WRZE
{{About||the radio station in Dennis, Massachusetts that held the WRZE call sign from 1993 to 2009|WEII|the station in the York, Pennsylvania area|WSBA (AM)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = WRZE
| logo =
| city = Kingstree, South Carolina
| area =
| branding = Rock 94.1 - 97.9
| frequency = 94.1 MHz
| translator =
| airdate = {{start date and age|1998}} (as WGSS)
| format = Classic rock
| erp = 6,000 watts
| haat = {{convert|100|meters}}
| class = A
| facility_id = 3121
| coordinates = {{coord|33|43|32.00|N| 79|58|19.00|W|region:US-SC_type:landmark}}
| callsign_meaning =
| former_callsigns = WAOT (1995–1996, CP)
WGSS (1996–2009)
| affiliations =
| owner = iHeartMedia, Inc.
| licensee = iHM Licenses, LLC
| sister_stations = WDAR-FM, WDSC, WEGX, WJMX, WJMX-FM, WWRK, WZTF
| webcast = [https://www.iheart.com/live/rock-941-979-1059-6863/?autoplay=true Listen Live]
| website = [http://therockfms.iheart.com therockfms.iheart.com]
| licensing_authority= FCC
}}
WRZE (94.1 FM) is a radio station airing a classic rock format. Licensed to Kingstree, South Carolina, United States, the station is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc., through licensee iHM Licenses, LLC.{{cite web |url=http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=WRZE |title=WRZE Facility Record |work=United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division}}
History
In a deal announced in February 1997, Root Communications Ltd. announced plans to buy eight radio stations owned by Florence, South Carolina-based Atlantic Broadcasting, including WGSS.{{cite news|url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/keyword/cheraw/featured/4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219184712/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/keyword/cheraw/featured/4 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 19, 2013 |title=Root Communications Eyes 8 Radio Stations In Carolinas |last=Hager-Van Dyke |first=Charlene |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=1997-02-20 |accessdate=2011-11-01 }} Qantum Communications Inc. purchased Florence's Root Communications Group LP stations in 2003.{{cite news|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/101197-Changing_Hands.php|title=Changing Hands|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=2003-03-16|accessdate=2011-10-13}}
WGSS was "94.1 The Light", an urban gospel station, prior to 2009.
At one time, WRZE simulcast WDAR-FM and played adult contemporary music.{{cite web|url=http://www.krgspec.com/MSAOverview.cfm?AreaID=554|title=Florence, SC Metro Survey Area Overview|accessdate=2009-04-14}}
In 2012, Sunny 94.1 was flipped to mainstream urban "Swagga". It was also simulcast on WWRK.{{cite web|url=http://www.krgspec.com/StationOverview.cfm?StatID=7966&AMFMID=2|title=Station Overview|accessdate=2012-09-13}} Later WWRK moved from 1400 to 970 AM.{{cite web|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=3119&Callsign=WJMX|title=Call Sign History (WJMX)|accessdate=2014-05-21}}{{cite web|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=3112&Callsign=WWRK|title=Call Sign History (WWRK)|accessdate=2014-05-21}}
On May 15, 2014, Qantum Communications announced that it would sell its 29 stations, including WRZE, to Clear Channel Communications (now iHeartMedia), in a transaction connected to Clear Channel's sale of WALK AM-FM in Patchogue, New York to Connoisseur Media via Qantum.{{cite news|last=Venta|first=Lance|title=Qantum Sells To Clear Channel; Connoisseur Expands In Long Island|url=http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/88656/qantum-sells-to-clear-channel-connoisseur-expands-in-long-island/|accessdate=May 15, 2014|newspaper=RadioInsight|date=May 15, 2014}} The transaction was consummated on September 9, 2014.
In August 2017, WRZE, WWRK and the translators began simulcasting WDAR-FM, which took over the urban contemporary format.{{cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/119382/ihearts-swagga-moves-rebrands-florence/|title=iHeart's Swagga Moves & Rebrands In Florence|last=Venta|first=Lance|publisher=radioinsight|date=August 21, 2017|accessdate=August 23, 2017}}
On September 14, 2017 WRZE, WWRK and the translators dropped the urban simulcast with WDAR-FM and switched to classic rock, branded as "Rock 94.1 - 97.9 - 105.9". The station airs the syndicated "Rover's Morning Glory".[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/119747/classic-rock-trimulcast-debuts-florence/ Classic Rock Trimulcast Debuts in Florence] Radioinsight - September 14, 2017
Call letter history
The station was assigned the call letters WAOT on December 1, 1995. On March 22, 1996, the station changed its call sign to WGSS. On March 26, 2009, the station changed its call sign to WRZE.{{cite web|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=3121&Callsign=WRZE |title=WRZE Call Sign History |work=United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division }}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://therockfms.iheart.com Official website]
- {{FM station data|3121|WRZE}}
{{Classic Rock Radio Stations in South Carolina}}
{{IHeartMedia}}
Category:Classic rock radio stations in the United States
Category:IHeartMedia radio stations