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WICU-FM

Coordinates: 42°07′25″N 80°07′02″W / 42.12361°N 80.11722°W / 42.12361; -80.11722
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

WICU-FM
Broadcast areaErie, Pennsylvania
Frequency92.7 MHz (HD Radio)
BrandingHAPPI 927
Programming
Language(s)English
FormatContemporary hit radio
AffiliationsUnited Stations Radio Networks
Ownership
Owner
OperatorLilly Broadcasting
WICU-TV, WSEE-TV
History
First air date
November 9, 2012; 11 years ago (2012-11-09)
Former call signs
  • WEHP (2012–2019)
  • WICU (2019–2020)
Call sign meaning
derived from sister station WICU-TV
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID189528
ClassA
ERP6,000 watts
HAAT3 meters (9.8 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
42°07′25″N 80°07′02″W / 42.12361°N 80.11722°W / 42.12361; -80.11722
Repeater(s)1310 WICU (Warren)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen Live
Websitewww.happi927.com

WICU-FM (92.7 MHz) is a contemporary hit radio-formatted radio station in Erie, Pennsylvania, licensed to Lawrence Park, Pennsylvania, under the ownership of SJL Broadcasting (a sister company to Lilly Broadcasting). It uses the moniker "Happi 927". WICU-FM is simulcast in Warren on Lilly-owned WICU (1310 AM and 96.7 FM).

History

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The station, using the call sign WEHP, signed on the air November 9, 2012, stunting with songs including the word "Happy"; at 12 p.m. on November 16, 2012, it formally launched its contemporary hit radio format under the branding of "Happi 92.7".[2] The station was originally owned by Rick Rambaldo'a Erie Radio Company;[2] the construction permit had been acquired, under the name First Channel Communications, for $2,068,000 in a May 2011 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) auction, outbidding an entity affiliated with Connoisseur Media.[3] Rambaldo had previously a group of Erie radio stations that was sold to NextMedia in 1999, and subsequently acquired by Connoisseur Media and then iHeartMedia.[4] The WEHP call sign was assigned on May 16, 2012.[5]

In September 2019, Erie Radio Company announced the sale of the station to SJL of Pennsylvania, owner of WICU-TV, for $1.33 million; SJL is a sister company to Lilly Broadcasting, whose holdings in the area include WSEE-TV and three Warren radio stations.[6] Under the terms of the agreement, Erie Radio Company retained the rights to the "Happi" brand, but granted SJL/Lilly a perpetual royalty-free license to use the name.[4] The sale was completed on December 31, 2019,[7] at which point the call sign was changed to WICU (the "-FM" suffix was added on February 13, 2020).[5] On April 1, 2020, WICU-FM began simulcasting in Warren on WICU (1310 AM and 96.7 FM).[8]

In September 2021, WICU-FM relocated its studios to the facilities of WICU-TV and WSEE-TV, up State Street from its original studios.[9]

References

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  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WICU-FM". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ a b Venta, Lance (November 16, 2012). "Happi 92.7 Erie Debuts". RadioInsight. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  3. ^ Fybush, Scott (May 9, 2011). "Rambaldo Lands Erie FM CP". NorthEast Radio Watch. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  4. ^ a b Venta, Lance (September 11, 2019). "Lilly Broadcasting Acquires Happi 92.7 Erie". RadioInsight. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  5. ^ a b "Call Sign History (WICU-FM)". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  6. ^ "Lilly Adds An FM In Erie". All Access. September 11, 2019. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  7. ^ Rambaldo, Rick (December 31, 2019). "Consummation Notice". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  8. ^ Venta, Lance (April 1, 2020). "Happi 92.7 Expands To Warren PA". RadioInsight. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  9. ^ "HAPPI 927 Studio Moving to Erie News Now". www.erienewsnow.com. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
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