Hubbry Logo
WOGLWOGLMain
Open search
WOGL
Community hub
WOGL
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
WOGL
WOGL
WOGL
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

WOGL (98.1 FM) is a commercial radio station licensed to serve Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, owned by Audacy, Inc. The station broadcasts a classic hits radio format. WOGL's transmitter is located in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia,[3] and its studios and offices are co-located within Audacy's corporate headquarters in Center City, Philadelphia. The station features mostly hits from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s with some 2000s hits.

Key Information

WOGL uses HD Radio, and broadcasts a classic dance format on its HD2 subchannel. The talk radio programming of sister station WPHT is simulcast on its HD3 subchannel.

History

[edit]

Early years

[edit]
WOGL's previous logo

On January 13, 1942, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted the William Penn Broadcasting Company a construction permit for a new FM station on 47.3 MHz on the original 42-50 MHz FM broadcast band, with the call sign W73PH. Beginning the next month the station was issued a series of special authorizations to operate commercially with a temporary antenna, followed by its first full license on March 2, 1943.[4]

William Penn Broadcasting also operated AM station WPEN (now WKDN) in Philadelphia, and on November 1, 1943, W73PH was assigned the WPEN-FM call sign.[4] After the FCC created the current FM broadcast band on June 27, 1945,[5] William Penn Broadcasting applied to the FCC for a construction permit on January 21, 1946, to install a new transmitter and antenna for operation on 99.5 MHz, and the FCC approved this application on October 24, 1946.[4]

The station's license and construction permit were voluntarily assigned to the Philadelphia Record Company, owners of AM station WCAU (now WPHT) in Philadelphia, on November 28, 1947. This was effective December 18, 1947, and the station's call sign was changed to WCAU-FM the same day. On December 23, 1947, the FCC reassigned the station to 98.1 MHz, modifying the construction permit. The FCC granted a licensee name change from Philadelphia Record Company to WCAU, Inc. on March 3, 1948. The commission granted WCAU, Inc. a new license for the station for operation on 98.1 MHz on September 27, 1949.[4]

On December 4, 1953, the FCC granted WCAU, Inc. a construction permit to relocate the station's transmitter and antenna to the Roxborough section of Philadelphia. The station's license was renewed by the FCC with the new facilities on October 19, 1954. The FCC granted a voluntary assignment of the station's license to Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc. on July 23, 1958.[4]

Until 1966, WCAU-FM simulcast the middle of the road music heard on AM 1210 WCAU. Along with other CBS FM stations, WCAU-FM began airing "The Young Sound," a prerecorded format of instrumental easy listening songs based on contemporary hits.

Switch to oldies, then disco

[edit]

In the fall of 1970, WCAU-FM replaced "The Young Sound" with an automated oldies format.[6] For prerecorded announcements, the station used the voice of Jim Nettleton, a disc jockey on top-rated WABC in New York City. Prior to working for WABC, Jim Nettleton was a very popular DJ on WFIL from 1966 to 1969 before he was heard on WABC in late 1969. Live air personalities were eventually heard, with Nettleton moving from New York to host middays. The station played the hits from 1955 up to and including some current product.

At the end of 1975, the oldies format was replaced by disco music, a hot trend at the time. As disco cooled, the station called its format "Fascinatin' Rhythm". When the 1970s came to a close, the music became more diversified with the addition of jazz, pop and R&B. The station experimented briefly with a format called "Mellow Rhythm" at this time, hosted primarily by Dr. Perri Johnson (now a music therapist in Los Angeles).

Hot hits "98 Now"

[edit]

Program consultant Mike Joseph was brought into WCAU-FM in April 1981, to develop a new format to replace the struggling "Mellow Rhythm". Joseph recommended that the station go contemporary hit radio. On September 24, 1981, at midnight, the new format at WCAU-FM debuted: an all-current-hits, high-energy, jingle-intensive top 40 sound dubbed "Hot Hits". Joseph first put Hot Hits on the air in 1977 at WTIC-FM in Hartford, Connecticut, with a significant increase in ratings. Joseph called the station "98 Now". WCAU-FM's ratings showed an immediate improvement, and subsequently, FM stations in major radio markets such as WBBM-FM in Chicago, WHYT in Detroit, WMAR-FM in Baltimore, CKOM in Saskatoon, WFEC in Harrisburg, WNVZ in Norfolk, and KITS in San Francisco picked up the "Hot Hits" format.[7]

WCAU-FM found a great deal of success with this programming for much of the mid-1980s, although the original "Fusion" jingles from TM were dropped in the summer of 1982, and replaced with a package from JAM to increase appeal to older listeners. Some notable DJs on the station in this period included Paul Barsky, Rich Hawkins, Billy Burke, Terry Young and Christy Springfield.

Return to oldies, evolution to classic hits

[edit]

In 1987, WCAU-FM found itself with stiff competition in the CHR/Top 40 format from WEGX, "Eagle 106". CBS decided that WCAU-FM could be more profitable appealing to an older, more desirable demographic of 25-to 54-year-olds. On November 9, 1987, at 7 p.m., after playing "Another One Bites the Dust" by Queen, WCAU-FM returned to the oldies format as WOGL (which stood for "Old Gold"). The first song on WOGL was "Good Golly, Miss Molly" by Little Richard. Eleven hours later, however, WIOQ shifted to oldies as well. WOGL had a deep playlist, playing a larger number of songs than most oldies stations.[8] For the next year, WOGL and WIOQ competed for Philadelphia's FM oldies audience, until WIOQ dropped the format early in 1989. Scott Walker, who programmed Hot Hits WCAU-FM, remained as Program Director.

Originally, WOGL was known as "Oldies 98". By 1992, WOGL incorporated more soul oldies. The station still played artists such as Elvis, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, but in addition, it focused on soul, including Philadelphia-only hits. The mix was about 2/3 R&B and 1/3 rock and pop, with the rock and pop songs that were played being the big hits typically heard on oldies stations. WOGL played about 15% 1950s, 15% early 1960s, 55% mid-to-late 1960s, 13% 1970s, and 2% 1980s.

WOGL aired specialty shows such as the "Hot Lunch Special" request show, "The Weeknight Hall Of Fame," "Top 20 Oldies Countdown," "Elvis & Friends," "The Saturday Night Dance Party," "Brunch With The Beatles," and "Street Corner Sunday" (a Doo Wop music program). In 2001, all specialty shows were dropped. The playlist was moved away from soul and Philadelphia-only hits (though a few remained), and moved towards a more traditional playlist as found on other oldies stations. The music was about 70% 1960s, 10% 1950s, 15% 1970s, and 5% 1980s. Scott Walker left the station in 2001.

By 2002, some of the specialty shows were brought back, including a modified version of "Street Corner Sunday". While it was strictly doo wop in its previous incarnation, it was updated to play all types of pre-1964 oldies. In addition, more 1970s music was added and even some 1980s tracks were heard. In 2003, the name "Oldies 98" was downplayed and the station became known as "Motown Soul Rock & Roll: 98.1 WOGL". At that point, the station cut to one 1950s song per hour and one pre-'64 song per hour. It also played a couple of 1980s songs per hour. The rest of the music was roughly 50% mid and late 1960s and 50% 1970s music. In 2004, the playlist was tightened to about half 1960s and half 1970s. Their slogan also changed to "Greatest Hits of the '60s and '70s." In late 2007 and early 2008, more 1980s music was added to the rotation, and effective July 6, 2008, WOGL's slogan was changed to "The Greatest Hits of the 60s, 70s and 80s," which is also used on sister station WCBS-FM when it returned to an Oldies/Classic Hits format in July 2007.

In late 2016, morning co-host Valerie Knight was let go after 14 years with the station.[9] In 2017, Frank Lewis and Bill Zimpfer, co-hosts of WOGL's morning show "The Breakfast Club", were also let go.[10]

As of 2018, WOGL no longer plays 1960s and early 1970s music, with its playlist shifting towards focusing on hits from the 1970s through the early 1990s, with a heavy focus on the 1980s.

On January 21, 2018, "Street Corner Sunday" was discontinued after 29 years in favor of regular programming.

As of April 2022, WOGL has increased the frequency of 1980s and 1990s hits per day and is also adding music from the 2000s.

Big 98.1

[edit]

On April 28, 2022, at 8:30 a.m., after playing "Got My Mind Set on You" by George Harrison and going into a commercial stopset, the station began a half-hour stunt with songs that featured the word "big" in the title or artist name, such as "To Be with You" by Mr. Big, "Big Pimpin'" by Jay Z featuring UGK, "Mr. Big Stuff" by Jean Knight, "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Fergie and "Big Me" by Foo Fighters. At 9:00, WOGL relaunched as "Big 98.1", readjusting their classic hits format to focus primarily on songs from the 1970s to the 1990s, with the first song being "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey. With the move, the station temporarily suspended most of their airstaff with the exception of morning host Sean 'Coop' Tabler; Audacy Philadelphia market manager David Yadgaroff disclosed to the Philadelphia Business Journal that the mostly-jockless launch is expected to last, by his estimation, "a short period of time — a couple of weeks to a month or so. [...] And then as we move through the spring and into the summer, we will add some additional hosts for mid-day afternoon and evening." The change also resulted in the unannounced departure of the station's longtime weekend program "Bob Pantano's Dance Party", which had been heard on the station on Saturday nights and would move to the station's HD2 subchannel after being on the main frequency as far back as WOGL's launch in 1987.[11]

Following the rebrand, the station would continue to shift further away from the typical boundaries of the classic hits format, with the station beginning to add songs from as late as the 2000s, primarily from the rhythmic contemporary format, to the point of throwing out the entire classic hits format for the 2025 Memorial Day weekend and shifting to a temporary new classic hip hop format, promoting it as a "Throwback Weekend" for the holiday. While the classic hits format would return following the holiday, it did so with a further-increased focus on rhythmic contemporary throwbacks, signaling a further evolution of the "Big" format.[12][13]

Jingles

[edit]

From the late 1980s through the early 1990s, WOGL used jingles from Frank Gari Productions, Otis Connor, and TM Studios. From the mid-1990s through the early 2000s, the station used the Do It Again jingle package by JAM Creative Productions and the Super Hits package by Tony Griffin, both of which were also used by sister station WCBS-FM. From 2003 to 2017, the station used jingles from a variety of different JAM packages, most of which were resings of 1970s-80s top 40 station jingles. Since late 2017, the station has been using jingles from Reelworld Productions.

Entercom/Audacy ownership

[edit]

On February 2, 2017, CBS agreed to merge CBS Radio with Entercom (now Audacy).[14][15] The merger was approved on November 9, 2017, and was consummated on November 17.[16][17] Though CBS shareholders own 72 percent of Entercom, the latter is still its own public company, effectively separating WOGL and its sister stations from KYW-TV and WPSG-TV.[18][19]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

WOGL

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
WOGL (98.1 FM), branded as Big 98.1, is a commercial radio station licensed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that serves the Philadelphia radio market with a classic hits format focused on music from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Owned and operated by Audacy, Inc., the station is headquartered at 2400 Market Street in Center City Philadelphia and features programming including morning host Sean "Coop" Tabler. The station traces its origins to January 12, 1942, when it signed on as experimental station W73PH on 43.3 MHz in the original FM band, owned by the Record Company and simulcasting programming from its AM sister station (1210 AM). Over the decades, it underwent numerous format shifts, including instrumental "Young Sound" in 1967, automated as "Solid Gold" in 1970, under the name "Fascinating " starting February 2, 1975, and top-40 "Hot Hits" from September 22, 1981, until 1987. On November 9, 1987, the station adopted its current call letters WOGL—standing for ""—and launched an format emphasizing and music, which it maintained for over three decades while gradually incorporating and tracks. In 2017, CBS Radio merged with Entercom Communications (later rebranded as ), transferring ownership of WOGL to the new entity. The station relocated its studios from Bala Cynwyd to the current location in 2019. On April 28, 2022, WOGL rebranded as Big 98.1 to reflect its emphasis on "70s, 80s, and 90s" hits, marking an evolution from its traditional roots while retaining the classic hits genre.

Overview

Station profile

WOGL (98.1 FM) is a commercial radio station licensed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and owned by Audacy, Inc. It serves the Philadelphia metropolitan area as a class B FM station with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 9,600 watts in analog mode. The transmitter is located at coordinates 40°2′30″N 75°14′10″W. The station has used the call sign WOGL since 1987. Prior calls included WCAU-FM from 1947 to 1987, WPEN-FM from 1943 to 1947, and W73PH from 1942 to 1943. WOGL first broadcast on January 12, 1942. The frequency has been 98.1 MHz since 1947, following earlier assignments of 99.5 MHz from 1946 to 1947 and 47.3 MHz from 1942 to 1946.

Current branding and format

WOGL, operating under Audacy, Inc., rebranded as "Big 98.1" on April 28, 2022, to refresh its classic hits format with a broader appeal. This change emphasized a playlist centered on nostalgic hits from the 1970s to the 2000s, incorporating pop, rock, and occasional rhythmic contemporary elements to attract a wider audience. The station's slogan, "Philly's #1 station for classic hits and a home of the 70s, 80s, and 90s," underscores this focus on multi-decade variety. The core playlist primarily features tracks from the through the , such as Bon Jovi's "" and The Police's "," which form the backbone of the rotation. The playlist includes some selections from the to blend familiarity with slight modernity, while avoiding deeper dives into current hits. This composition targets adults aged 25 to 54, appealing to their shared cultural memories across decades. To experiment with rhythmic influences, Big 98.1 occasionally incorporates classic hip-hop and R&B, as seen in its Throwback Weekend stunt in May 2025, which shifted to a / playlist featuring artists like , , and . These limited events highlight the station's flexibility within its framework, maintaining an emphasis on upbeat, nostalgic programming for listeners.

History

Origins and early operations (1940s–1960s)

WOGL's roots lie in the early days of during . The station launched on , 1942, as W73PH, a experimental high-frequency FM outlet owned and operated by the Broadcasting Company, which also held the license for AM station WPEN (now WKDN). Operating initially at 47.3 MHz with a power of 3 kW from a transmitter atop the Widener Building in downtown , W73PH was one of several war-time FM stations authorized by the to support defense communications and provide civilian programming amid AM band restrictions. In , W73PH adopted the call letters WPEN-FM to align with its AM counterpart, reflecting the common practice of FM stations mirroring their AM siblings during FM's nascent phase. As the post-war era approached, the FCC mandated a comprehensive shift of FM frequencies from the original 42–50 MHz band to the current 88–108 MHz allocation to avoid interference with channels. In 1946, WPEN-FM relocated to 99.5 MHz as part of this transition, maintaining its limited programming focused on local content and experimental broadcasts. In November 1946, the station was sold to the Philadelphia Record, owner of WCAU-AM (now ), and was renamed WCAU-FM. After the Record folded in February 1947, the Evening Bulletin acquired WCAU-AM and WCAU-FM that year. The frequency shifted again to 98.1 MHz upon FCC approval on December 23, 1947, where it has remained. Under this new ownership, WCAU-FM fully the programming of WCAU-AM, which emphasized a middle-of-the-road () format featuring popular vocalists, remnants, light classical selections, news updates, and occasional talk segments aimed at a mature audience. This duplication was typical for FM outlets in the era, as FM listenership was minimal and stations served primarily to meet FCC requirements for use. The arrangement persisted through the 1950s and into the mid-1960s, solidifying WCAU-FM's role as an extension of WCAU-AM's established lineup, which included network affiliations and local features. In 1958, , Inc. purchased WCAU-AM and WCAU-FM from the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin for $20 million, marking a significant corporate shift while preserving the format's focus on accessible, non-rock music, , and community-oriented talk to appeal to 's suburban and urban households. This acquisition integrated the stations into 's growing radio portfolio, ensuring continuity in operations until regulatory changes prompted format experimentation later in the decade.

Format shifts in the 1970s

Following the Federal Communications Commission's 1966 ban on full-time AM-FM simulcasting, WCAU-FM in transitioned away from duplicating its WCAU's programming and adopted CBS's "The Young Sound" format, an service featuring instrumental covers of contemporary pop hits targeted at younger listeners. This format, syndicated across several CBS-owned FM stations, emphasized light, upbeat arrangements of current chart-toppers to appeal to the emerging baby boomer demographic while maintaining a sophisticated, non-rock edge. Over the next few years, "The Young Sound" gradually incorporated more vocal tracks and contemporary elements, reflecting broader FM market shifts toward youth-oriented programming, but it struggled to capture significant audience share in the competitive market. In the autumn of 1970, WCAU-FM abandoned "The Young Sound" in favor of an automated format known as "Solid Gold," programmed via computerized playlists that played and hits, including local favorites and select recent releases up to about six months old. This shift targeted the growing baby boomer audience nostalgic for their formative music years, drawing from a library of golden age rock 'n' roll and pop standards to differentiate from the era's dominant top-40 AM stations. The system, which minimized live staffing and operational expenses, marked an early adoption of technology-driven broadcasting at outlets and served as a for similar formats on other network FMs. By 1974, the station featured occasional live disc jockeys such as Jim Nettleton and Joe Niagara during peak hours, blending automated reliability with familiar voices to enhance listener engagement. Responding to the rising popularity of in the mid-1970s, WCAU-FM underwent another format overhaul on February 2, 1975, launching a dedicated "Disco Radio" presentation that initially faltered with low listener response. Under program director R.J. Laurence and Roy Perry, the station revamped the approach in 1976 as "Fascinatin’ ," expanding the playlist to blend high-energy tracks with , pop, and R&B selections for a more eclectic rhythmic appeal. This evolution capitalized on the boom, attracting a diverse urban audience and driving immediate Arbitron ratings gains that positioned WCAU-FM among Philadelphia's stronger FM performers during the genre's peak years around 1977–1978. However, as public fatigue with set in by the late , "Fascinatin’ " experienced audience erosion, prompting further adjustments and setting the stage for a major format pivot in 1981.

Contemporary hit radio era (1981–1987)

In September 1981, WCAU-FM in adopted the "Hot Hits 98 Now" format, a high-energy (CHR) approach developed by consultant Mike Joseph to revitalize the station after its previous mellow adult contemporary programming struggled amid the lingering effects of the disco era. The format emphasized rapid rotations of the top 30 current pop and rock hits, featuring artists such as and , with non-stop playlists designed to capture a young, teen-oriented audience through fast-paced delivery and minimal talk. Jingles from TM Productions provided a signature rapid-fire sound, reinforcing the station's energetic imaging as "Hot Hits 98." The programming style included high-tempo shifts, promotional contests like ticket giveaways for major concerts, and teen-focused promotions that positioned WCAU-FM as Philadelphia's go-to outlet for . Key on-air personalities such as Terry "Motormouth" Young delivered the format with quick-witted, upbeat commentary, contributing to its role in the city's "top 40 wars" against competitors. By the mid-1980s, the station achieved peak popularity, dominating Arbitron ratings in the 12-34 demographic and ranking second overall in cumulative audience behind only KYW, which solidified its market impact during the format's strongest years. However, by 1986, signs of format fatigue emerged as listener interest waned amid repetitive playlists and intensifying competition from stations like Q102 (), which offered a more varied contemporary mix. Ratings began to soften, prompting management to announce a shift toward an older demographic on November 9, 1987, ending the Hot Hits era after six years of dominance in Philadelphia's CHR landscape.

Launch and early oldies years (1987–1990s)

On November 9, 1987, CBS-owned WCAU-FM in changed its call letters to WOGL and launched the " 98" format, shifting from its prior programming to target adults aged 25-54 who had been underserved by the top 40 emphasis on younger listeners. The new presentation, branded as " 98," initially concentrated on rock and soul hits from the through the , with approximately 50% of the playlist dedicated to tracks to capitalize on nostalgic appeal in a competitive market that saw rival also flip to on the same day. The early playlist heavily featured doo-wop classics, staples, and hits, including examples like ' "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and ' "," creating a vibrant mix that resonated with Philadelphia's music heritage. By , the station expanded its rotation to include more soul oldies, maintaining the core focus on pre- material while gradually incorporating select 1970s songs to broaden listener engagement without diluting the format's identity. WOGL quickly achieved high ratings in the late 1980s and early 1990s, emerging as Philadelphia's dominant outlet by 1989 after abandoned the format, and it attracted a growing audience from the 25-54 demographic displaced by the CHR shift. Key milestones included the introduction of weekend specialty shows such as "70s at 7," which highlighted era-specific hits, and the station's 38th anniversary celebration in November 2025, marking nearly four decades of .

Evolution to classic hits (2000s–2010s)

In the early 2000s, WOGL began evolving its programming away from a strict focus on and early , reducing airplay of those eras while incorporating more hits from the and 1980s, including staples by artists like the Eagles and . This shift was part of a broader adjustment to appeal to a slightly younger audience within the 25-54 demographic, while maintaining the "Oldies 98" branding that had defined the station since its launch as Philadelphia's primary outlet. In 2001, WOGL dropped all specialty shows, such as themed programs dedicated to specific artists or genres, though a few were reinstated the following year to preserve listener familiarity. By 2003, the station had downplayed the "Oldies 98" moniker and further phased out many 1950s tracks, emphasizing a playlist that leaned heavily on 1970s and 1980s material to align with emerging industry trends toward broader "classic hits" formats. This evolution continued into 2008, when WOGL adopted the slogan "The Greatest Hits of the 60s, 70s and 80s," reflecting a playlist structure similar to New York counterpart WCBS-FM and marking a formal transition from pure oldies to classic hits. Programming tweaks during this period included greater rotation of recurrents—recently played hits—and deeper album cuts from the 1960s through 1980s, enhancing variety without alienating core listeners. The 2010s saw accelerated changes amid corporate consolidation, with the playlist shifting to approximately 60% 1970s and 1980s content by the mid-decade, effectively eliminating most remaining 1950s selections. In 2017, CBS Radio's merger with Entercom Communications—announced in February and completed in November—brought further adjustments, including the relocation of studios to 555 City Avenue in Bala Cynwyd and the adoption of the slogan "Nobody Plays More 80s" to underscore the 1980s emphasis. This period also featured staff reductions, with longtime hosts like Valerie Knight and Harvey Holiday departing in the mid- to late 2010s, alongside the 2017 elimination of specialty shows such as "Elvis & Friends" (a fixture since 1978) and "Brunch with the Beatles," hosted by "Cadillac Jack" Seville, as part of cost-cutting measures ahead of the merger. By the late 2010s, WOGL began incorporating select 1990s tracks into its rotation, further broadening the classic hits scope while competing in Philadelphia's crowded market.

Recent rebranding and adjustments (2020s)

In early 2021, under Entercom (later rebranded as ), WOGL underwent a programming refresh that updated its weekday lineup, including shifting personality Race Taylor to the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. midday slot to inject fresh energy into the format with an emphasis on and tracks. Later that year, in November 2021, further revamped the station's weekday programming across its cluster, incorporating new hosts to broaden appeal while maintaining the core focus on multi-decade hits from the 1970s through the 1990s. On April 28, 2022, WOGL rebranded as "Big 98.1," expanding its playlist to incorporate more and early hits alongside rhythmic elements, while retaining staples from the and ; the change was accompanied by the departure of most on-air staff and a new slogan, "Philly's Home of the '70s, '80s & '90s." This shift aimed to attract a younger demographic by blending and pop with upbeat, dance-oriented tracks from later eras. From 2023 to 2025, WOGL navigated challenges stemming from 's financial difficulties, including the company's Chapter 11 filing in January , which facilitated a plan to reduce $1.9 billion in debt and culminated in emergence from in September with a strengthened . The and subsequent cost-cutting measures, including layoffs affecting up to 300 employees company-wide in March 2025, influenced operational adjustments at stations like WOGL. In May 2025, the station experimented with a " Throwback Weekend" stunt, temporarily pivoting to a rhythmic throwback format heavy on 1990s and hip-hop and R&B tracks to test audience interest in edgier content. Throughout this period, WOGL enhanced its digital presence via integration with the Audacy app, allowing seamless streaming of its evolving playlist to counter competition from on-demand audio services. These rebrands and adaptations enabled WOGL to sustain competitive listenership in the market, particularly among the 25-54 demographic, as reflected in consistent ratings showing shares around 3.0 in recent surveys amid a shifting media landscape dominated by digital platforms.

Programming

On-air lineup

WOGL's weekday on-air lineup as of 2025 features a mix of local and syndicated personalities delivering from the , , and . The morning drive slot airs from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ET, hosted by "Coop" Tabler since 2021, when he transitioned from evenings to lead "The Coop Show," which includes segments like the 30-Second Song Challenge and BIG Philly Things. Middays run from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET, with voice-tracked programming as of 2025 following the departure of dedicated hosts in recent years; previously, Sybil Summers handled this slot from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. starting in June 2022 and ending in June 2023. Afternoons, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. ET, are also voice-tracked as of 2025 after Trey Morgan's exit; Morgan had joined as afternoon drive host (originally 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.) in June 2022, bringing experience from major markets like New York and . Evenings from 7:00 p.m. to midnight ET feature syndicated host Renee Taylor, who began the shift in June 2022 after stints at stations in and . Overnights and weekends primarily consist of voice-tracked segments and automated music, with occasional holiday specials enhancing the format. Notable past personalities include Harvey Holiday, a longtime midday host from 1989 to 2018 who was inducted into the Philadelphia Music Walk of Fame in 2015 for his contributions to local radio. Earlier morning hosts like Bill Zimpfer co-hosted "The Breakfast Club" from the 1990s until 2017, providing continuity during WOGL's oldies era.

Specialty programming and features

WOGL has incorporated specialty programming segments designed to evoke through decade-specific music blocks. Former features included "70s at 7" and "80s at 8," weekly themed hours that spotlighted hits from the and , respectively, often airing in the evening; these were discontinued prior to 2025. A proposed "90s at 9" feature to cover tracks has been discussed in listener communities but not confirmed as implemented, reflecting the station's evolving focus amid format shifts in the and . These segments provided a structured break from the regular playlist, emphasizing deep cuts and fan favorites from each era. The station is known for its extensive holiday programming, particularly during the Christmas season, where it transitions to continuous oldies holiday marathons featuring seasonal classics like those from and . This tradition dates back at least to the early , with full-day dedications to festive tunes that blend the station's core oldies library with holiday staples. In a departure from its usual format, WOGL aired a "Memorial Day Throwback Weekend" stunt in May 2025, replacing its standard 1980s and 1990s classic hits with a rhythmic throwback mix primarily drawn from 1990s and hip-hop and R&B artists to celebrate the . Contests and listener engagement form a key part of WOGL's features, often tying into Philadelphia-area events and . The station regularly promotes giveaways for tickets to local shows, such as the Trans-Siberian Orchestra's holiday performances and All Stars of Hip Hop events, allowing listeners to win through on-air challenges or online entries. Historically, WOGL maintained an " Request Line" for dedicated song requests, fostering direct interaction during its early years. These promotions extend to broader events like Philly series tie-ins, enhancing involvement.

Technical information

Transmitter and coverage

WOGL's transmitter is located in the Roxborough section of , at coordinates 40° 02' 30" N, 75° 14' 10" W. This site, part of the historic Roxborough —which saw upgrades in the late , becoming a central hub for 's FM and TV transmissions—has hosted the station's broadcasting facilities since the 1950s. The station operates as a Class B FM with an (ERP) of 9,600 watts and an antenna (HAAT) of 338 meters (1,109 feet). This configuration enables wide metropolitan coverage, serving as a high-power signal designed for regional reach within the FM band. WOGL's primary coverage area encompasses the metropolitan statistical area, home to approximately 6.33 million residents (2024 estimate). The 60 dBu signal contour extends beyond the city into surrounding regions of southeastern , southern , and northern , providing reliable reception for listeners across this multi-state territory.

Digital broadcasting

WOGL utilizes technology, employing (IBOC) digital transmission to deliver enhanced audio quality and multiple subchannels simultaneously with its analog signal. The station adopted this technology in the mid-2000s, aligning with the broader rollout of IBOC following FCC approval in 2002, enabling capabilities for additional programming streams. The HD-1 subchannel provides a of the primary analog channel, broadcasting WOGL's format focused on music from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. On HD-2, WOGL airs a classic dance format under the branding Dance Party Radio, which launched in the post-2010s period and emphasizes dance and disco tracks from the 1970s through the 1990s, including hits by artists like the and . This subchannel features continuous programming of upbeat dance-oriented content, distinct from the main channel's broader playlist. Since the early 2020s, the HD-3 subchannel has the format of (AM 1210), providing access to , , and commentary programming to digital listeners in the area. This arrangement extends WPHT's reach via FM , complementing its AM broadcast. The HD-4 subchannel broadcasts Phillies 24/7, a sports format featuring live and replayed Philadelphia Phillies games along with related programming, available since 2011. WOGL's digital operations are supported by an () of 9,600 watts, facilitating reliable reception of the subchannels across its coverage area. The station integrates its with online streaming through the Audacy app, allowing listeners to access all subchannels and the main feed via mobile devices and the .

Ownership and facilities

Historical ownership changes

WOGL's ownership history reflects the evolving landscape of Philadelphia radio, with key corporate shifts shaping its trajectory from its FM origins to the present day. The station traces its roots to 1942, when it operated under the Broadcasting Company during its early experimental phase as W73PH. This period laid the groundwork for its development as 's 98.1 FM signal. In 1947, ownership transitioned to the following the acquisition of WCAU-AM and its FM simulcast, with the licensee later changing to WCAU, Inc., a entity formed to manage the stations until 1958. From 1958 to 2017, , Inc. (later ) held the longest tenure as owner, acquiring the station as part of a $20 million purchase of the properties from the . This era included the launch of WOGL's iconic format on November 9, 1987, under ownership. In 2017, merged with Entercom Communications in a landmark $2.5 billion deal, transferring WOGL and other Philadelphia assets into Entercom's portfolio and integrating it into their local cluster. Entercom rebranded to in March 2021 to reflect its expanded multi-platform audio focus, with WOGL continuing under 's ownership. In January 2024, Audacy filed for Chapter 11 amid heavy debt loads, but successfully restructured and emerged in September 2024, reducing its funded debt by approximately $1.6 billion and positioning the company for future growth, including its stations like WOGL. In March 2025, Audacy conducted significant layoffs affecting over 300 employees company-wide as part of post- cost reductions. During the extended CBS ownership, innovations like automated programming systems were implemented, streamlining operations while maintaining the station's musical focus.

Studio locations

WOGL's predecessor, WCAU-FM, shared studios with its sister station WCAU-AM in the purpose-built WCAU Building at 1622 Chestnut Street in from the station's FM launch in 1947 through the early 1950s. This facility, constructed in 1931 as one of the first buildings designed specifically for , included multiple studios for live programming and was a hub for Philadelphia's early FM operations. In 1952, WCAU-AM/FM relocated to the at City Line Avenue in , a modern complex that served as the primary studio location for what became WOGL upon its 1987 rebranding to . The Bala Cynwyd facility housed production and on-air operations through the 1980s and 2000s, supporting WOGL's growth as a dominant station with dedicated air studios and engineering spaces. Following CBS Radio's operational consolidations, moved in 2014 to shared studios at 400 Market Street in Philadelphia's Old City neighborhood, co-locating with sister stations and WIP for streamlined production. In 2017, amid the merger with Entercom (now ), the station briefly returned to Bala Cynwyd at 555 City Avenue before relocating again in 2019 to 's corporate headquarters at 2400 Market Street in . The current 2400 Market Street studios feature advanced digital production suites, automation systems for efficient broadcasting, and integrated operations for and streaming platforms, enabling seamless multi-channel content delivery. This facility supports WOGL's on-air lineup with high-tech control rooms and collaborative spaces designed for modern radio workflows.

References

  1. https://radiostationusa.fm/online/wogl
  2. https://www.audacy.com/big981
  3. https://phillyradioarchives.com/history/wogl
  4. https://www.broadcastpioneers.com/wcauhistory.html
  5. https://fccinfo.com/CMDProFacLookup.php?tabSearchType=Facility&s=9622
  6. https://radiostation.info/fm/pennsylvania/WOGL/
  7. https://radio-locator.com/info/WOGL-FM
  8. https://jeff560.tripod.com/1942fmra.html
  9. https://www.phillyvoice.com/big-981-classic-hits-oldies-98-audacy-radio-philly-format/
  10. https://ramp247.com/programming/wogl-philly-rebrands-as-big-98-1/
  11. https://radioinsight.com/headlines/224663/wogl-rebrands-as-big-98-1/
  12. https://radioinsight.com/headlines/301135/wogls-throwback-weekend-takes-it-further-from-classic-hits/
  13. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Heinl-Letter/40s/HEINL-REPORT-1942-01.pdf
  14. https://archive.org/stream/broadcasting22unse/broadcasting22unse_djvu.txt
  15. https://www.broadcastpioneers.com/w53ph-1942.html
  16. https://jeff560.tripod.com/chronofm.html
  17. https://phillyradioarchives.com/history/wpht
  18. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-BC/Broadcasting-Magazine/BC-1970/1970-11-16-BC.pdf
  19. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-BC/Broadcasting-Magazine/BC-1972/1972-10-02-BC.pdf
  20. https://airchexx.com/terry-young-on-hot-hits-98-wcau-fm-philadelphia-1983/
  21. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PmbTTKL1sc
  22. https://www.facebook.com/groups/2405914406308020/posts/4025388621027249/
  23. https://radiodiscussions.com/threads/wcau-fm-aircheck-from-the-final-day-of-the-top-40-format.532783/
  24. https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2022/04/28/audacy-goes-big-with-981-wogl-rebrand.html
  25. https://radioinsight.com/blogs/246318/my-holiday-1987-radio-road-trip-part-ii/
  26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PJtc2987nc
  27. https://variety.com/2017/biz/news/cbs-entercom-radio-division-merger-1201976392/
  28. https://www.fybush.com/nerw-20170612/
  29. https://audacyinc.com/press/entercom-announces-updated-programming-lineup-for-98-1-wogl-in-philadelphia/
  30. https://audacyinc.com/press/audacy-reveals-revamped-weekday-programming-lineups-for-98-1-wogl-b101-1-and-96-5-tdy-in-philadelphia/
  31. https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2024/01/07/audacy-announcing-bankruptcy-plan.html
  32. https://audacyinc.com/press/audacy-successfully-completes-financial-restructuring-emerges-as-a-growing-scaled-multi-platform-audio-leader-with-the-industrys-strongest-balance-sheet/
  33. https://barrettmedia.com/2025/03/06/audacy-announces-round-of-layoffs-affecting-radio-stations-nationwide/
  34. https://ratings.radio-online.com/content/arb007
  35. https://www.audacy.com/big981/hosts/coop
  36. https://audacyinc.com/press/audacy-reveals-weekday-lineup-for-big-98-1-in-philadelphia/
  37. https://www.audacy.com/big981/hosts
  38. https://www.philadelphiamusicalliance.org/walk-of-fame/harvey-holiday/
  39. https://www.yahoo.com/news/ex-wogl-host-bill-zimpfer-103544954.html
  40. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdS0NOFlnpE
  41. https://www.audacy.com/big981/contests
  42. https://www.fybush.com/site-031009.html
  43. https://billypenn.com/2015/10/05/those-giant-antennas-in-roxborough-the-secret-home-of-philadelphia-broadcasting-on-tv-and-radio/
  44. https://censusreporter.org/profiles/31000US37980-philadelphia-camden-wilmington-pa-nj-de-md-metro-area/
  45. https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/PCWPOP
  46. https://hdradio.com/
  47. https://www.audacy.com/stations/dancepartyradio
  48. https://radiostationusa.fm/online/dance-party-radio
  49. https://hdradio.com/broadcasters/stations/
  50. https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/wogl-phillies-partner-on-hd4-channel
  51. https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/cbs-radio-entercom-merge-creating-2bn-us-radio-giant/
  52. https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/entercomcbs-merger-push-q1-2017-broadcast-station-deals
  53. https://audacyinc.com/press/entercom-rebrands-changes-name-to-audacy/
  54. https://radioink.com/2025/03/07/audacy-lays-off-hundreds-in-major-post-bankruptcy-move/
  55. https://www.philadelphiabuildings.org/pab/app/pj_display.cfm/15236
  56. https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/about-nbc10/about-us/about-nbc10-philadelphia/3402105/
  57. https://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2016/03/21/wogl-98-cbs-radio-moving-bala-cynwyd-555-city-ave.html
  58. https://www.audacy.com/big981/contact-us
  59. https://www.audacy.com/kywnewsradio/articles/news/new-studios-new-partners-a-new-era-for-kyw-newsradio
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.