WZZN

For the Chicago, Illinois, radio station known as WZZN from 2001 to 2008, see WLS-FM.
For the Westchester, New York, radio station known as WZZN from 1996 to 1999, see WFME-FM.
WZZN
City Union Grove, Alabama
Broadcast area Huntsville, Alabama
Branding 97.7 The Zone
Slogan "The Rocket City's Sports Authority"
Frequency 97.7 MHz
First air date 1968 (as WKLD-FM)
Format Sports
ERP 950 watts
HAAT 251 meters
Class A
Facility ID 5885
Transmitter coordinates 34°26′39″N 86°32′05″W / 34.44417°N 86.53472°W / 34.44417; -86.53472Coordinates: 34°26′39″N 86°32′05″W / 34.44417°N 86.53472°W / 34.44417; -86.53472
Callsign meaning ZZN = "Zone"
Former callsigns WKLD-FM (1968-1981)
WKLD (1981-2009)
Affiliations ESPN Radio
Owner Great South Wireless, LLC
Webcast Listen Live
Website 977thezone.com

WZZN (97.7 FM, "97.7 The Zone") is an American radio station licensed to serve the community of Union Grove, Alabama. The station is owned by Great South Wireless LLC. Previously licensed to Oneonta, Alabama, the station began licensed operation from Union Grove site in December 2009. The move was made so the station may serve the Huntsville, Alabama, area.[1][2]

Programming

The station went on the air in July 2010 with a sports talk format branded as "97.7 The Zone". Program director Steve Moulton has been named the "Large Market Sportscaster of the Year" by the Alabama Broadcasters Association three times on March 26, 2011 March 23, 2013 and March 24, 2014. As of February 2012, on-air personalities include former University of Alabama Football player Wes Neighbors, and PGA golfer Spike McRoy. Programming on the station include madison academy football, Army Black Knights football, the Huntsville Times Classic (local high school basketball tournament), UAHuntsville Chargers basketball, plus statewide shows for both Auburn and Alabama sports (Eyes on Auburn on Tuesday Nights and Tider Insider Radio on Wednesday nights).

History

Ownership

The "LD" in the original WKLD call letters stand for the station's founder, former owner and on-air host, Luther Daniel "L.D." Bentley. For the first few decades of its existence, the station was a multi-format station featuring a wide-ranging selection of music, talk and entertainment programs. In November 2002, control of Blount County Broadcasting Service legally passed from Luther Daniel Bentley Jr. to Luther Daniel Bentley III.[3]

"K97.7" logo

In April 2008, Blount County Broadcasting Service, Inc., reached an agreement to sell this station to Great South Wireless LLC for a reported sale price of $1.1 million.[4][5] The deal was approved by the FCC on June 10, 2008, and the transaction was consummated on September 16, 2008.[6] At the time of the sale, WKLD broadcast a country music format branded as "K97.7".[4]

Former on-air staff

Atlanta's (WABE) City Cafe host John Lemley began his radio career at WKLD at the age of 16. For a brief time in 1984, he hosted the afternoon drive (adult contemporary) music program.

One of the most popular WKLD programs was its early morning talk and music program Early Riser hosted by the brother and sister team of Danny Bentley and Terri (Bentley) Lowry. After the sale, they moved to former sister station WCRL.[1]

Relocation

On August 4, 2008, WKLD received a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) construction permit to move the station's broadcast tower to a new city of license location of Union Grove, Alabama. The move would mean the station's signal would serve the Huntsville, Alabama area.[1][7] This permit is scheduled to expire on August 4, 2011.[7] Multiple listeners in the area report the station went silent shortly after midnight on January 10, 2009.[8] The last song played was reportedly "When Will I See You Again" by The Three Degrees.

The station was assigned call sign WZZN by the FCC on August 27, 2009.[9]

WZZN began licensed operation with Union Grove as the city of license on December 24, 2009. Four days later, the station applied for a new special temporary authority to remain silent for technical reasons, citing their inability to "maintain an adequate studio/transmitter link". This authority was granted by the FCC on March 22, 2010, with a scheduled September 19, 2010, expiration. The station returned to the air in July 2010 with a sports talk format.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Rice, Rob (November 5, 2008). "End of an era: WKLD off the air". The Blount Countian.
  2. ↑ "Station Information Profile". Arbitron.
  3. ↑ "Application Search Details (BTC-20020725AAF)". FCC Media Bureau. Retrieved October 19, 2008.
  4. 1 2 "Deals - 4/28/2008". Broadcasting & Cable. April 28, 2008.
  5. ↑ "Transactions for April 21, 2008". Radio & Records. April 21, 2008.
  6. ↑ "Application Search Details (BALH-20080417ABT)". FCC Media Bureau. September 16, 2008.
  7. 1 2 "Application Search Details (BPH-20080409ACP)". FCC Media Bureau. August 4, 2008.
  8. ↑ "Farewell, WKLD". Radio-Info.com. January 10, 2009.
  9. ↑ "Call Sign History". FCC Media Bureau CDBS Public Access Database. Retrieved September 1, 2009.
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