Class B Frequency 103.7 MHz Format Mainstream rock Branding 103.7 WMGM Rocks | HAAT 106 meters Facility ID 61100 City of license Atlantic City Owner Longport Media LLC Slogan If It Rocks, We Play It | |
Callsign meaning former call letters of 1050 AM in New York City, which was once co-owned with Metro Goldwyn Mayer | ||
WMGM (103.7 WMGM Rocks) is a radio station based in Atlantic City, New Jersey playing mainstream rock. WMGM serves most of southern New Jersey from Toms River to Cape May. Its studios are in Linwood, New Jersey and its transmitter is in Pleasantville, New Jersey.
History
103.7 first signed on June 14, 1961 as WOSJ, later as WMGM. The 1960s featured an automated Top 40 format, while in the early 1970s an automated "progressive rock" format was initiated along with the new name "Rock 104." After a short period of playing hours-long pre-recorded programming (which some listeners noticed due repeated song order), the station went "live" with DJs like Steven Bryant (later of QVC & Ron Popil TV pitches), Terry Price (later Terry Alan on other stations) and Jimmy Earle, among others. In the mid-70s, the station moved its offices and studios (along with its AM sister-station, WOND) from Pleasantville to Linwood, NJ, and changed its format to automated "beautiful music" before returning to a more standard rock format after its "your beautiful island" music could not beat out the similar and established "dentist office" format of WFPG-FM. From 1983-1987 Rock 104 had radio announcers who were called the Rock 104 Air Force. They were consisted of Thomas "Tommy" McNally, Katherine "Kathy" Knolls, Mark Didia, Mike Boyle, Marc Daniels, Russell "Russ" Egan, Ellis B. "Bruce The Bear" Feaster, Alan "Al" Branca, Donna Richards, John & Ken, with "The Mudman", and Karen "K.C." Chamberlain, the original staff going live. Karen Chamberlain left in 1988 to marry George O'Toole and gave birth to actress/model, Chelsea O'Toole.
In 1987, WMGM switched to a CHR and CR format as "104/MGM, The Hottest Hits" A short time later, in August 1991, WMGM became "Sunny 104," with an adult contemporary format, which evolved into a 70's format by 1995, with "Classic Hits 103.7" being used by February 1997.
In February 2000, WMGM became "103.7 The Shark" with a classic rock format.
Both Barbara "Barb" Larue and Sean Patrick have been in the market for 10+ years on several rock stations.
On August 17, 2011, The Shark became "103.7 WMGM Rocks" with a Mainstream Rock format.
The station's on air staff includes Matt Murray, Karle, Sean Patrick, Moon, April, and Lauren.