My knowledge of this frequency starts in 1995, when I first moved to the Washington, D.C. metro.
In 1995 the calls for this frequency were WXVR and it simulcast the signal of 104.1 WXTR, Waldorf, MD.
The format was a 1970's oldies/classic hits format. The WXTR signal (sort of) covered the south
side of the Washington metro and the WXVR signal at 103.9 (sort of) covered the northwest part of the
market.
In 1996 the pair of signals were sold to Bonneville Internation Corporation and the calls were changed.
Bonneville paid for some fairly extensive signal upgrades to the 104.1 signal, but I believe they were somewhat
hemmed in with regards to the 103.9 signal.
104.1 became WWZZ and 103.9 became WWVZ. The format was a dance friendly CHR and the signals
were collectively known as Z104. Bonneville saw some decent rating success with this formula,
but they didn't seem to have the promotional dollars or the corporate will to stick with this format
(Bonneville is controlled by the Church of Latter Day Saints).
In April of 2001 Clear Channel launched WIHT as Hot 99.5 - a direct competitor to Z104. The CHR format
lasted 5 more months on Z104 and Bonneville elected to flip the format to female oriented soft AC. The
call letters stayed the same but the moniker changed to the lame "More Music 104".
In January of 2006, Bonneville shuffled the deck chairs in their Washington radio cluster and moved
all news WTOP from 107.7FM/1500AM to the 103.5FM and 820AM signals. The former occupant of
103.5, WGMS (classical) was moved to the 104.1 and 103.9 duo and the soft AC format was (mercifully)
abandonded.
Hope that helps,
Jeremy
