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|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| Frequency | 95.7MHz (HD Radio) |
| Branding | Mix 95.7 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Hot adult contemporary |
| Subchannels | HD2:Simulcast ofWSLI-FMSmile FM (contemporary Christian) |
| Affiliations | Compass Media Networks |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
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| History | |
First air date | February 26,1962 (as WKLW) |
Former call signs |
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Call sign meaning | "Light music" (previous format) |
| Technical information | |
| Facility ID | 37457 |
| Class | B |
| ERP | 40,000 watts |
| HAAT | 168 meters (551 ft) |
| Translators |
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| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen live |
| Website | mix957gr |
WLHT-FM (95.7MHz) is ahot adult contemporary music formatted radio station inGrand Rapids, Michigan, owned byTownsquare Media. WLHT's studios are located on Ottawa Avenue Northwest in downtown Grand Rapids, while its transmitter is located inComstock Park.
WLHT-FM is also licensed forHD Radio operation, and featuresWSLI-FM on its HD-2 subchannel.[1]
The station signed on the same day as WOOD-FM (nowWSRW-FM) in 1962. The original call letters of 95.7 FM were WKLW. In the mid-1960s, the station came into common ownership withWZZM-TV Channel 13 and became WZZM-FM, an example of the call letters and rounded frequency number both formingambigrams as "96 WZZM". By 1967, the station was block-programmed, withcountry music in the morning,Top 40 music in afternoon drive, andmiddle of the road music at night. Then, in 1968, WZZM-FM converted its format to full-time Top 40. WZZM-FM "Z96" was one of the first FM Top 40s in Michigan to pose a serious challenge to its AM competition: by the end of 1970 it was ahead ofWLAV (1340 AM) andWGRD (1410 AM) in several dayparts, including at night, when the AM competition either had poor signals or was off the air, and on the weekends.
In 1971, WZZM-FM picked up a serious competitor whenWGRD added an FM signal at 97.9 (formerly WXTO). The reborn WGRD was an instant success. WZZM reacted by evolving its format into a Top 40/AOR hybrid better known asCHR, and then in 1972, into a Top 40/oldies hybrid. The station gained a "second wind" of sorts and posted a #1 12+ Arbitron showing in Grand Rapids in the summer of 1973, but ratings quickly dropped off again afterwards. In 1977, WZZM-FM changed its calls to WZZR and adopted the nameRockradio Z96 (and using the sloganThe Wizard of Rock 'n' Roll). WZZR continued to struggle through the rest of the 1970s and into the 1980s, shifting back and forth between Top 40/"adult contemporary. In 1983, WZZR tweaked its format from CHR into a "Rock of the Eighties" format, but ratings remained low.
In 1984, WZZR became WLHT and switched to adult contemporary. Once again, 95.7 FM was a pioneer in the market in terms of trying a new format, and once again, its pioneering spirit led to success and acclaim. In 1998 WLHT was named AC station of the year at theMarconi Award ceremonies.Two years later Regent Communications (now Townsquare Media) purchased the station, along with sister stations WGRD-FM, WNWZ, and WTRV.
On April 14, 2006, husband and wife morning team Dave Jagger and Geri Jarvis announced that they would host their final morning show on April 21 after twenty years on the air on W-Lite. They were replaced April 24, 2006, by Denis Pryor and Nanette in morning drive. At the same time, the station re-branded from "95.7 W-Lite" to "Lite Rock 95.7" (but reverted to the "W-Lite" name afterward). WLHT's music rotation also became slightly brighter and more rock-based than previously.
By August2009, WLHT had moved its format towardhot AC (of whichWMAX-FM used to carry until2008), and its previous mainstream AC format had shifted to sister station WTRV, which previously had aired aMOR/soft AC mix. As a result, WLHT-FM had been leaningadult top 40 until the station dropped AC in 2009 (a similar situation done atadult top 40-leaning ACs such asWNIC in Detroit). Also in 2009, formerWOOD-TV news personality Gerry Barnaby took over the morning show.
On October 11, 2010, WLHT re-branded asChannel 95-7 and completed its shift to a hot AC format. The format change brought changes to the station's on-air lineup as well. Channel 95-7 addedThe Kidd Kraddick Morning Show, giving the station a syndicated morning show for the first time in its history, but was cancelled in October 2012 to be replaced by former Madison, WI morning show "Connie and Fish." - and midday host Kim Carson (a veteran of Detroit radio) moved to WTRV, with Wendy Reed, who had formerly held the same shift at WTRV, taking her place.
On November 6, 2017, WLHT-FM rebranded asMix 95.7, with no change in format.[2]
43°01′59″N85°41′46″W / 43.033°N 85.696°W /43.033; -85.696