 | |
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Broadcast area | Athens–Northeast Georgia |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 88.9 MHz (HD Radio) |
| Programming | |
| Format | Contemporary Christian |
| Subchannels | HD2: Christian worship |
| Network | The Joy FM |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| History | |
First air date | December 1987 |
Former call signs | WPBS (April–September 1987)1 |
| Technical information2 | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| 53562 | |
| Class | C3 |
| ERP | 20,000 watts |
| HAAT | 91.0 meters |
Transmitter coordinates | 33°54′25.00″N 83°29′35.00″W / 33.9069444°N 83.4930556°W / 33.9069444; -83.4930556 |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | thejoyfm.com |
WMSL (88.9 FM) is a Christian radio station broadcasting a Contemporary Christian music format. Licensed to Bogart, Georgia, United States, the station serves the Athens–Northeast Georgia area. The station, originally owned by Prince Avenue Baptist Church and Christian School in Athens (via "Prince Educational Media"), currently is owned by the Radio Training Network.1
History
The station was assigned the call letters WPBS on April 1, 1987, but on September 15, 1987, the call sign was changed to the current WMSL.1 The station began broadcasting in December 1987.3
In 1988, WMSL adopted an innovative music format developed by Jim Hutto, formerly the operations manager at Atlanta easy-listening radio station WPCH.4 The "Masterful Music" format, modeled on WPCH's long-running Sunday morning "Sounds of Faith" program,5 featured high-quality instrumental recordings of hymns, sacred music, and praise-and-worship songs, as well as traditional and contemporary pieces performed by choral groups and soloists.
The station programmed music more than 22 hours per day, with brief breaks for news and short features.6
The station later adopted the moniker "The Great 88," while continuing to refer to its programming as "Masterful Music."
In January 2014, WMSL discontinued its longtime Masterful Music format and adopted a "Contemporary Christian" format with music from syndicator Christian FM. Two years later, the station dropped the "Great 88" identifier and changed to "The Reach."7
In 2019, "The Reach" gave way to "The Joy FM" following WMSL's sale8 to the Radio Training Network.9
References
References
- "WMSL Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
- "Facility Technical Data for WMSL". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- "The Great 88 — The Great Music Place in Athens & NE Georgia". wmsl.fm. Archived from the original on September 3, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
- "Atlanta | WPCH | WUBL". Friends of Ga Radio. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
- "Sounds of Faith". soundsoffaith.net. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
- "Gateway Today: Christian Radio in the Athens Area". gatewayumc.org. Archived from the original on May 15, 2003. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
- "Jeff Dantre Interview 7-1-16". HisAir.Net. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
- "Industry News Bits 12-14-17". HisAir.Net. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
- "Georgia Coverage | The JOY FM". www.thejoyfm.com. Retrieved June 12, 2026.
External links
External links
- Facility details for Facility ID 53562 (WMSL) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- WMSL in Nielsen Audio's FM station database