WCMC-FM

Infobox Radio Station
name = WCMC-FM


city = Creedmoor, North Carolina
area = Research Triangle Area of North Carolina
branding = 99.9 The Fan
slogan =
airdate = October 1990
frequency = 99.9 (MHz) HD Radio
format = Sports
erp = 8,000 watts
haat = 175 meters
class = C3
facility_id = 51760
coordinates = coord|36|3|56|N|78|29|26|W|type:landmark
callsign_meaning = Country Music for Carolina (previous format)
previous callsigns = WFXQ (1990-2005)
owner = Capitol Broadcasting Company
sister_stations = WRAL-FM
website = [http://www.999thefan.com/ www.999thefan.com]

WCMC-FM is a Sports Talk radio station based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Its studios are located in downtown Raleigh along with WRAL-FM, an adult contemporary music station. Both stations are owned and operated by Capitol Broadcasting Company, which also owns WRAL-TV, FOX 50, and the Durham Bulls minor-league baseball team, among other properties.

WCMC-FM transmits from an antenna located 485 feet above ground level located 3 miles northwest of Youngsville, North Carolina. The station also broadcasts in HD Radio.

History

Prior to 2005, this station was WFXQ in Chase City, Virginia, one of several southern Virginia stations purchased by former Raleigh radio host Tom Joyner in 2001. For 11 years prior to Joyner's purchase of the station, it was a country music station known as "99.9 The Fox". During Joyner's years as owner, the station was black gospel as "Rejoice Radio 99.9" and adult standards as "Stardust 99.9." Joyner sold WFXQ to Capitol Broadcasting, and the Stardust format moved to WSHV in South Hill, Virginia, one of several Joyner-owned stations purchased by Lakes Media. WFXQ got permission to move to Creedmoor and increase its power to 22,000 watts.http://www.geocities.com/rdurw/wfxq.html, Retrieved 2007-11-06.] WCMC signed on the air in October 2005 with a Country format called "99.9 Genuine Country". The slogan was "Country Favorites From Today and Yesterday" and it played a mix of new country and older country. [Danny Hooley, "Station Goes Country,"News & Observer, October 14, 2005]

In October 2006, WCMC moved to its current tower, taller than the previous one, but reduced its power to 8000 watts.

On September 10, 2007 the format was dropped at 9 p.m. and changed to a classic rock format in anticipation for a format change to sports. On October 10, the sports format premiered at 3 p.m. known as "99.9 The Fan". [Danny Hooley, "Tune In for Carol Results," News & Observer, October 16, 2007]

Sports

WCMC is now the flagship station for the Carolina Hurricanes, following a two-year run on Curtis Media-owned WWMY. [http://www.wral.com/sports/story/1541326/ ] In addition, the station will broadcast also the weekly football and basketball coaches shows for the NC State Wolfpack, while sister station WRAL-FM will broadcast the games. However, all ACC Tournament games not involving the Wolfpack will air on WCMC.

References

External links

* [http://www.999thefan.com 99.9 The Fan website]
* [http://www.cbc-raleigh.com/capcom/news/2007/wcmc_07/rock_change/rock_change.html 99.9 Genuine Rock? WCMC gets ready for sports transition.]
* [http://triangle.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2007/07/30/daily30.html?jst=b_ln_hl Capital broadcasting to launch sports radio station - Triangle Business Journal]
*FMQ|WCMC
*FML|WCMC