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{{More citations needed|date=July 2022}}{{short description|Radio station in Easton, Pennsylvania}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox radio station
{{Infobox radio station
| name = WCTO
| name = WCTO
| logo =
| image = [[Image:WCTO.png|200px]]
| logo_size =
| city = [[Easton, Pennsylvania]]
| area = [[Lehigh Valley]]
| city = [[Easton, Pennsylvania]]
| area = [[Lehigh Valley]]
| branding = ''Cat Country 96.1''
| slogan = "Continuous Country Favorites"
| branding = ''Cat Country 96 & 107''
| frequency = 96.1 [[Megahertz|MHz]] {{HD Radio}}
| frequency = 96.1 [[MHz]]
| translator =
| translator =
| repeater = {{Radio Relay|107.1|[[WWYY]]|[[Belvidere, New Jersey]]}}
| repeater =
| airdate = [[1947 in radio|1947]] (as WEST-FM)
| airdate = {{start date and age|1947}}
⚫
| format = [[Country music]]
| share =
| erp = 50,000 watts
| share as of =
⚫
| haat = 152 meters
| share source =
⚫
| class = B
⚫
| format = [[Country music|Country]]
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| language = English
⚫
| facility_id = 36997
| power =
⚫
| coordinates = {{coord|40|35|55|N|75|25|12|W}}
| erp = 50,000 [[watt]]s
⚫
| callsign_meaning = Cat Country
⚫
| haat = 152 meters
⚫
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|WEST-FM (1947–1973)|WLEV (1973–1997)}}
⚫
| class = B
⚫
| former_frequencies =
⚫
| facility_id = 36997
| affiliations = {{ubl|[[Compass Media Networks]]|[[Westwood One]]|[[List of Philadelphia Eagles broadcasters|Philadelphia Eagles Radio Network]]}}
⚫
| coordinates = {{coord|40|35|55|N|75|25|12|W}}
⚫
| owner = [[Cumulus Media]]
⚫
| callsign_meaning = '''C'''a'''T''' C'''O'''untry
⚫
| licensee = Radio License Holding CBC, LLC
⚫
| former_callsigns = WEST-FM (1947-1973)<br>WLEV (1973-1997)
⚫
| sister_stations = [[WEEX]], [[WLEV]], [[WWYY]]
⚫
| former_frequencies =
| webcast = {{listen live|https://player.listenlive.co/22461}}
| affiliations =
| website = {{url|https://www.catcountry96.com/}}
⚫
| owner = [[Cumulus Media]]
⚫
| licensee = Radio License Holding CBC, LLC
⚫
| sister_stations = [[WLEV]]
| webcast = [http://player.streamtheworld.com/_players/citadel/?sid=2928 Listen Live]
| website = [http://catcountry96.fm catcountry96.fm]
}}
}}
⚫
'''WCTO''' (96.1 [[FM broadcasting|FM]], "Cat Country 96 & 107") is a radio station licensed to [[Easton, Pennsylvania]]. The station is owned by [[Cumulus Media]] and serves the [[Lehigh Valley]] region of [[Pennsylvania]]. Cat Country 96.1 is simulcast on 107.1 WWYY-FM in [[Belvidere, New Jersey]], to cover western [[New Jersey]] and the [[Pocono Mountains|Poconos]] in [[Northeastern Pennsylvania]],


⚫
The station offers a [[country music]] format, playing country music from the 1980s through to the present, and is part of the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] radio network.
⚫
'''WCTO''' (96.1 [[FM broadcasting|FM]], "Cat Country 96.1") is a [[radio station]] based in [[Easton, Pennsylvania]], USA. WCTO is owned by [[Cumulus Media]] and serves the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania.

⚫
The station offers a [[country music]] format, playing country music from the 1980s through to the present. Being part of the Eagles Radio Network, WCTO broadcasts all [[Philadelphia Eagles]] games.


==History==
==History==
96.1 FM began in 1947 as '''WEST-FM'''. For decades, the station simulcast WEST's middle of the road popular music format. In 1973, though, 96.1 became '''WLEV''' and began offering a soft rock/adult contemporary format that was very automated. It played the softer rock hits of the 1960s and 1970s, along with a lot of current music. It was known as "Hit Parade Music" at one point. The station was owned by Sound Media and then by Telemedia Group.
96.1 FM began in 1947 as WEST-FM. For decades, the station simulcast WEST's middle of the road popular music format. In 1973, though, 96.1 became WLEV and began offering a soft rock/adult contemporary format that was very automated. It played the softer rock hits of the 1960s and 1970s, along with a lot of current music. It was known as "Hit Parade Music" at one point. The station was owned by Sound Media and then by Telemedia Group.


Through the 1970s and into the 1980s, WLEV 96.1 continued as an adult contemporary station with no dramatic changes. More personality was added in the late 1980s and, by the 1990s, the station bordered on being a hot adult contemporary station, but the texture of the station was consistent.
Through the 1970s and into the 1980s, WLEV 96.1 continued as an adult contemporary station with no dramatic changes. More personality was added in the late 1980s and, by the 1990s, the station bordered on being a hot adult contemporary station, but the texture of the station was consistent.


In 1995, the station was sold, along with WEST, to [[Citadel Broadcasting]]. Still, the format remained adult contemporary. In 1997, Citadel acquired WFMZ FM, which by then had a format that was evolving to be musically closer to WLEV. In 1997, it was decided that there was no need for two AC stations in the Lehigh Valley, so they combined aspects of the AC formats from both stations and moved the WLEV call letters and format and some of the air staff to 100.7 that July.
In 1995, the station was sold, along with WEST, to [[Citadel Broadcasting]]. Still, the format remained adult contemporary. In 1997, Citadel acquired WFMZ FM, which by then had a format that was evolving to be musically closer to WLEV. In 1997, it was decided that there was no need for two AC stations in the Lehigh Valley, so they combined aspects of the AC formats from both stations and moved the WLEV call letters and format and some of the air staff to 100.7 that July.


[[File:WCTO.png|thumb|Logo before simulcasting with [[WWYY]]]]
96.1 became Cat Country '''WCTO''' and played a country music format. As a country music station, the station achieves some very high ratings. It has a live air staff almost full-time and focuses on country hits of the 1980s, 1990s and current music. Citadel merged with Cumulus Media on September 16, 2011.<ref name=abj-citadelcumulus>{{cite news|title=Cumulus now owns Citadel Broadcasting|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2011/09/16/cumulus-now-owns-citadel-broadcasting.html|accessdate=September 16, 2011|newspaper=Atlanta Business Journal|date=September 16, 2011}}</ref>
96.1 became Cat Country WCTO and played a country music format. As a country music station, the station achieves some very high ratings. It has a live air staff almost full-time and focuses on country hits of the 1980s, 1990s and current music. Citadel merged with Cumulus Media on September 16, 2011.<ref name=abj-citadelcumulus>{{cite news|title=Cumulus now owns Citadel Broadcasting|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2011/09/16/cumulus-now-owns-citadel-broadcasting.html|access-date=September 16, 2011|newspaper=Atlanta Business Journal|date=September 16, 2011}}</ref>


==Jingles and sweepers==
==Jingles and sweepers==
Line 51: Line 49:


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Media in the Lehigh Valley]]
* [[Media in the Lehigh Valley]]


==References==
==References==
Line 57: Line 55:


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.catcountry96.fm Cat Country 96 official website]
* {{Official website|https://www.catcountry96.com/}}
*{{FM station data|WCTO}}
*{{FCC-LMS-Facility|36997}}


{{-}}
{{Allentown Radio}}
{{Allentown Radio}}
{{Country Radio Stations in Pennsylvania}}
{{Country Radio Stations in Pennsylvania}}
{{Cumulus Media}}
{{Cumulus Media}}
{{Cat Country Radio stations}}


[[Category:Radio stations established in 1947]]
[[Category:1947 establishments in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Easton, Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Country radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Country radio stations in the United States]]
⚫
[[Category:Radio stations in Pennsylvania|CTO]]
[[Category:Cumulus Media radio stations]]
[[Category:Cumulus Media radio stations]]
[[Category:1947 establishments in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1947]]
⚫
[[Category:Radio stations in the Lehigh Valley|CTO]]

Latest revision as of 14:23, 2 July 2024

WCTO
Broadcast areaLehigh Valley
Frequency96.1 MHz
BrandingCat Country 96 & 107
Programming
FormatCountry music
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
WEEX, WLEV, WWYY
History
First air date
1947; 77 years ago (1947)
Former call signs
  • WEST-FM (1947–1973)
  • WLEV (1973–1997)
Call sign meaning
Cat Country
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID36997
ClassB
ERP50,000 watts
HAAT152 meters
Transmitter coordinates
40°35′55″N 75°25′12″W / 40.59861°N 75.42000°W / 40.59861; -75.42000
Repeater(s)107.1 WWYY (Belvidere, New Jersey)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen live
Websitewww.catcountry96.com

WCTO (96.1 FM, "Cat Country 96 & 107") is a radio station licensed to Easton, Pennsylvania. The station is owned by Cumulus Media and serves the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Cat Country 96.1 is simulcast on 107.1 WWYY-FM in Belvidere, New Jersey, to cover western New Jersey and the Poconos in Northeastern Pennsylvania,

The station offers a country music format, playing country music from the 1980s through to the present, and is part of the Philadelphia Eagles radio network.

History

[edit]

96.1 FM began in 1947 as WEST-FM. For decades, the station simulcast WEST's middle of the road popular music format. In 1973, though, 96.1 became WLEV and began offering a soft rock/adult contemporary format that was very automated. It played the softer rock hits of the 1960s and 1970s, along with a lot of current music. It was known as "Hit Parade Music" at one point. The station was owned by Sound Media and then by Telemedia Group.

Through the 1970s and into the 1980s, WLEV 96.1 continued as an adult contemporary station with no dramatic changes. More personality was added in the late 1980s and, by the 1990s, the station bordered on being a hot adult contemporary station, but the texture of the station was consistent.

In 1995, the station was sold, along with WEST, to Citadel Broadcasting. Still, the format remained adult contemporary. In 1997, Citadel acquired WFMZ FM, which by then had a format that was evolving to be musically closer to WLEV. In 1997, it was decided that there was no need for two AC stations in the Lehigh Valley, so they combined aspects of the AC formats from both stations and moved the WLEV call letters and format and some of the air staff to 100.7 that July.

Logo before simulcasting with WWYY

96.1 became Cat Country WCTO and played a country music format. As a country music station, the station achieves some very high ratings. It has a live air staff almost full-time and focuses on country hits of the 1980s, 1990s and current music. Citadel merged with Cumulus Media on September 16, 2011.[2]

Jingles and sweepers

[edit]

From the beginning of 2000, WCTO used Reelworld custom packages, and continues to do so. Starting on May 17, 2009, the station dropped all RW packages minus their 06 package, and started to broadcast a brand new jingle service at that time, Reelworld One Country. Since January 1, 2011, the station uses the entire back service which includes the entire back catalog.

Sweeper wise, the station started to use John Willyard with a little help from the late Billy Moore for the launch in 1997, and still uses him to this day.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WCTO". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ "Cumulus now owns Citadel Broadcasting". Atlanta Business Journal. September 16, 2011. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
[edit]
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