WJOW

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WJOW
City of license Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
Broadcast area State College, Pennsylvania
Branding Joe FM
Frequency 105.9 FM (MHz)
Format country
Owner Magnum Broadcasting, Inc.

WJOW (105.9 FM) is a country radio station broadcasting in State College, Pennsylvania. It is known as Joe FM. The station, owned by Magnum Broadcasting of State College, was founded by brothers C. Dean & Sheldon Sharpless, doing business as Moshannon Valley Broadcasting.

[edit] Early years: as WPHB-FM

This station was originally known as WPHB-FM, first signing on the air in 1989 from the studios of its co-owned AM station with the same call letters. Both stations simulcast a classic country music format for approximately half of the broadcast day, with break-aways during the daytime hours for WPHB (AM)'s more Christian-based programming.

The Sharpless family sold both stations in 1996 to local residents Cliff and Laura Mack, who changed the format of the FM station to modern rock. The station also adopted the new call letters WUBZ-FM and the "105.9 The Buzz" moniker. In 1999 they moved their tower to provide a city-grade signal in State College. WPHB and WUBZ were then sold a few years later to Magnum Broadcasting, which moved WUBZ's studios to State College. WPHB, which was more of a local station serving Philipsburg and the Moshannon Valley almost exclusively, stayed in Philipsburg, where it remains today.

105.9 Joe FM's current line up features "Big D & Bubba In The Morning", a popular syndicated morning show, from 6 to 10AM, Meg Austin from 10-3PM, Drew Shannon from 3-7PM, Rick Houston from 7-Midnight and "After Midnight with Blair Garner" from Midnight to 6AM. The weekend line up includes The American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks. Their website is www.1059joefm.com.

The most recent change for 105.9 Joe FM is that Magnum Broadcasting's previously titled "106.9 The Surge" station, which broadcast to Renovo and Lockhaven, changed, in February 2008, to simulcast Joe FM as well. 105.9/106.9 Joe FM "Happy Valley's Best New Country" is their motto.

[edit] Before WJOW, there was WUBZ "105.9 The Buzz" (1996-2006)

Former logo of 105.9 The Buzz
Former logo of 105.9 The Buzz

Prior to June 2006, this radio frequency was taken by WUBZ "105.9 The Buzz", an alternative/modern rock station.

At one time, WUBZ's website (http://www.buzzfm.com) redirected to WPHB's (AM 1260 in Phillipsburg, PA) website (http://wphbradio.com). This is no longer the case.

[edit] External links