WLZX-FM

WLZX-FM

WLZX-FM

Radio station in Massachusetts, United States


WLZX-FM (99.3 MHz) is a radio station in Northampton, Massachusetts. The station has an active rock format, and is owned by Saga Communications. The station is also simulcast on WLZX (1600 AM) and translator station W253CD (98.5 FM), both in East Longmeadow, as well as the HD2 channel of WAQY (102.1 FM) in Springfield.

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Programming

WLZX-FM and WLZX air an active rock format. However, WLZX (AM), along with its FM translator, breaks away to carry Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics games.

History

What is now WLZX-FM went on the air November 1, 1965, as WHMP-FM.[3] In 2000, Saga Communications purchased WHMP-FM and WHMP from Clear Channel,[4] which operated WHMP-FM as the "Rock Alternative".[5] Lazer 99.3 went live on September 11, 2000.[6]

On February 3, 2017, WLZX-FM rebranded as "Lazer 99.3 & 105.1" and began simulcasting on WLZX (1600 AM, formerly WHNP) and FM translator W286DB (105.1 FM) in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts. As WHNP, the 1600 AM facility had simulcast the talk format of sister station WHMP.[7] The station subsequently rebranded as "Lazer 99.3 & 98.5", in reflection of the translator's move to 98.5 FM as W253CD.[8]

The WLZX stations switched to an alternative rock format in the summer of 2017, but returned to the active rock format at 6:00 a.m. on February 4, 2020. The stations added The Toucher and Rich Show, a syndicated morning show based at WBZ-FM in Boston, on May 9, 2022;[9] they dropped the program in 2023.[10]

Translators

In addition to W253CD (98.5), which is fed by WLZX (AM), WLZX-FM has two translators: W232BW (94.3) in Amherst at 250 watts, which simulcasts its HD2 channel, a classic hits station branded as "Rewind 94.3";[11] and W245BK (96.9), also a 250-watt facility in Amherst, which simulcasts WLZX-FM's HD3 channel, an oldies station branded as "Pure Oldies 96.9".[12]

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References

  1. "Facility Technical Data for WLZX-FM". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. Broadcasting Yearbook 1975. 1975. p. C-90.
  3. "WHMP 99.3 ONLINE". April 28, 1999. Archived from the original on April 28, 1999. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  4. Peters, Bill; Saulmon, Greg (May 11, 2009). "Sustainable Radio". MassLive. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  5. Laser 99.3 Adds Second Signal Radioinsight - February 3, 2017
  6. Venta, Lance (May 5, 2022). "Toucher & Rich Expand To Springfield". Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  7. Venta, Lance (October 2, 2023). "WCYY Brings Back Rob Riccitelli For Mornings; Dropping Toucher & Rich". RadioInsight. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  8. Saga Goes in Rewind in Amherst Radioinsight - January 1, 2021
  9. "Saga Launches Pure Oldies In Amherst MA". RadioInsight. June 4, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2018.

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