WMC (AM)
Encyclopedia
WMC is a radio station
in the Memphis, Tennessee
market, broadcasting at 790 AM. It is one of the city's oldest radio stations and presently programs a sports
format.
The station currently runs a direct satellite feed of Fox Sports Radio
. In addition to sports talk shows, WMC-AM features longtime Memphis disc jockey George Klein's weekly tribute program to Elvis Presley
. Klein and Presley were close friends and confidantes during the latter's lifetime and the former's long stint on WHBQ
-AM.
The station's license is currently held by Entercom Communications
, which it purchased from CBS
in September 2006; WMC-AM and sister WMC-FM were for many years owned and operated by Scripps Howard Broadcasting, along with then-TV sister WMC-TV
, before SHB sold the latter property in 1993. It is one of six radio properties in the Memphis market held by Entercom; the others are WMC-FM
, WRVR-FM, WMFS, WKQK-FM, and WMFS-FM.
Entercom purchased WMC-AM, WMC-FM and WMFS in 2006.
WMC-AM maintains studios in the Entercom complex in eastern Memphis.
performed at WMC on October 5, 1923 ("Hit On Radio," Chicago Defender, October 6, 1923, p. 8)
It was reported that explorers from Great Britain
heard WMC in the Arctic
.
In the 1930s, WMC was still owned by The Commercial Appeal and carried the NBC Radio Red Network, while WMPS, owned by the Press-Scimitar, aired the Blue Network
.
During the 1960s, WMC had a MOR format. In 1973, WMC became the first 24 hour full time country station in Memphis and was often #1 in the ratings. KIX 106 went country in 1983 and was the first full signal FM country competition. By 1989, WMC switched to News/Talk.
In 1997, "News/Talk 790" gave up Rush Limbaugh
to WREC
as well as its morning news show.
In July 2001, WMC-AM was called "SPORTSPLUS 790," with a sports radio
format. The GoodTimes Show, with news about casino gambling in Tunica, Mississippi
, made its debut on the station at that time.
In December 2005, CBS Radio
changed WMC to a classic country
format, since there were so many sports stations. Most programming was provided by Jones Radio Networks
' Classic Hit Country network, which subsequently became Dial Global
's Classic Country network. The station returned to an all-sports format on October 17, 2011, taking the Fox Sports Radio affiliation from KQPN
; additionally, Entercom will move The Jim Rome Show
from WMFS to WMC.
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...
in the Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
market, broadcasting at 790 AM. It is one of the city's oldest radio stations and presently programs a sports
Sports radio
Sports radio is a radio format devoted entirely to discussion and broadcasting of sporting events. A popular format with an almost exclusively male demographic in most areas, sports radio is characterized by an often-boisterous on-air style and extensive debate and analysis by both hosts and...
format.
The station currently runs a direct satellite feed of Fox Sports Radio
Fox Sports Radio
Fox Sports Radio, abbreviated FSR, is an international radio network consisting of sports talk programming. The network is a service of Premiere Networks...
. In addition to sports talk shows, WMC-AM features longtime Memphis disc jockey George Klein's weekly tribute program to Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
. Klein and Presley were close friends and confidantes during the latter's lifetime and the former's long stint on WHBQ
WHBQ (AM)
WHBQ is an AM radio station in Memphis, Tennessee, in the United States of America. Its frequency is 560 kHz. Although today it broadcasts sports news exclusively, the station became famous in the 1950s for playing rhythm and blues....
-AM.
The station's license is currently held by Entercom Communications
Entercom Communications
Entercom Communications Corporation is the fourth-largest broadcasting company in the United States. As of November 2009, Entercom operates 110 radio stations in 23 markets across the United States....
, which it purchased from CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
in September 2006; WMC-AM and sister WMC-FM were for many years owned and operated by Scripps Howard Broadcasting, along with then-TV sister WMC-TV
WMC-TV
WMC-TV is the NBC affiliate television station for the Memphis, Tennessee metropolitan area. The station serves roughly the western third of Tennessee, northwestern Mississippi, northeastern Arkansas and the southeastern corner of Missouri over the air on satellite and on various cable systems. Its...
, before SHB sold the latter property in 1993. It is one of six radio properties in the Memphis market held by Entercom; the others are WMC-FM
WMC-FM
WMC-FM is a "Hot AC" radio station serving the market of Memphis, Tennessee. The station is notable for being an FM "superpower," with a transmitter that greatly exceeds current Federal Communications Commission restrictions. Of stations in the FCC's Zone II, WMC is the most powerful...
, WRVR-FM, WMFS, WKQK-FM, and WMFS-FM.
Entercom purchased WMC-AM, WMC-FM and WMFS in 2006.
WMC-AM maintains studios in the Entercom complex in eastern Memphis.
History
WMC is one of the few surviving radio stations in the United States to use its original call letters; the station first broadcast on January 19, 1923. Among its unique features was late night concerts from blues singers. Although Memphis was segregated, Bessie SmithBessie Smith
Bessie Smith was an American blues singer.Sometimes referred to as The Empress of the Blues, Smith was the most popular female blues singer of the 1920s and 1930s...
performed at WMC on October 5, 1923 ("Hit On Radio," Chicago Defender, October 6, 1923, p. 8)
It was reported that explorers from Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
heard WMC in the Arctic
Arctic
The Arctic is a region located at the northern-most part of the Earth. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean and parts of Canada, Russia, Greenland, the United States, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland. The Arctic region consists of a vast, ice-covered ocean, surrounded by treeless permafrost...
.
In the 1930s, WMC was still owned by The Commercial Appeal and carried the NBC Radio Red Network, while WMPS, owned by the Press-Scimitar, aired the Blue Network
Blue Network
The Blue Network, and its immediate predecessor, the NBC Blue Network, were the on-air names of an American radio production and distribution service from 1927 to 1945...
.
During the 1960s, WMC had a MOR format. In 1973, WMC became the first 24 hour full time country station in Memphis and was often #1 in the ratings. KIX 106 went country in 1983 and was the first full signal FM country competition. By 1989, WMC switched to News/Talk.
In 1997, "News/Talk 790" gave up Rush Limbaugh
Rush Limbaugh
Rush Hudson Limbaugh III is an American radio talk show host, conservative political commentator, and an opinion leader in American conservatism. He hosts The Rush Limbaugh Show which is aired throughout the U.S. on Premiere Radio Networks and is the highest-rated talk-radio program in the United...
to WREC
WREC
WREC is a radio station broadcasting a News Talk Information format. Licensed to Memphis, Tennessee, USA, the station is currently owned by Clear Channel Communications. The station is also broadcast on HD radio....
as well as its morning news show.
In July 2001, WMC-AM was called "SPORTSPLUS 790," with a sports radio
Sports radio
Sports radio is a radio format devoted entirely to discussion and broadcasting of sporting events. A popular format with an almost exclusively male demographic in most areas, sports radio is characterized by an often-boisterous on-air style and extensive debate and analysis by both hosts and...
format. The GoodTimes Show, with news about casino gambling in Tunica, Mississippi
Tunica, Mississippi
Tunica is a town in Tunica County, Mississippi, United States, located near the Mississippi River. Until the early 1990s the town was one of the most impoverished places in the United States, semi-famous for the particularly deprived neighbourhood known as "Sugar Ditch Alley", named for the open...
, made its debut on the station at that time.
In December 2005, CBS Radio
CBS Radio
CBS Radio, Inc., formerly known as Infinity Broadcasting Corporation, is one of the largest owners and operators of radio stations in the United States, third behind main rival Clear Channel Communications and Cumulus Media. CBS Radio owns around 130 radio stations across the country...
changed WMC to a classic country
Classic country
Classic country is a music radio format that specializes in playing mainstream country hits from past decades.This genre generally follows one of two formats: those specializing in hits from the 1920s through the early 1970s, and focus primarily on innovators and artists from country music's Golden...
format, since there were so many sports stations. Most programming was provided by 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,...
' Classic Hit Country network, which subsequently became Dial Global
Dial Global
Dial Global is a radio syndication company. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Triton Media Group and is a sister company to Townsquare Media, both of which are owned by Oaktree Capital Management....
's Classic Country network. The station returned to an all-sports format on October 17, 2011, taking the Fox Sports Radio affiliation from KQPN
KQPN
KQPN is the local sports radio station located in West Memphis, Arkansas, and serving the Memphis, Tennessee, area. The station is branded as "Memphis' Sports Station", and is commonly referred to as '730 Fox Sports'...
; additionally, Entercom will move The Jim Rome Show
The Jim Rome Show
The Jim Rome Show is a sports radio talk show hosted by Jim Rome. It airs live for three hours each weekday from 9 a.m. to noon Pacific. The show is produced in Los Angeles, California, syndicated by Premiere Radio Networks, and can be heard on more than 200 affiliate radio stations in the U.S...
from WMFS to WMC.