WMJB (95.3 FM, "GNN Radio") is a radio station broadcasting a Christian radio format.[3] Licensed to Valley, Alabama, United States, the station serves the Columbus, Georgia, area.[4] The station is currently owned by Augusta Radio Fellowship Institute, Inc and carries their GNN Radio programming. Its transmitter is located south of Valley.

WMJB
Broadcast areaColumbus, Georgia
Frequency95.3 MHz
BrandingGNN Radio
Programming
FormatChristian
AffiliationsGNN Radio
Ownership
OwnerAugusta Radio Fellowship Institute, Inc.
History
First air date
1996
Former call signs
WUAF (1992–1994)
WRLD-FM (1994–2010)
WRLD (2010–2023)[1]
Technical information[2]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID52040
ClassC3
ERP25,000 watts
HAAT77 meters (253 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
32°44′07″N 85°08′55″W / 32.73528°N 85.14861°W / 32.73528; -85.14861
Links
Public license information
Websitehttps://gnnradio.org

History

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This station's original construction permit was granted by the Federal Communications Commission on March 4, 1992.[5] The new station was assigned the call sign WUAF on April 23, 1992.[1] The station's call sign was changed to WRLD-FM on February 22, 1994.[1] After several delays, WRLD-FM received its license to cover on April 5, 1996.[6]

In May 1999, Pearce Broadcasting Company, Inc., reached an agreement to sell WRLD-FM to McClure Broadcasting, Inc.[7] The FCC approved the deal on July 22, 1999, and the transaction was consummated on September 21, 1999.[7]

In December 2002, McClure Broadcasting, Inc., (Chuck McClure Jr., president) reached an agreement to sell WRLD-FM to Archway Broadcasting Group (Al Vicente, president/CEO) through their affiliate ABG Georgia Licenses, LLC.[8] This was part of a four-station deal, along with WRCG, WCGQ, and WKCN, for a reported combined sale price of $15 million.[9] The deal was approved by the FCC on February 21, 2003, and the transaction was consummated on April 25, 2003.[8] At the time of the sale, WRLD-FM carried an oldies music format.

On July 31, 2008, local investment group PMB Broadcasting LLC (headed up by Jim Martin) purchased this station along with Columbus-area sister stations WRCG, WCGQ, and WKCN from Archway Broadcasting Group LLC for a reported sale price of $7.2 million.[10]

On September 6, 2010, the station shortened its call sign from WRLD-FM to simply WRLD.

On June 6, 2014, WRLD shifted its format from oldies to classic hits.

On August 12, 2016, WRLD changed its format from classic hits to classic country, branded as "95.3 Kissin' Country" (swapping formats with WBOJ 1270 AM Columbus, GA.[11]

On September 1, 2019, WRLD changed its format from classic country to urban adult contemporary, branded as "95.3 Smooth R&B").[12]

Effective April 10, 2023, PMB Broadcasting sold WRLD to the Augusta Radio Fellowship Institute, Inc. for $1.3 million; PMB Broadcasting moved WRLD's urban AC programming to its WRCG/W221DP. WRLD changed its call sign to WMJB on April 11, 2023.

Previous logos

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Call Sign History". FCC Media Bureau CDBS Public Access Database.
  2. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WMJB". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. ^ "Station Information Profile". Arbitron.
  4. ^ "WMJB-FM Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  5. ^ "Application Search Details (BPH-19900918MA)". FCC Media Bureau. 1992-03-04.
  6. ^ "Application Search Details (BLH-19950921KE)". FCC Media Bureau. 1996-04-05.
  7. ^ a b "Application Search Details (BALH-19990527GI)". FCC Media Bureau. 1999-09-21.
  8. ^ a b "Application Search Details (BALH-20021220AAL)". FCC Media Bureau. 2003-04-25.
  9. ^ "Changing Hands - 1/20/2003". Broadcasting & Cable. 2003-01-20.
  10. ^ "Deals - 8/18/2008". Broadcasting & Cable. 2008-08-18.
  11. ^ Boomer and Country Legends Swap Spots in Columbus, GA Radioinsight - August 12, 2016
  12. ^ WRLD Flips to Smooth R&B Radioinsight - September 1, 2019
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