WMMO
| Company type | Commercial radio station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Radio broadcasting |
| Predecessor | WEZO, WURG (construction permit) |
| Founded | August 19, 1990 in Orlando, Florida, United States |
| Founder | Radio Orlando |
| Headquarters | Orlando , United States |
Area served | Orlando metropolitan area |
| Products | Classic hits radio programming |
| Owner | Cox Media Group |
| Parent | Cox Media Group |
| Website | wmmofm |
WMMO (98.9 MHz) operates as a commercial FM radio broadcaster in Orlando, Florida, under the ownership of Cox Media Group. The station delivers a classic hits format, emphasizing classic rock selections from the 1970s through the 1990s, incorporating tracks from both Top 40 and Album Rock charts. WMMO’s production facilities and administrative offices are situated on North John Young Parkway in Orlando. Its signal is transmitted using HD Radio technology.
The transmission tower is positioned near Park Hamilton Boulevard in Pine Hills, Florida, sharing the location with WTLN (AM), which is owned by the Salem Media Group.
Initial phase
During the late 1980s, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted Urban Broadcasting Corporation a construction permit for a new FM station in Orlando. During its development phase, the station was designated with the call letters WURG.
The station commenced broadcasting on August 19, 1990, under the ownership of Radio Orlando. It featured an innovative format combining elements of soft rock, adult album alternative, and classic rock, regarded as an early example of "Rock Adult Contemporary." The programming strategy prioritized music over promotional content, aiming to revive the authentic FM rock atmosphere reminiscent of the late 1960s and 1970s.
WMMO distinguished itself through an expansive playlist that ranged from mid-1960s classics to contemporary releases, setting it apart from stations with more limited formats. The station emphasized identifying songs by title and artist without interrupting the music, underscoring its commitment to musical integrity with slogans such as "We love the music as much as you do."
Distinctive call sign and transmitter site
Initially operating under the call sign WEZO, the station switched to WMMO after approximately one month. This identifier pays tribute to Cleveland’s WMMS, reflecting the influence of founding programmer and chief engineer Cary Pall, despite WMMO adopting a somewhat less rock-centric format.
A notable aspect of WMMO was its transmitter location atop Orlando’s tallest structure at the time, the SunBank Center (currently known as SunTrust Center), housed within a fully enclosed facility. With an effective radiated power (ERP) of 38,000 watts and an antenna height of 439 feet HAAT, its coverage was more limited compared to other major Orlando FM stations broadcasting at 100,000 watts from towers exceeding 1,500 feet. Signal reach was further constrained due to interference from nearby 98.7 FM WKGR in Fort Pierce. Around 2015, after WKGR moved its transmitter closer to West Palm Beach, WMMO was able to modestly enhance both its power output and antenna elevation.
Changes in ownership
In 1991, Granam Communications purchased WMMO for $8.15 million. The station continued featuring its distinctive blend of Soft Rock, Adult Album Rock, and Classic Rock tracks. Granam was later acquired by Infinity Broadcasting in 1997 (which eventually became part of CBS Radio). Shortly thereafter, Infinity divested WMMO along with WHOO (now WTLN) and WHTQ (now WOEX) to Cox Radio to facilitate its acquisition of Chicago’s WCKG.
Cox intended to move WMMO’s transmitter to Pine Hills to improve coverage; however, unsuccessful negotiations delayed this relocation for several years, leaving the transmitter at the SunBank/SunTrust Center.
In 2008, veteran hosts Jerry Steffen (with an 18-year tenure) and Jay Francisco (14 years) were released; Francisco returned in 2011. That same year saw morning host Shawn Burke depart after a 12-year stint. By 2012, WMMO ceased announcing song titles and artists during broadcasts and shifted toward a more rock-driven playlist. In July 2015, it rebranded as a classic hits outlet aiming to rival WOCL. More recently, WMMO has repositioned itself as Orlando’s unofficial Classic Rock station.
DJ Schedule
- Early Hours—Jay & Brandi
- Midday Slot—Joe Rock
- Late Afternoon—Hildi
- Evening Segment—A.J. Maguire