Further information on the history of 98.5 FM from 1993 to 2004: WLIR
The station went on the air September 15, 1993 as WMRW, simulcasting the modern rock of WDRE (92.7 FM). This would continue throughout the 1990s, with the call sign of 98.5 changing to WLIR-FM, WLRI, and finally WDRE.[1] In 2004, the modern rock simulcast ended, 98.5's format changed to classic rock, and the call sign changed to WBON ("98.5 the Bone"). The classic rock format lasted until March 2007. At that time, Jarad Broadcasting was attempting to sell its stations to the Business Talk Radio Network, and as a result the station became WBZB, "Business Talk New York."[3] Programs on WBZB included Doug Stephan's morning show, American Scene with Steve Crowley, an afternoon show hosted by Ray Lucia, and Chick Chat, a talk show geared toward women. The sale fell through, and the call letters were changed back to WBON on September 10, 2007.[4]
After stunting with a simulcast of sister station WDRE (Party 105), and a pre-produced loop of random sound bites, WBON became Long Island's newest 24/7 Spanish-language station at noon on September 20, 2007. The station kicked off by airing 10,000 songs in a row.[citation needed]
On October 2, 2009, the sale of the station by The Morey Organization to JVC Media LLC was completed.[citation needed]
References
^ ab"Call Sign History". CDBS Public Access Database. FCC Media Bureau. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2013.