WZDR
Encyclopedia
WZDR is a radio station
licensed to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
, USA, the station serves the Green Bay area simulcasting co-owned WYDR
as The Drive. The station is currently owned by Midwest Communications, broadcasting from both its main transmitter in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin
and from a translator in Green Bay
, W270AJ (101.9 FM).
in Sister Bay, Wisconsin
) and aired a locally-originated Adult Contemporary format through studios in downtown Sturgeon Bay
. An ownership change in 1989 would see WSBW become WQZZ, with the station now using a satellite-fed AC format, the same service used by its sister station in the Fox Cities, the similarly-callsigned but separately-operated WOZZ. In the Fall of 1990, WQZZ became WHET-FM and adopted a new satellite-fed Top 40 (CHR)
format as "99.7 The Heat" to compete with Top 40
station WIXX; the station would go to an all-local Top 40
operation 2 years later.
By 1993, new FCC rules allowed companies to own a 2nd FM frequency in a market, and WHET's owners would sell the station to Midwest Communications that year. Midwest planned to replace the "Heat" format to avoid direct competition with its heritage Top 40
station, WIXX, plans that were furthered along by severe storms that twice knocked WHET off the air in June and July 1993; the 2nd storm permanently ended "The Heat," as Midwest used the 2nd time off-air to repair the signal and begin its transition to Country
. By August 1993, the station became "99 Country," using the WGEE-FM call sign (mirroring that of its heritage Country
sister station
, the current WTAQ) and using a 24/7 local operation in comparison to its mostly satellite-fed competitor, WJLW.
WGEE-FM remained as "99 Country" until September 1996, when FCC ownership rules were further loosened, allowing Midwest Communications to purchase WNCY-FM
"Y100", which by then surpassed WJLW and WGEE-FM to become the dominant Country
station in the area. Midwest would keep country on WNCY and change WGEE-FM to a Adult Contemporary station under the WLTM call sign. Midwest would move WLTM to a simulcast with its similarly-formatted WROE (see above), a simulcast that would last until Spring 2001, when WLTM adopted a more upbeat Hot AC format as "Magic 99.7", with a schedule featuring Rick Dees'
syndicated morning show.
In March 2002, 99.7 switched formats again to a brand new (for Northeast Wisconsin) Rhythmic
format as WLYD, "Wild 99-7," while sister heritage Top 40 sister station WIXX gravitated to a more rock
-leaning Top 40
format. Although designed to be a flanker station for WIXX, "Wild 99-7" and its unique format for Green Bay would soon become one of the better-rated stations in the Green Bay market. "Wild 99-7" forced Top 40
station WKSZ
"95.9 Kiss FM" (WIXX's competition) to flip to Hot AC as "Mix 95.9" in April 2003.
In February 2006, "Wild 99-7" would end as poor advertising sales on the station forced Midwest to flip WLYD to a more advertiser-friendly adult hits
format under the new call sign of WZBY ("99.7 The Bay"). One month later in March 2006, WKSZ
reverted back to its "95.9 Kiss FM" Top 40
format with a rhythmic
lean to pick up on former "Wild 99-7" listeners. WZBY would evolve to classic hits
by September 2008, and in early 2009 began a simulcast on translator 101.9 FM to help with 99.7's signal issues in the immediate Green Bay area. By September 15, 2009, WZBY and its "Bay" format would give way with a 2nd simulcast with the Fox Valley's WROE, this time under the similar call sign of WRQE.
At 5PM on September 3, 2010, Midwest Communications dropped the AC format a second time. The stations became WYDR (94.3) and WZDR (99.7) and adopted a classic hits
/classic rock
hybrid format as "The Drive," a format similar to that of WDRV
in Chicago
and sister classic rock
station WOZZ, which adopted a mainstream rock
format at the same time and date as "The Drive's" debut (and using 99.7's former WRQE call sign).
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...
licensed to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Sturgeon Bay is a city in and the county seat of Door County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 9,437 at the 2000 census. It is located at the natural end of Sturgeon Bay, although the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal was built across the remainder of the Door Peninsula.-Geography:Sturgeon Bay is...
, USA, the station serves the Green Bay area simulcasting co-owned WYDR
WYDR
WYDR is a radio station broadcasting a Classic Hits music format simulcasting co-owned WZDR.., licensed to both Neenah and Menasha and transmitting from High Cliff State Park in Northwestern Calumet County, Wisconsin...
as The Drive. The station is currently owned by Midwest Communications, broadcasting from both its main transmitter in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin
Kewaunee County, Wisconsin
Kewaunee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of 2000, the population was 20,187. Its county seat is Kewaunee. Kewaunee County is part of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:According to the U.S...
and from a translator in Green Bay
Green Bay, Wisconsin
Green Bay is a city in and the county seat of Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, located at the head of Green Bay, a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Fox River. It has an elevation of above sea level and is located north of Milwaukee. As of the 2010 United States Census,...
, W270AJ (101.9 FM).
History
The station that would become WZDR launched in the early 1980s at 100.1 FM (eventually moving to 99.7 by 1986). Compared to its simulcast partner in the Fox Valley, WZDR's format history has been mostly unstable. The station started out in the early 80s under the WSBW call sign (not to be confused with the current WSBWWSBW
WSBW is a radio station broadcasting an Adult Standards/MOR format. Licensed to Sister Bay, Wisconsin, USA. The station is currently owned by Nicolet Broadcasting, Inc. and features programing from Dial Global ....
in Sister Bay, Wisconsin
Sister Bay, Wisconsin
Sister Bay is a village in Door County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 886 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Sister Bay is located at ....
) and aired a locally-originated Adult Contemporary format through studios in downtown Sturgeon Bay
Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Sturgeon Bay is a city in and the county seat of Door County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 9,437 at the 2000 census. It is located at the natural end of Sturgeon Bay, although the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal was built across the remainder of the Door Peninsula.-Geography:Sturgeon Bay is...
. An ownership change in 1989 would see WSBW become WQZZ, with the station now using a satellite-fed AC format, the same service used by its sister station in the Fox Cities, the similarly-callsigned but separately-operated WOZZ. In the Fall of 1990, WQZZ became WHET-FM and adopted a new satellite-fed 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...
format as "99.7 The Heat" to compete with Top 40
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...
station WIXX; the station would go to an all-local Top 40
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...
operation 2 years later.
By 1993, new FCC rules allowed companies to own a 2nd FM frequency in a market, and WHET's owners would sell the station to Midwest Communications that year. Midwest planned to replace the "Heat" format to avoid direct competition with its heritage Top 40
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...
station, WIXX, plans that were furthered along by severe storms that twice knocked WHET off the air in June and July 1993; the 2nd storm permanently ended "The Heat," as Midwest used the 2nd time off-air to repair the signal and begin its transition to Country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
. By August 1993, the station became "99 Country," using the WGEE-FM call sign (mirroring that of its heritage Country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
sister station
Sister station
In broadcasting, sister stations or sister channels are radio and/or television stations operated by the same ownership....
, the current WTAQ) and using a 24/7 local operation in comparison to its mostly satellite-fed competitor, WJLW.
WGEE-FM remained as "99 Country" until September 1996, when FCC ownership rules were further loosened, allowing Midwest Communications to purchase WNCY-FM
WNCY-FM
WNCY is a Country formatted radio station licensed to Neenah-Menasha, Wisconsin, that serves the Green Bay and Appleton-Oshkosh areas....
"Y100", which by then surpassed WJLW and WGEE-FM to become the dominant Country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
station in the area. Midwest would keep country on WNCY and change WGEE-FM to a Adult Contemporary station under the WLTM call sign. Midwest would move WLTM to a simulcast with its similarly-formatted WROE (see above), a simulcast that would last until Spring 2001, when WLTM adopted a more upbeat Hot AC format as "Magic 99.7", with a schedule featuring Rick Dees'
Rick Dees
Rigdon Osmond "Rick" Dees III is an American comedic performer, entertainer, and radio personality, best known for his internationally syndicated radio show The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown and for the novelty song "Disco Duck." He is a People's Choice Award recipient, a Grammy-nominated...
syndicated morning show.
In March 2002, 99.7 switched formats again to a brand new (for Northeast Wisconsin) Rhythmic
Rhythmic Contemporary
Rhythmic contemporary, also known as rhythmic top 40, rhythmic contemporary hit radio or rhythmic crossover, is a music radio format that includes a mix of EDM, upbeat rhythmic pop, hip-hop and R&B hits. Rhythmic contemporary rarely uses rock music or country music in its airplay, but it may...
format as WLYD, "Wild 99-7," while sister heritage Top 40 sister station WIXX gravitated to a more rock
Modern rock
Modern rock is a rock format commonly found on commercial radio; the format consists primarily of the alternative rock genre...
-leaning Top 40
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...
format. Although designed to be a flanker station for WIXX, "Wild 99-7" and its unique format for Green Bay would soon become one of the better-rated stations in the Green Bay market. "Wild 99-7" forced Top 40
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...
station WKSZ
WKSZ
WKSZ is a Top 40 formatted radio station licensed to De Pere, Wisconsin, that serves the Green Bay and Appleton-Oshkosh areas. The station is owned by Woodward Communications.-History:...
"95.9 Kiss FM" (WIXX's competition) to flip to Hot AC as "Mix 95.9" in April 2003.
In February 2006, "Wild 99-7" would end as poor advertising sales on the station forced Midwest to flip WLYD to a more advertiser-friendly 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...
format under the new call sign of WZBY ("99.7 The Bay"). One month later in March 2006, WKSZ
WKSZ
WKSZ is a Top 40 formatted radio station licensed to De Pere, Wisconsin, that serves the Green Bay and Appleton-Oshkosh areas. The station is owned by Woodward Communications.-History:...
reverted back to its "95.9 Kiss FM" Top 40
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...
format with a rhythmic
Rhythmic Contemporary
Rhythmic contemporary, also known as rhythmic top 40, rhythmic contemporary hit radio or rhythmic crossover, is a music radio format that includes a mix of EDM, upbeat rhythmic pop, hip-hop and R&B hits. Rhythmic contemporary rarely uses rock music or country music in its airplay, but it may...
lean to pick up on former "Wild 99-7" listeners. WZBY would evolve to classic hits
Classic hits
Classic hits is a radio format which generally includes rock and pop music from 1964 to 1989. The term is sometimes erroneously used as a synonym for the adult hits format, but is more accurately characterized as a contemporary style of the oldies format...
by September 2008, and in early 2009 began a simulcast on translator 101.9 FM to help with 99.7's signal issues in the immediate Green Bay area. By September 15, 2009, WZBY and its "Bay" format would give way with a 2nd simulcast with the Fox Valley's WROE, this time under the similar call sign of WRQE.
At 5PM on September 3, 2010, Midwest Communications dropped the AC format a second time. The stations became WYDR (94.3) and WZDR (99.7) and adopted a classic hits
Classic hits
Classic hits is a radio format which generally includes rock and pop music from 1964 to 1989. The term is sometimes erroneously used as a synonym for the adult hits format, but is more accurately characterized as a contemporary style of the oldies format...
/classic rock
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
hybrid format as "The Drive," a format similar to that of WDRV
WDRV
WDRV is a radio station in Chicago, Illinois. The station is currently owned by Hubbard Broadcasting, and simulcasts on WWDV . "The Drive" programs a broad-based classic rock format called "Timeless Rock"...
in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and sister classic rock
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
station WOZZ, which adopted a mainstream rock
Mainstream rock
Mainstream rock is a radio format used by many commercial radio stations in the United States and Canada.-Format background:...
format at the same time and date as "The Drive's" debut (and using 99.7's former WRQE call sign).