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{{Infobox Radio station
{{Infobox Radio station
| name = WBWZ
| name = WBWZ
| image = [[image:Star933.jpg]]
| image = [[Image:Star933.jpg]]
| city = [[New Paltz, New York]]
| city = [[New Paltz, New York]]
| area = [[Hudson Valley]]
| area = [[Hudson Valley]]
Line 10: Line 10:
| format = [[Hot Adult Contemporary]]
| format = [[Hot Adult Contemporary]]
| power = 330 [[watt]]s
| power = 330 [[watt]]s
| erp = 6 kw
| erp = 6 kW
| haat = 295 [[meter]]s
| haat = 295 meters
| class = A
| class = A
| callsign_meaning = '''W B'''etty '''W'''alker (original owner) '''Z'''-Rock (original format)
| callsign_meaning = '''W B'''etty '''W'''alker (original owner) '''Z'''-Rock (original format)
Line 21: Line 21:


==History==
==History==
The construction permit of WBWZ was awarded in [[1991]] to Betty Walker, the mother of then-WRWD owner William H. ("Bud") Walker and owner of an area apple orchard. Though separate ownerships linked only by bloodline on paper, prior to sign-on the younger Walker signed an agreement to operate WBWZ with WRWD from the company's then-studios in [[Highland, New York|Highland]]. After testing for the first part of December [[1992]], WBWZ formally signed on on December 20 of that year carrying ABC's "Z-Rock" satellite [[hard rock]] format as ''Z-Rock 93.3''. With limited outside promotion and no rock station targeting younger audiences, WBWZ entered the Top 10 of the Poughkeepsie ratings in its first two books and became enough of a threat to rival [[WPDH]] that the programming at that station began to evolve to [[classic rock]].
The construction permit of WBWZ was awarded in 1991 to Betty Walker, the mother of then-WRWD owner William H. ("Bud") Walker and owner of an area apple orchard. Though separate ownerships linked only by bloodline on paper, prior to sign-on the younger Walker signed an agreement to operate WBWZ with WRWD from the company's then-studios in [[Highland, New York|Highland]]. After testing for the first part of December 1992, WBWZ formally signed on on December 20 of that year carrying ABC's "Z-Rock" satellite [[hard rock]] format as ''Z-Rock 93.3''. With limited outside promotion and no rock station targeting younger audiences, WBWZ entered the Top 10 of the Poughkeepsie ratings in its first two books and became enough of a threat to rival [[WPDH]] that the programming at that station began to evolve to [[classic rock]].


Though with a very loyal audience and good numbers, the Walkers found it hard to sell WBWZ to advertisers with the [[country music]] format of WRWD. Coupled with the decline of hard rock and the rise of [[alternative rock]], the writing was soon on the wall for ''Z-Rock 93.3'' and in February [[1995]] the station flipped to a satellite-fed [[1970s]] music format as ''Z-93''. Though the station had an initial surge of listenership, quirks in [[Arbitron]]'s system in rating small markets at the time led to the ratings coming out after such a surge had subsided and the overall ratings fell below the Z-Rock format.
Though with a very loyal audience and good numbers, the Walkers found it hard to sell WBWZ to advertisers with the [[country music]] format of WRWD. Coupled with the decline of hard rock and the rise of [[alternative rock]], the writing was soon on the wall for ''Z-Rock 93.3'' and in February 1995 the station flipped to a satellite-fed 1970s music format as ''Z-93''. Though the station had an initial surge of listenership, quirks in [[Arbitron]]'s system in rating small markets at the time led to the ratings coming out after such a surge had subsided and the overall ratings fell below the Z-Rock format.


Shortly after the format change, Bud Walker bought the license of WBWZ after the loosening of FCC regulations and to also make any sale of the stations easier. After the further loosening of ownership regulations in early [[1996]], Walker decided to leave radio to pursue a career in politics and sold WBWZ, WRWD, and [[WWLE]] to Hudson Valley Radio Partners, a short-term holding company. With the ownership change, WBWZ's format changed to a locally-run [[Hot Adult Contemporary]] format while keeping the Z-93 name that November. Within a month of its sign-on, the station scored a coup by landing then-recently deposed [[WSPK]] morning host Mark Bolger and his newsreader/co-host Dawn Spicer however their non-compete clauses with WSPK barred them from the air until mid-1997. Shortly after taking the air, Hudson Valley Radio Partners sold itself to California-based [[Roberts Radio]].
Shortly after the format change, Bud Walker bought the license of WBWZ after the loosening of FCC regulations and to also make any sale of the stations easier. After the further loosening of ownership regulations in early 1996, Walker decided to leave radio to pursue a career in politics and sold WBWZ, WRWD, and [[WWLE]] to Hudson Valley Radio Partners, a short-term holding company. With the ownership change, WBWZ's format changed to a locally-run [[Hot Adult Contemporary]] format while keeping the Z-93 name that November. Within a month of its sign-on, the station scored a coup by landing then-recently deposed [[WSPK]] morning host Mark Bolger and his newsreader/co-host Dawn Spicer however their non-compete clauses with WSPK barred them from the air until mid-1997. Shortly after taking the air, Hudson Valley Radio Partners sold itself to California-based [[Roberts Radio]].


Bolger's presence proved to be key for the station as WBWZ soon skyrocketed into the top of the ratings (at its peak being behind only WSPK and WPDH) and being #1 in mornings. Though the numbers eventually leveled off, they still did well for a station in a small market with a format typically seen as niche. Adding other market veterans as well as targeting former WSPK listeners when that station leaned younger also was a key factor in such success.
Bolger's presence proved to be key for the station as WBWZ soon skyrocketed into the top of the ratings (at its peak being behind only WSPK and WPDH) and being #1 in mornings. Though the numbers eventually leveled off, they still did well for a station in a small market with a format typically seen as niche. Adding other market veterans as well as targeting former WSPK listeners when that station leaned younger also was a key factor in such success.


In [[2000]], Roberts Radio was bought by [[Clear Channel Communications]] with Clear Channel taking control that November. Though WBWZ was aided by the elimination of rival WCTJ (now [[WPKF]]), its ratings soon began to slip to levels not seen since prior to the Hot AC format. After the decline stretched several years, the station was soon taken over by WPKF program director Jimi Jamm (Collins) whose past work had improved that station to levels beyond Clear Channel's expectations. On June 30, 2003, Z-93 was replaced by the more CHR-leaning ''Star 93.3''. Bolger remains in mornings though with the departure of Dawn Spicer for [[WGY]] in [[Albany, New York|Albany]] in April [[2005]] Kimberly Kay (ex-[[WCZX]]) now holds the co-host/newscaster position.
In 2000, Roberts Radio was bought by [[Clear Channel Communications]] with Clear Channel taking control that November. Though WBWZ was aided by the elimination of rival WCTJ (now [[WPKF]]), its ratings soon began to slip to levels not seen since prior to the Hot AC format. After the decline stretched several years, the station was soon taken over by WPKF program director Jimi Jamm (Collins) whose past work had improved that station to levels beyond Clear Channel's expectations. On June 30, 2003, Z-93 was replaced by the more CHR-leaning ''Star 93.3''. Bolger remains in mornings though with the departure of Dawn Spicer for [[WGY]] in [[Albany, New York|Albany]] in April 2005 Kimberly Kay (ex-[[WCZX]]) now holds the co-host/newscaster position.


==External links==
==External links==
Line 37: Line 37:


{{Poughkeepsie Radio}}
{{Poughkeepsie Radio}}

⚫
{{NewYork-radio-station-stub}}


[[Category:Radio stations in New York's Hudson Valley|BWZ]]
[[Category:Radio stations in New York's Hudson Valley|BWZ]]
[[Category:Media in Ulster County, New York]]
[[Category:Media in Ulster County, New York]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1991]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1991]]

⚫
{{NewYork-radio-station-stub}}

Revision as of 01:56, 7 July 2008

WBWZ
Broadcast areaHudson Valley
Frequency93.3 MHz
BrandingStar 93.3
Programming
FormatHot Adult Contemporary
Ownership
OwnerClear Channel Communications
History
First air date
December 20, 1992
Call sign meaning
W Betty Walker (original owner) Z-Rock (original format)
Technical information
ClassA
Power330 watts
ERP6 kW
HAAT295 meters
Links
Websitewww.933star.com

WBWZ (Star 93.3) is an Hot Adult Contemporary radio station licensed to New Paltz, New York and serving the Mid-Hudson Valley of New York state. The station is owned by Clear Channel Communications and broadcasts at 6 kilowatts ERP from the a tower near Illinois Mountain in Marlborough, New York shared with longtime sister WRWD-FM.

History

The construction permit of WBWZ was awarded in 1991 to Betty Walker, the mother of then-WRWD owner William H. ("Bud") Walker and owner of an area apple orchard. Though separate ownerships linked only by bloodline on paper, prior to sign-on the younger Walker signed an agreement to operate WBWZ with WRWD from the company's then-studios in Highland. After testing for the first part of December 1992, WBWZ formally signed on on December 20 of that year carrying ABC's "Z-Rock" satellite hard rock format as Z-Rock 93.3. With limited outside promotion and no rock station targeting younger audiences, WBWZ entered the Top 10 of the Poughkeepsie ratings in its first two books and became enough of a threat to rival WPDH that the programming at that station began to evolve to classic rock.

Though with a very loyal audience and good numbers, the Walkers found it hard to sell WBWZ to advertisers with the country music format of WRWD. Coupled with the decline of hard rock and the rise of alternative rock, the writing was soon on the wall for Z-Rock 93.3 and in February 1995 the station flipped to a satellite-fed 1970s music format as Z-93. Though the station had an initial surge of listenership, quirks in Arbitron's system in rating small markets at the time led to the ratings coming out after such a surge had subsided and the overall ratings fell below the Z-Rock format.

Shortly after the format change, Bud Walker bought the license of WBWZ after the loosening of FCC regulations and to also make any sale of the stations easier. After the further loosening of ownership regulations in early 1996, Walker decided to leave radio to pursue a career in politics and sold WBWZ, WRWD, and WWLE to Hudson Valley Radio Partners, a short-term holding company. With the ownership change, WBWZ's format changed to a locally-run Hot Adult Contemporary format while keeping the Z-93 name that November. Within a month of its sign-on, the station scored a coup by landing then-recently deposed WSPK morning host Mark Bolger and his newsreader/co-host Dawn Spicer however their non-compete clauses with WSPK barred them from the air until mid-1997. Shortly after taking the air, Hudson Valley Radio Partners sold itself to California-based Roberts Radio.

Bolger's presence proved to be key for the station as WBWZ soon skyrocketed into the top of the ratings (at its peak being behind only WSPK and WPDH) and being #1 in mornings. Though the numbers eventually leveled off, they still did well for a station in a small market with a format typically seen as niche. Adding other market veterans as well as targeting former WSPK listeners when that station leaned younger also was a key factor in such success.

In 2000, Roberts Radio was bought by Clear Channel Communications with Clear Channel taking control that November. Though WBWZ was aided by the elimination of rival WCTJ (now WPKF), its ratings soon began to slip to levels not seen since prior to the Hot AC format. After the decline stretched several years, the station was soon taken over by WPKF program director Jimi Jamm (Collins) whose past work had improved that station to levels beyond Clear Channel's expectations. On June 30, 2003, Z-93 was replaced by the more CHR-leaning Star 93.3. Bolger remains in mornings though with the departure of Dawn Spicer for WGY in Albany in April 2005 Kimberly Kay (ex-WCZX) now holds the co-host/newscaster position.

External links

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