WZUM began in the 1960's as an R&B and top 40 station, owned by popular Pittsburgh polka bandleader Jimmy Pol. During the 1970's, WZUM was a freeform AOR outlet from until it switched to religious programming under the WPLW callsign in 1975. after its purchase by Robert Hickling. In 1998, following it was sold to Pittsburgh area broadcaster Mike Horvath and returned to WZUM, changing to smooth jazz, but went dark after just one year with the format. The station later returned after a major transmitter and studio overhaul with time-brokered programming, then oldies, with Catholic programming added in 2002
Green Bay, Wis.-based Starboard Media Foundation Inc. purchased WZUM in September 2005 from Horvath Broadcasting LLC for $435,00. WZUM, with its transmitter in Crafton, Pa., and studio in West Mifflin, Pa had been broadcasting some of the Relevant Radio programming since May 2003 under a lease agreement. . Upon purchase of the station, Starboard converted it to 100% Catholic programming with Relevant Radio. But now it seems like the Catholic radio days may be numbered.
The station is being shopped to potential buyers. I listen to it the station as often as I can. I will be sad to see it go but radio is a tough business and selling niche radio is even tougher.
Stay tuned...
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