WNSX

WNSX
Broadcast areaDowneast Maine
Frequency97.7 MHz
BrandingStar 97.7
Programming
FormatClassic hits
Ownership
OwnerCodin Broadcasting, LLC
History
First air date
1999 (1999)
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID66712
ClassB
ERP50,000 watts
HAAT149 meters (489 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
44°33′13″N 68°5′40″W / 44.55361°N 68.09444°W / 44.55361; -68.09444
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen Live
WebsiteStar977.com

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.

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

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

  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WNSX". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ "WNSX Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  3. ^ Radio-Locator.com/WNSX
  4. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2000 page D-204
  5. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2003-2004 page D-217
  6. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2007 page D-247
  7. ^ "RBR's Daily Morning Epaper".
  8. ^ Star 97 owner announces retirement and sale of station to longtime employee Sarah Halberstadt, Ellsworth American, April 24, 2024