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|---|---|
| Broadcast area | |
| Frequency | 97.3MHz |
| Branding | 97.3 Kiss FM |
| Programming | |
| Format | Contemporary hits |
| Affiliations | Premiere Networks Westwood One |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| WLVH,WQBT,WSOK,WTKS,WYKZ | |
| History | |
First air date | February 4, 1969 (1969-02-04) |
Former call signs | WXLM (1969–1980) |
Call sign meaning | Former "wave" branding |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 50403 |
| Class | C0 |
| ERP | 100,000 watts |
| HAAT | 396 meters (1,299 ft) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen live (viaiHeartRadio) |
| Website | 973kissfm |
WAEV (97.3FM, "97.3 Kiss FM") is a commercialradio station licensed toSavannah, Georgia, United States. Owned byiHeartMedia, it broadcasts acontemporary hits format using the "KISS-FM" brand. The studios and offices are on Alfred Street inGarden City, using a Savannah address.
WAEV's transmitter is sited on Fort Argyle Road (Georgia SR 204) nearBloomingdale, Georgia.[2]
The station signed on the air on February 4, 1969.[3] The original call sign was WXLM. It played aneasy listening format, a mix of instrumentalcover versions of popular hits along with soft vocals. It was largely automated. WXLM was a rare stand-alone FM station, with no co-ownership with an AM station, television station or newspaper.
In September 1977, the station flipped toAlbum Rock in response to rival station WTOC starting a highly successful overnight album rock program in 1976. Before this, Savannah had been without a rock station sinceWEAS-FM flipped in the early 1970s. WXLM 97.3 went by the name "97 Rock." The station played long sets of rock music, includingThe Beatles,The Rolling Stones,Creedence Clearwater Revival andThe Who.
In 1980, the station flipped toadult contemporary music, calling itself "Wave 97". It took new call letters, WAEV. When "WXLM 97 Rock" left the air, Savannah did not have a rock station untilWIXV picked up the format in 1986. WAEV picked up the tempo and evolved into ahot adult contemporary station as "Mix 97.3" in 1993.
After several years of falling ratings and revenue in the early 2000s, the station rebranded to a Top 40—Contemporary Hits sound. It began using theKISS-FM branding in December 2001, common on otherClear Channel Communications FM stations such asKIIS-FMLos Angeles andKHKSDallas. It picked upThe Kidd Kraddick Morning Show from KHKS for its wake up program. After several months of further format "tweaking", the station moved into a mainstream mix of Top 40 hits.
32°02′46″N81°20′26″W / 32.046028°N 81.340667°W /32.046028; -81.340667