WYMS

WYMS
City Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Branding 88Nine Radio Milwaukee
Frequency 88.9 MHz(also on HD Radio)
First air date March 5, 1973 (1973-03-05)
Format Adult Alternative
Power 1,450 watts
HAAT 289 meters
Class B1
Facility ID 42669
Callsign meaning We're Your Milwaukee Schools
Affiliations NPR, PRX
Owner Milwaukee Public Schools
Webcast Listen Live
Website www.radiomilwaukee.org

WYMS is a non-commercial radio station in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, broadcasting on 88.9 FM. The station currently airs an eclectic adult album alternative music format, branded as "Radio Milwaukee". The station's license is owned by Milwaukee Public Schools, though it is managed and programmed by an outside group, also named Radio Milwaukee. In addition, WYMS airs weekly school board meetings on the over-the-air signal as a condition of MPS leasing the signal to Radio Milwaukee.

WYMS transmits from the WITI TV Tower in Shorewood and has their studios at 220 E. Pittsburgh Avenue in the Walker's Point area, with backup facilities maintained at the former main studios in the MPS administration building on W. Vliet Street in the Washington Park neighborhood.[1] The Vliet studios continue to be maintained for school board meetings and for FCC correspondence, which remains under the purview of MPS. The public radio station announced its purchase of the new studio facility in March 2013.[2] It will include four recording studios, among other amenities. The move was completed in August 2013, with the station's first music awards ceremony held in the winter of 2013.[3][4]

History

Initially, WYMS ran mainstream jazz as "Jazz 89" with various ethnic programming (particularly Polka music) on the weekends. The call letters stand for "Your Milwaukee Schools"

In the spring of 2002, Milwaukee Public Schools had a budget shortfall and the station's operations were handed over to WUWM at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. For a short period, WYMS simulcasted WUWM's programming before switching over to syndicated mainstream jazz music.

Under management of Radio For Milwaukee, the station planned to introduce an eclectic contemporary music format. After many delays and target sign-on dates, the station dropped the automated jazz programming and began stunting on February 23, 2007. The new format officially debuted on February 26, with on-air personalities first appearing on March 5.[5]

In May 2010 the station picked up World Cafe from WUWM after that station considered the program's music direction out of format.

Radio Milwaukee frequently plays innovative, new music before it goes mainstream. The station is especially unique in that it plays the music of many local bands and artists that otherwise would not receive airtime. The station's financial support comes entirely from the listeners and select corporate backers. Commercials are non-existent on the station; instead, they play specially complied Milwaukee Stories that inform the listener about culture and the goings on in the city.[6]

A few of their other unique programming features are the AMKE morning radio show with DJ Dori Zori, Rhythm Lab, and the 5 O-Clock Shadow[7] hosted by DJ Ken Sumka.

References

  1. ↑ Daykin, Tom (5 December 2012). "Radio Milwaukee pursuing Walker's Point location". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
  2. ↑ Daykin, Tom (18 March 2013). "Radio Milwaukee moving studios to Walker's Point". Milwaukee: Journal Sentinel online. Retrieved 2013-03-18.
  3. ↑ http://www.radiomilwaukee.org/88nines-new-home
  4. ↑ http://www.radiomilwaukee.org/events/2013-radiomilwaukee-music-awards-party
  5. ↑ http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=569460
  6. ↑ http://www.radiomilwaukee.org/stories
  7. ↑ http://www.radiomilwaukee.org/music/programs/5-oclock-shadow

External links

Coordinates: 43°05′28″N 87°53′49″W / 43.091°N 87.897°W / 43.091; -87.897

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