WBYA

The station went on the air as WAYD in February 1999,{{cite news|last=Fybush|first=Scott|title=A Time For Farewells...|url=http://www.bostonradio.org/nerw/nerw-990226.html|accessdate=November 4, 2012|newspaper=North East RadioWatch|date=February 26, 1999}} programming an adult standards format branded as "The Bay".{{cite news|last=Groening|first=Tom|title=Camden station ready to debut|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fKFJAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NQ0NAAAAIBAJ&dq=wayd%20the-bay&pg=5592%2C4334033|accessdate=November 4, 2012|newspaper=Bangor Daily News|date=December 31, 1998}} It was owned by Gopher Hill Communications, who also owned WQSS in Camden and WABI and WWBX in Bangor; the station was based out of the WQSS studios in Camden. On April 16, 2001, the station changed its call sign to the current WBYA, which had just been dropped by WFZX in Searsport.{{cite web|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=41105&Callsign=WBYA |title=WBYA Call Sign History |work=United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division }}{{cite news|last=Fybush|first=Scott|title=Quebec Tower Comes Down|url=http://www.bostonradio.org/nerw/nerw-010430.html|accessdate=November 4, 2012|newspaper=North East RadioWatch|date=April 30, 2001}} Gopher Hill sold WBYA to Mariner Broadcasting in 2003;{{cite news|last=Fybush|first=Scott|title=Citadel Gets "Hot" in Providence|url=http://www.bostonradio.org/nerw/nerw-030113.html|accessdate=November 4, 2012|newspaper=North East RadioWatch|date=January 13, 2003}} this came after the other three Gopher Hill stations were sold to Clear Channel Communications.{{cite news|last=Fybush|first=Scott|title=Clear Channel Buys Two in Maine|url=http://www.bostonradio.org/nerw/nerw-010416.html|accessdate=November 4, 2012|newspaper=North East RadioWatch|date=April 16, 2001}}{{cite news|last=Fybush|first=Scott|title=Big Changes at WAVZ|url=http://www.bostonradio.org/nerw/nerw-020123.html|accessdate=November 4, 2012|newspaper=North East RadioWatch|date=January 23, 2002}} Mariner kept the standards format, but dropped locally-produced programming in favor of the Music of Your Life service.

Image:WBYA - 105.5 Frank FM logo.png", used from April 2005 through February 2017]]

Image:WBYA 105.5 The Wolf logo.png

Nassau Broadcasting Partners acquired Mariner in 2004;{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=Stations sold|url=http://www.sunjournal.com/node/251502|accessdate=November 4, 2012|newspaper=Sun Journal|date=December 12, 2003}} under Nassau, the station switched to the "Frank FM" classic hits format on April 1, 2005.{{cite news |last1=Fybush |first1=Scott |title=A Vermont TV Pioneer Dies |url=https://www.fybush.com/NERW/2005/050404/nerw.html |accessdate=February 22, 2020 |work=NorthEast Radio Watch |date=April 4, 2005}} WBYA simulcast the morning show of Portland sister WFNK, and in addition to the classic hits format broadcast local high school basketball games and Boston Red Sox baseball.

WBYA, along with 16 other Nassau stations in northern New England, was purchased at bankruptcy auction by WBIN Media Company, a company controlled by Bill Binnie, on May 22, 2012. Binnie already owned WBIN-TV in Derry, New Hampshire.{{cite news|title=Carlisle Capital Corp. Wins Bidding For Rest Of Nassau Stations|url=http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/106283/carlisle-capital-corp-wins-bidding-for-rest-of-nas|accessdate=May 22, 2012|newspaper=All Access|date=May 22, 2012}}{{cite news|title=WBIN Media acquires 17 N.E. radio stations|url=http://www.unionleader.com/article/20120523/NEWS02/705249976|accessdate=May 24, 2012|newspaper=New Hampshire Union Leader|date=May 23, 2012}} The deal was completed on November 30, 2012.{{cite news|last=Kitch|first=Michael|title=Binnie closes on purchase of WLNH|url=http://www.laconiadailysun.com/index.php/newsx/local-news/64052-binnie-s-radio-franchise|accessdate=December 1, 2012|newspaper=Laconia Daily Sun|date=December 1, 2012}}

On February 18, 2017, Binnie Media moved the classic hits format to WBQX (106.9 FM), replacing the classical music programming of WBACH; WBYA then began stunting with a loop directing listeners to WBQX.[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/116595/w-bach-signs-off-in-maine/ W-Bach Signs Off in Maine] Radioinsight - February 20, 2017 On February 24, 2017, WBYA changed to a country music format, branded as "105.5 The Wolf";{{cite news|last1=Betts|first1=Stephen|title=Local classical music station shifts to classic hits|url=http://knox.villagesoup.com/p/local-classical-music-station-shifts-to-classic-hits/1626322|accessdate=February 26, 2017|work=Courier-Gazette|date=February 20, 2017}}{{cite news|title=Another Classical Station Comes To An End|url=https://radioink.com/2017/02/20/another-classical-station-comes-end/|accessdate=February 26, 2017|work=Radio Ink|date=February 20, 2017}} the new format includes a simulcast of Portland sister station WTHT's morning show.{{cite news|title=Binnie Flips Country In Maine|url=http://countryaircheck.com/art/49799|accessdate=February 26, 2017|work=Country Aircheck|date=February 24, 2017}} Following the format changes, WBYA retained Boston Red Sox broadcasts, while its high school basketball coverage was transferred to WBQX.

On June 24, 2025, it was announced that WBYA will drop both its Wolf branding and country format and flip to a soft adult contemporary format under the branding "105.5 The Wave" on June 30, 2025.{{cite news|title=Mid-Maine’s Wolf To Crash Into A Wave|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/302907/mid-maines-wolf-to-crash-into-a-wave/|accessdate=June 24, 2025|work=Radioinsight|date=June 24, 2025}}{{cite news|title=Maine Makes Way For The Wave|url=https://ramp247.com/programming/maine-makes-way-for-the-wave/|accessdate=June 24, 2025|work=Ramp247|date=June 24, 2025}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{FM station data|41105|WBYA}}

{{Mid-Coast Maine Radio}}

{{Adult Contemporary Radio Stations in Maine}}

BYA

Category:Radio stations established in 1999

Category:1999 establishments in Maine

Category:Waldo County, Maine

Category:Soft adult contemporary radio stations in the United States