| |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Memphis metropolitan area |
| Frequency | 1430kHz |
| Branding | Radio Pig |
| Programming | |
| Language | English |
| Format | Adult album alternative |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Flinn Broadcasting Corporation |
| History | |
First air date | October 29, 1955 (69 years ago) (1955-10-29)[1] |
Former call signs |
|
Call sign meaning | derived from "wow" |
| Technical information[2] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 21728 |
| Class | B |
| Power | 2,500 watts |
Transmitter coordinates | 35°12′50″N89°47′46″W / 35.21389°N 89.79611°W /35.21389; -89.79611 |
| Translator(s) | 97.7 W249BN (Memphis) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen live |
| Website | radiopig |
WOWW (1430kHz) is a commercialAM radio stationlicensed toGermantown, Tennessee, and serving theMemphis metropolitan area. WOWW carries anadult album alternativeformat and calls itself "Radio Pig". It is owned and operated by Flinn Broadcasting Corporation.[3] The station's studios and offices are inSouthaven, Mississippi.
WOWW is powered at 2,500 watts. At night, to protect other stations on1430 AM, WOWW uses adirectional antenna with a six-tower array. Thetransmitter is off Orgill Road inBartlett, Tennessee.[4] Programming is also heard on anFM translator: 220 watt W249BN at 97.7MHz in Memphis.[5]
On October 29, 1955, the stationsigned on as WHER, a pioneering station with an all-female air staff, including broadcasterVida Jane Butler.[1][6] The radio station was the brainchild ofSam Phillips, who used a portion of the $35,000 he made from the sale ofElvis Presley's recording contract toRCA Records to finance the station.[1][7] A portion of the balance of the funding came fromHoliday Inn founderKemmons Wilson, who also provided the station's first home, in a part of the third Holiday Inn ever built.[1][7] It airedlight music and had the slogan "1,000 Beautiful Watts".[1] The licensee was Tri-State Broadcasting Service, initially owned by Phillips, Clarence A. Camp, and James E. Connolly.[8]
In the early 1970s, WHER went to a mixed-gender air staff and became talk station WWEE. The station gave birth to the longest running sports talk show "SportsLine" (now called "SportsTime"). "SportsLine" went on the air in 1972.[citation needed]Notable former staff members include Marge Thrasher, Bill Thomas, George Lapides, Dick Palmer, Jim Fields, and Jeff Weinberger.[citation needed]
In 1981, the Phillips family bought out the other owners of Tri-State Broadcasting Service, becoming known as the Big River Broadcasting Corporation. Big River liquidated in 1986, selling WWEE to the Ardman Broadcasting Corporation of Tennessee. In 1989, after seven months spent simulcasting co-owned WEZI (nowWMLE) with the same call sign, Ardman relaunched the station as WNWZ. Flinn bought the station in 1993, changing the call sign to WOWW in 1997.
On February 15, 1997, WOWW flipped from adult standards toRadio AAHS, achildren's radio format. Due to Radio AAHS ceasing operations on January 30, 1998, the station switched to atalk radio format. In September 1999, WOWW changed their format to urban gospel, becoming anaffiliate ofABC Radio'sRejoice! Musical Soul Food. After later shifting to anoldies and classical music format, WOWW returned to a children's format withRadio Disney with acontemporary hit radio format on April 6, 2000.
On March 12, 2012, WOWW dropped Radio Disney after nearly 12 years in favor of aall-news radio format.
On April 10, 2013, WOWW changed their format to country, simulcastingWEBL 95.3 FM.[9]
On June 21, 2013, WUMY dropped itsclassic country format forvariety hits as "97.7 Guess FM".[10]
On January 2, 2014, WOWW began stunting, directing listeners toWUMY 830 AM Memphis, Tennessee, which took over the "Guess FM" variety hits format.[11]
A few days later, WOWW changed their format to country, branded as "The Rebel", simulcastingWEBL 95.3 FM Coldwater, MS.
On August 6, 2018, WOWW changed their format to classic hits, branded as "97.7 Guess FM".[12]
On May 13, 2022, at noon, WOWW changed their format from classic hits to Top 40/CHR, branded as "B97.7". This returned the station to playing current Top 40 music on this frequency for the first time since Radio Disney in 2006, which also carried a similar format.[13]
On July 4, 2023, WOWW changed their format from Top 40/CHR to adult album alternative, branded as "Radio Pig".[14]
In addition to the main station, WOWW is relayed by an FM translator to widen its broadcast area. It also provides the listener withhigh fidelity/stereophonic sound.
| Call sign | Frequency | City of license | FID | ERP (W) | HAAT | Class | FCC info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W249BN | 97.7 FM | Memphis, Tennessee | 139990 | 220 | 223.4 m (733 ft) | D | LMS |
