Cumulus Media flipped Country “93.5 Nash-FM” WZCY-FM Mechanicsburg/Harrisburg PA to Classic Rock 93.5 WTPA at 9:30 this morning, with the WTPA-FM calls returning.
The move resurrects the heritage call letters and Rock brand in the Harrisburg market. The call letters were previously on 104.1 from 1962 to 1985 with the Rock format debuting in 1980. The format and calls moved to 93.5 in 1985 before moving to 92.1 in 2011. The original version of the brand died when 92.1 WTPA was sold to Educational Media Foundation in 2018.
Rock “105.7 The X” WQXA Program Director Chris James adds programming duties for WTPA. James previously spent 27 years at WTPA through its various frequencies from 1985 to 2012.
WZCY had been trending up in the past three monthlies 1.3 – 1.7 – 2.5. The newly resurrected Classic Rock format targets iHeartMedia’s market leading “97.3 The River” WRVV and Forever Media’s “Rocky 98.5” WYCR York-Hanover and 1490 WRKY/92.5 W223CH Lancaster.
CUMULUS MEDIA announces that it has re-launched the heritage Harrisburg, PA, Classic Rock station, 93.5 WTPA-FM. The station flipped from its previous Country format and branding as WZCY/93 NASH FM at 9:30am Eastern today, and launched the next generation of 93.5 WTPA, Central PA’s Classic Rock. The station welcomed Classic Rock fans back home to 93.5 WTPA with its first cut, Guns N’ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle.” 93.5 WTPA-FM previously aired as a Classic Rock station from 1985 to 2011.
Ron Giovanniello, Regional Vice President, Cumulus Pennsylvania, said: “It has been 10 long years since listeners have heard their favorite Classic Rock on 93.5 WTPA, and we are so excited to bring back this iconic and legendary Central PA radio station. The best classic rock on the radio is back on 93.5 WTPA, Central PA’s Classic Rock!”
Chris James, Program Director, 93.5 WTPA, commented: “I was at 93.5 WTPA when it signed on in 1985. I spent 27 years at the station. To be able to bring it back to life again in 2021 is a definite career highlight. VERY excited for Central PA to get one of their favorite radio stations back!”