Mello-Tone, Inc., was formed and applied in March 1960 to build a new FM radio station in Pensacola. A construction permit was approved on June 23, 1960,[2] and WPEX-FM began broadcasting on November 11, 1960, with musical programming including classical and standards.[3] The license was acquired by Frederic T. C. Brewer in 1965;[2] Brewer owned an electronics shop and a background music business.[4] WPEX-FM became WMEZ on July 4, 1972,[2] and it continued the beautiful music format for more than 20 years. As late as 1989, it was the highest-rated station in Pensacola.[5]
In February 1997, Brewer sold WMEZ after 31 years to Patterson Broadcasting of Atlanta, its format having shifted to adult contemporary by 1992.[6][7] Two months later, Patterson Broadcasting agreed to be acquired by Capstar.[8]
Chancellor Media acquired Capstar for $4.1 billion in 1999, changed its name to AMFM, and then merged with Clear Channel Communications in a $23 billion transaction that October.[9] However, WMEZ and WXBM-FM were earmarked for divestiture to resolve antitrust concerns along with 70 other radio stations.[10] Clear Channel initially intended to sell the stations to Urban Radio, which fell apart; instead, Pamal Broadcasting acquired the pair for $43.95 million in October 2000.[11] Pamal then sold the two stations in 2012 to Cumulus Media for $6.5 million, allowing it to focus on its stations in New York state and Vermont.[12]
The adult contemporary format was dropped at noon on January 1, 2024, when WMEZ flipped to a rhythmic CHR format as "Hot 94.1".[13]
^Suchcicki, Mike (January 20, 1990). "Easy listening is tops in town". Pensacola News Journal. p. 1D. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
^Duncan, James H. Jr. (2004). "Pensacola"(PDF). An American Radio Trilogy, 1975 to 2004. Archived(PDF) from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023 – via World Radio History.
^Shweder, Jeremy (October 8, 1999). "Clear Channel-AMFM: What A Deal!"(PDF). Radio & Records. pp. 3, 40. Archived(PDF) from the original on August 14, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
^"Trust reducing portfolio"(PDF). Radio Business Report. October 2, 2000. p. 13. Archived(PDF) from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
