View source for WWSW-FM

{{Short description|Classic hits radio station in Pittsburgh}}
{{Redirect|3WS|the Buffalo, New York radio station with the same brand|WWWS|the plural|3W (disambiguation)}}
{{Distinguish|WWWS|WSWW (AM)|WSWW-FM|WWSU}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2011}}
{{Infobox radio station
| logo                = 3WS Logo.jpg
| name                = WWSW-FM
| city                = [[Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]]
| area                = [[Pittsburgh metropolitan area]]
| branding            = 94.5 3WS
| airdate             = {{start date and age|1940|12|12}}
| frequency           = {{frequency|94.5|[[Hertz#SI multiples|MHz]]}} {{HD Radio}}
| translator          = {{Radio Relay|106.3|W292DH|Pittsburgh|HD3}}
| format              = [[Classic hits]]
| subchannels         = HD3: [[Relevant Radio]] ([[Catholic radio]])
| affiliations        = [[Premiere Networks]]
| erp                 = 50,000 [[watt]]s
| haat                = {{Convert|247|m|ft|sp=us}}
| class               = B
| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
| facility_id         = 59968
| coordinates         = {{coord|40|27|48.2|N|80|0|17.1|W|type:landmark_region:US-PA_source:FCC}}
| callsign_meaning    = Originally used on the former WWSW 970 AM (now WBGG)
| former_callsigns    = {{ubl|W47P (1940–1943)|WTNT (1943–1945)|WMOT (1945–1949)|WWSW-FM (1949–1973)|WPEZ (1973–1980)}}
| former_frequencies  = {{ubl|43.5 MHz (1940)|44.7 MHz (1940–1945)}}
| owner               = [[iHeartMedia, Inc.]]
| licensee            = iHM Licenses, LLC
| sister_stations     = [[WBGG (AM)|WBGG]], [[WDVE]], [[WKST-FM]], [[WPGB]], [[WXDX-FM]]
| webcast             = {{ubl|{{iHeartRadio|3ws-radio-2029}}|HD3: [https://relevantradio.com/wp-content/media/player.html Listen Live]}}
| website             = {{URL|https://3wsradio.iheart.com/}}<br>HD3: {{URL|https://relevantradio.com/}}
}}

'''WWSW-FM''' (94.5 [[Hertz|MHz]]) – branded ''94.5 3WS'' – is a [[commercial radio|commercial]] [[Radio broadcasting|radio station]] that is located in [[Pittsburgh|Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]]. It airs a [[classic hits]] [[radio format]] and switches to all–[[Christmas music]] for most of November and December each year.

This station is owned by [[iHeartMedia, Inc.]] Its [[radio studio|studio]]s and offices are located on Abele Rd. in [[Bridgeville, Pennsylvania|Bridgeville]] next to [[Interstate 79|I-79]], along with its sister stations.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2021/04/19/iHeartMedia-WDVE-South-Fayette-Burns-Scalo-Greentree-South-Fayette/stories/202104190100 | title=Back on the road again: WDVE, iHeartMedia relocating headquarters to South Fayette }}</ref> The [[transmitter]] is situated off Rising Main Avenue at Lanark Street, on a [[radio masts and towers|tower]] that is shared with [[WPXI-TV]] and other FM stations in the Pittsburgh [[media market|radio market]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/finder?call=wwsw&x=16&y=6&sr=Y&s=C|title=WWSW-FM 94.5 MHz - Pittsburgh, PA|website=radio-locator.com}}</ref>  WWSW-FM broadcasts using [[HD Radio]] technology, with its third [[digital subchannel]] airing [[Catholic radio]] programming from [[Relevant Radio]].

WWSW is notable for being an FM "superpower station". Its [[effective radiated power]] (ERP) is 50,000 [[watt]]s on a [[radio masts and towers|tower]] that is 247 meters (810&nbsp;ft) tall. The standard [[height above average terrain]] (HAAT) for [[List of North American broadcast station classes#FM|Class B FM signals]] found in Pennsylvania is 152 meters (500&nbsp;ft) for a station broadcasting at 50,000 watts.<ref name="SuperpowerFM">{{cite web|url=http://www.w9wi.com/articles/superfm.html|title=Superpower FMs|last=Smith|first=D.|date=July 5, 2013|website=w9wi.com|access-date=August 28, 2019}}</ref>

==History==
===Early years===
On August 13, 1940, Walker & Downing Radio Corporation applied to the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) for a [[construction permit]] to build a new FM station. It broadcast on 43.5&nbsp;MHz in the original FM broadcast band, which was located between 42 and 50&nbsp;MHz. The FCC granted the permit on December 12, 1940, while reallocating the station to 44.7&nbsp;MHz and assigning the station the [[call sign]] W47P. The station was granted its first license by the FCC on May 20, 1942. On September 23, 1942, the FCC modified the station's license when Walker & Downing Radio Corporation changed its name to WWSW, Inc., named after co-owned [[WBGG (AM)|WWSW (970 AM)]].<ref name="historycards">{{cite web|url=https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=83720 |title=History Cards for WWSW-FM |website=fcc.gov |publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |access-date=August 29, 2019}}</ref>

On November 1, 1943, the station was assigned the WTNT call sign, followed by another call sign change to WMOT effective October 3, 1945.<ref name="historycards"/>

The FCC created the current FM broadcast band on June 27, 1945.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-310574A1.pdf |title=In the Matter of Allocation of Frequencies to the Various Class of Non-Governmental Services in the Radio Spectrum from 10 Kilocycles to 30,000,000 Kilocycles (Docket No. 6651) |date=June 27, 1945 |website=fcc.gov |publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |access-date=August 29, 2019}}</ref> The commission granted WWSW, Inc. the authority to cease operations effective December 12, 1945, so the station could be converted to a new frequency on the new band.<ref name="historycards"/>

On July 25, 1946, the FCC reallocated the station to 94.5&nbsp;MHz, and granted WWSW, Inc. a construction permit for operation on the new frequency effective November 13, 1947. On February 24, 1949, the call sign was changed to WWSW-FM. Following a series of modifications to the construction permit from 1947 to 1954, the FCC granted the station a new license with the new facilities on January 11, 1954.<ref name="historycards"/>

The station's license was voluntarily reassigned to WWSW Radio, Inc. effective August 1, 1955. On December 21, 1957, the FCC granted the new owner a construction permit to increase the station's [[effective radiated power]] (ERP) to 50,000 watts while increasing the antenna [[height above average terrain]] (HAAT) to 940 feet. A new license with the upgraded facilities was granted by the FCC on September 25, 1958.<ref name="historycards"/>

Due to subsequent regulations adopted by the FCC that significantly limit the height placement for Class B FM stations corresponding to their ERP, WWSW-FM is recognized as a [[Grandfather clause|grandfathered]] “superpower” station.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fcc.gov/media/radio/fm-station-classes|title=FM Broadcast Station Classes and Service Contours|website=fcc.gov|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=August 28, 2019}}</ref><ref name="SuperpowerFM" />

WWSW Radio, Inc. was granted a construction permit by the FCC on August 6, 1967, to install a new transmitter and antenna. The permit lowered the station's HAAT to 810 feet. The FCC granted a new license with the new facilities on August 1, 1969.<ref name="historycards"/>

===Top 40 hits===
Until the late 1960s, WWSW-FM had mostly [[simulcast]] its AM counterpart on 970 AM.  By this point, the FCC was requiring AM-FM combo stations to offer separate programming for most of the broadcast day; as a result, WWSW-FM switched to an [[broadcast automation|automated]] [[contemporary hit radio|Top 40]] format with limited interruptions, while WWSW (AM) remained a Top 40 station with live [[disc jockey]]s and hourly newscasts.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1972/B%20Radio%20YB%201972%20All-10.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1972 page B-182]</ref>

On November 18, 1973, the station's call sign was changed to WPEZ, carving out its own identity apart from WWSW.<ref name="historycards"/> WPEZ was a successful Top 40 station for the next seven years. On [[Labor Day]], 1980, the station gave up Top 40 hits for an [[adult contemporary]] format. The station's call sign was changed back to WWSW-FM on September 28, 1980.<ref name="historycards" />

For most of the 1980s, WWSW-FM began to add more [[oldies]] titles into its playlist to distinguish it from other Pittsburgh AC stations.

===Oldies===
The AM and FM stations both flipped to all-oldies in February 1988, simulcasting for part of the time. When not simulcasting, the FM played a core blend of oldies hits from the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s, while the AM leaned more towards 1950s and early 1960s titles. In 1991, the AM's independent programming was abandoned and began simulcasting the FM full-time.

The AM split from the FM in August 2000 and adopted a [[sports radio]] format as [[WBGG (AM)|WBGG]]. In 2006, [[Pitt Panthers]] football and basketball games would be aired on WWSW-FM. This lasted until 2012, when the team's games switched to [[KDKA-FM]].{{Original research section|date=August 2019}}

===Classic hits===
Like many FM oldies stations in the early 2000s, WWSW-FM had been de-emphasizing music of the 1950s and 1960s in favor of more songs from the 1970s and a few early 1980s titles. It also stopped using the word "oldies" on the air.

In 2006, the music was adjusted forward with some 1970s hits and a larger selection of 1980s titles.

The station started to play artists it had ignored before, including [[Styx (band)|Styx]], [[Huey Lewis & the News]], [[Prince (musician)|Prince]] and [[Bruce Springsteen]], while dropping long-time staples of an earlier vintage like [[the Dave Clark Five]], [[Little Richard]], [[Gary Lewis and the Playboys]] and [[Herman's Hermits]]. However, [[The Beatles]] and [[Motown]] continued to be a staple of the station's playlist.

By the 2010s, the only 1960s tracks that remain on the station's playlist were those that had a high level of popularity over the years, including songs by The Beatles, [[Simon & Garfunkel|Simon and Garfunkel]], [[The Supremes]], and [[The Rolling Stones]]. In addition, the station began to incorporate some tracks from the early 1990s into the playlist, including hits from [[Bryan Adams]], [[R.E.M.]], Prince and [[Sheryl Crow]]. The station's playlist began focusing on the mid-1970s all the way up through 1989, with a few late 1960s, early 1970s, and early 1990s tracks also getting airtime.

[[Image:WWSW HD.png|thumb|WWSW's [[HD Radio]] Channels on a SPARC Radio with [[Program-associated data|PSD]].]]

===Concerts and awards===
The station had oldies concerts that filled [[Three Rivers Stadium]] many times with oldies acts, and even legendary oldies DJ [[Wolfman Jack]] made an appearance on February 23, 1991. The station received three [[NAB Marconi Radio Awards|Marconi Awards]] for best oldies station in the United States, while the morning show received five AIR awards (Achievement in Radio) for best morning show in Pittsburgh.

== Christmas Music ==
[[File:3WSRadio Xmas logo.webp|thumb|WWSW-FM Christmas Logo|300x300px]]
Beginning each year in early to mid-November, WWSW switches to all [[Christmas music]] as "Pittsburgh's Official Christmas Station". This includes both classic Christmas standards and some recent material. During the holidays, WWSW suspends some features such as the "All Request Cafe," "The Ultimate Radio Party" and replays of 1970s/1980s versions of ''[[American Top 40]]''. The Christmas Music format competes with [[WSHH]], another Pittsburgh station that flips to Christmas music as well. <ref>{{Cite web |date=November 18, 2022 |title=Christmas music now playing 24/7 on Pittsburgh radio stations |url=https://www.wtae.com/article/christmas-music-pittsburgh-radio-stations/41941341 |access-date=November 19, 2023 |website=WTAE |language=en}}</ref>

== Air Staff ==
Currently, WWSW has only five local airstaffers - Jonny Hartwell (weekdays 5-10 a.m.), Tall Cathy (weekdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m.), Mike Frazer (weekdays 2-8 p.m.), and Program Director David Edgar (weekends). Bonnie Diver, morning traffic director for iHeartMedia Pittsburgh and former 3WS midday host, also contributes to the morning drive show. Outside of local programming, the station carries talent from iHeartMedia's [[Premium Choice]] network (which is also utilized when Cathy and Frazer are absent), which is voice-tracked from out-of-market, as well as several nationally syndicated shows.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Find 3WS Radio's Thursday Live On-Air Schedule |url=https://3wsradio.iheart.com/schedule/ |access-date=June 18, 2020 |website=3WS Radio |language=en}}</ref>

Past air personalities on 3WS include Jim Merkel, Gary Dickson, Kenny Woods, Steve Hansen, Cris Winter, Bumper Morgan (deceased), RD Summers (deceased), Theresa Colaizzi, Ray Walker (deceased), [[Clarke Ingram]], Lani Daniels, Mike Steele (deceased), Steve Grenato, Sheri Van Dyke, and Kate Harris. During the prime years at 3WS, the morning show featured Merkel and Dickson.

Longtime air personality Jim Merkel was released from 3WS on October 4, 2010, after more than thirty-one years on the station, and Sheri Van Dyke after thirty years on November 6, 2020.

==WWSW-FM HD2==
On April 25, 2006, WWSW-FM's HD2 subchannel began carrying a format focusing on [[Rhythmic Oldies]], which was originally heard on the former [[WPGB|WJJJ (104.7 FM)]].

In 2016, when 3WS cancelled its weekly "Sunday Night Diner" program, the format of the HD2 station was changed to 1950s and 60s oldies, similar to what was heard on the diner program each week. In addition, the subchannel carried [[Duquesne Dukes]] football and men's basketball games, as well as pre-game, post-game, and coaches shows for both sports.

A couple of years later, the HD2 station moved its focus to 1960s and 70s oldies, and was branded as "3WS HD2."

{{Portal|Radio}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official website}}{{FM station data|59968|WWSW-FM}}
* [http://user.pa.net/~ejjeff/3wslandingpage.html Jeff Roteman's tribute to 3WS RADIO] 
* [http://www.w9wi.com/articles/grand_fm.htm List of "grandfathered" FM radio stations in the U.S.]
* [http://www.tvofyourlife.com/sundaynightdiner.htm Sunday Night Oldies Diner Website.]

{{Clear}}
{{Pittsburgh Radio}}
{{Classic Hits Radio Stations in Pennsylvania}}
{{IHeartMedia}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Radio stations in Pittsburgh|WSW-FM]]
[[Category:IHeartMedia radio stations]]
[[Category:Classic hits radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1940]]
[[Category:1940 establishments in Pennsylvania]]