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

WWWX (96.9 FM, "96.9 The Fox") is an alternative rock formatted radio station licensed to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, that serves the Appleton-Oshkosh area. The station is owned by Cumulus Media. The station shares a transmitter site with WNAM located along I-41.[3]

Key Information

History

[edit]

The station signed on January 30, 1967[1] as WMKC, operating on 96.7 FM under the ownership of Kimball Broadcasting.[4] In 1968, the station became an affiliate of the ABC FM network.[5] By 1971, WMKC had a middle of the road format, and devoted 20 hours a week to jazz music.[6] The station changed its affiliation to the Mutual Broadcasting System in 1978; by then, programming also included three hours of classical music.[7]

Kimball Broadcasting, a subsidiary of the Miles Kimball mail order company, sold WMKC to Cummings Communications for $400,000 in 1980.[8] The new owners changed the call letters of the station to WAHC, which at the time carried a Beautiful music format.[9] Several short lived format changes came through the station after the sale. WAHC tried an album oriented rock format which didn't attract listeners, then by December 1982 switched (back) to middle of the road.[10] In September 1983, facing miserable audience ratings of less than 1% of the market,[11] it made another format switch, this time to contemporary hit radio under the moniker SuperHit 97;[12] the station was affiliated with the RKO Radio Network and competed with WIXX.[13] WAHC kept this format until 1987, when it switched to modern country.[14] ODON Communications bought the station in 1988[15] and changed its call letters to WUSW in 1989.[16] In 1991, a reallocation of various FM frequencies in Wisconsin moved WUSW to 96.9 FM.[17]

In January 1997, WUSW and WNAM were sold to Value Radio Corporation, who in turn sold them to Cumulus Media on August 31, 1997.[18] On April 1, 1999, the station began simulcasting a rock format, branded "The Fox", with WEZR (107.5 FM) in Green Bay[19] and changed its call letters to WWWX.[16][20] The simulcast ended in 2003, when the Green Bay station (which had become WXWX) took on the sports radio format of WDUZ; the "Fox" format would continue on WWWX.[21]

After Cumulus Media swapped its Green Bay radio stations to Clear Channel Communications for two stations in Cincinnati and entered into a local marketing agreement to retain control of the Green Bay stations (which Cumulus reacquired in 2013), WWWX, along with WZNN in Allouez, Wisconsin, was placed into a trust,[22] WI Radio, LLC,[23] that was required to sell the stations.[22] In 2013, WWWX was transferred to another trust, Current Radio, LLC. After Cumulus moved WOGB's city of license from Kaukauna (part of the Appleton market) to Reedsville (part of the Green Bay market) in August 2013, Cumulus was able to reacquire WWWX in 2017.[23]

References

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

WWWX

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
WWWX (96.9 FM), branded on-air as 96.9 The Fox, is a commercial radio station licensed to , , that broadcasts an format to the Appleton–Oshkosh metropolitan area. The station is owned and operated by , a major American audio media company with 395 stations nationwide as of 2025. WWWX transmits from a shared tower site along , north of Oshkosh, at an of 6,000 watts, enabling coverage across the Fox Valley region. Its studios are located at 491 South Washburn Street in downtown Oshkosh, shared with sister stations in the Cumulus cluster. WWWX's history is tied to Cumulus Media's market expansions and regulatory compliance in the Appleton–Oshkosh area. In 2009, as part of a station swap with Clear Channel Communications (now ), WWWX was divested but operated under a (LMA) by Cumulus, and placed into a divestiture trust to satisfy ownership limits. Cumulus reacquired operational control of the cluster, including WWWX, in 2013. Full ownership of WWWX was regained in 2017 following the relicensing of WOGB to the Green Bay market, which shifted market boundaries and allowed compliance with FCC limits in Appleton-Oshkosh, making WWWX its fourth FM signal in the market. The station has maintained its branding since at least the mid-2010s, focusing on artists and earning recognition as one of Wisconsin's top stations in listener polls during that period. Programming on WWWX features a mix of syndicated and local content tailored to its audience. Mornings are anchored by the nationally syndicated Dave & Mahoney show, which delivers humor, music, and pop culture commentary. Afternoons are hosted by program director Cosette Nowik, who joined in early 2024 to oversee music selection and on-air talent. The station emphasizes new rock releases, local artist spotlights, and community events, with listeners able to interact via phone (877-369-9769) and its website for contests and requests. As of 2025, WWWX streams online.

Station Profile

Licensing and Signal

WWWX is licensed by the (FCC) to Cumulus Licensing LLC as a commercial FM broadcast station. The current license was granted on June 12, 1992, with an expiration date of December 1, 2028. The station signed on January 30, 1967, as WMKC. Its call sign history includes subsequent designations WAHC (1980–1989) and WUSW (1989–1999) before adopting WWWX on March 16, 1999. The station operates on the frequency of 96.9 MHz in channel 245A, classified as a Class A facility. Its (ERP) is 6,000 watts, with an antenna (HAAT) of 100 meters (328 feet). These parameters conform to FCC standards for Class A stations, which are designed for local service with maximum ERP of 6 kW and HAAT not exceeding 100 meters in reference conditions. WWWX transmits in FM stereo modulation, enabling high-fidelity audio broadcasting. It also implements HD Radio technology, providing a primary digital channel (HD1) that mirrors the analog signal and potential subchannels for additional programming. The signal covers the core Appleton-Oshkosh metropolitan area.

Coverage and Reach

WWWX primarily serves the Appleton-Oshkosh-Neenah metropolitan statistical area in east-central Wisconsin, a region encompassing Winnebago, Outagamie, and Calumet counties with a total population of approximately 360,300 residents. The station's signal, operating at 96.9 MHz with an effective radiated power of 6,000 watts from a transmitter near Oshkosh, provides reliable coverage across this primary market and extends into adjacent areas of northeast Wisconsin, including portions of Brown County (Green Bay) and Fond du Lac County. This footprint allows WWWX to reach listeners in urban centers like Appleton and Oshkosh, as well as surrounding rural communities, without the aid of translator stations or signal boosters. The Appleton-Oshkosh market ranks 139th among U.S. radio markets according to , reflecting its mid-sized status with a focus on local advertising and community engagement. In terms of audience metrics, WWWX has maintained an average quarter-hour (AQH) share of persons aged 12+ ranging from 1.1 to 2.8 across recent survey periods, indicating a stable but niche listenership within the competitive format. This translates to an estimated weekly audience that captures a targeted segment of the market's total radio listeners, emphasizing quality over broad dominance in a region where country and adult contemporary formats often lead. As an station, WWWX targets a demographic primarily consisting of adults aged 18-34, a group characterized by younger professionals and students who favor contemporary rock and indie artists for daily listening. This audience profile aligns with the format's emphasis on energetic, modern music that resonates with urban and Gen Z listeners in the Fox Valley, supporting targeted promotions for events, concerts, and brands.

Historical Development

Establishment and Early Years

WWWX signed on in 1967 as WMKC on 96.7 FM, licensed to , and owned by Kimball Broadcasting Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Miles Kimball Company, a prominent mail-order firm based in the city. The station's initial studios were located in downtown Oshkosh at 50 West 9th Avenue, serving the local community with a focus on adult contemporary and programming designed to appeal to a broad audience in the Fox Valley region. In its early years, WMKC emphasized middle-of-the-road (MOR) music formats, including affiliations with syndicated services like Drake-Chenault's "The Great Ones," which featured contemporary pop hits blended with lighter adult-oriented tracks. The station's operations remained centered in Oshkosh, fostering a community-oriented identity before broader format shifts in the late 1980s. In 1980, ownership transitioned to Cummings Communications for $400,000.

Ownership Changes

In 1996, ODON Communications Group sold WUSW (the station's call sign at the time) along with WNAM in , to Value Radio Corporation for $5.2 million in cash and stock, marking a significant shift in local for the Oshkosh-licensed FM outlet. This transaction received FCC approval and integrated the station into Value Radio's growing portfolio in the Appleton-Oshkosh market, allowing for coordinated operations while maintaining its country format. The following year, on August 31, 1997, Value Radio Corporation sold a cluster including WUSW, WNAM, WOSH, WOGB-FM, and WVBO-FM to Cumulus Media for $11.8 million, expanding Cumulus's presence in the Appleton-Oshkosh area to five stations. The FCC approved the deal, which bolstered Cumulus's market share in northeastern Wisconsin and facilitated shared resources such as studios and sales teams, reducing operational costs but increasing integration under a national broadcaster's oversight. In 1999, the station's call letters changed to WWWX, reflecting Cumulus's branding strategy, though ownership remained unchanged. By 2009, amid Cumulus's broader acquisition activities, the company placed WWWX into a divestiture trust managed by Current Radio LLC to comply with FCC local ownership limits following a deal to sell and lease back its Appleton-Green Bay cluster to Clear Channel Communications (now ). This temporary divestiture, approved by the FCC, preserved Cumulus's operational control via a while nominally reducing its station count in the market to meet regulatory caps. Cumulus reacquired operational control in 2013 after relicensing adjustments for WOGB shifted it from the Appleton to Green Bay market. Cumulus regained full of WWWX from the trust on February 13, 2017, after FCC approval confirmed compliance with updated ownership rules, making it the company's fourth FM signal in Appleton-Oshkosh. This move enhanced Cumulus's portfolio in , where the station now operates alongside sister outlets like WOSH and WVBO, contributing to the company's regional dominance in news-talk and formats without further major sales or mergers affecting it as of 2025.

Format Shifts

The broadcast format of the station now known as WWWX has evolved significantly since its early years, reflecting shifts in market demands and ownership strategies in the Appleton-Oshkosh area. In its initial phase during the late and , the station operated under the call letters WMKC on 96.7 MHz, primarily airing an adult contemporary format targeted at a broad listenership. By the early 1980s, following a call sign change to WAHC, it adopted a () format branded as "All Hit 97," featuring top-40 hits. The station underwent further transitions in the late 1980s and 1990s, moving to 96.9 MHz in 1991 as part of national FM frequency reallocations. Under the WUSW call letters from 1989 to 1999, it shifted to a modern format known as "US-96," emphasizing contemporary country artists and to capture the region's rural and suburban audience, a move influenced by the popularity of the genre in the Midwest during that era. On March 16, 1999, the call letters changed to WWWX, coinciding with a rebranding to "96.9 The Fox" and the introduction of a rock format to differentiate from dominant country and pop competitors. This transition marked a departure from country, driven by market analysis showing untapped potential in rock music amid the rise of alternative and active rock trends. By the early 2010s, the format refined into alternative rock, focusing on new and emerging artists to maintain relevance, with the branding solidified as Northeast Wisconsin's primary outlet for the genre. The change contributed to improved ratings in the 12+ demographic, positioning WWWX as a key player in the local alternative scene without major listener backlash reported.

Programming and Operations

Music and Content Format

WWWX operates as an station under the branding "96.9 The Fox," delivering a centered on contemporary and established alternative artists such as , , , and . The format emphasizes new rock and alternative hits, incorporating local talent through dedicated programming like the "Fox Homegrown" segment, which airs Sunday nights from 10 p.m. to midnight and showcases music from bands across the state. This inclusion of regional acts helps connect with listeners in the Appleton-Oshkosh area, fostering community engagement within the alternative genre. The station's content mix is predominantly music-driven, with , weather updates, and talk elements. Syndicated programming, such as the nationally distributed "Dave & Mahoney" morning show, adds comedic and pop culture discussions tailored to alternative radio audiences, airing weekdays to complement the music rotation. Unique interactive features include listener-influenced playlists, allowing audience input on song selections via calls or texts to enhance participation. The station has evolved its slogans—such as "The Valley's Alternative" and "Northeast 's Only Station"—to target young adults aged 18-34 in the region, appealing to their preferences for energetic, alongside local flavor. This approach has solidified WWWX's position as a key outlet for alternative music in northeast .

On-Air Schedule and Personalities

WWWX's weekday programming follows a structured schedule designed to cater to the audience in the Appleton-Oshkosh area, blending syndicated shows with local talent. The day begins with the nationally syndicated Dave & Mahoney Morning Show from 5:00 AM to 10:00 AM, hosted by Dave Farra, Jason Mahoney, co-host Audrey Drake, and producer , who deliver humorous takes on pop culture, sports, and current events. This is followed by a midday block of continuous music from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, featuring curated playlists without dedicated on-air hosts. Afternoons shift to local programming with Program Director Cosette Nowik hosting from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM, where she incorporates listener interaction, event promotions, and alternative tracks aligned with the station's format. Evenings feature the syndicated The Greg Beharrell Show from 7:00 PM to midnight, led by Canadian radio veteran Greg Beharrell, known for his comedic content, voice-over work, and high-energy segments that have aired across North American stations since 2020. Overnights from midnight to 5:00 AM consist of automated programming, maintaining the station's focus on new and emerging artists. This lineup includes both syndicated and local elements, particularly through Nowik's role in and event hosting. Key personalities include Cosette Nowik, who joined WWWX in January 2024 as Program Director and afternoon host after roles at in , including board operator for WLS-AM; she holds a B.A. in from and began her career at college station WXND. Dave Farra and Jason Mahoney, the core of the morning show, bring over a decade of syndicated experience, with Farra serving as the "voice of reason" and Mahoney adding irreverent humor; the show originates from Hubbard Radio's KSLX in Phoenix and emphasizes relatable, light-hearted commentary. Greg Beharrell contributes his multifaceted background, including past hosting at CFNY in and Live 105 in , to deliver creative, irregularity-driven evenings that boost listener retention through engaging storytelling. Weekend programming on WWWX emphasizes extended music blocks of , running continuously from 6:00 AM to midnight on both Saturday and Sunday, with occasional guest DJ spots or promotional segments tied to local events. Special programming includes holiday-themed marathons, such as New Year's Eve countdowns featuring fan-voted alternative hits, and themed nights like "Local Spotlight" weekends highlighting Wisconsin-based artists, often hosted by Nowik to foster community ties. These elements ensure a dynamic mix that supports the station's role in promoting live concerts and contests throughout the year.

Technical and Facility Details

Transmitter and Studio Locations

The studios of WWWX are located at 491 S. Washburn Street, Suite 400, in 54904, within a shared facility operated by parent company that also houses other stations in the Appleton-Oshkosh cluster, such as WOSH and WPKR. The facility features modern amenities, including digital production suites for audio editing, content creation, and live broadcasting, supporting the station's programming. As part of 's infrastructure, the studios enable transmission, allowing WWWX to broadcast a alongside its analog FM output for enhanced audio quality and potential multicasting options. WWWX's transmitter site is situated near , along , at coordinates 44° 06' 01" N, 88° 32' 02" W. The antenna is mounted on a tower approximately 95 meters (312 feet) above ground level, with an effective (HAAT) of 100 meters (328 feet) and the site at an elevation of 238 meters (781 feet) above and radiation center at 333 meters (1,093 feet) above . This location is shared with Cumulus-owned AM station WNAM (1280), which utilizes a four-tower array for its daytime operations.

Signal Characteristics

WWWX transmits at 96.9 MHz with an (ERP) of 6 kW in both horizontal and vertical polarizations from a non-directional antenna mounted at 100 meters (HAAT). The transmitter site is situated at 44°06'01"N latitude and 88°32'02"W longitude, approximately 6 miles northeast of . The station's signal benefits from the flat terrain characteristic of central Wisconsin's Fox Valley region, which reduces terrain-induced shadowing and supports uniform coverage with minimal multipath interference. FCC-predicted contour maps indicate that the 60 dBu protected contour—the primary service area—extends roughly 25 miles from the transmitter, encompassing the core Appleton-Oshkosh and providing reliable reception to urban and rural listeners within this zone. As a Class A facility, WWWX enjoys FCC protections against co-channel and first-adjacent-channel interference, and no significant complaints or resolved disputes regarding signal interference have been recorded in public FCC records. In terms of modern enhancements, WWWX utilizes technology, broadcasting its primary programming on HD1 while supporting potential multicasting on additional subchannels for extended content options. To augment terrestrial coverage, the station offers high-quality audio streaming through its official website and dedicated mobile applications for and Android, enabling access for listeners beyond the FM signal footprint via integration with platforms like .

References

  1. https://onlineradiobox.com/us/wwwx/
  2. https://deanemediasolutions.com/cumulus-media-appoints-cosette-nowik-pd-afternoon-on-air-host-for-wwwx-appleton-oshkosh/
  3. https://www.cumulusmedia.com/
  4. https://radioinsight.com/headlines/116484/cumulus-recovers-wwwx-from-divestiture-trust/
  5. https://radio-locator.com/info/WWWX-FM
  6. https://www.fox969.com/station-information/
  7. https://foundinwisconsin.com/2017/01/wwwx-96-9-fm-the-fox-appletonoshkosh-voted-best-radio-station-in-wisconsin-2016/
  8. https://www.fox969.com/
  9. https://www.facebook.com/969TheFoxWI/
  10. https://dbpedia.org/page/WWWX
  11. https://fccinfo.com/CMDProFacLookup.php?tabSearchType=Facility&s=50052
  12. https://www.fcc.gov/media/radio/fm-station-classes
  13. https://hdradio.com/stations/
  14. https://www.nielsen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Populations_Rankings.pdf
  15. https://ratings.radio-online.com/content/arb303
  16. https://live365.com/blog/a-full-guide-to-radio-station-formats/
  17. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-BC/Broadcasting-Magazine/BC-1966/1966-12-19-BC.pdf
  18. https://www.facebook.com/groups/180056085063391/posts/700134196388908/
  19. https://www.hisair.net/paul-cameron-interview-9-2-16/
  20. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/M-Street-Journal/M-Street-1996-09.pdf
  21. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Duncan-American-Radio/Duncan-1997-Spring.pdf
  22. https://westillread.com/about/
  23. https://www.angelfire.com/wi/dxmidamerica/Top40wasis.html
  24. https://www.qsl.net/pjdyer/fmrp9806.htm
  25. https://www.radiolineup.com/stations/WWWX-FM
  26. https://player.listenlive.co/20391/en/songhistory
  27. https://www.fmradiofree.com/wwwx-969-the-fox-fm
  28. https://www.facebook.com/969foxhomegrown/
  29. https://www.fox969.com/2025/09/09/back-cracking-linebacking/
  30. https://www.fox969.com/shows/dave-mahoney/
  31. https://www.daveandmahoney.com/about
  32. https://radioinsight.com/headlines/264238/cosette-nowik-joins-wwwx-as-pd-afternoon-host/
  33. https://www.fox969.com/shows/the-greg-beharrell-show-2/
  34. https://yeanetworks.com/the-greg-beharrell-show/
  35. https://www.compassmedianetworks.com/index.php/album/dave-and-mahoney/
  36. https://barrettmedia.com/2025/04/11/the-greg-beharrell-show-is-about-creativity-and-irregularity/
  37. https://fccdata.org/?call=WWWX
  38. https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WWWX&service=FM
  39. https://www.fcc.gov/media/radio/general-info-fm-tv-maps-data
  40. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/96-9-the-fox/id814302877
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.