WOXY

WOXY "97X" is an Internet-only freeform rock and roll radio station based in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. It is one of the first stations in the United States to completely transition from terrestrial FM radio to Web radio (KNAC is a previous example). The WOXY-FM broadcast facilities and license are now owned separately by First Broadcasting.

From September 1983 until May 13, 2004, WOXY had an over-the-air broadcast at 97.7 FM out of Oxford, Ohio. Since it began broadcasting, the station has been a highly-regarded radio station, winning accolades from many prominent newspapers and magazines such as Rolling Stone, Spin, and USA Today. The station's first and last song played over-the-air was U2's "Sunday Bloody Sunday."

In 1998, WOXY began to experiment with webcasts, and listeners began to tune in from around the world. In the following years, there was a perception at the station that the viability of FM radio was declining, but Internet listenership continued to grow. In January 2004, the decision was made to sell the FM broadcast facilities in anticipation of becoming an Internet-only station. However, appropriate funding for the transition did not initially appear, so the station was forced to shut down operations on Thursday, May 13, when ownership of the FM facilities was transferred. The next day, representatives of anonymous angel investors contacted the station staff, and on July 12, 2004 WOXY resumed netcasting. As a subtle nod to U2's Irish background, the first song played on the web-only format was "Orpheus" by the Irish punk/Britpop band Ash.

External links

• WOXY