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WMEZ

WMEZ
Broadcast area
Frequency94.1 MHz
BrandingHot 94.1
Programming
FormatRhythmic contemporary
Ownership
Owner
WCOA, WJTQ, WRRX, WXBM-FM
History
First air date
November 11, 1960; 64 years ago (1960-11-11)
Former call signs
WPEX-FM (1960–1972)
Call sign meaning
Station formerly broadcast easy listening music
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID73256
ClassC0
ERP77,000 watts
HAAT488 m (1,601 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
30°36′40″N 87°36′25″W / 30.611°N 87.607°W / 30.611; -87.607
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen live
Websitehot941pensacola.com

WMEZ (94.1 FM) is a radio station in the Pensacola, Florida, market owned by Cumulus Media Inc. through licensee Cumulus Licensing LLC. It broadcasts a rhythmic CHR format using the name "Hot 94.1". Its studios are in Pensacola, and its transmitter is near Robertsdale, Alabama.

History

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Mello-Tone, Inc., was formed and applied in March 1960 to build a new FM radio station in Pensacola. A construction permit was approved on June 23, 1960,[2] and WPEX-FM began broadcasting on November 11, 1960, with musical programming including classical and standards.[3] The license was acquired by Frederic T. C. Brewer in 1965;[2] Brewer owned an electronics shop and a background music business.[4] WPEX-FM became WMEZ on July 4, 1972,[2] and it continued the beautiful music format for more than 20 years. As late as 1989, it was the highest-rated station in Pensacola.[5]

In February 1997, Brewer sold WMEZ after 31 years to Patterson Broadcasting of Atlanta, its format having shifted to adult contemporary by 1992.[6][7] Two months later, Patterson Broadcasting agreed to be acquired by Capstar.[8]

Chancellor Media acquired Capstar for $4.1 billion in 1999, changed its name to AMFM, and then merged with Clear Channel Communications in a $23 billion transaction that October.[9] However, WMEZ and WXBM-FM were earmarked for divestiture to resolve antitrust concerns along with 70 other radio stations.[10] Clear Channel initially intended to sell the stations to Urban Radio, which fell apart; instead, Pamal Broadcasting acquired the pair for $43.95 million in October 2000.[11] Pamal then sold the two stations in 2012 to Cumulus Media for $6.5 million, allowing it to focus on its stations in New York state and Vermont.[12]

The adult contemporary format was dropped at noon on January 1, 2024, when WMEZ flipped to a rhythmic CHR format as "Hot 94.1".[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WMEZ". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ a b c "FCC History Cards for WMEZ". Federal Communications Commission.
  3. ^ "New-Type Radio Station Slates Opening Friday". The Pensacola Journal. November 10, 1960. p. 13C. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "It's been a great year! Engineering Helped Make It So". Pensacola News Journal. February 20, 1966. p. 7F. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Suchcicki, Mike (January 20, 1990). "Easy listening is tops in town". Pensacola News Journal. p. 1D. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Tom, Susan (February 5, 1997). "Different owners at WMEZ-FM, but music will remain the same". Pensacola News Journal. p. 8D. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Duncan, James H. Jr. (2004). "Pensacola" (PDF). An American Radio Trilogy, 1975 to 2004. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023 – via World Radio History.
  8. ^ Dietrich, R. Kevin (April 17, 1997). "Texas company makes deal to buy area radio stations". Pensacola News Journal. p. 8D. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Shweder, Jeremy (October 8, 1999). "Clear Channel-AMFM: What A Deal!" (PDF). Radio & Records. pp. 3, 40. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  10. ^ "Radio stations could get a new owner". Pensacola News Journal. March 7, 2000. p. 8D. Retrieved March 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Trust reducing portfolio" (PDF). Radio Business Report. October 2, 2000. p. 13. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  12. ^ Venta, Lance (May 8, 2012). "Cumulus Adds Two In Pensacola". RadioInsight. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  13. ^ Venta, Lance (January 1, 2024). "Cumulus Heats Up Pensacola". RadioInsight. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
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