Radio First (Liggett Communications, L.L.C.) is a privately held
radio broadcasting
Radio broadcasting is transmission of audio (sound), sometimes with related metadata, by radio waves to radio receivers belonging to a public audience. In terrestrial radio broadcasting the radio waves are broadcast by a land-based radio ...
company in Michigan owned by Victoria L. Liggett. Liggett Communications is headquartered in Port Huron where it owns five radio stations licensed to
St. Clair and
Sanilac Counties. These five stations operate under the brand name of ''Radio First'' where they serve listeners in
the Thumb area of Michigan and
Southwestern Ontario
Southwestern Ontario is a secondary region of Southern Ontario in the Canadian province of Ontario. It occupies most of the Ontario Peninsula bounded by Lake Huron, including Georgian Bay, to the north and northwest; the St. Clair River, Lake St. ...
.
History
Liggett Broadcasting (1970-2000)
The predecessor to the current company was called Liggett Broadcasting and was founded by Robert Liggett Jr. in 1971. His first station was
WFMK
WFMK (99.1 FM) is an adult contemporary radio station licensed to East Lansing, Michigan and serving the Lansing radio market. The station is owned by Townsquare Media and broadcasts in HD radio.
WFMK is one of the United States' oldest adult con ...
in the
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing () is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is mostly in Ingham County, although portions of the city extend west into Eaton County and north into Clinton County. The 2020 census placed the city's population at 112,644, making ...
market. He then added more stations in Lansing, as well as the Grand Rapids, Flint, and Saginaw/Bay City Markets. Liggett Broadcasting at its peak operated radio stations in Michigan, New York, Minnesota, South Carolina, Ohio, and California. Liggett's stations were sold to
Citadel Broadcasting in 2000, with Liggett becoming a member of Citadel's board of directors.
In 2000, Ligget became the owner of
Big Boy Restaurants, headquartered in
Warren, Michigan
Warren is a city in Macomb County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The 2020 Census places the city's population at 139,387, making Warren the largest city in Macomb County, the third largest city in Michigan, and Metro Detroit's largest suburb.
T ...
.
Liggett Communications (1999-Present)
In 1999, Bob Liggett announced he would purchase
WHLS 1450 and
WSAQ
WSAQ (107.1 FM) is a country music radio station licensed to Port Huron, Michigan, with an effective radiated power of 6,000 watts. WSAQ covers St. Clair County, Michigan and Lambton County, Ontario as well as portions of Macomb, Lapeer, and Sa ...
107.1 in Port Huron from the estate of former owner John Wismer. The new company would be called Liggett Communications. Wismer had owned the stations from 1952 until he died in 1999. WSAQ and WHLS were purchased by Liggett for $3.2 million. The new Liggett Communications also entered into an agreement to purchase Hanson Communications, Wismer's crosstown competitor and licensee of
WPHM
WPHM (1380 AM) is a news/talk/sports radio station licensed to Port Huron, Michigan, with a power output of 5,000 watts, covering much of The Thumb area of Michigan. The station is owned by Radio First and broadcasts from studios on Huron Avenue ...
,
WBTI, and
WHYT (now WHLX). Owner Lee Hanson sold those stations to Liggett for $2.24 million. Lee Hanson died in 2015, his son Eric, owns and operates Hanson Pro Music located next to the former WPHM studios on Military Street. However, Liggett was unsuccessful in buying standalone commercial station
WGRT, which remains the only commercial station licensed to St. Clair County not owned by Liggett.
By the end of 2000, Liggett received all necessary FCC approvals to buy both Hanson Communications and Wismer Broadcasting. All five stations became a part of Liggett's new company. For about a year the Hanson stations continued to use their old studio at 2379 Military Street, which is now is home to a Coldwel Banker office and Hanson's Pro Music. Wismer's facilities at 808 Huron Avenue were expanded and now house the studios and offices for all five stations. 1380
WPHM
WPHM (1380 AM) is a news/talk/sports radio station licensed to Port Huron, Michigan, with a power output of 5,000 watts, covering much of The Thumb area of Michigan. The station is owned by Radio First and broadcasts from studios on Huron Avenue ...
, 96.9
WBTI, 107.1
WSAQ
WSAQ (107.1 FM) is a country music radio station licensed to Port Huron, Michigan, with an effective radiated power of 6,000 watts. WSAQ covers St. Clair County, Michigan and Lambton County, Ontario as well as portions of Macomb, Lapeer, and Sa ...
, 1590
WHLX
WHLX (1590 AM) is an Americana radio station licensed to Marine City, Michigan, with a power output of 1,000 watts day, 102 watts night. The station is owned by Radio First and broadcasts from studios on Huron Avenue in Downtown Port Huron. I ...
, and 1450
WHLS now operate under the collective brand name of Radio First.
On May 15, 2019 control of Liggett Communication's five radio stations and two translators were transferred from Robert G. Liggett, Jr. to Victoria L. Liggett. Robert Liggett passed away on July 12, 2019.
Community Involvement
Radio First sponsors an annual local Bridal Show and Home Expo Show held at
Blue Water Convention Center
Blue is one of the three primary colours in the RYB colour model (traditional colour theory), as well as in the RGB (additive) colour model. It lies between violet and cyan on the spectrum of visible light. The eye perceives blue when o ...
. The stations also support many local events, including the
March of Dimes
March of Dimes is a United States nonprofit organization that works to improve the health of mothers and babies. The organization was founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938, as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, to comba ...
"Jail and Bail", the Child Abuse and Neglect Council's "Roof Sit", and Port Huron Police Department's CAPTURE witness tip-line.
Current Radio stations
*
WBTI, FM 96.9,
Lexington, Michigan
Lexington is a village in Sanilac County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,178 at the 2010 census. The village is located within Lexington Township.
Geography
* According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a ...
, ''Adult Top 40''
*
WHLS, AM 1450,
Port Huron, Michigan
Port Huron is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of St. Clair County. The population was 30,184 at the 2010 census. The city is adjacent to Port Huron Township but is administered separately.
Located along the St. Clair ...
, ''Active Rock''
* W288BT FM 105.5,
St. Clair, Michigan
St. Clair is a city in St. Clair County in the eastern "Thumb" of the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 5,485 at the 2010 census. The city is located on the St. Clair River near the southeast corner of St. Clair Township.
Geography
*Ac ...
, ''Active Rock'' (FM translator of
WHLS)
*
WHLX
WHLX (1590 AM) is an Americana radio station licensed to Marine City, Michigan, with a power output of 1,000 watts day, 102 watts night. The station is owned by Radio First and broadcasts from studios on Huron Avenue in Downtown Port Huron. I ...
, AM 1590,
Marine City, Michigan, ''Country/Rock/Folk''
* W224DT FM 92.7,
Port Huron, Michigan
Port Huron is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of St. Clair County. The population was 30,184 at the 2010 census. The city is adjacent to Port Huron Township but is administered separately.
Located along the St. Clair ...
, ''Country/Rock/Folk'' (FM translator of
WHLX
WHLX (1590 AM) is an Americana radio station licensed to Marine City, Michigan, with a power output of 1,000 watts day, 102 watts night. The station is owned by Radio First and broadcasts from studios on Huron Avenue in Downtown Port Huron. I ...
)
*
WPHM
WPHM (1380 AM) is a news/talk/sports radio station licensed to Port Huron, Michigan, with a power output of 5,000 watts, covering much of The Thumb area of Michigan. The station is owned by Radio First and broadcasts from studios on Huron Avenue ...
AM 1380,
Port Huron, Michigan
Port Huron is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of St. Clair County. The population was 30,184 at the 2010 census. The city is adjacent to Port Huron Township but is administered separately.
Located along the St. Clair ...
, ''News/Talk/Sports''
*
WSAQ
WSAQ (107.1 FM) is a country music radio station licensed to Port Huron, Michigan, with an effective radiated power of 6,000 watts. WSAQ covers St. Clair County, Michigan and Lambton County, Ontario as well as portions of Macomb, Lapeer, and Sa ...
, FM 107.1,
Port Huron, Michigan
Port Huron is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of St. Clair County. The population was 30,184 at the 2010 census. The city is adjacent to Port Huron Township but is administered separately.
Located along the St. Clair ...
, ''Mainstream Country Pop''
Former Radio Stations
Lansing/East Lansing
*
WFMK
WFMK (99.1 FM) is an adult contemporary radio station licensed to East Lansing, Michigan and serving the Lansing radio market. The station is owned by Townsquare Media and broadcasts in HD radio.
WFMK is one of the United States' oldest adult con ...
FM 99.1,
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing () is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is mostly in Ingham County, although portions of the city extend west into Eaton County and north into Clinton County. The 2020 census placed the city's population at 112,644, making ...
*
WITL
WITL-FM (100.7 MHz) is a radio station broadcasting a country music format. Licensed to Lansing, Michigan, and serving Ingham, Eaton and Clinton Counties in Michigan. It first began broadcasting in 1961 (as WMRT-FM) alongside daytime only ...
FM 100.7,
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing () is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is mostly in Ingham County, although portions of the city extend west into Eaton County and north into Clinton County. The 2020 census placed the city's population at 112,644, making ...
*
WJIM-FM
WJIM-FM (97.5 FM, "975 Now FM") is a radio station in Lansing, Michigan, broadcasting an adult leaning Top 40 (CHR) format.
The station has had the WJIM-FM calls continuously since it signed on in 1960. For over three decades, WJIM-FM broadcas ...
97.5,
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing () is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is mostly in Ingham County, although portions of the city extend west into Eaton County and north into Clinton County. The 2020 census placed the city's population at 112,644, making ...
*
WJIM AM 1240,
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing () is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is mostly in Ingham County, although portions of the city extend west into Eaton County and north into Clinton County. The 2020 census placed the city's population at 112,644, making ...
*
WMMQ
WMMQ (94.9 FM) is an American classic rock radio station licensed to East Lansing, Michigan. The station is owned by Townsquare Media.
History
What is now the current incarnation of WMMQ began broadcasting in 1963 as WVIC-FM, the sister stat ...
FM 94.9,
East Lansing, Michigan
East Lansing is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. Most of the city lies within Ingham County, Michigan, Ingham County with a smaller portion extending north into Clinton County, Michigan, Clinton County. At the 2020 United States Census, 2020 ...
*
WVFN
WVFN (730 AM, "The Game") is a radio station licensed to East Lansing, Michigan, broadcasting a sports radio, sports format. It broadcasts on AM frequency 730 kHz and is under the ownership of Townsquare Media. 730 AM is a Mexican and Canadia ...
AM 730,
East Lansing, Michigan
East Lansing is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. Most of the city lies within Ingham County, Michigan, Ingham County with a smaller portion extending north into Clinton County, Michigan, Clinton County. At the 2020 United States Census, 2020 ...
Saginaw/Bay City/Midland
*
WHNN
WHNN (96.1 FM, "96.1 WHNN") is a radio station serving the Saginaw, Bay City, Midland and Flint, Michigan areas with an adult contemporary format.
History
Super Win and Sunny 96
WBCM-FM was one of Michigan's pioneer FM stations, initially si ...
FM 96.1,
Bay City, Michigan
Bay City is a city and county seat of Bay County in the U.S. state of Michigan, located near the base of the Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 34,932, and it is the principal city of the Bay City Metropol ...
*WBCM AM 1440,
Bay City, Michigan
Bay City is a city and county seat of Bay County in the U.S. state of Michigan, located near the base of the Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 34,932, and it is the principal city of the Bay City Metropol ...
(now
WMAX (AM)
WMAX (1440 AM) is a radio station broadcasting a Catholic religious format. It is co-owned with WDEO 990 AM in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and features the same programming from the EWTN Global Catholic Radio network.
History
Licensed to Bay City, Mic ...
)
*WTCF FM 100.5,
Carrollton, Michigan
Carrollton Township ( ) is a civil township of Saginaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 6,103 at the 2010 census. Established in 1866, Carrollton contains a full-time police department, fire department, parks and recreat ...
(now
WSGW-FM)
Flint
*
WFBE
WFBE (95.1 MHz "B95") is a commercial FM radio station licensed to Flint, Michigan. It is owned by Cumulus Media and it broadcasts a country music format. Its studios are on Taylor Drive in Mundy Township, using a Flint address. In morning d ...
FM 95.1,
Flint, Michigan
Flint is the largest city and seat of Genesee County, Michigan, United States. Located along the Flint River, northwest of Detroit, it is a principal city within the region known as Mid Michigan. At the 2020 census, Flint had a population of 8 ...
*
WTRX
WTRX (1330 AM, "Sports XTRA 1330") is an American radio station broadcasting a sports format in Flint, Michigan. It is the Flint affiliate for Michigan Wolverines football and men's basketball, and CBS Sports Radio. Its studios are located in ...
AM 1330,
Flint, Michigan
Flint is the largest city and seat of Genesee County, Michigan, United States. Located along the Flint River, northwest of Detroit, it is a principal city within the region known as Mid Michigan. At the 2020 census, Flint had a population of 8 ...
Detroit
*WCLS (now
WYCD
WYCD (99.5 FM, "New Country 99-5 YCD") is a radio station in Detroit, Michigan, owned by Audacy, Inc. WYCD's offices and studios are located at Audacy's Detroit facility on American Drive in Southfield, Michigan. WYCD's transmitter is located in ...
)
Minneapolis/St. Paul
*WLOL-FM (now
KSJN)
Adrian
*
WABJ AM 1490,
Adrian, Michigan
Adrian is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Lenawee County. The population was 20,645 at the 2020 census. Adrian lies in Michigan's 7th congressional district.
History
Adrian was founded on June 18, 1826 by Addison Co ...
*
WQTE
WQTE (95.3 FM, "Q-95 Country") is a radio station in Adrian, Michigan, broadcasting a country music format. The station is live and local during the day on weekdays, and airs a satellite format from ABC Radio called "Country Coast-to-Coast" (kno ...
FM 95.3.
Adrian, Michigan
Adrian is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Lenawee County. The population was 20,645 at the 2020 census. Adrian lies in Michigan's 7th congressional district.
History
Adrian was founded on June 18, 1826 by Addison Co ...
Battle Creek
* WBCK AM 930,
Battle Creek, Michigan
Battle Creek is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, in northwest Calhoun County, Michigan, Calhoun County, at the confluence of the Kalamazoo River, Kalamazoo and Battle Creek River, Battle Creek rivers. It is the principal city of the Battle C ...
(now
WFAT)
*
WBCK FM 95.3,
Battle Creek, Michigan
Battle Creek is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, in northwest Calhoun County, Michigan, Calhoun County, at the confluence of the Kalamazoo River, Kalamazoo and Battle Creek River, Battle Creek rivers. It is the principal city of the Battle C ...
* WELL AM 1400,
Battle Creek, Michigan
Battle Creek is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan, in northwest Calhoun County, Michigan, Calhoun County, at the confluence of the Kalamazoo River, Kalamazoo and Battle Creek River, Battle Creek rivers. It is the principal city of the Battle C ...
(now
WBFN)
Grand Rapids
*
WLHT
WLHT-FM (95.7 MHz) is a hot adult contemporary music formatted radio station in Grand Rapids, Michigan owned by Townsquare Media. WLHT's studios are located on Ottawa Avenue Northwest in downtown Grand Rapids, while its transmitter is located in ...
FM 95.7,
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County, Michigan, Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the List of municipalities in Mi ...
*
WGRD-FM FM 97.9,
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city and county seat of Kent County, Michigan, Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the city had a population of 198,917 which ranks it as the List of municipalities in Mi ...
External links
WHLS/WHLXWPHMWBTIWSAQ
References
{{Thumb Radio , state=expanded
St. Clair County, Michigan
Radio broadcasting companies of the United States
Mass media in Michigan
Companies based in Michigan