 | |
| Broadcast area | Metrolina |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 100.9MHz (HD Radio) |
| Branding | Praise 100.9 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Urban gospel |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| WBT,WBT-FM,WFNZ,WFNZ-FM,WOSF,WLNK | |
| History | |
First air date | 1958; 67 years ago (1958) |
Former call signs |
|
Call sign meaning | "Praise" |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 52553 |
| Class | A |
| ERP | 5,200 watts |
| HAAT | 107 meters (351 ft) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen live |
| Website | praisecharlotte |
WPZS (100.9FM) is anurban gospel music station located inCharlotte, North Carolina[2] but licensed toIndian Trail. The station is currently owned & operated by Urban One. It carries the syndicatedYolanda Adams Morning Show.[3] The station's studios are located in Southwest Charlotte near Carowinds, and the transmitter site is inMatthews near the intersection of NC 51 and Monroe Road.
The station was located inAlbemarle, North Carolina for many years, where it was called WABZ-FM.
Ted Bell hosted "Saturday Night Music Machine" while at WABZ-FM, interviewingNeil Sedaka,Debbie Reynolds,Freddie Cannon,George Burns,[4]Phil Everly,Teresa Brewer,Tiny Tim, andGene McDaniels. The show, which Bell hosted until 1982, featured stars such asBobby Rydell andChubby Checker. Bell also askedJohnny Olson ofThe Price Is Right to do station IDs.[citation needed]
Bill and Susi Norman, owners ofWZKY andWXLX, bought WABZ December 28, 1993 (Jenni Communications Inc. was named for their 10-year-old daughter) from Piedmont Crescent Communications.[5]
"Inspiration 100.9" played "Southern Gospel Music of today, yesterday and all the favorites", along with theTrading Post, local sports andministry programs. Johnny Caudle hosted the morning show from 1995 until 2000.[6]
In 2004, WABZ moved to its current city of license and changed its letters and format, giving grade A signal quality to theCharlotte area.[citation needed] Radio One, Inc. announced on November 16 that it had purchased WPZS for $11.5 million and moved it to the company's Charlotte facilities. The company already operated WPZS under anLMA earlier in the month, changing the format toUrban contemporary gospel.[7]
On August 31, 2011, Radio One announced its intention to sell off their Charlotte stations to Davis Broadcasting,[8] but in April 2012 the deal fell through and Radio One decided to keep the stations.[9]
On September 13, 2012, at Midnight, WPZS began simulcasting sisterWQNC. WQNC and WPZS also swapped call letters on the same day.[10][11][12] The two stations provide a strong combined signal with 60 percent overlap. The simulcast ended on August 14, 2015, with 100.9 reverting to the callsign WPZS.
35°16′19″N80°45′54″W / 35.272°N 80.765°W /35.272; -80.765