View source for WCCN

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name             = WCCN
| logo             =
| image            = WCCN-FM Studio.jpg
| caption          = The Central Wisconsin Broadcasting radio facility in the [[Wisconsin Pavilion]] in Neillsville
| city             = [[Neillsville, Wisconsin]]
| country          = US
| branding         = Memories 1370 AM/98.5 FM
| frequency        = 1370 [[kHz]]
| translator       = {{Radio Relay|98.5|W253CN|Neillsville}}
| airdate          = {{Start date|1957|9|23}}
| format           = [[Soft adult contemporary]]
| power            = {{ubl|5,000 watts day|42 watts night}}
| class            = D
| facility_id      = 10027
| coordinates      = {{Coord|44|34|18.7|N|90|35|8.5|W|region:US-WI_type:landmark}}
| callsign_meaning = Wisconsin, Clark County, Neillsville<ref name="Stev990815">{{Cite news |url=https://newspapers.com/article/stevens-point-journal-on-the-air-having/154383976/ |date=August 15, 1999 |page=D-2 |first=Thom |last=Gerretsen |title=On the Air: Having found their format niches, locally owned WCCN radio stations continue to ride the |newspaper=Stevens Point Journal |location=Stevens Point, Wisconsin |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 31, 2024 }}</ref>
| affiliations     = [[Premiere Networks]]
| owner            = Central Wisconsin Broadcasting, Inc.
| sister_stations  = WCCN-FM, [[WDLB]], [[WOSQ]], [[WPKG]]
| webcast          =
| website          = {{url|https://cwbradio.com/stations/memories-1370-985/}}
| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name             = WCCN-FM
| logo             = File:WCCN-FM logo 2024.png
| city             = [[Neillsville, Wisconsin]] | country = US
| branding         = 107.5 The Rock
| frequency        = 107.5 [[MHz]]
| airdate          = {{Start date|1964|7|11}}
| format           = [[Active rock]]
| erp              = 100,000 watts
| haat             = 176 meters
| class            = C1
| facility_id      = 10029
| coordinates      = {{coord|44|35|30.4|N|90|37|9.9|W|region:US-WI_type:landmark|name=WCCN-FM}}
| former_callsigns = WZZN (4/1/1991-4/2/1991)
| affiliations     = [[Packers Radio Network]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.packers.com/video/radio-network |title=Packers Radio Network |website=Green Bay Packers |access-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-date=September 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901005941/https://www.packers.com/video/radio-network |url-status=live }}</ref>
| owner            = Central Wisconsin Broadcasting, Inc.
| webcast          = {{listenlive|http://streamdb5web.securenetsystems.net/v5/WCCNFM}}
| website          = {{url|https://cwbradio.com/stations/1075-the-rock/}}
| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
}}
'''WCCN''' (1370 [[AM broadcasting|AM]]) and '''WCCN-FM''' (107.5 [[FM broadcasting|FM]]) are [[radio station]]s in [[Neillsville, Wisconsin]], United States. The stations are owned by Central Wisconsin Broadcasting, Inc., and broadcast [[soft adult contemporary]] and [[active rock]] formats, respectively, from studios in the [[Wisconsin Pavilion]] and transmitter sites north of the city. WCCN-AM's signal is additionally relayed full-time over low-power [[broadcast relay station|translator]] W253CN (98.5 FM), also licensed to Neillsville.
WCCN went on the air in 1957 as the first local radio station for [[Clark County, Wisconsin|Clark County]], followed by the FM counterpart in 1964. Central Wisconsin Broadcasting purchased the Wisconsin Pavilion from the [[1964 New York World's Fair]], which had already been disassembled and moved to Wisconsin, and reassembled it as the studios for the WCCN stations in 1967. The Grap family, the current owners, bought the stations in 1976. The stations operated as one program service airing [[country music]] until 1992, when the FM flipped to a rock format and the AM to [[adult standards]].
==History==
===Early years===
On December 15, 1956, Central Wisconsin Broadcasting, Inc., filed with the [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) to establish a new radio station in [[Neillsville, Wisconsin|Neillsville]]. Initially proposing a 1,000-watt daytime-only operation on 1260 kHz, the application was amended to 1370 kHz in April 1957, and the FCC granted the [[construction permit]] on June 27.<ref name="hc-am">{{Cite web |url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=51057 |title=History Cards for WCCN(AM) |publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |access-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-date=September 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901005956/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=51057 |url-status=live }}</ref> WCCN debuted September 23, 1957, as the first local radio station for [[Clark County, Wisconsin|Clark County]]; 2,000 people toured the station at a dedication ceremony days later.<ref name="Mars570930">{{Cite news |url=https://newspapers.com/article/marshfield-news-herald-dedication-of-rad/154384322/ |date=September 30, 1957 |page=11 |title=Dedication of Radio Station Draws 2,000 |newspaper=Marshfield News-Herald |location=Marshfield, Wisconsin |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-date=September 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901005945/https://www.newspapers.com/article/marshfield-news-herald-dedication-of-rad/154384322/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Seeking to increase the population served by more than 42,000, WCCN filed to increase power to 5,000 watts in July 1958;<ref name="Mars580710">{{Cite news |url=https://newspapers.com/article/marshfield-news-herald-radio-station-wcc/154384723/ |date=July 10, 1958 |page=10 |title=Radio Station WCCN Asks Power Increase |newspaper=Marshfield News-Herald |location=Marshfield, Wisconsin |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-date=September 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901005948/https://www.newspapers.com/article/marshfield-news-herald-radio-station-wcc/154384723/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the FCC approved the application a year later, and the increase was carried out on July 20, 1959.<ref name="Mars590718">{{Cite news |url=https://newspapers.com/article/marshfield-news-herald-clark-county-pow/154384766/ |date=July 18, 1959 |page=8 |title=Clark County: Power Boost Approved for Radio Station |newspaper=Marshfield News-Herald |location=Marshfield, Wisconsin |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-date=September 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901005948/https://www.newspapers.com/article/marshfield-news-herald-clark-county-pow/154384766/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Four years later, Central Wisconsin Broadcasting applied for an FM station on 105.5&nbsp;MHz. WCCN-FM received a construction permit on March 20, 1964,<ref name="hc-fm">{{Cite web |url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=80349 |title=History Cards for WCCN-FM |publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]] |access-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-date=September 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901005952/https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=80349 |url-status=live }}</ref> and began broadcasting on July 11. It allowed WCCN to extend broadcasting into the evening hours, beyond the AM station's sunset sign-off.<ref name="Mars640713">{{Cite news |url=https://newspapers.com/article/marshfield-news-herald-wccn-radio-given/154384563/ |date=July 13, 1964 |page=2 |title=WCCN Radio Given FM Service Permit |newspaper=Marshfield News-Herald |location=Marshfield, Wisconsin |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-date=September 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901005943/https://www.newspapers.com/article/marshfield-news-herald-wccn-radio-given/154384563/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A year later, the station was approved to move to 107.5&nbsp;MHz, where its [[effective radiated power]] was raised from 3 to 100 kW.{{r|hc-fm}} The stations, having tried several formats, settled on a simulcast full-service [[country music]] format incorporating local news and community programming.{{r|Stev990815}}
===Wisconsin Pavilion===
{{main|Wisconsin Pavilion}}
In November 1965, Central Wisconsin Broadcasting acquired the dismantled [[Wisconsin Pavilion]], previously erected at the [[1964 New York World's Fair]], for $41,000. It had been acquired by a [[Boscobel, Wisconsin|Boscobel]] man, Ivan Wilcox; with no local interest in funding its reconstruction, Wilcox put it up for sale again with the stipulation that it remain in the state.<ref name="Coun840201">{{Cite news |url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-country-today-pavilion-trailer-now/154384220/ |date=February 1, 1984 |page=17 |title=Pavilion, trailer now housed at Neillsville |newspaper=The Country Today |location=Eau Claire, Wisconsin |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-date=September 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901005950/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-country-today-pavilion-trailer-now/154384220/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Central Wisconsin Broadcasting planned to locate the WCCN stations inside the pavilion and add a basement as part of reassembly.<ref name="Mars651116">{{Cite news |url=https://newspapers.com/article/marshfield-news-herald-world-fair-buildi/154384436/ |date=November 16, 1965 |page=1 |title=World Fair Building to House Neillsville Firm |newspaper=Marshfield News-Herald |location=Marshfield, Wisconsin |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-date=September 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901010511/https://www.newspapers.com/article/marshfield-news-herald-world-fair-buildi/154384436/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Architect [[John Steinmann]] provided assistance in the reassembly of the structure.{{r|Coun840201}} When the building was rededicated in July 1967, it housed the radio station, other companies, and a gift shop.<ref name="Mars670717">{{Cite news |url=https://newspapers.com/article/marshfield-news-herald-clark-county-pav/154384084/ |date=July 17, 1967 |page=2 |title=Clark County: Pavilion Draws 5,000 Visitors |newspaper=Marshfield News-Herald |location=Marshfield, Wisconsin |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-date=September 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901010507/https://www.newspapers.com/article/marshfield-news-herald-clark-county-pav/154384084/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Over the years, other roadside attractions were added. In 1966, a {{convert|16|ft|m|adj=on}}-tall replica of a [[Holstein cow]], named "Chatty Belle", was erected by Central Wisconsin Broadcasting for the Clark County Fair and then moved near the pavilion.<ref name="Mars660727">{{Cite news |url=https://newspapers.com/article/marshfield-news-herald-giant-holstein/154384862/ |date=July 27, 1966 |page=2 |title=Giant 'Holstein' To Greet Neillsville Fair Visitors |newspaper=Marshfield News-Herald |location=Marshfield, Wisconsin |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-date=September 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901010508/https://www.newspapers.com/article/marshfield-news-herald-giant-holstein/154384862/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Also added was the semi-truck that carried a world-record wheel of cheese to the World's Fair, as well as a replica of the cheese itself.{{r|Coun840201}}
===Grap family ownership===
Howard Sturtz Jr. sold his remaining interest in the WCCN stations and Central Wisconsin Broadcasting to J. Wayne Grap in 1976; the sale allowed Stultz to focus on his orchestra.<ref name="Lead760128">{{Cite news |url=https://newspapers.com/article/leader-telegram-radio-station-sale-appro/154384915/ |date=January 28, 1976 |page=6B |title=Radio station sale approved at Neillsville |newspaper=Leader-Telegram |location=Eau Claire, Wisconsin |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-date=September 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901010514/https://www.newspapers.com/article/leader-telegram-radio-station-sale-appro/154384915/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Wayne's son, Keith Grap, bought the company—as well as the Pavilion and the gift shop inside—from his father a decade later.{{efn|They owned 49 percent by 1991, when they acquired the remainder from Wayne Grap.<ref>{{Cite news |page=12 |title=Transactions |work=[[Radio & Records]] |date=February 8, 1991 |id={{ProQuest|1017243690}} }}</ref>}} During this time, WCCN struggled as country music stations in larger city markets took away listenership. With a high debt load from overpaying for the business, Grap split the stations into separate program services in 1992. WCCN AM became an [[adult standards]]–formatted station known as Memories and continued to broadcast all of the local service programming, while WCCN-FM became The Rock with a [[classic rock]] format.{{r|Stev990815}}
[[File:WCCN Memories1370 logo.png|thumb|AM former logo]]
Central Wisconsin Broadcasting has since expanded its cluster beyond the WCCN stations. In 2004, [[WPKG]] (92.7 FM) debuted with an [[adult contemporary]] format.<ref name="Dail040226">{{Cite news |url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-daily-tribune-the-rock-owners-laun/154385083/ |date=February 26, 2004 |page=3A |first=Matt |last=Conn |title='The Rock' owners launch new FM radio station |newspaper=The Daily Tribune |location=Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-date=September 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901010534/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-tribune-the-rock-owners-laun/154385083/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Into the 2010s, WCCN kept its standards format with weekend [[polka music]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://wiscnews.com/news/state-and-regional/article_8f75e325-9013-5e4a-a023-46afd064b9ff.html |title=Fair's spirit alive in Neillsville |first=Barry |last=Adams |work=[[Wisconsin State Journal]] |page=B1 |date=September 14, 2014 |access-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-date=September 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901010449/https://wiscnews.com/news/state-and-regional/article_8f75e325-9013-5e4a-a023-46afd064b9ff.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The firm acquired two more radio stations—[[WOSQ]], licensed to [[Spencer, Wisconsin|Spencer]], and [[Marshfield, Wisconsin|Marshfield]]-licensed [[WDLB]]—from Seehafer Broadcasting in 2021. By this time, WCCN AM was airing a [[soft adult contemporary]] format.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/214622/station-sales-week-of-10-29/ |work=RadioInsight |date=October 29, 2021 |first=Lance |last=Venta |title=Station Sales Week Of 10/29 |access-date=August 31, 2024 |archive-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102210247/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/214622/station-sales-week-of-10-29/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{AM station data|10027|WCCN}}
* {{FCC-LMS-Facility|200703|W253CN}}
* {{FXL|W253CN}}
{{FM station data|10029|WCCN-FM}}
{{Mainstream Rock Radio Stations in Wisconsin}}
[[Category:Radio stations in Wisconsin|CCN]]
[[Category:Soft adult contemporary radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1957]]
[[Category:1957 establishments in Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Clark County, Wisconsin]]