WNSX (97.7 MHz Star 97.7) is a commercial FM radio station broadcasting a classic hits radio format. The station signed on in 1999 as WNSX. Licensed to Winter Harbor, Maine, the station's studios and offices are on Maine State Route 3 (High Street) in Ellsworth. It serves Downeast Maine, including Ellsworth, Bar Harbor, Bucksport, and Machias.
 | |
| Broadcast area | Downeast Maine |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 97.7 MHz |
| Branding | Star 97.7 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Classic hits |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Codin Broadcasting, LLC |
| History | |
First air date | 1999 |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 66712 |
| Class | B |
| ERP | 50,000 watts |
| HAAT | 149 meters (489 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 44°33′13″N 68°5′40″W / 44.55361°N 68.09444°W |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | Star977.com |
WNSX is owned by Codin Broadcasting, LLC.[2] WNSX's music format is a mix which includes primarily soft and mid-tempo classic rock artists such as The Eagles, Genesis, Boston, The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, Billy Joel and Elton John, but avoids more harder-edged artists like AC/DC, Def Leppard, Guns N' Roses, and Jimi Hendrix. The station uses the slogan "Smooth Rock 'n' Roll" to indicate it does not play rock songs that are too hard-edged.
WNSX's transmitter is off Tunk Lake Road in Sullivan.[3] The station's primary signal serves Hancock and Washington Counties.
History
edit
Maine businessman Scott Hogg was granted a construction permit from the Federal Communications Commission to build a new FM station at 97.7 in the mid-1990s. It used the call sign WAKN before making it to the air.[4]
The station signed on in 1999 as WNSX.[5] It originally simulcast its then-sister station WMDI (now WBKA).
In 2001, the station was purchased by Clear Channel Communications for $1.1 million. It began simulcasting the classic rock format of its sister station 101.7 WFZX. WNSX later flipped to a sports radio format, carrying Fox Sports Radio for several years before returning to a simulcast of WFZX.
In 2005, the station was sold to Stony Creek Broadcasting, with Mark L. Osborne as managing member. The cost was $800,000.[6] WNSX then switched to its current format of classic hits.[7]
In 2024, the station was sold to Codin Broadcasting, LLC.[8]
References
edit- ^ "Facility Technical Data for WNSX". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ "WNSX Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
- ^ Radio-Locator.com/WNSX
- ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2000 page D-204
- ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2003-2004 page D-217
- ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2007 page D-247
- ^ "RBR's Daily Morning Epaper".
- ^ Star 97 owner announces retirement and sale of station to longtime employee Sarah Halberstadt, Ellsworth American, April 24, 2024
External links
edit- Facility details for Facility ID 66712 (WNSX) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- WNSX in Nielsen Audio's FM station database
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