WCHH

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WCHH
Image:WCHH.png‎
City of license Baltimore, Maryland
Broadcast area Baltimore, Maryland
Branding "Channel 104.3"
Slogan "Baltimore’s exclusive Rock Alternative station"
Frequency 104.3 (MHz) (Also on HD Radio)
104.3-HD2 for Radio for Women
First air date late 1940s
Format Modern Rock
ERP 32,000 watts
HAAT 148 meters
Class B
Facility ID 8684
Owner Clear Channel Communications
Sister stations WCAO, WPOC
Webcast Listen Live
Website www.channel1043.com

WCHH (104.3 FM) is a radio station located in Baltimore, Maryland. It is currently owned and operated by Clear Channel Communications.

[edit] History

104.3 signed on in the late 1940's as WITH-FM, the FM sister to WITH-AM 1230 (now WRBS). WITH-FM was Maryland's pioneer FM station, with local legend Jack Wells serving as its first announcer.

In the 1970s, WITH-FM became Top 40 WDJQ-FM "DJ-104". By the late 70s, DJ-104 made an attempt to do an all-Disco format, which failed in the ratings and the station went back to Top 40 at the end of 1979.

In 1980, Scripps Howard Broadcasting acquired WDJQ-FM and 104.3 became WBSB under the handle "B-104", but retaining the previous Top 40 format. B-104 was one of Baltimore's top-rated FM stations during the 80s and was home to "Brian and O'Brien" one of Baltimore's most notable morning drive time shows.

In the 1990s, the station underwent a series of changes, including format and call letters. During this time, the station had switched first to "Variety 104.3" WVRT as an AC competitor to Mix 106.5, then to "Soft 104.3" WSSF, created as a competitor to the well-established WLIF. After WSSF failed, the format switched to '70s classic rock as "104.3 The Colt" WOCT. This evolved into a classic hits format, which then evolved into a harder classic rock format as "104.3OCT." Eventually, the station returned to classic rock as "Baltimore 104.3" and then "B-104.3" WFXB.

On September 5th, 2003, the station flipped to Smooth Jazz as WSMJ. During WSMJ's (near) 5 year run, it was nominated by the Radio & Records Industry for "Smooth Jazz Station of the Year" (2005), as well as, 1 nomnination and 1 win for "Program Director of the Year" (2005 & 2007)

On May 23, 2008 at 9am EDT, the station began stunting with Christmas music, after playing Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye) by Gladys Knight and the Pips. At noon the same day, the station launched into a 1990's-intensive modern rock format similar to other Clear Channel modern rockers in Grand Rapids, MI, Philadelphia, and Hartford, CT. On May 27, 2008 the Elliot in the Morning program was added to the lineup. On May 29, 2008, the station changed its call letters from WSMJ to WCHH.

[edit] External links