Smile FM
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Smile FM | |
 |
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| Slogan | Michigan's Positive Hits |
|---|---|
| Format | Religious; Contemporary Christian |
| Owner | Superior Communications |
| Webcast | http://www.smile.fm/streaming/ |
| Website | http://www.smile.fm/ |
Smile FM is a network of Michigan non-commercial, contemporary Christian radio stations. Programming originates from a studio near Lansing, Michigan, and is relayed (with local inserts) by an expanding number of stations throughout the state.
Smile FM was originally two separate networks. The first, The Light, was founded in December 1996 when WLGH Lansing, Michigan began broadcasting. The second, Joy FM, began in December 2000 with WHYT (now WWKM), Imlay City, Michigan. While both played contemporary Christian music, The Light aimed for a younger audience. In June of 2004 the two networks were combined to form Smile FM in a "wedding ceremony" conducted at Oldsmobile Park in Lansing.
The network is notable for putting stations on the air at a low cost. They lease existing towers, have one main studio, and use voice tracking. This allows the network to operate with a minimal number of employees. Unlike many Christian stations, they play music with only a few short breaks for weather, news, announcements and features.
The network's stations, although having the same ownership, are officially owned by one of three entities: Superior Communications, Michigan Community Radio, and Northland Community Broadcasters. All three are owned by Jennifer and Edward Czelada.
The owners have often recycled the call letters of famous Michigan stations of the past for their stations. WDTR (now WRCJ) and WHYT (now WDVD) were once used by Detroit stations. WTAC was the leading top 40 station in Flint during the 1960's. WAIR was a station in Honor. WKKM and WWKM were stations in Harrison.
Others were named for the original formats of the stations. WLGH and WTLI were The Light. All of the stations beginning with WJ were in or scheduled to be in the Joy FM network. WCZE stands for the first three letters of Czelada.
[edit] On Air Staff
Local
- Jennifer Czelada (Morning Expresso from Imlay City)
- George Hunger (Morning Expresso from Imlay City)
- Brian Dumont
- Dennis
- Rob Dale (Weather; WLNS meteorologist)
- Melissa Proffit (News headlines)
- Andy Delancey (News headlines)
National
- Faron Dice
- Rob Dempsey
- Dave Cruse
- Elly Singer
National Features
- Plugged In movie reviews (from Focus on the Family)
- Better Marriage Minute with Mark Gungor
- Up Words with Max Lucado
[edit] Network Stations
Stations owned and operated by Smile FM include: (Some stations are not operating at full FCC authorized power yet.)
- WLGH 88.1 Leroy Twp./Lansing (east of Lansing) 6.8 kW 571'
- WDTR 88.1 Monroe (Serving Monroe and Downriver Detroit) 2.8 kW 449' (Power upgrade to 2.8kW planned for 2007)
- WHYT 88.1 Goodland Twp./ Imlay City 400w 581'
- WEJC 88.3 White Star/ Gladwin 80 kW 472' (application filed 12/06 for 55 kW from a location between Midland and Bay City)(Power upgrade planned for 2007)
- WJOM 88.5 Eagle/Lansing (west of Lansing) 10 kW 289'
- WKKM 88.5 Rust Twp./Alpena 480w 472'
- WTLI 89.3 Bear Creek Twp./Boyne City 17 kW 1023'
- WJOJ 89.7 Harrisville/Alpena 31 kW 453' (tower lease issues - could be off air part of 2007)
- WTAC 89.7 Burton/Flint 1 kW 187'
- WJOG 91.3 Good Hart/Petoskey 6 kW 623'
- WJOH 91.5 Raco/Soo 5.5 kW 328'
- WCZE 103.7 Harbor Beach/Thumb Area 43 kW 528'
- WAIR 104.9 Lake City/ Cadillac 1.6 kW 489'
Future Stations approved by the FCC:
- WKPK 88.1 Michigamme (Western half of U.P.) 100 kW 410' (Planned to start operation in 2007)
- 88.7 Riverside/St. Joseph 25 kW 184' (Planned for 2007)
- WSLI 90.9 Belding 10 kW 98' (11/06 filed an application to modify to 14 kW from a different tower. Dismissed by FCC on 2/20/07 due to a small overlap in coverage area of WCSG)(Planned for 2007)
Michigan Community Radio (aka Smile FM) also owns WWKM 89.1 Imlay City. This station will be increasing power (6 kW 328') and moving to Oxford in the northern suburbs of Detroit. At that time the station will likely join the Smile FM network. WWKM currently airs a format of traditional Christian music and hymns.
