 | |
| Broadcast area | Wilkes-Barre–Scranton |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 97.9MHz |
| Branding | 97.9 X |
| Programming | |
| Format | Active rock |
| Affiliations | Compass Media Networks |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| WBHT,WMGS,WSJR/WBHD | |
| History | |
First air date | July 9, 1949 (76 years ago) (1949-07-09) |
Former call signs | WAZL-FM (1949–1970) WVCD (1970–1985) WWSH (1985–1994) WZMT (1994–1997) WXBE (1997–2001) WAOZ (2001) |
Call sign meaning | Wilkes-Barre and Scranton's X |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 133 |
| Class | B |
| ERP | 6,300watts |
| HAAT | 407 meters |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | 979x.com |
WBSX (97.9FM) is aradio station licensed to the city ofHazleton, Pennsylvania, broadcasting to theScranton/Wilkes Barre/Hazleton radio market. WBSX airs anactive rockmusic format branded as "97-9 X" (pronounced as "Ninety-Seven Nine X").
The radio station began test broadcasts on May 6, 1949,[2] and started its official broadcasts on July 9,[3] asWAZL-FM, theFM sister station toWAZLAM also located in the city ofHazleton. During the early 1970s, the station switched to what was branded as a "beautiful music" format (which was a form ofEasy Listening orElevator Music) and the call signWVCD. The station was automated with no live DJs or announcers during this time. The station evolved their music format slightly by 1985 when the station changed call signs toWWSH and branded on air as "Wish 98". The station made a dramatic switch in 1994 to arock music format and another call sign change toWZMT to reflect the new on air branding as "The Mountain". In 1996, it was renamed "98 Rock". In 1997, underCitadel Broadcasting, the name changed to "The Bear", with the call lettersWXBE, and featuring the syndicatedHoward Stern Show in mornings. In October 2001, the station shifted to a format branded as "classic hard rock", name change to "Z-Rock", and call letters toWAOZ. 7 months later, in May 2002, the station returned to a more current-based rock format under the call sign ofWBSX, and branding as "97-9 X" with analternative rock format (which was moved over from93.7 FM). By2007, the station adopted its currentactive rock format. Citadel merged with Cumulus Media on September 16, 2011.[4]
97.9X is known for being the first commercial station to playBreaking Benjamin, who started in local Wilkes-Barre. The station's Breaking Benjamin promotion is also briefly featured in Breaking Benjamin's video for "Breath", which was recorded atStabler Arena inLehigh Valley,Pennsylvania in early 2007.[5]
41°04′55″N75°56′55″W / 41.081944°N 75.948611°W /41.081944; -75.948611