WHTZ, also known as "Z-100," is one of the most successful (and copied) radio stations in America today.
WHTZ is licensed to Newark, New Jersey, and serves the New York City market. It broadcasts at a frequency of 100.3 MHz.
The call letters are supposed to represent the word "hits"; indeed, an early advertising campaign for the station claimed that HTZ was "The New Way to Spell 'Hits' in New York."
WHTZ has commercial-free hours on weekdays at noon, 5pm, and 8pm, Saturdays at noon and 3pm, and Sundays on 1pm and 3pm.
The station is currently owned by Clear Channel Communications.
History
WHTZ signed on the air at 6:08 AM on August 2, 1983, with little to no fanfare. The first song ever played on the station was "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor. It was an attempt to bring the Top 40 format back to New York, something that had not been represented since AM powerhouse WABC flipped to all-talk on May 10, 1982 ("The Day the Music Died" in New York radio lore). Within 74 days of signing on, WHTZ had climbed literally from last place to first in the New York Arbitron book, an unprecedented feat.
Z Morning Zoo
Although not created at WHTZ, the popular Morning Zoo format became a widely-copied morning show concept based on its success at this station. The current DJs on that show include Elvis Duran, Danielle Manero, John Bell, Carolina Bermudez (Christine Nagy out on maternity leave), and Greg T the frat boy.
Current DJs
Current DJs include Elvis Duran (and the Z Morning Zoo), Shelley Wade, Paul "Cubby" Bryant, Joe Risoti, Niko, and Sharon Stevens. The station annually holds two concerts, Jingle Ball, around the holiday season, and Zootopia.
Also, every Sunday from 7:30 (?) to 12PM, WHTZ broadcasts the nationally-syndicated American Top 40, which is hosted by Ryan Seacrest.
Weekday Broadcasting Schedule
6AM - 10AM: Elvis Duran and the Z Morning Zoo (see above)
10AM - 2PM: Shelley Wade
2PM - 6PM: Paul "Cubby" Bryant
6PM - 10PM: Romeo on the Radio (7:00 - 7:15 -- Z-100 Mini-Mix)
10PM - 11PM: Joe Risoti (Dedication Hour)
External links
