WBCV
Encyclopedia
WBCV is a radio station
broadcasting a Rock Hits format. Licensed to Wausau, Wisconsin
, USA, the station serves the Wausau
-Stevens Point
area. The station is currently owned by NRG Media, LLC.
of WXCO. Shortly before sign on in October 1984 Seehafer Broadcasting changed the station call letters to WYCO-FM. The station signed on using Unistar's Adult Contemporary format. The positioning statement was "Y-108". At that time WYCO-FM was only a Satellite receiver and several cart/tape machines. The on air announcer at WXCO would manually load commercials and local pre-recorded announcements for each local commercial break. Despite WYCO not having a live studio or a way to produce local programming on its own, "Y-108" became the number one radio station in the Wausau market in 1985. It has not been number 1 since. Other positioning statements used were "The Great Y-108", and "Y-108 Come on Up To The Music".
The station had struggles with ratings, and advertising revenue in the late '80s. The automation system for WYCO-FM was moved to WXCO-AM and the station went live. Adding the services of McVay Media in 1992, the station showed some potential in the Spring '93 book, but continued to struggle afterwards with live talent. In the Mid-90's the station started to phase back in syndicated programming (adding Delilah, and using Jones Radio Networks
Hot AC
format during the overnight and weekends). Advertising revenue and ratings were still a major problem for the station. The station made several attempts to find a niche identity to increase listeners and revenue. WYCO-FM experimented with variations of Adult Contemporary, Hot AC, Top 40 (CHR)
, and Modern AC formats but had little success.
In 2004, management decided to take an entirely new direction. Adult hits
stations like Jack-FM, Bob-FM, were becoming the latest fad in radio formats. The station decided to take on different call letters and try a new developing format. The call letters became WLRK "Rock-it 107.9". "Rockin' Hits of the '70s, '80s, and '90s". The station had much better results. The station was sold from Seehafer Broadcasting to New Radio Group (a.k.a. NRG Media
) in June 2006. "Rock-it 107.9" became "Big Cheese 107.9" and call letters were changed from WLRK to WBCV. The "Big Cheese" slogan and the Rock Hits format continues today.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
broadcasting a Rock Hits format. Licensed to Wausau, Wisconsin
Wausau, Wisconsin
Wausau is a city in and the county seat of Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. The Wisconsin River divides the city. The city is adjacent to the town of Wausau.According to the 2000 census, Wausau had a population of 38,426 people...
, USA, the station serves the Wausau
Wausau, Wisconsin
Wausau is a city in and the county seat of Marathon County, Wisconsin, United States. The Wisconsin River divides the city. The city is adjacent to the town of Wausau.According to the 2000 census, Wausau had a population of 38,426 people...
-Stevens Point
Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Stevens Point is the county seat of Portage County, Wisconsin, United States. Located in the central part of the state, it is the largest city in the county, with a population of 24,551 at the 2000 census...
area. The station is currently owned by NRG Media, LLC.
History
During the Construction phase of the station (Early 1980s), the selected call letters were WXCO-FM. The call letters were named after its sister station WXCO-AM. It was later determined the station would not be a simulcastSimulcast
Simulcast, shorthand for "simultaneous broadcast", refers to programs or events broadcast across more than one medium, or more than one service on the same medium, at the same time. For example, Absolute Radio is simulcast on both AM and on satellite radio, and the BBC's Prom concerts are often...
of WXCO. Shortly before sign on in October 1984 Seehafer Broadcasting changed the station call letters to WYCO-FM. The station signed on using Unistar's Adult Contemporary format. The positioning statement was "Y-108". At that time WYCO-FM was only a Satellite receiver and several cart/tape machines. The on air announcer at WXCO would manually load commercials and local pre-recorded announcements for each local commercial break. Despite WYCO not having a live studio or a way to produce local programming on its own, "Y-108" became the number one radio station in the Wausau market in 1985. It has not been number 1 since. Other positioning statements used were "The Great Y-108", and "Y-108 Come on Up To The Music".
The station had struggles with ratings, and advertising revenue in the late '80s. The automation system for WYCO-FM was moved to WXCO-AM and the station went live. Adding the services of McVay Media in 1992, the station showed some potential in the Spring '93 book, but continued to struggle afterwards with live talent. In the Mid-90's the station started to phase back in syndicated programming (adding Delilah, and using Jones Radio Networks
Jones Radio Networks
Jones Radio Networks & Jones Media Group were branches of Jones International before being sold to Triton Media Group. JRN and JMN provide local radio stations with satellite-delivered formats. They also offer other services to local radio such as news and talk programs, syndicated radio shows,...
Hot AC
Hot AC (radio network)
Hot AC is an industry leading 24-hour music network produced by Dial Global Networks. It targets a primarily female radio audience between ages 25-49 with hot adult contemporary and Adult Top 40 music of the 1990s through today, with artists such as Maroon 5, Train, Pink, Black Eyed Peas,...
format during the overnight and weekends). Advertising revenue and ratings were still a major problem for the station. The station made several attempts to find a niche identity to increase listeners and revenue. WYCO-FM experimented with variations of Adult Contemporary, Hot AC, Top 40 (CHR)
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
, and Modern AC formats but had little success.
In 2004, management decided to take an entirely new direction. Adult hits
Adult hits
Adult hits is a radio format, popular in the early 2000s, that does not adhere to a specific music genre, but instead draws from a wider playlist...
stations like Jack-FM, Bob-FM, were becoming the latest fad in radio formats. The station decided to take on different call letters and try a new developing format. The call letters became WLRK "Rock-it 107.9". "Rockin' Hits of the '70s, '80s, and '90s". The station had much better results. The station was sold from Seehafer Broadcasting to New Radio Group (a.k.a. NRG Media
NRG Media
NRG Media is a media company headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It was founded on March 1, 2005, as a result of a merger of NewRadio Group and the radio assets of Waitt Media. At its inception it was the seventh largest radio company in the USA. NRG owns and operates 54 radio stations in four...
) in June 2006. "Rock-it 107.9" became "Big Cheese 107.9" and call letters were changed from WLRK to WBCV. The "Big Cheese" slogan and the Rock Hits format continues today.