WSAG
Encyclopedia
WSAG in Linwood, Michigan
, and WSAM (1400 AM) in Saginaw, Michigan
, are a pair of radio station
s broadcasting a soft adult contemporary format, collectively known as The Bay.
WSAG-FM's reception is strongest in the Bay City
area but is very difficult to receive near the Flint and Lapeer area, as WOMC-FM tends to phase out the signal that far south, as well as WRSR
103.9; however, its signal can be received as far north as West Branch and Tawas City. WSAG's signal is also scratchy in parts of Saginaw itself, perhaps due to the proximity of WILZ
on 104.5 FM. WSAM-AM is more easily received in Flint and Lapeer on car radios, but farther south it too runs into reception problems due to co-channel WDTK
in Detroit.
The current format began in April 2005. Previously, WSAM had programmed adult standards
under the name "Sam 1400 AM", and WSAG (originally licensed to Pinconning, Michigan
before the city of license changed to Linwood, an unincorporated community north of Bay City) had broadcast an automated, commercial-free mix of 1950s-1970s oldies
since opening in November 2002. During the 1960s and 1970s, WSAM was a popular top 40 music station; during the 1980s, it played oldies. Serendipitously, during WSAM's period as an oldies station, the long-held call letters lent themselves to the tagline "Play it Again, Sam". WSAM's original FM station at 98.1 MHz is now WKCQ
and has programmed a highly rated country music
format since 1968. MacDonald Broadcasting has owned WSAM-AM and WSAM-FM/WKCQ continuously since 1962, with sister stations WSAG and WMJO
added later.
WSAM and WSAG are simulcast around the clock, except for some popular weekend polka
shows on WSAM which are a holdover from the now-defunct adult standards format. Like most other adult contemporary music stations, The Bay switches to a format of continuous Christmas music
during the months of November and December, competing with crosstown classic hits WHNN
for the holiday music audience.
"The Bay" is the current home in the Tri-Cities
of Delilah Rene
's syndicated love-songs show, which was formerly heard on crosstown WGER
until its replacement by John Tesh
.
Linwood, Michigan
Linwood is a small unincorporated community in the northern portion of Bay County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The community is on the boundary between Fraser Township on the north and Kawkawlin Township on the south. M-13 passes to the west and the Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron is on the east...
, and WSAM (1400 AM) in Saginaw, Michigan
Saginaw, Michigan
Saginaw is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Saginaw County. The city of Saginaw was once a thriving lumber town and manufacturing center. Saginaw and Saginaw County lie in the Flint/Tri-Cities region of Michigan...
, are a pair of radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
s broadcasting a soft adult contemporary format, collectively known as The Bay.
WSAG-FM's reception is strongest in the Bay City
Bay City, Michigan
Bay City is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan located near the base of the Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 34,932, and is the principal city of the Bay City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Saginaw-Bay City-Saginaw Township North...
area but is very difficult to receive near the Flint and Lapeer area, as WOMC-FM tends to phase out the signal that far south, as well as WRSR
WRSR
WRSR is a radio station broadcasting a classic rock format. Licensed to Owosso, Michigan, it first began broadcasting in 1965 under the WOAP-FM call sign.-Coverage area:...
103.9; however, its signal can be received as far north as West Branch and Tawas City. WSAG's signal is also scratchy in parts of Saginaw itself, perhaps due to the proximity of WILZ
WILZ
WILZ is a radio station broadcasting a classic rock format in Saginaw, Michigan, owned by Cumulus Media. The station is the local affiliate of the syndicated programs The Bob and Tom Show and Nights with Alice Cooper...
on 104.5 FM. WSAM-AM is more easily received in Flint and Lapeer on car radios, but farther south it too runs into reception problems due to co-channel WDTK
WDTK
WDTK, known on the air as NewsTalk 1400, is a conservative-oriented news/talk radio station broadcasting at 1400 kHz on the AM dial in Detroit, Michigan, United States...
in Detroit.
The current format began in April 2005. Previously, WSAM had programmed adult standards
Adult standards
Adult standards is a North American radio format heard primarily on AM or class A FM stations.Adult standards is aimed at "mature" adults, meaning mainly those persons over 50 years of age, but it is mostly targeted for senior citizens...
under the name "Sam 1400 AM", and WSAG (originally licensed to Pinconning, Michigan
Pinconning, Michigan
Pinconning is a city in Bay County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,386 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Bay City, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area....
before the city of license changed to Linwood, an unincorporated community north of Bay City) had broadcast an automated, commercial-free mix of 1950s-1970s oldies
Oldies
Oldies is a term commonly used to describe a radio format that concentrates on music from a period of about 15 to 55 years before the present day....
since opening in November 2002. During the 1960s and 1970s, WSAM was a popular top 40 music station; during the 1980s, it played oldies. Serendipitously, during WSAM's period as an oldies station, the long-held call letters lent themselves to the tagline "Play it Again, Sam". WSAM's original FM station at 98.1 MHz is now WKCQ
WKCQ
WKCQ is a radio station licensed to Saginaw, Michigan. The station has broadcast a popular country music format since 1968 . Every year since 1993, the station hosts a free concert on Ojibway Island in downtown Saginaw.- Sources :*...
and has programmed a highly rated country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
format since 1968. MacDonald Broadcasting has owned WSAM-AM and WSAM-FM/WKCQ continuously since 1962, with sister stations WSAG and WMJO
WMJO
WMJO is a radio station broadcasting a variety hits format. Licensed to Essexville, Michigan, it first began broadcasting under the WIXC call sign ....
added later.
WSAM and WSAG are simulcast around the clock, except for some popular weekend polka
Polka
The polka is a Central European dance and also a genre of dance music familiar throughout Europe and the Americas. It originated in the middle of the 19th century in Bohemia...
shows on WSAM which are a holdover from the now-defunct adult standards format. Like most other adult contemporary music stations, The Bay switches to a format of continuous Christmas music
Christmas music
Christmas music comprises a variety of genres of music normally performed or heard around the Christmas season, which tends to begin in the months leading up the actual holiday and end in the weeks shortly thereafter.-Early:...
during the months of November and December, competing with crosstown classic hits WHNN
WHNN
WHNN is an FM radio station serving the Saginaw-Bay City-Midland area and Flint with its classic hits format. It broadcasts on FM frequency 96.1 and is under ownership of Cumulus Media...
for the holiday music audience.
"The Bay" is the current home in the Tri-Cities
Tri-Cities (Michigan)
The name Tri-Cities refers to two regions in the U.S. state of Michigan. Both are located in the Lower Peninsula.-The Greater Tri-Cities Region:The larger and more well known Tri-Cities is the region surrounding the cities of Saginaw, Bay City, and Midland...
of Delilah Rene
Delilah Rene
Delilah Rene Luke , almost always known mononymously as Delilah, is an American radio personality, author, and songwriter, best known as the host of a nationally syndicated nightly U.S...
's syndicated love-songs show, which was formerly heard on crosstown WGER
WGER
WGER is a radio station licensed to Saginaw, Michigan broadcasting a hot adult contemporary format.WGER can be heard in the Tri-Cities, as their niche market. However, WGER is shared on the same frequency by CHKS-FM "K106.3" in Sarnia, Ontario...
until its replacement by John Tesh
John Tesh
John Frank Tesh is an American pianist and composer of pop music, as well as a radio host and television presenter. His 10-year-old 'Intelligence for Your Life Radio Show' reaches 14.2 Million listeners/week, and is syndicated by Teshmedia on 400 stations in US, Canada, and the UK...
.