“OG” moves to 99X’s smaller frequency, Religious broadcaster expands in ATL
by Brian Allen
OG, the classic Hip Hop station, is moving up the dial as its old home has been sold.
Cumulus Media is selling the 97.9 FM frequency (W250BC) that OG 97.9 has broadcast from since late 2014. The new owner is the Radio Training Network, a Christian media outlet that already owns The Joy FM on 93.3 FM.
The Cumulus purchase will give RTN more exposure in the Atlanta market, as its Joy FM station’s reach was limited due to its tower being destroyed by a tornado in 2023. It was rebuilt, but its reach was shorter towards Atlanta.
According to Radio Insight, the station was sold as part of a $2.45 million deal involving 2 other southeastern US stations.
97.9’s reach expands nearly ten miles beyond its transmitter location in northern DeKalb County. It also broadcasts on WWWQ-FM’s HD 3 channel. It will move to HD 2.
OG’s new home will be 98.9 FM ( W255CJ-FM), also a low-power station and the longtime home of 99X before it returned to full power on WNNX 100.5 FM two years ago. The Alternative station will only be on 100.5 FM going forward. A more current intensive 99X landed on that frequency on January 1, 2016, and continued even after the classic 99X returned.
OG 98.9 will have a smaller footprint than it had on 97.9 FM. Its signal is shunted more towards the east, and the strongest signal cuts off west of the Chattahoochee River. It will remain on both frequencies until 97.9 FM is sold.
OG plays classic hip hop music. The station played on a recent morning Busta Rhymes “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See”, Beyonce’s “Naughty Girl”, Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg’s “The Next Episode” and Ciara’s “1, 2 Step”.
OG is also available online.
Image credits: Cumulus Media, RTN.
