WXYT-FM

WXYT-FM (97.1 FM) — branded 97-1 The Ticket — is a sports talk radio station in Detroit, Michigan. WXYT-FM's studios are located in suburban Southfield, Michigan, while its transmitter is also located in Southfield at the intersection of Lincoln and Greenfield Roads and transmits its signal from an antenna 891 feet in height with an effective radiated power of 15,000 watts.

WXYT-FM is the flagship station of the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers. It also carries syndicated programming from CBS Sports Radio.

WXYT-FM broadcasts three channels in the HD Radio format.

History

Early history

97.1 FM began broadcasting as an experimental Apex AM station called W8XWJ in 1936. In 1940, the station ceased broadcasting while owner Evening News Association (parent company of WWJ 950 and The Detroit News) waited for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to approve its move to the newly created FM band. Approval came in late October 1940 and on May 10, 1941 the station (now renamed W45D) signed on at 44.5 MHz with 3,000 watts of power, becoming the first FM radio station in Michigan and the seventh in the United States. When the FCC created the new 88-108 MHz broadcast band, W45D was moved to 96.9 as WENA in September 1945. By 1948, the station had settled on its present 97.1 home as WWJ-FM, originally simulcasting WWJ. In the 1960s and 1970s, WWJ-FM was one of several stations competing for Detroit's beautiful music audience, along with 95.5 WLDM and 96.3 WJR-FM.