Питтсбургтың 94.5 3WS радиосы

Classic hits radio station in Pittsburgh

WWSW FM (94.5 MHz) – branded 94.5 3WS – is a commercial radio station that is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It airs a classic hits radio format and switches to all–Christmas music for most of November and December each year. This station is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. Its studios and offices are located on Abele Rd. in Bridgeville next to I 79, along with its sister stations. The transmitter is situated off Rising Main Avenue at Lanark Street, on a tower that is shared with WPXI TV and other FM stations in the Pittsburgh radio market. WWSW FM broadcasts using HD Radio technology, with its third digital subchannel airing Catholic radio programming from Relevant Radio. WWSW is notable for being an FM "superpower station". Its effective radiated power (ERP) is 50,000 watts on a tower that is 247 meters (810 ft) tall. The standard height above average terrain (HAAT) for Class B FM signals found in Pennsylvania is 152 meters (500 ft) for a station broadcasting at 50,000 watts.

On August 13, 1940, Walker & Downing Radio Corporation applied to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a construction permit to build a new FM station. It broadcast on 43.5 MHz in the original FM broadcast band, which was located between 42 and 50 MHz. The FCC granted the permit on December 12, 1940, while reallocating the station to 44.7 MHz and assigning the station the call sign W47P. The station was granted its first license by the FCC on May 20, 1942. On September 23, 1942, the FCC modified the station's license when Walker & Downing Radio Corporation changed its name to WWSW, Inc., named after co owned WWSW (970 AM). On November 1, 1943, the station was assigned the WTNT call sign, followed by another call sign change to WMOT effective October 3, 1945. The commission granted WWSW, Inc. the authority to cease operations effective December 12, 1945, so the station could be converted to a new frequency on the new band. On November 18, 1973, the station's call sign was changed to WPEZ, carving out its own identity apart from WWSW.

Currently, WWSW has only four live and local weekday airstaffers Jonny Hartwell (5 10 a. m.), Tall Cathy (10 a. m. 2 p. m.), and Mike Frazer (2 8 p. m.). Bonnie Diver, morning traffic director for iHeartMedia Pittsburgh and former 3WS midday host, also contributes to the morning drive show. Outside of local programming, the station carries talent from iHeartMedia's Premium Choice network (which is also utilized when Cathy and Frazer are absent), which is voice tracked from out of market, as well as several nationally syndicated shows. Past air personalities on 3WS include Jim Merkel, Gary Dickson, Kenny Woods, Steve Hansen, Cris Winter, Bumper Morgan (deceased), RD Summers (deceased), Theresa Colaizzi, Ray Walker (deceased), Clarke Ingram, Lani Daniels, Mike Steele (deceased), Steve Grenato, Sheri Van Dyke, and Kate Harris. During the prime years at 3WS, the morning show featured Merkel and Dickson. Longtime air personality Jim Merkel was released from 3WS on October 4, 2010, after more than thirty one years on the station, and Sheri Van Dyke after thirty years on November 6, 2020.

On April 25, 2006, WWSW FM's HD2 subchannel began carrying a format focusing on Rhythmic Oldies, which was originally heard on the former WJJJ (104.7 FM). In 2016, when 3WS cancelled its weekly "Sunday Night Diner" program, the format of the HD2 station was changed to 1950s and 60s oldies, similar to what was heard on the diner program each week. In addition, the subchannel carried Duquesne Dukes football and men's basketball games, as well as pre game, post game, and coaches shows for both sports. A couple of years later, the HD2 station moved its focus to 1960s and 70s oldies, and was branded as "3WS HD2."