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WMJK is a commercial FM radio station serving the Sandusky, Port Clinton, and Lake Erie Islands area (collectively known as "Vacationland"). Vacationland info - Lake Erie Vacations.com The station broadcasts with an effective radiated power of 3,000 watts at 100.9 FM and is licensed to Clyde, Ohio; about 15 miles west-southwest of Sandusky. The station is branded as "Coast Country 100.9". In January 2009, the station dropped its longtime classic rock format in favor of country music. It also serves as the "Vacationland" region affiliate of the Cleveland Browns Radio Network. Cleveland Browns - Coast 1009.com
WMJK is currently owned by BAS Broadcasting. BAS Ohio iHeartMedia was its former owner, but as of November 16, 2006, it has been announced for sale as part of Clear Channel's divestiture of almost 450 small and middle-market radio properties in the U.S. The cluster was sold on January 15, 2008, to Fremont-based BAS Broadcasting, and BAS took over all three stations on February 1. BAS switched 100.9 The Coast from mostly locally originating programming (outside of the Bob and Tom morning show) to Waitt Radio Networks Genuine Classic Rock satellite format. As a country station, WMJK now uses Waitt's Country Today format.
Upon acquisition of the station almost a month later, S & S Communications changed the station's format from country to 1960s and 1970s classic hits using the Satellite Music Network's "Pure Gold" format. With this change came a call letter switch to WNCG and the move of the station's studios and offices to 109 North Main Street in Clyde. In this incarnation, the station adopted the moniker "Northcoast Gold".
Both men operated WNCG under a less-is-more principle, with a small staff and with them doing much of the on-air and sales work hands-on, allowing them to dedicate revenue to the highly aggressive promotion of their station.
By this efficient means of operation, the lower-powered WNCG grew into a formidable competitor among its higher-powered competitors, largely due to its constant presence at live remote broadcasts for both paid clients and community events. WNCG also installed remote studios in various malls in its listening area, with appropriate signage, to inform listeners that they were on the air just about everywhere.
It was a venture that demonstrated long-term profitability for both Smith and Searfoss. Wishing to relocate his family to northern Michigan to purchase a station for sale there, Smith, along with Searfoss, agreed to sell WNCG on November 7, 1997, for $2.2 million to Jacor Communications. Concurrently, Smith purchased WMJZ in Gaylord, Michigan, early the following year.
The station in 2001 moved its studios and offices to 1640 Cleveland Road in Sandusky, where it remains today with sister stations WLEC and WCPZ. On June 30, 2008, Clear Channel sold WMJK and several other stations along the Lake Erie corridor to Fremont-based BAS Broadcasting. Following the change in ownership, the station dropped its "Majic" moniker (though retaining the same call letters) and adopted its current country music format.
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