WFNZ-FM

History

The station signed on as WCCJ in late January 1995 with a commercial-free free-form rock format. Due to low advertising rates, in June 1995, the station changed to smooth jazz, and would flip again to rhythmic oldies as "92.7 the Jam" on August 22, 1999.

As a result of the decline of rhythmic oldies nationally, on April 2, 2001, WCCJ flipped to mainstream urban as Hot 92.7, with new call letters WCHH, taking on urban/hip hop station WPEG. It did well in the ratings at first, knocking heritage station WPEG down to 6th place in the market, but later declined, so it was flipped to urban AC on January 21, 2004, as "Q92.7", along with a call letter change to WQNC. WQNC took over Tom Joyner's show from longer standing urban AC rival WBAV-FM soon after that. WBAV subsequently answered back by signing on as an affiliate for a new syndicated show hosted by Joyner's rival, Steve Harvey.

In October 2009, WQNC rebranded as "My 92.7", changed to a more contemporary format, dropping the talk show hosts other than Joyner, and adding energetic music from such artists as Usher, Patti LaBelle and Whitney Houston. The slogan was "R&B from the 80s, 90s, and Now", although some 70s disco/soul/R&B songs remained on the playlist.

On August 31, 2011, Radio One announced its intention to sell off their Charlotte stations to Davis Broadcasting, but in April 2012, the deal fell through, and Radio One decided to keep the stations.

On August 27, 2012, WQNC began directing listeners on air and online to sister station WNOW-FM. Imaging teased that something 'inspirational' was coming. Two weeks later, on September 13, WQNC began simulcasting sister WPZS and switched call letters with that station. The two stations provided a strong combined signal with 60 percent overlap.

WPZS increased power to 10.5 kW and height to 154 meters. Construction was completed in October 2013.

On August 14, 2015, 92.7 began stunting with all-Drake as "Drake 92.7", promoting a new format to come the following Monday, August 17, at 5 pm. Along with this, 92.7 reverted to its previous call sign of WQNC, with 100.9 retaining the gospel format and the WPZS call letters. At the promised time, WQNC flipped back to urban as "92.7 The Block", taking direct aim at WPEG (as well as WGIV/W277CB).

"The Block" was moved to the HD2 channel of WOSF, as well as translator station W273DA (102.5 FM), on February 28, 2022; following a transition period, 92.7 became an FM simulcast of WFNZ on March 1, a role previously served by the 102.5 facility. Ahead of the swap, on February 16, WQNC changed its call letters to WFNZ-FM.

On September 4, 2025, WFNZ-FM switched affiliations from Infinity Sports Network to ESPN Radio.

References

References

1. [http://www.insideradio.com/free/more-coverage-added-as-nba-s-hornets-wfnz-extend-deal/article_69b0d9c4-9cb7-11e7-a5bb-d32d6f2a58b1.html InsideRadio.com/WFNZ]
2. (January 20, 2022). "Charlotte FC, Radio One Announce Club's First-Ever Radio Partnership". WFNZ.
3. Funk, Tim. (February 10, 1995). "Now hear this: New album-rock station attracts hungry listeners". The Charlotte Observer.
4. Funk, Tim. (June 20, 1995). "James back to interview colleagues". The Charlotte Observer.
5. (August 27, 1999). "NAC 'CCJ/Charlotte Caught In A 'Jam'". Radio & Records.
6. Washburn, Mark. (April 3, 2001). "WCCJ goes hip-hop as ratings fade out for rhythmic oldies". The Charlotte Observer.
7. (April 6, 2001). "'CCJ/Charlotte Gets 'Hot' Urban Format". Radio & Records.
8. Washburn, Mark. (July 28, 2001). "Radio competitor leaves favorite singing sad song". The Charlotte Observer.
9. (January 30, 2004). "WCHH/Charlotte Goes Urban AC". Radio & Records.
10. Washburn, Mark. (January 23, 2004). "No. 1 morning show swaps stations in Charlotte". The Charlotte Observer.
11. (May 14, 2008). "Sharpton to headline new format at radio station". The Charlotte Observer.
12. (August 31, 2011). "Davis Broadcasting To Purchase WQNC and WPZS". allaccess.com.
13. Washburn, Mark. (August 18, 2012). "Battle on way for urban radio". The Charlotte Observer.
14. (September 13, 2012). "Praise Charlotte Takes Over 92.7".
15. "Call Sign History (WPZS)".
16. "Call Sign History (WFNZ-FM)".
17. "FM Query Results (WFNZ-FM)". Audio Division (FCC) USA.
18. (August 17, 2015). "Non-Stop Drake Launches in Charlotte". RadioInsight.
19. (February 28, 2022). "Frequency Swap In Process In Charlotte". RadioInsight.
20. (September 20, 2022). "WFNZ Moves Exclusively To FM". RadioInsight.
21. [https://radioinsight.com/headlines/307940/wfnz-adds-espn-radio-programming/ WFNZ Adds ESPN Radio Programming] Radioinsight - September 4, 2025