Wmnx

97.3 started in 1970 as WHSL-FM, sister station to AM 1490 WHSL. In the early 1980s, album-oriented rock WHSL was launched. In the late 1980s, WHSL shifted to soft adult contemporary music during the day and smooth jazz in the evening, with calls WMFD-FM and later WMNX. In 1992, it switched to mainstream urban and began using the branding "Coast 97.3"^{[citation needed]}. In 1999, Cape Fear Broadcasting announced the sale of its six stations to Cumulus Broadcasting. The sale was challenged by Ocean Broadcasting of Wilmington because it would give Cumulus 6 FMs and an AM in Wilmington, and about 55 percent of market revenue. Today, WMNX airs a mainstream urban format.