WCOS-FM

WCOS-FM (97.5 MHz) is a commercial radio station in Columbia, South Carolina. It airs a country music radio format and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. The station goes by the name 97-5 WCOS and its current slogan is "Today's Best Country and Your All-Time Favorites." Its studios and offices are on Graystone Boulevard in Columbia near Interstate 126.

WCOS-FM
CityColumbia, South Carolina
Broadcast areaColumbia metropolitan area
Branding97-5 WCOS
SloganSC's #1 for New Country
Frequency97.5 MHz
Translator(s)105.5 W288CX (Columbia, relays HD2)
First air dateMarch 1951
FormatFM/HD1: Country
HD2: Classic Hip-Hop "Throwback 105.5"
ERP100,000 watts
HAAT299 meters (981 ft)
ClassC1
Facility ID71290
Call sign meaningW Columbia's Own Station
OwneriHeartMedia, Inc.
(Capstar TX LLC)
Sister stationsWCOS, WLTY, WNOK, WVOC, WXBT
WebcastFM/HD1: WCOS-FM Listen Live
HD2: Throwback 105.5 Listen Live
WebsiteFM/HD1: WCOSfm.com
HD2:Throwback1055.com

WCOS-FM has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 100,000 watts, the maximum for all non-grandfathered stations.[1] The transmitter is north of the city, in the Arlington Heights neighborhood, off Heyward Brockingham Road.[2] WCOS-FM broadcasts in the HD Radio hybrid format. Its HD2 subchannel carries classic hip hop music as "Throwback 105.5." The subchannel feeds 250 watt FM translator W288CX, which is heard in Columbia and adjacent communities on 105.5 MHz.

Programming

The station airs a variety of country songs, mostly from the 2000s, but occasionally going back to the 1980s, with current and recent hits in heavy rotation. Weekdays begin with "The Morning Rush" featuring Jonathan Rush and Kelly Nash. Overnights, WCOS-FM carries the nationally syndicated "CMT After Midnite." WCOS-FM is South Carolina's primary entry point station for the Emergency Alert System.

History

WCOS-FM signed on in March 1951 as the sister station of AM 1400 WCOS. It was Columbia's second FM station and originally broadcast on 97.9 MHz. Prior to 1963, it was on the air only during the evening hours. The separate programming featured Broadway showtunes, opera and classical music, along with news from the ABC Radio Network.

In the fall of 1963, the station began broadcasting in FM stereo and the hours were extended to the daytime. The morning show was a simulcast of 1400 WCOS, which was hosted by Bob Fulton, the long-time announcer for University of South Carolina Gamecocks football. After 9 am, the format was easy listening and beautiful music. The music was broadcast in mono until 6 pm, converting to stereo for the evening hours. In the late 1960s, WCOS-FM converted to a progressive rock format. Prior to the change, the station promoted the new format by announcing frequently that WCOS-FM was "going underground." By 1973, the station changed to country, adopting its longtime slogan "The Great 98." The country format has remained since.

In 1991, the station upgraded its signal by changing the frequency from 97.9 MHz to 97.5 MHz and increasing its power to 100,000 watts. That made it one of the strongest FM signals in the Columbia radio market.

In 1997, WCOS-AM-FM were acquired by Capstar, Inc.[3] Then in 2000, Capstar, including WCOS-AM-FM, were acquired by San Antonio-based Clear Channel Communications.[4] Clear Channel changed its name to iHeartMedia in 2014.

WCOS-FM is co-owned with Sports Radio 1400 WCOS, CHR/Top 40 104.7 WNOK, Variety Hits 96.7 WLTY, Urban Contemporary 100.1 WXBT, Classic Hip Hop 105.5 W288CX/WCOS-HD2, and Talk Radio 560 WVOC in the Columbia radio market.

References
  1. FCC.gov/WCOS-FM
  2. Radio-Locator.com/WCOS-FM
  3. Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2000 page D-397
  4. Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2005 page D-458


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