 | |
| Broadcast area | Wilmington, North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 107.5MHz |
| Branding | Z1075 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Top 40 (CHR) |
| Affiliations | Premiere Networks |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Sunrise Broadcasting, LLC |
| WKXB,WILT,WMFD,WRMR | |
| History | |
First air date | April 15, 1978 (as WLCF at 107.1) |
Former call signs | WLCF (1978–1983) WJYW (1983–1988) WSFM (1988–2004) |
Former frequencies | 107.1 MHz (1978–1988) |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 59480 |
| Class | C2 |
| ERP | 21,000watts |
| HAAT | 234 meters |
Transmitter coordinates | 34°14′37″N78°07′24″W / 34.24361°N 78.12333°W /34.24361; -78.12333 |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | z1075.com |
WAZO (107.5FM, "Z107.5") is aradio station broadcasting aTop 40 (CHR) format.[2] Licensed toSouthport, North Carolina, United States, the station serves the Wilmington area.[3] WAZO is currently owned by Sunrise Broadcasting, LLC.
For many years,WJYW "Joy 107" inSouthport, North Carolina, playedbeautiful music. The format had a negative reputation as one intended only for older listeners, intended only as background music.[4]
In February 1986, Will Bowen became WJYW station manager, and soon the station was successful with a new version ofeasy listening music, with "ultra-contemporary" fromBonneville Broadcasting replacing "matched flow". The target audience was 25-54, with more vocals and more instrumental versions of newer songs. The station also had more live DJs. Bowen said, "We'renot an easy listening station. We're aradio station that happens to play easy listening music."
In 1986, the "Year of Relaxation" won WJYW a national award for creativity. Owner Atlantic Broadcasting, which took over the station when it was having problems, asked for a power increase from 3,000 to 50,000 watts. By this time, the station offices were in Wilmington.[4]
In the late 1980s, WJYW changed its name toWSFM "Surf 107.5", and changed its format toalbum oriented rock. During the 1990s, Surf 107.5 changed toalternative rock.
The local "Morning Disaster with Bryan & Jim," featuring Bryan Keith and Jim Whitmeyer, aired on WSFM for more than ten years. Then owner Sea-Comm moved the show to Classic Rock sisterWBNE when Surf signed the syndicated "Lex and Terry".
In July 2004,NextMedia Group purchased WRQR, WAZO, and WMFD from Ocean Broadcasting, andWKXB andWSFM from Sea-Comm Inc.[5] The sale meant WSFM and WAZO would trade frequencies. JoJo, Jamie and Flave ofWERO (Bob 93.3) (also owned by NextMedia at the time) inGreenville, North Carolina joined what was now Z1075.[6]
In July 2008, Capitol Broadcasting announced its purchase of NextMedia's Wilmington stations.[7]
On July 31, 2009 the station increasedeffective radiated power to 75,000 watts.