WSSX-FM
Encyclopedia
WSSX-FM is a Top 40 contemporary hit radio
(CHR) music formatted radio station
located in North Charleston, South Carolina
. The station is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) to broadcast with an effective radiated power
(ERP) of 100 kW. The station is owned by Cumulus Media
.
AM 1250. By the late 50s, WTMA-FM was simulcasting much of the AM's programming full-time, which was Top 40 by that point.
When the FCC started to limit simulcasts of AM and FM stations in the late 1960s, WTMA-FM became WPXI, with an automated beautiful music
format. In 1975, WPXI changed to urban contemporary
as "Super 95 Soul". Although it was still automated, it was noted as being one of the few commercial urban FMs in South Carolina at the time.
In 1981, WPXI dropped the Urban format as the station became WSSX, with a Top 40/AOR hybrid. Known as "The Rock n' Roll Station", the station went to #1 in the ratings within a year. By 1983, the station had transitioned to Mainstream Top 40 (now known as CHR) as "95SX", again going #1 on several occasions throughout the remainder of the 1980s.
By 1993, WSSX's ratings had begun to decline as the station shifted away from CHR to Hot Adult Contemporary as 95-Mix (later changed to Mix 95.1). This lasted until September, 1995 when the station returned to CHR and its 95SX handle.
In October 2007, following sister WSUY's flip from mainstream AC to country
, the station invited listeners from the station to tune to 95.1FM saying "Welcome 96.9 Listeners."
As of January 2010, WSSX, whose direction favored adults and at times took a conservative approach by playing Hot AC or Pop/Rock artists, has begun to shift towards a Rhythmic-leaning direction, as it now favors Rhythmic Pop acts. This move might be due to a changing taste in its listeners' musical choices and its decision to attract a younger demo. The station's main competitor, Apex Broadcasting's WIHB, switched to a hip hop
format in March of 2010. This leaves WSSX as the only CHR station in the market.
95SX's official station mascot is the "95SX Party Parrot."
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
(CHR) music formatted 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...
located in North Charleston, South Carolina
North Charleston, South Carolina
North Charleston is the 3rd largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina with incorporated areas in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties. On June 12, 1972 the city of North Charleston incorporated and was the 9th largest city in South Carolina. According to the 2010 Census, North...
. The station is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
(FCC) to broadcast with an effective radiated power
Effective radiated power
In radio telecommunications, effective radiated power or equivalent radiated power is a standardized theoretical measurement of radio frequency energy using the SI unit watts, and is determined by subtracting system losses and adding system gains...
(ERP) of 100 kW. The station is owned by Cumulus Media
Cumulus Media
Cumulus Media, Inc. is the second largest Owner and Operator of AM and FM radio stations in the United States, behind Clear Channel Communications, operating 570 stations in 150 markets as of September 16, 2011. The company also owns Cumulus Media Networks...
.
History
95.1 originally signed on in 1945 as WTMA-FM, the sister to WTMAWTMA
WTMA is an AM radio station serving the Charleston market area with a News/Talk format. This station operates on AM frequency 1250 kHz and is under ownership of Cumulus Media.-History:...
AM 1250. By the late 50s, WTMA-FM was simulcasting much of the AM's programming full-time, which was Top 40 by that point.
When the FCC started to limit simulcasts of AM and FM stations in the late 1960s, WTMA-FM became WPXI, with an automated beautiful music
Beautiful music
Beautiful music is a mostly instrumental music format that was prominent in American radio from the 1960s through the 1980s...
format. In 1975, WPXI changed to urban contemporary
Urban contemporary
Urban contemporary is a music radio format. The term was coined by the late New York DJ Frankie Crocker in the mid 1970s. Urban contemporary radio stations feature a playlist made up entirely of hip hop/rap, contemporary R&B, pop, electronica such as dubstep and drum and bass and Caribbean music...
as "Super 95 Soul". Although it was still automated, it was noted as being one of the few commercial urban FMs in South Carolina at the time.
In 1981, WPXI dropped the Urban format as the station became WSSX, with a Top 40/AOR hybrid. Known as "The Rock n' Roll Station", the station went to #1 in the ratings within a year. By 1983, the station had transitioned to Mainstream Top 40 (now known as CHR) as "95SX", again going #1 on several occasions throughout the remainder of the 1980s.
By 1993, WSSX's ratings had begun to decline as the station shifted away from CHR to Hot Adult Contemporary as 95-Mix (later changed to Mix 95.1). This lasted until September, 1995 when the station returned to CHR and its 95SX handle.
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...
, the station invited listeners from the station to tune to 95.1FM saying "Welcome 96.9 Listeners."
As of January 2010, WSSX, whose direction favored adults and at times took a conservative approach by playing Hot AC or Pop/Rock artists, has begun to shift towards a Rhythmic-leaning direction, as it now favors Rhythmic Pop acts. This move might be due to a changing taste in its listeners' musical choices and its decision to attract a younger demo. The station's main competitor, Apex Broadcasting's WIHB, switched to a hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
format in March of 2010. This leaves WSSX as the only CHR station in the market.
95SX's official station mascot is the "95SX Party Parrot."
On-air staff
- 5:30AM–10:00AM 2 Girls and a Guy
- 10:00AM–2:00PM Ryan SeacrestRyan SeacrestRyan John Seacrest is an American radio personality, television host, network producer and voice actor. He is the host of On Air with Ryan Seacrest, a nationally syndicated Top 40 radio show that airs on KIIS-FM in Los Angeles and throughout the United States and Canada on Premiere Radio Networks,...
- 2:00PM–7:00PM Joe Girard
- 7:00PM–12:00AM Jiggy
Former on-air staff
- John Quincy
- Greg Pitt
- Kain Cameron
- "Special" Ed
- Kosmo
- Ali O.
- Tim Ryan
- Spoon on the Radio
- Mr. Phil
- Jason Cage
- Karen Paige
- Steve Waters
- Josh Dukes
- Beau Daniels
- Ricky Lee Ocean
- Brian "Miami" Philips
- Bill Jordan
- Jay Donovan
- Chris Kelley
- Andrea
- Dave "The Hit Man" Alan
- Nina Hunt
- Michael Angelo
- "Michael D" Forcier
- Kathy Scott
- Jeff "The Hoser" Williams