WMRX-FM (97.7

MHz The hertz (symbol: Hz) is the unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI), often described as being equivalent to one event (or cycle) per second. The hertz is an SI derived unit whose formal expression in terms of SI base u ...

) is a

radio station Radio broadcasting is the broadcasting of audio (sound), sometimes with related metadata, by radio waves to radio receivers belonging to a public audience. In terrestrial radio broadcasting the radio waves are broadcast by a land-based rad ...

licensed to

Beaverton, Michigan Beaverton is a city in Gladwin County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,145 at the 2020 census. The city is bordered by Beaverton Township on the west, but the two are administered autonomously. History Beaverton was firs ...

in the United States, broadcasting a classic hits format. In January 2021, the station began branding as "Mid-Michigan's Favorite Hits". The station also is an affiliate of the

Detroit Tigers Radio Network The Detroit Tigers Radio Network is an American radio network composed of 49 radio stations which carry English-language coverage of the Detroit Tigers, a professional baseball team in Major League Baseball (MLB). Detroit's WXYT-FM (97.1 ...

. Black Diamond Broadcasting is the owner of WMRX-FM.

WMRX history

Originally WGEO-FM, the station was purchased by Maines Broadcasting in December 1983 and became WMRX-FM. The station ran an automated adult contemporary format from 1983 through 1990. The music was a more contemporary version of the MOR format of sister station WMPX. In the summer of 1990, WMRX-FM became a direct simulcast of WMPX, and later in the year both stations became an affiliate of ABC Radio's "Star Station" adult contemporary format. Steel Broadcasting purchased the stations in 1992, retaining the "Star Station" format. In late 1994, the stations changed format to adult standards and were branded as "Unforgettable" airing ABC's "Stardust" format to great success. The stations stayed with ABC as the format morphed into "Timeless Favorites" in the early 2000s. In 2010, when ABC dropped the "Timeless" format, the stations became an affiliate of Dial Global's "America's Best Music" adult standards format. In January 2014, the stations dropped the satellite format and became "Sunny 97-7" airing a soft gold playlist similar to the previous standards format but with more recent and uptempo music included. By 2017, competitor WHNN had changed format to AC, and the simulcast with WMPX shifted to classic hits, while retaining the Sunny brand, with a new logo.

In 2019, WMRX-FM broke simulcast with WMPX, as WMPX added a translator on 107.7 and became Country Gold "107.7 The Highway" featuring a 1990s-based classic country format. The station was branded as "Country's Greatest Hits". On July 1, 2023, WMRX-FM brought back the simulcast with WMPX and rebranded as "Sunny 97.7/107.7".Sunny Doubles Up in Central Michigan
Radioinsight - July 7, 2023 Effective October 17, 2023, Black Diamond Broadcasting acquired WMRX-FM, WMPX, and translator W299CK from Steel Broadcasting for $100,000. The classic hits format was retained but tweaked in a softer, more adult contemporary direction with the re-addition of artists such as

Celine Dion Céline Marie Claudette Dion (born 30 March 1968) is a Canadian singer. Referred to as the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Queen of Power Ballads", Dion's powerful, technically skilled vocals and commercially successful works have had ...

Kelly Clarkson Kelly Brianne (born Kelly Brianne Clarkson, April 24, 1982), known professionally as Kelly Clarkson, is an American singer, songwriter, and television personality. Rising to fame after winning the American Idol season 1, first season of ''Ameri ...

and

Mariah Carey Mariah Carey ( ; born March 27, 1969) is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Dubbed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, Songbird Supreme" by ''Guinness World Records'', Carey is known for her five-octave voc ...

. This reduces overlap with more traditionally rock-based sister station

WUPS WUPS (98.5 FM) is a 100 kW radio station licensed to Harrison, Michigan and serving central and northern Michigan. The station, previously owned by Sindy Fuller, through licensee Bridge to Bridge, Inc., was acquired by Black Diamond Broadcas ...

, which covers most of the WMRX/WMPX coverage area.

References

External links

* MRX-FM Gladwin County, Michigan Radio stations established in 1995 {{Michigan-radio-station-stub