WZAX
{{short description|Radio station in Nashville, North Carolina}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = WZAX
| city = Nashville, North Carolina
| area = Rocky Mount–Wilson
| branding = 99.3 the Beach
| frequency = 99.3 MHz
| airdate = {{start date|1997}} (at 99.7)
| format = Beach music
| erp = 6,000 watts
| haat = {{convert|100|m|ft|sp=us}}
| class = A
| licensing_authority = FCC
| facility_id = 76264
| coordinates = {{coord|35|57|01|N|77|57|26|W}}
| callsign_meaning =
| former_callsigns =
| former_frequencies = 99.7 MHz (1997–2005)
| affiliations = {{ubl|Premiere Networks|Carolina Panthers Radio Network}}
| owner = First Media Radio, LLC
| licensee =
| sister_stations = WDWG, WPWZ, WRMT
| webcast = [http://player.listenlive.co/37151 Listen Live]
| website = {{URL|http://movin993.com}}
}}
WZAX (99.3 MHz) is a commercial FM radio station licensed to Nashville, North Carolina, and serving the Rocky Mount-Wilson area, east of Raleigh. The station airs a beach music format and is owned by First Media Radio, LLC. During football season, it carries the Carolina Panthers.
WZAX has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 6,000 watts as a Class A station. The transmitter is off East Old Spring Road in Nashville.[https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/finder?call=wzax&x=0&y=0&sr=Y&s=C Radio-Locator.com/WZAX]
History
WZAX signed on in 1997. It was owned by Mainquad Communications and the original frequency was 99.7 FM. Its format was hot adult contemporary, known as the "New Mix 99-7".{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/rdurw/fm.html|title=Raleigh-Durham FM Dial|accessdate=2010-05-05|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030201081556/http://www.geocities.com/rdurw/fm.html|archivedate=2003-02-01}}
The playlist included Steve Miller, Jethro Tull, and Rod Stewart.Fred Marion, "Local radio stations switch, tweak formats," Rocky Mount Telegram, July 21, 2005, Marquee section. The station previously featured "Dave and Allen in the Morning" with one member of the morning show in Roanoke Rapids and the other in Rocky Mount.
On November 11, 2009, WZAX changed its format to rhythmic oldies, branded as "Jammin' 99.3". That lasted five years.
On November 30, 2014, WZAX dropped its "Jammin' 99.3" rhythmic oldies format and began stunting with a wide range of music as "99.3 What's It Gonna Be?" The station launched a classic rock format branded as "99.3 Rock City" on January 5, 2015.[http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/91021/whats-wzax-gonna-be/ What's WZAX Gonna Be]
On November 30, 2017, WZAX dropped the "Rock City" branding and began playing Christmas music.[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/121361/wzax-drops-rock-city-branding-goes-christmas/ WZAX Drops Rock City Branding and Goes Christmas] Radioinsight - November 30, 2017 On January 1, 2018, WZAX ended the Christmas music and launched a rhythmic hot adult contemporary format, branded as "Movin' 99.3".[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/121361/wzax-drops-rock-city-branding-goes-christmas/ WZAX Rocky Mount Gets Movin] Radioinsight - January 2, 2018
On May 1, 2023, WZAX changed to beach music as "99.3 the Beach".{{cite news |last1=Venta |first1=Lance |title=WZAX Movin To Beach Music |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/251497/wzax-movin-to-beach-music/ |access-date=August 18, 2023 |work=RadioInsight |date=April 27, 2023}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{FM station data|741734|WZAX}}
{{Rocky Mount-Wilson Radio}}