the AC/MOR currents that the Solid Gold format played). The "Olde Golde" format evolved the following year into all-oldies WHNE, "Honey Radio." Sister station WQTE-AM 560 changed its calls to WHND and began shadowcasting the format in 1974; it would continue as "Honey Radio" until 1994, by which time 94.7 FM had gone through several changes. Honey Radio was originally automated using Drake-Chenault's "Classic Gold" format, but transitioned to live personalities (on AM 560 only) around 1980, by which time 94.7 FM had changed format.

Magic 95

In 1976, WHNE became WMJC, "Magic 95," with an adult contemporary format modeled after Greater Media's successful WMGK-FM in Philadelphia.

94.7 WCSX

By 1987, the adult-contemporary format in Detroit had become quite crowded; in addition to WMJC, Detroit had four other AC stations, WNIC, WOMC, WLTI, and WNTM, with WNIC and the oldies-based WOMC dominating in the format. In May 1987 Magic 95 switched its format to what became known as "classic rock" and changed their calls to what they are today. WCSX was one of the first radio stations in the United States to have a classic rock format; it is also one of very few nationwide to have endured with the classic rock format for over twenty years.

WCSX is licensed for HD Radio operations. Their HD broadcast, called "WCSX Deep Trax," plays classic rock album tracks. Both WCSX-FM and WCSX Deep Trax stream webcasts for internet listeners. WCSX's most played bands are classic rock staples The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Pink Floyd and hometown classic rockers such as Bob Seger and Ted Nugent. WCSX generally takes a softer, older-sounding approach to classic rock reminiscent of progressive and album-oriented rock radio of the 1970s, since sister station WRIF includes a good deal of harder classic rock titles in its playlist, including 1980s glam metal which WCSX generally does not play.

Summer 2008 Phase II Arbitron Rating: #13 (3.0)

Sources

* [http://www.michiguide.com/dials/rad-a/wcsx.html Michiguide.com - WCSX History]

External links

*FMQ|WCSX
*FML|WCSX
*FMARB|WCSX