WLZW
Encyclopedia
WLZW is an Adult Contemporary radio station in Utica, New York formerly owned by
Regent Broadcasting, currently owned by Townsquare Media.
format under the call letters WIBQ until abruptly
changing format and callsign in 1985.
Later WNYZ went into a rock-leaning Top 40 format. The first two songs played
on "New York's Z-98.7" were Twisted Sister
's We're Not Gonna Take It
and Quiet Riot
's Cum On Feel the Noize
. However, the Top 40 format
could not compete against powerhouse Top 40 station Power Hits Rock 107 (WRCK
).
So, in 1989, the station changed format. Was supposed to be the 'Z-Rock' satellite
Heavy Metal format available at the time, but flipped to their current format to
"Lite 98.7" and calls to "WLZW".
).In 1993, WKGW left and WKFM from Syracuse New York took over the 104.3 frequency until June of that year. WLZW was the only AC station in the Utica-Rome market until the spring of 1994 when WUUU (later WRNY & WUCL, now WOKR-FM) which switched frequencies from 93.5FM to 102.5FM with WKDY (later WSKS & WRBY, now WUMX
) from a year before, flipped format from oldies to adult contemporary to become "Warm 93.5". From 1994 to January 2003 Lite 98.7 and Warm 93.5 were rivaled stations. While WUUU/WRFM was a more softer AC station WLZW was a somewhat more upbeat station. On New Year's Day WRFM flipped format Kool 93.5 and calls to WUCL. Lite 98.7 was once again the only AC station in the market which lasted over a year when(WRBY, now WUMX) flipped their current format to hot AC as Mix 102.5. In order to compete with Mix 102.5, Lite 98.7 started switching to a Christmas Music format until Christmas Day on Thanksgiving Day 2009.
Work Escape Weekends
Saturdays
Sundays
Daily Segments and Contests
Regent Broadcasting, currently owned by Townsquare Media.
History
The station ran a Beautiful MusicBeautiful music
Beautiful music is a mostly instrumental music format that was prominent in American radio from the 1960s through the 1980s...
format under the call letters WIBQ until abruptly
changing format and callsign in 1985.
As WNYZ
The station changed format to classic hits as "Z 98.7" with the call letters WNYZ.Later WNYZ went into a rock-leaning Top 40 format. The first two songs played
on "New York's Z-98.7" were Twisted Sister
Twisted Sister
Twisted Sister is an American heavy metal band from Long Island. Musically, the band implements elements of traditional heavy metal bands such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, along with a style that is similar to early glam metal bands...
's We're Not Gonna Take It
and Quiet Riot
Quiet Riot
Quiet Riot is an American Heavy Metal band. They are best known for their hit singles "Metal Health" and "Cum On Feel the Noize". They were founded in 1973 by guitarist Randy Rhoads and bassist Kelly Garni, under the original name Mach 1, before changing the name to Little Women and finally Quiet...
's Cum On Feel the Noize
Cum on Feel the Noize
"Cum On Feel the Noize" is a rock song originally released by Slade in 1973.Written by Jim Lea and Noddy Holder and produced by Chas Chandler, "Cum On Feel the Noize" was Slade's fourth number-one single in the UK and their first to enter straight at number one...
. However, the Top 40 format
could not compete against powerhouse Top 40 station Power Hits Rock 107 (WRCK
WRCK
WRCK is a radio station broadcasting a Contemporary Christian format. Licensed to Utica, New York, USA, the station serves the Utica-Rome area...
).
So, in 1989, the station changed format. Was supposed to be the 'Z-Rock' satellite
Heavy Metal format available at the time, but flipped to their current format to
"Lite 98.7" and calls to "WLZW".
Lite 98.7 History
Lite 98.7's calls (WLZW) and format reflected its first slogan "Lite and Easy Favorites". In early years, Lite 98.7 fought an uphill battle with rival AC station KG 104 WKGW (now WFRGWFRG
WFRG-FM is a country music radio station. It bills itself as "The Best And Most Country" and broadcasts to the Utica, New York market.-History:...
).In 1993, WKGW left and WKFM from Syracuse New York took over the 104.3 frequency until June of that year. WLZW was the only AC station in the Utica-Rome market until the spring of 1994 when WUUU (later WRNY & WUCL, now WOKR-FM) which switched frequencies from 93.5FM to 102.5FM with WKDY (later WSKS & WRBY, now WUMX
WUMX
WUMX is a radio station broadcasting a Hot Adult Contemporary format. Licensed to Rome, New York, USA, the station serves the Utica, Rome New York area. The station is currently owned by Galaxy Utica Licensee LLC, the Utica division of Galaxy Communications...
) from a year before, flipped format from oldies to adult contemporary to become "Warm 93.5". From 1994 to January 2003 Lite 98.7 and Warm 93.5 were rivaled stations. While WUUU/WRFM was a more softer AC station WLZW was a somewhat more upbeat station. On New Year's Day WRFM flipped format Kool 93.5 and calls to WUCL. Lite 98.7 was once again the only AC station in the market which lasted over a year when(WRBY, now WUMX) flipped their current format to hot AC as Mix 102.5. In order to compete with Mix 102.5, Lite 98.7 started switching to a Christmas Music format until Christmas Day on Thanksgiving Day 2009.
Current Lineup
Weekdays- Mid-5:30am - Dave Wheeler
- 5:30am-10am - Most Music Morning Show with Mark Richards
- 10am-3pm - Trudy
- 3pm-7pm - Eric Meier
- 7pm-Mid - Nite Lite with Delilah
Work Escape Weekends
Saturdays
- Mid-8pm - Regular Programming
- 8pm-Mid - Flashback Saturday Night
Sundays
- Mid-6am - Regular Programming
- 6am-9am - The Beacon
- 9am-Noon - Your Weekend With Jim BrickmanJim BrickmanJim Brickman is an American songwriter and pianist. He has been named the most charted male Adult Contemporary artist to date, with six of his albums receiving Gold and Platinum status. He is known for his solo piano compositions, pop-style instrumentals, and vocal collaborations with artists...
- Noon-7pm - Regular Programming
- 7pm-Mid - Nite Lite with Delilah
Daily Segments and Contests
- Morning Mindbender Trivia - Mornings at 6:50am, Mark Richards will ask a trivia question. If a listener is first caller in and guess the trivia question correctly, that listener win a prize.
- Lunch at the Lite Cafe - Trudy opens up the Lite Lines for listeners' requests. They give away free food from local restaurants from noon-1pm.
- Afternoon Mindbender Trivia - Eric Meier will have a trivia question around 4:15pm. Listener must be first caller with the right answer to win.
- Work Escape Weekends - Adding more names to the longest winner's list in Central New York, listeners must listen for a cue that says "Call Now & Win". Anytime giving away prizes, it occurs many times at random points Friday 5pm til' Sunday 7pm.
- Anniversary Couple of the Month - Anniversary Couple win a bunch of great prizes including dinner, flowers, and couples' anniversary portrait. Drawings are first Monday of each month.
- Lite 98.7's birthday club - Get birthdays announced on The Morning Show with Mark Richards and enter to win a prize package. All birthdays are announced weekdays at 7:40am (Weekend birthdays will be announced are Fridays.) One birthday cake will be awarded by Mark Richards daily.
Former Alumni
- J.P. Hastings
- Ivy Hamilton
- Randy J
- Morgan Daniels
- Jeanne Ashley
- Greg McShea