WHZZ

WHZZ (101.7 FM, "Mike FM") is a radio station licensed to Lansing, Michigan. It first began broadcasting in 1967 as WILS-FM. Prior to the adoption of the current format in September 2005, WHZZ had programmed a CHR/top 40 format for over a decade as "Z101.7." After WHZZ's change to "Mike FM", the CHR format was picked up by 97.5 WJIM-FM.

History

The station has gone through many different formats over the years. After beginning as a simulcast of WILS 1320 AM in 1967, the station separated programming in the late 1960s with an automated MOR format (with the exception of the Jerry Marshall morning show, which was simulcast with WILS-AM from 6 to 10 am). In 1972, WILS-FM launched an automated Country format which was branded as "Hit Country", although the morning simulcast continued. In 1975, WILS-FM abandoned the Country format in favor of a 12-hour daily simulcast with WILS-AM, followed by split programming in the evening, which included an Album Rock format from 6 pm to midnight, and a Jazz format from midnight to 6 am. In 1978, WILS-FM abandoned the overnight Jazz and ended the simulcast with WILS-AM, programming the Album Rock format full-time. The Album Rock format proved to quite successful for the station, resulting in respectable ratings despite WILS-FM's 3KW signal.