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| name = WENZ
| name = WENZ
| logo = WENZ logo.png
| logo = WENZ logo.png
| city = [[Cleveland|Cleveland, Ohio]]
| city = [[Cleveland, Ohio]]
| country = US
| area = {{ubl|[[Greater Cleveland]]|[[Northeast Ohio]]}}
| area = {{ubl|[[Greater Cleveland]]|[[Northeast Ohio]]}}
| branding = Z 107.9
| branding = Z 107.9
| frequency = {{Frequency|107.9|[[Hertz#SI multiples|MHz]]}} {{HD Radio}}
| frequency = {{Frequency|107.9|[[Hertz#SI multiples|MHz]]}} {{HD Radio}}
| translator = HD2: {{Radio Relay|94.5|W233CG|[[Cleveland]]}}
| airdate = {{start date and age|1958|04|05|p=y|br=yes}}
| airdate = {{start date and age|1958|04|05|p=y|br=yes}}
| format = [[Mainstream urban]]
| format = [[Mainstream urban]]
| subchannels = HD2: [[Urban contemporary gospel|Urban gospel]] ([[WJMO]])
| subchannels = HD2: [[Urban contemporary gospel|Urban gospel]]
| erp = 16,000 [[watt]]s (horizontal)<br />15,000 watts (vertical)
| erp = 16,000 [[watt]]s (horizontal)<br />15,000 watts (vertical)
| haat = {{convert|272|m|sp=us}}
| haat = {{convert|272|m|sp=us}}
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}}
}}


'''WENZ''' (107.9 [[FM broadcasting|FM]]) is a commercial [[mainstream urban]] [[radio station]] that primarily play Hip-Hop music, which is licensed to [[Cleveland|Cleveland, Ohio]], serving [[Greater Cleveland]] and much of surrounding [[Northeast Ohio]]. The station is owned by [[Urban One]] since 1999, its studios are located along the [[Euclid Avenue (Cleveland)|Euclid Avenue Corridor]] in Cleveland's eastside, while the station transmitter resides in [[Russell Township, Geauga County, Ohio|Russell Township]] in [[Geauga County, Ohio|Geauga County]]. Besides a standard [[analog transmission]], WENZ broadcasts over two [[HD Radio]] channels, and is available online.<ref>http://hdradio.com/station_guides/widget.php?id=70 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927164624/http://hdradio.com/station_guides/widget.php?id=70 |date=2015-09-27 }} Cleveland HD Radio Guide</ref> WENZ was the official first urban contemporary radio station in the market in the city [[Cleveland]], [[Ohio|Ohio.]]
'''WENZ''' (107.9 [[FM broadcasting|FM]]) is a commercial [[mainstream urban]] [[radio station]] licensed to [[Cleveland|Cleveland, Ohio]], serving [[Greater Cleveland]] and much of surrounding [[Northeast Ohio]]. The station is owned by [[Urban One]] since 1999, its studios are located on Oak Tree Blvd in the former [[iHeartMedia]] facility and studios in [[Independence|Independence, Ohio]], while the station transmitter resides in [[Russell Township, Geauga County, Ohio|Russell Township]] in [[Geauga County, Ohio|Geauga County]]. Besides a standard [[analog transmission]], WENZ broadcasts over two [[HD Radio]] channels, and is available online.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cleveland, Ohio Radio Guides |url=http://hdradio.com/station_guides/widget.php?id=70 |website=hdradio.com}}</ref> WENZ was the official first Hip-Hop urban contemporary radio station in the market in the city [[Cleveland]], [[Ohio]].


==History==
==History==
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===Disco 108 WDMT/FM 108 WDMT Your Power Station===
===Disco 108 WDMT/FM 108 WDMT Your Power Station===
In 1975, [[Beasley Broadcast Group]] purchased the station from Multicom for $550,000, and changed the call letters to WDMT (which is short for "We're DynoMite!", "Dynomite!" being a well-known catchphrase by comic and actor [[Jimmie Walker|Jimmie "Kid Dynomite" Walker]] on the popular TV sitcom ''[[Good Times]]''). The next year, the station switched to the then-popular [[Disco]] format and took the moniker "Disco 108 WDMT." But by 1978, WDMT evolved to a hybrid [[Contemporary Hit Radio|CHR]]/[[Urban Contemporary|UC]] format also known as "CHUrban" (which would be the forerunner to what is now known as [[Rhythmic contemporary]]) as "FM 108 WDMT Your Power Station". WDMT was Cleveland's first-ever CHUrban radio station.
In 1975, [[Beasley Broadcast Group]] purchased the station from Multicom for $550,000, and changed the call letters to WDMT (which is short for "We're DynoMite!", "Dynomite!" being a well-known catchphrase by comic and actor [[Jimmie Walker|Jimmie "Kid Dynomite" Walker]] on the popular TV sitcom ''[[Good Times]]''). The next year, the station switched to the then-popular [[Disco]] format and took the moniker "Disco 108 WDMT." By 1978, WDMT evolved to a hybrid [[Contemporary Hit Radio|CHR]]/[[Urban Contemporary]] format, also known as "CHUrban" (which would be the forerunner to what is now known as [[Rhythmic contemporary]]), as "FM 108 WDMT Your Power Station". WDMT was Cleveland's first-ever CHUrban radio station.


During the WDMT era the station aired "The WDMT's Club Style", where street DJs from Cleveland received opportunities to mix live on the air. Caroline Ford, Freddie James, Steve Szabo, Brenda & Michael Love, Matthew Morgan, Lady Skill, Hot Rod See, with Dean Rufus, and the legendary Ronnie "The Ghoul" Sweed were popular WDMT DJs during this period. In 1985, the entire WDMT air staff appeared with [[Arsenio Hall]] on the first 'Urban Music Awards' show.
During the WDMT era the station aired "The WDMT's Club Style", where street DJs from Cleveland received opportunities to mix live on the air. Caroline Ford, Freddie James, Steve Szabo, Brenda & Michael Love, Matthew Morgan, Lady Skill, Hot Rod See, with Dean Rufus, and the legendary Ronnie "The Ghoul" Sweed were popular WDMT DJs during this period. In 1985, the entire WDMT air staff appeared with [[Arsenio Hall]] on the first 'Urban Music Awards' show.

<!--The station's early disco and '80s CHUrban format can be heard online at [http://www.fm108wdmt.com www.fm108wdmt.com], which is a tribute to the station's heritage from 1975 to 1986. Many of the former disc jockeys have cut liners for the online station.-->


===Power 108 FM===
===Power 108 FM===
[[File:Power 108.png|173px|thumb|left|Power&nbsp;108 logo]]
[[File:Power 108.png|173px|thumb|left|Power&nbsp;108 logo]]
On April 9, 1987, the station changed call letters to WPHR, shifted to a [[Mainstream Top 40|Top 40]]/[[Contemporary Hit Radio|CHR]] format, and rebranded as "Power 108 FM".<ref>http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1980s/1987/RR-1987-04-10.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref> In 1988, the station was sold to Ardman Broadcasting for $2.8 million. "Power Jocks" during this period included Program Director and DJ Big Steve "Kelly" Szabo, Calvin Hicks, Jimmy Bosh, Maria Farina, Elizabeth "Liz" Luke, [[John Landecker|John Records Landecker]], [[Gina St. John]], Cat Thomas, Rick Michaels, Cathy Cruise, Scotty James, Mark Allen, Edward "Downtown Eddie" Brown, with James "Jammin' Jimmy" Hart, and Sonny Joe Fox among others. WPHR moved its studios to [[Playhouse Square]] in late 1988.
On April 9, 1987, the station changed call letters to WPHR, shifted to a [[Mainstream Top 40|Top 40]]/[[Contemporary Hit Radio|CHR]] format, and rebranded as "Power 108 FM".<ref>Debbi Snook, "Fox premiere mixes laughs, sneers," ''The Plain Dealer'', April 4, 1987.</ref><ref>Debbi Snook, "Rumors of Channel 8 sale bring cautionary reply by boss," ''The Plain Dealer'', April 9, 1987.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=RR-1987-04-10 |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1980s/1987/RR-1987-04-10.pdf |website=americanradiohistory.com}}</ref> In 1988, the station was sold to Ardman Broadcasting for $2.8 million. "Power Jocks" during this period included Program Director and DJ Big Steve "Kelly" Szabo, Calvin Hicks, Jimmy Bosh, Maria Farina, Elizabeth "Liz" Luke, [[John Landecker|John Records Landecker]], [[Gina St. John]], Cat Thomas, Rick Michaels, Cathy Cruise, Scotty James, Mark Allen, Edward "Downtown Eddie" Brown, with James "Jammin' Jimmy" Hart, and Sonny Joe Fox among others. WPHR moved its studios to [[Playhouse Square]] in late 1988.
{{Clearleft}}
{{Clearleft}}


===107.9 The End===
===107.9 The End===
[[File:107.9 The END logo.png|156px|thumb|107.9 The End logo]]
[[File:107.9 The END logo.png|156px|thumb|107.9 The End logo]]
On May 12, 1992, the station changed its callsign to WENZ and flipped its format to [[Modern rock|alternative rock]], branding itself as "107.9 The End".<ref>http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1992/RR-1992-05-15.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref> Both the branding and callsign reflected the station's position on the FM dial. In March 1996, Ardman would sell the station to [[IHeartMedia|Clear Channel Communications]]. Both the inception and the demise of The End were [[Stunting (broadcasting)|stunted]]: with both format changes, the station broadcast a 24-hour loop of [[R.E.M.]]'s song "[[It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)]]". A documentary film made about The End, entitled ''The End of the World As We Knew It'', was released in 2009 and featured many of the former staffers and jocks.<ref>{{Citation|title=The End of the World as We Knew It|date=14 June 2008|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1384803/|access-date=2020-01-02}}</ref> On February 25, 2020, "The End" was re-launched as an internet radio station under the management of former station producer, Dan Binder.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2020/02/25/1079-the-end-relaunches-as-an-internet-radio-station|title = 107.9 the End Relaunches as an Internet Radio Station}}</ref>
On May 12, 1992, the station changed its callsign to WENZ and flipped its format to [[Modern rock|alternative rock]], branding itself as "107.9 The End".<ref>Roberto Santiago, "Today is beginning of The End in radio," ''The Plain Dealer'', May 12, 1992.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=RR-1992-05-15 |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1992/RR-1992-05-15.pdf |website=americanradiohistory.com}}</ref> Both the branding and callsign reflected the station's position on the FM dial. In March 1996, Ardman would sell the station to [[IHeartMedia|Clear Channel Communications]]. Both the inception and the demise of The End were [[Stunting (broadcasting)|stunted]]: with both format changes, the station broadcast a 24-hour loop of [[R.E.M.]]'s song "[[It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)]]". A documentary film made about The End, entitled ''The End of the World As We Knew It'', was released in 2009 and featured many of the former staffers and jocks.<ref>{{Citation|title=The End of the World as We Knew It|date=14 June 2008|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1384803/|access-date=2020-01-02}}</ref> On February 25, 2020, "The End" was re-launched as an internet radio station under the management of former station producer, Dan Binder.<ref>{{Cite web |title=107.9 the End Relaunches as an Internet Radio Station |url=https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2020/02/25/1079-the-end-relaunches-as-an-internet-radio-station |website=clevescene.com}}</ref>
{{Clearleft}}
{{Clearleft}}


===Z 107.9 Hip-Hop ===
=== Z 107.9 Hip-Hop ===
As part of divestitures required by federal agencies to approve Clear Channel's purchase of [[Jacor]], WENZ was purchased by [[Urban One|Radio One]] on January 15, 1999. Radio One's station portfolio and programming philosophy targeted [[African American]] communities. As a result, WENZ dropped their modern rock format for [[mainstream urban]] featuring [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]] and [[R&B]] on May 14, 1999, taking the "KISS 107.9" brand.<ref>http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1999/RR-1999-05-21.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref><ref name="PlainD19990519p2E">{{Cite news |last=Feran |first=Tom |date=May 19, 1999 |title=WJMO gives up soul for gospel |page=2E |work=[[The Plain Dealer]] |location=Cleveland, Ohio |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80D3C45AEBAAFF |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=March 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329015022/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F80D3C45AEBAAFF&f=basic |archive-date=March 29, 2022 |via=NewsBank}}</ref> One week later, [[Lorain, Ohio|Lorain]]–licensed [[WCPN#WAKS|WZLE ({{Frequency|104.9|FM}})]], itself now under Clear Channel ownership, switched formats from [[Contemporary Christian music|Contemporary Christian]] to CHR as "Kiss 104.9",<ref name="PlainD19990522p5B">{{Cite news |last=O'Connor |first=Clint |date=May 22, 1999 |title=Different tunes found on familiar radio dials |page=5B |work=[[The Plain Dealer]] |location=Cleveland, Ohio |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80D3D5DD6E4150 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=March 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329015022/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F80D3D5DD6E4150&f=basic |archive-date=March 29, 2022 |via=NewsBank}}</ref> then filed a [[cease and desist]] order against Radio One for usage of the [[KISS-FM (brand)|"KISS-FM" brand]], which Clear Channel claimed ownership of in the state of Ohio.<ref name="PlainD19990526p1E">{{cite news |author=Feran |first=Tom |date=May 26, 1999 |title=One station may have to kiss name goodbye |page=1E |newspaper=[[The Plain Dealer]] |location=Cleveland, Ohio |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80D3F05A747711 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=March 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329015024/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F80D3F05A747711&f=basic |archive-date=March 29, 2022 |via=NewsBank}}</ref> WENZ rebranded to "Z 107.9" on September 1, 1999, resolving the dispute.<ref name="PlainD19990925p6E">{{cite news |author=Feran |first=Tom |date=September 25, 1999 |title=Swoboda backs to news as anchor on TV-5 at 11 |page=6E |newspaper=[[The Plain Dealer]] |location=Cleveland, Ohio |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F34546C21CE32E4 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=March 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329015023/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F34546C21CE32E4&f=basic |archive-date=March 29, 2022 |via=NewsBank}}</ref> Radio One was renamed Urban One in May 2018.
As part of divestitures required by federal agencies to approve Clear Channel's purchase of [[Jacor]], WENZ was purchased by [[Urban One|Radio One]] on January 15, 1999. Radio One's station portfolio and programming philosophy targeted [[African American]] communities. As a result, WENZ dropped their modern rock format for [[mainstream urban]] featuring [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]] and [[R&B]] on May 14, 1999, taking the "KISS 107.9" brand.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RR-1999-05-21 |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1999/RR-1999-05-21.pdf |website=americanradiohistory.com}}</ref><ref name="PlainD19990519p2E">{{Cite news |last=Feran |first=Tom |date=May 19, 1999 |title=WJMO gives up soul for gospel |page=2E |work=[[The Plain Dealer]] |location=Cleveland, Ohio |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80D3C45AEBAAFF |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=March 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329015022/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F80D3C45AEBAAFF&f=basic |archive-date=March 29, 2022 |via=NewsBank}}</ref> One week later, [[Lorain, Ohio|Lorain]]–licensed [[WCPN#WAKS|WZLE ({{Frequency|104.9|FM}})]], itself now under Clear Channel ownership, switched formats from [[Contemporary Christian music|Contemporary Christian]] to CHR as "Kiss 104.9",<ref name="PlainD19990522p5B">{{Cite news |last=O'Connor |first=Clint |date=May 22, 1999 |title=Different tunes found on familiar radio dials |page=5B |work=[[The Plain Dealer]] |location=Cleveland, Ohio |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80D3D5DD6E4150 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=March 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329015022/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F80D3D5DD6E4150&f=basic |archive-date=March 29, 2022 |via=NewsBank}}</ref> then filed a [[cease and desist]] order against Radio One for usage of the [[KISS-FM (brand)|"KISS-FM" brand]], which Clear Channel claimed ownership of in the state of Ohio.<ref name="PlainD19990526p1E">{{cite news |author=Feran |first=Tom |date=May 26, 1999 |title=One station may have to kiss name goodbye |page=1E |newspaper=[[The Plain Dealer]] |location=Cleveland, Ohio |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80D3F05A747711 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=March 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329015024/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F80D3F05A747711&f=basic |archive-date=March 29, 2022 |via=NewsBank}}</ref> WENZ rebranded to "Z 107.9" on September 1, 1999, resolving the dispute.<ref name="PlainD19990925p6E">{{cite news |author=Feran |first=Tom |date=September 25, 1999 |title=Swoboda backs to news as anchor on TV-5 at 11 |page=6E |newspaper=[[The Plain Dealer]] |location=Cleveland, Ohio |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F34546C21CE32E4 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=March 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329015023/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&docref=news/0F34546C21CE32E4&f=basic |archive-date=March 29, 2022 |via=NewsBank}}</ref> Radio One was renamed Urban One in May 2018.

In 2023 we know they push the COVID 19 vaccines and boosters.


==Current programming==
==Current programming==
WENZ is the Cleveland affiliate of the nationally syndicated ''Morning Hustle'' (via [[Radio One (company)|Syndication One]]).<ref>[http://www.news.radio-online.com/articles/c40718/WENZ-FM-(Z1079)-Cleveland-Announces-New-2020-Lineup WENZ announces new 2020 lineup]</ref> The rest of the day features local programs - including ''The Micah Dixon Show'' middays, ''The Day Party'' with Ro Digga and DJ Ryan Wolf afternoons, and Urban One syndicated ''Posted On The Corner'' with Incognito evenings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zhiphopcleveland.com/schedule/ |title=Show Schedules &#124; Z 107.9 |publisher=Zhiphopcleveland.com |access-date=2013-04-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radio-info.com/news/rickey-smiley-morning-show-debuts-in-cleveland|title=Rickey Smiley Morning Show debuts in Cleveland|date=June 7, 2010|work=Radio-Info.com|access-date=May 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307173728/http://www.radio-info.com/news/rickey-smiley-morning-show-debuts-in-cleveland|archive-date=March 7, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
WENZ is the Cleveland affiliate of the nationally syndicated ''Morning Hustle'' (via [[Radio One (company)|Syndication One]]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cleveland Announces New 2020 Lineup |url=http://www.news.radio-online.com/articles/c40718/WENZ-FM-(Z1079)-Cleveland-Announces-New-2020-Lineup |website=news.radio-online.com}}</ref> The rest of the day features local programs - including ''The Micah Dixon Show'' middays, ''The Day Party'' with Ro Digga and DJ Ryan Wolf afternoons, and Urban One syndicated ''Posted On The Corner'' with Incognito evenings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zhiphopcleveland.com/schedule/ |title=Show Schedules &#124; Z 107.9 |publisher=Zhiphopcleveland.com |access-date=2013-04-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radio-info.com/news/rickey-smiley-morning-show-debuts-in-cleveland|title=Rickey Smiley Morning Show debuts in Cleveland|date=June 7, 2010|work=Radio-Info.com|access-date=May 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307173728/http://www.radio-info.com/news/rickey-smiley-morning-show-debuts-in-cleveland|archive-date=March 7, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
{{Reflist|refs=


⚫
}}{{Commons category}}
}}

==External links==
==External links==
⚫
*{{Official website|http://www.zhiphopcleveland.com}}{{FM station data|2685|WENZ}}
⚫
{{Commons category}}
⚫
*{{Official website|http://www.zhiphopcleveland.com}}
*{{FM station data|WENZ}}
*[http://www.cleve-radio.com/index2.htm#WENZ-FM Cleveland Broadcast Radio Archives: WENZ timeline]
*[http://www.cleve-radio.com/index2.htm#WENZ-FM Cleveland Broadcast Radio Archives: WENZ timeline]
*[http://www.1079theend.fm/ 107.9 The End: Internet Radio Station]
*[http://www.1079theend.fm/ 107.9 The End: Internet Radio Station]

Latest revision as of 10:39, 30 October 2024

WENZ
Broadcast area
Frequency107.9 MHz (HD Radio)
BrandingZ 107.9
Programming
FormatMainstream urban
SubchannelsHD2: Urban gospel
Ownership
Owner
  • Urban One
  • (Blue Chip Broadcasting Licenses, Ltd)
History
First air date
April 5, 1958
(66 years ago) (1958-04-05)
Former call signs
  • WNOB (1958–70)
  • WELW-FM (1970–75)
  • WDMT (1975–87)
  • WPHR (1987–92)
Call sign meaning
former "The End" branding
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID2685
ClassB
ERP16,000 watts (horizontal)
15,000 watts (vertical)
HAAT272 meters (892 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
41°27′54.00″N 81°17′13.00″W / 41.4650000°N 81.2869444°W / 41.4650000; -81.2869444
Translator(s)HD2: 94.5 W233CG (Cleveland)
Links
Public license information
Webcast
Websitezhiphopcleveland.com

WENZ (107.9 FM) is a commercial mainstream urban radio station licensed to Cleveland, Ohio, serving Greater Cleveland and much of surrounding Northeast Ohio. The station is owned by Urban One since 1999, its studios are located on Oak Tree Blvd in the former iHeartMedia facility and studios in Independence, Ohio, while the station transmitter resides in Russell Township in Geauga County. Besides a standard analog transmission, WENZ broadcasts over two HD Radio channels, and is available online.[2] WENZ was the official first Hip-Hop urban contemporary radio station in the market in the city Cleveland, Ohio.

History

[edit]

Early years

[edit]

The station debuted on April 5, 1958 as WNOB; it was started by Northern Ohio Broadcasting, whose principals were several people from WNEW in New York. When the companion AM license was not granted, the station found itself in a precarious position, because standalone FM stations in the 1950s did not make money.

In 1961, the station filed for bankruptcy. A machine operator, Phillip Kerwin, purchased WNOB for $16,000. In 1963, WNOB became one of the first FM stations in the US 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, Ohio) 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.

Disco 108 WDMT/FM 108 WDMT Your Power Station

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In 1975, Beasley Broadcast Group purchased the station from Multicom for $550,000, and changed the call letters to WDMT (which is short for "We're DynoMite!", "Dynomite!" being a well-known catchphrase by comic and actor Jimmie "Kid Dynomite" Walker on the popular TV sitcom Good Times). The next year, the station switched to the then-popular Disco format and took the moniker "Disco 108 WDMT." By 1978, WDMT evolved to a hybrid CHR/Urban Contemporary format, also known as "CHUrban" (which would be the forerunner to what is now known as Rhythmic contemporary), as "FM 108 WDMT Your Power Station". WDMT was Cleveland's first-ever CHUrban radio station.

During the WDMT era the station aired "The WDMT's Club Style", where street DJs from Cleveland received opportunities to mix live on the air. Caroline Ford, Freddie James, Steve Szabo, Brenda & Michael Love, Matthew Morgan, Lady Skill, Hot Rod See, with Dean Rufus, and the legendary Ronnie "The Ghoul" Sweed were popular WDMT DJs during this period. In 1985, the entire WDMT air staff appeared with Arsenio Hall on the first 'Urban Music Awards' show.

Power 108 FM

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Power 108 logo

On April 9, 1987, the station changed call letters to WPHR, shifted to a Top 40/CHR format, and rebranded as "Power 108 FM".[3][4][5] In 1988, the station was sold to Ardman Broadcasting for $2.8 million. "Power Jocks" during this period included Program Director and DJ Big Steve "Kelly" Szabo, Calvin Hicks, Jimmy Bosh, Maria Farina, Elizabeth "Liz" Luke, John Records Landecker, Gina St. John, Cat Thomas, Rick Michaels, Cathy Cruise, Scotty James, Mark Allen, Edward "Downtown Eddie" Brown, with James "Jammin' Jimmy" Hart, and Sonny Joe Fox among others. WPHR moved its studios to Playhouse Square in late 1988.

107.9 The End

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107.9 The End logo

On May 12, 1992, the station changed its callsign to WENZ and flipped its format to alternative rock, branding itself as "107.9 The End".[6][7] Both the branding and callsign reflected the station's position on the FM dial. In March 1996, Ardman would sell the station to Clear Channel Communications. Both the inception and the demise of The End were stunted: with both format changes, the station broadcast a 24-hour loop of R.E.M.'s song "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)". A documentary film made about The End, entitled The End of the World As We Knew It, was released in 2009 and featured many of the former staffers and jocks.[8] On February 25, 2020, "The End" was re-launched as an internet radio station under the management of former station producer, Dan Binder.[9]

Z 107.9 Hip-Hop

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As part of divestitures required by federal agencies to approve Clear Channel's purchase of Jacor, WENZ was purchased by Radio One on January 15, 1999. Radio One's station portfolio and programming philosophy targeted African American communities. As a result, WENZ dropped their modern rock format for mainstream urban featuring hip-hop and R&B on May 14, 1999, taking the "KISS 107.9" brand.[10][11] One week later, Lorain–licensed WZLE (104.9 FM), itself now under Clear Channel ownership, switched formats from Contemporary Christian to CHR as "Kiss 104.9",[12] then filed a cease and desist order against Radio One for usage of the "KISS-FM" brand, which Clear Channel claimed ownership of in the state of Ohio.[13] WENZ rebranded to "Z 107.9" on September 1, 1999, resolving the dispute.[14] Radio One was renamed Urban One in May 2018.

Current programming

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WENZ is the Cleveland affiliate of the nationally syndicated Morning Hustle (via Syndication One).[15] The rest of the day features local programs - including The Micah Dixon Show middays, The Day Party with Ro Digga and DJ Ryan Wolf afternoons, and Urban One syndicated Posted On The Corner with Incognito evenings.[16][17]

References

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  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WENZ". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ "Cleveland, Ohio Radio Guides". hdradio.com.
  3. ^ Debbi Snook, "Fox premiere mixes laughs, sneers," The Plain Dealer, April 4, 1987.
  4. ^ Debbi Snook, "Rumors of Channel 8 sale bring cautionary reply by boss," The Plain Dealer, April 9, 1987.
  5. ^ "RR-1987-04-10" (PDF). americanradiohistory.com.
  6. ^ Roberto Santiago, "Today is beginning of The End in radio," The Plain Dealer, May 12, 1992.
  7. ^ "RR-1992-05-15" (PDF). americanradiohistory.com.
  8. ^ The End of the World as We Knew It, 14 June 2008, retrieved 2020-01-02
  9. ^ "107.9 the End Relaunches as an Internet Radio Station". clevescene.com.
  10. ^ "RR-1999-05-21" (PDF). americanradiohistory.com.
  11. ^ Feran, Tom (May 19, 1999). "WJMO gives up soul for gospel". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio. p. 2E. Archived from the original on March 29, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2022 – via NewsBank.
  12. ^ O'Connor, Clint (May 22, 1999). "Different tunes found on familiar radio dials". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio. p. 5B. Archived from the original on March 29, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2022 – via NewsBank.
  13. ^ Feran, Tom (May 26, 1999). "One station may have to kiss name goodbye". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio. p. 1E. Archived from the original on March 29, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2022 – via NewsBank.
  14. ^ Feran, Tom (September 25, 1999). "Swoboda backs to news as anchor on TV-5 at 11". The Plain Dealer. Cleveland, Ohio. p. 6E. Archived from the original on March 29, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2022 – via NewsBank.
  15. ^ "Cleveland Announces New 2020 Lineup". news.radio-online.com.
  16. ^ "Show Schedules | Z 107.9". Zhiphopcleveland.com. Retrieved 2013-04-10.
  17. ^ "Rickey Smiley Morning Show debuts in Cleveland". Radio-Info.com. June 7, 2010. Archived from the original on March 7, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2011.
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