WWBN

WWBN (101.5 FM, "Banana 101.5") is a radio station broadcasting mainstream rock to Flint and The Thumb areas of Michigan. Syndicated shows on Banana include the morning comedy program The Free Beer and Hot Wings Show and the nightly music program Loudwire. It is owned by Townsquare Media and is a member of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters

WWBN

Tuscola, Michigan
Broadcast area	Flint, MI/The Thumb, MI
Frequency	101.5 MHz
Branding	Banana 101.5
Programming
Format	Mainstream rock
Affiliations	Compass Media Networks
Ownership
Owner	Townsquare Media (Townsquare Media of Flint, Inc.)
Sister stations	WCRZ, WFNT, WQUS, WRCL
History
First air date	September 16, 1994 (at 101.5)
Former call signs	WKMF-FM (12/91-9/94) WGMZ-FM (7/87-12/91)
Call sign meaning	BaNana
Technical information
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	20448
Class	A
ERP	1,800 watts
HAAT	149 meters
Transmitter coordinates	43°12′0″N 83°33′30″W
Links
Public license information	Public file LMS
Webcast	Listen Live
Website	banana1015.com

History

The station began operations in 1987 as WGMZ-FM with an Easy Listening music format, reviving the call sign and format formerly used on 107.9 FM (now WCRZ) from 1961 to 1984 and also in the 1980s on 1570 AM (now WWCK). In 1991, WGMZ-FM became country WKMF-FM, simulcasting AM 1470 (now WFNT). The "Banana" name, album-oriented rock format and the WWBN calls debuted in 1994. Subsequently, WWBN moved from 101.7 to 101.5 in a frequency swap with WPRJ, a contemporary Christian music station in Coleman, Michigan, and both stations were also able to increase their power.

WWBN's owner, Regent Broadcasting (now Townsquare Media), took control of active rock station WRXF 103.1 FM "Radio X" in Lapeer, Michigan in December 2001. After a short three-month period of simulcasting the Banana on 103.1, WRXF debuted a new classic hits format as "U.S. 103.1" WQUS in February 2002, and the Banana evolved from mainstream AOR into its current active rock sound. Current program director and air personality Tony LaBrie is a veteran of WRXF's "Radio X" days and is the recipient of the RadioContraband Rock Radio Award for Small Market Radio Program Director of the Year in both 2011 and 2012. The Banana was voted "Small Market Radio Station of the Year" for the RadioContraband Rock Radio Award in 2011.

Sources

• Michiguide.com - WWBN History

External links

• Banana 101.5 on Facebook
• Facility details for Facility ID 739751 (WWBN) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
• WWBN in Nielsen Audio's FM station database