WENZ, also known as "Z107.9", is a Mainstream Urban radio station that features hip-hop and R&B; and serves the Cleveland, Ohio area.
The station, which debuted on April 5, 1958 as WNOB FM (Northern Ohio Broadcasting), was started by several people from WNEW in New York. When the companion AM license was not granted, the station found itself in a precarious position, because stand alone FM stations in the 1950's did not make money.
In 1961, the s...
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WENZ, also known as "Z107.9", is a Mainstream Urban radio station that features hip-hop and R&B; and serves the Cleveland, Ohio area.
The station, which debuted on April 5, 1958 as WNOB FM (Northern Ohio Broadcasting), was started by several people from WNEW in New York. When the companion AM license was not granted, the station found itself in a precarious position, because stand alone FM stations in the 1950's did not make money.
In 1961, the station filed for bankruptcy and a machine operator, Mr. Phillip Kerwin, purchased WNOB for $16,000. In 1963, WNOB became one of the first FM stations in the country to broadcast in stereo.In 1968 the signal was upgraded, the station purchased a new transmitter and antenna system. Two years later, in 1970, Multicom Inc. (owner of WELW AM 1330 in Willoughby) purchased the station for $330,000. The call letters were then changed to WELW FM. WELW played a top 40 Drake type format for almost two years, then switched to country music.
In 1975,...
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