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WMEZ (94.1 FM) is a radio station in the Pensacola, Florida, market owned by Cumulus Media Inc. through licensee Cumulus Licensing LLC. It broadcasts a rhythmic CHR format using the name "Hot 94.1". Its studios are in Pensacola, and its transmitter is near Robertsdale, Alabama.

History

Mello-Tone, Inc., was formed and applied in March 1960 to build a new FM radio station in Pensacola. A construction permit was approved on June 23, 1960, and WPEX-FM began broadcasting on November 11, 1960, with musical programming including classical and standards. The license was acquired by Frederic T. C. Brewer in 1965; Brewer owned an electronics shop and a background music business. WPEX-FM became WMEZ on July 4, 1972, and it continued the beautiful music format for more than 20 years. As late as 1989, it was the highest-rated station in Pensacola.

In February 1997, Brewer sold WMEZ after 31 years to Patterson Broadcasting of Atlanta, its format having shifted to adult contemporary by 1992. Two months later, Patterson Broadcasting agreed to be acquired by Capstar.

Chancellor Media acquired Capstar for $4.1 billion in 1999, changed its name to AMFM, and then merged with Clear Channel Communications in a $23 billion transaction that October. However, WMEZ and WXBM-FM were earmarked for divestiture to resolve antitrust concerns along with 70 other radio stations. Clear Channel initially intended to sell the stations to Urban Radio, which fell apart; instead, Pamal Broadcasting acquired the pair for $43.95 million in October 2000. Pamal then sold the two stations in 2012 to Cumulus Media for $6.5 million, allowing it to focus on its stations in New York state and Vermont.

The adult contemporary format was dropped at noon on January 1, 2024, when WMEZ flipped to a rhythmic CHR format as "Hot 94.1".

References

1. "Facility Technical Data for WMEZ". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
2. ^ "FCC History Cards for WMEZ". Federal Communications Commission.
3. "New-Type Radio Station Slates Opening Friday". The Pensacola Journal. November 10, 1960. p. 13C. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "It's been a great year! Engineering Helped Make It So". Pensacola News Journal. February 20, 1966. p. 7F. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
5. Suchcicki, Mike (January 20, 1990). "Easy listening is tops in town". Pensacola News Journal. p. 1D. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
6. Tom, Susan (February 5, 1997). "Different owners at WMEZ-FM, but music will remain the same". Pensacola News Journal. p. 8D. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
7. Duncan, James H. Jr. (2004). "Pensacola" (PDF). An American Radio Trilogy, 1975 to 2004. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023 – via World Radio History.
8. Dietrich, R. Kevin (April 17, 1997). "Texas company makes deal to buy area radio stations". Pensacola News Journal. p. 8D. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
9. Shweder, Jeremy (October 8, 1999). "Clear Channel-AMFM: What A Deal!" (PDF). Radio & Records. pp. 3, 40. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
10. "Radio stations could get a new owner". Pensacola News Journal. March 7, 2000. p. 8D. Retrieved March 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
11. "Trust reducing portfolio" (PDF). Radio Business Report. October 2, 2000. p. 13. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
12. Venta, Lance (May 8, 2012). "Cumulus Adds Two In Pensacola". RadioInsight. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
13. Venta, Lance (January 1, 2024). "Cumulus Heats Up Pensacola". RadioInsight. Retrieved January 1, 2024.

External links

• Facility details for Facility ID 73256 (WMEZ) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
• WMEZ in Nielsen Audio's FM station database

• Radio stations in Pensacola, Florida
• Cumulus Media radio stations
• 1960 establishments in Florida
• Radio stations established in 1960
• Rhythmic contemporary radio stations in the United States