WMEZ

WMEZ (94.1 FM) is a radio station in the Pensacola, Florida, market owned by Cumulus Media Inc. through licensee Cumulus Licensing LLC. It broadcasts a rhythmic CHR format using the name "Hot 94.1". Its studios are in Pensacola, and its transmitter is near Robertsdale, Alabama.

WMEZ

Pensacola, Florida United States
Broadcast area	Pensacola, Florida Mobile, Alabama
Frequency	94.1 MHz
Branding	Hot 94.1
Programming
Format	Rhythmic contemporary
Ownership
Owner	Cumulus Media Inc. (Cumulus Licensing LLC)
Sister stations	WCOA, WJTQ, WRRX, WXBM-FM
History
First air date	November 11, 1960; 64 years ago (1960-11-11)
Former call signs	WPEX-FM (1960–1972)
Call sign meaning	Station formerly broadcast easy listening music
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	73256
Class	C0
ERP	77,000 watts
HAAT	488 m (1,601 ft)
Transmitter coordinates	30.611°N 87.607°W / 30.611; -87.607
Links
Public license information	Public file LMS
Webcast	Listen live
Website	hot941pensacola.com

History

Mello-Tone, Inc., was formed and applied in March 1960 to build a new FM radio station in Pensacola. A construction permit was approved on June 23, 1960,^[2] and WPEX-FM began broadcasting on November 11, 1960, with musical programming including classical and standards.^[3] The license was acquired by Frederic T. C. Brewer in 1965;^[2] Brewer owned an electronics shop and a background music business.^[4] WPEX-FM became WMEZ on July 4, 1972,^[2] and it continued the beautiful music format for more than 20 years. As late as 1989, it was the highest-rated station in Pensacola.^[5]

In February 1997, Brewer sold WMEZ after 31 years to Patterson Broadcasting of Atlanta, its format having shifted to adult contemporary by 1992.^[6][7] Two months later, Patterson Broadcasting agreed to be acquired by Capstar.^[8]

Chancellor Media acquired Capstar for $4.1 billion in 1999, changed its name to AMFM, and then merged with Clear Channel Communications in a $23 billion transaction that October.^[9] However, WMEZ and WXBM-FM were earmarked for divestiture to resolve antitrust concerns along with 70 other radio stations.^[10] Clear Channel initially intended to sell the stations to Urban Radio, which fell apart; instead, Pamal Broadcasting acquired the pair for $43.95 million in October 2000.^[11] Pamal then sold the two stations in 2012 to Cumulus Media for $6.5 million, allowing it to focus on its stations in New York state and Vermont.^[12]

The adult contemporary format was dropped at noon on January 1, 2024, when WMEZ flipped to a rhythmic CHR format as "Hot 94.1".^[13]