WLGT (97.5 FM, "Sozo Radio") is an American radio station licensed to Washington, North Carolina, United States. It serves the Greenville-New Bern area. The station is currently owned by Media East LLC.
| Broadcast area | Greenville-New Bern |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 97.5 MHz |
| Branding | Sozo Radio |
| Programming | |
| Format | Worship music |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Media East, LLC |
| WSTK | |
| History | |
First air date | 1989 (as WCZI) |
Former call signs | WFXZ (1987–1988) WBRE-FM (1988–1989) WCZI (1989–2004) WMUM (2004–2005)[1] |
Former frequencies | 98.3 MHz (1989–2022) |
| Technical information[2] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 48399 |
| Class | A |
| ERP | 1,350 watts |
| HAAT | 149 meters (489 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 35°29′14″N 77°2′42″W / 35.48722°N 77.04500°W |
| Repeater(s) | 104.5 WSTK (Aurora) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Website | sozoradio.org |
History
editIn 1989, Henry Hinton started New East Communications of Greenville, North Carolina. The company's stations were WCZI, WKQT, and WGPM. WCZI's programming was aired for a time on Cable Channel 7. WKQT was sold in 1996.[3] In 2003, Archway Broadcasting Group, LLC, bought WGPM and WCZI, and announced its acquisition of four Greenville market stations—WRHT, WCBZ, WNBR and WZBR—from Eastern North Carolina Broadcasting Company, Inc. for $6.5 million.[4]
WCZI was a news/talk station from 1994 to 2004. Later, the station used the call letters WMUM, calling itself "98.3 MOM, radio for women".[5] Prior to switching to gospel in 2006, WLGT was “The Light”. In October 2007, it began simulcasting on WSTK (104.5 FM) and WEGG (710 AM). In May 2008 WLGT became “Glory Radio 98.3”. The format was “The Promise 98.3” from June 2008 through October 2010.
On October 1, 2010, WLGT went silent (off the air) for financial reasons. In their application to the FCC for special temporary authority to remain silent, the station asserted, "Operating expenses exceed income. The licensee intends to restore operation once economic conditions improve."[citation needed] On December 8, 2010, WLGT became “Big Fish FM” simulcasting on WBNK ("92.7 Big Fish FM") in Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina. After several months off the air, WLGT returned to the air on April 1, 2011, at which time it switched to an urban gospel format branded as “We Love God Today Radio”. In October 2011, the station began simulcasting on WBOB-FM The Promise 107.3 in Enfield, North Carolina. On November 14, 2011, WLGT began simulcasting WSTK/104.5 in Aurora, North Carolina. In April 2012 WLGT changed to Christian Talk, calling itself “Your Christian Radio 98.3”. In July 2012 WLGT changed to “The Promise 98.3”. On November 1, 2012, WLGT changed to “98.3 The Bridge”, with a Contemporary Christian format.
On June 1, 2022, WLGT began simulcasting on WSTK 104.5 FM. Effective November 2, 2022, WLGT was licensed to change frequencies from 98.3 MHz to 97.5 MHz.
On May 1, 2024, WLGT and WSTK changed their format from Contemporary Christian to worship music, branded as "Sozo Radio".[6]
On December 1, 2024, SOZO Radio went digital only and 97.5 and 104.5 began airing Christmas music as Eastern Carolina's Sounds of the Season!
References
edit- ^ "Call Sign History". FCC Media Bureau. April 14, 2005. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
- ^ "Facility Technical Data for WLGT". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ "About Us". talk1070.com. August 19, 2006. Archived from the original on August 18, 2006. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- ^ "Archway Broadcasting Group, LLC Completes First Three Acquisitions". The Free Library by Farlex. March 12, 2003. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
- ^ "Radio Stations in the Greenville NC Metro area". ontheradio.net. Archived from the original on December 10, 2005. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- ^ WLGT/WSTK Goes Sozo With Move to Contemporary Worship Radioinsight - May 10, 2024
External links
edit- Facility details for Facility ID 48399 (WLGT) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- WLGT in Nielsen Audio's FM station database