By Hannah Osborne
WAAW Shout 94.7 FM has officially signed off the air after 28 years of service to the Augusta, GA community. As of July 3, 2023, the station has officially become Fox Sports 94.7, after being purchased by Gray Radio LLC.
Opposed to the Gospel music that Shout 94.7 FM was known for, Fox Sport 94.7 FM will be airing the national sports lineup around the clock.
The sale of the station comes with the retirement of the former station owner. General manager Donna Moore Wesby comments that a lack of financial sustainability led to this change.
The station has long hosted the annual “Shoutfest,” a free outdoor, family-focused gospel festival. This year’s Shoutfest is scheduled to occur on Oct. 21, 2023. Without the funding of the station, Wesby is now looking for alternative solutions in order to continue with the event.
A farewell celebration was hosted for the community on Saturday, July 1 at the station ahead of their final day of broadcasting on July 2.
BJ Murphy, Fox Sports 94.7’s station manager, expresses his excitement of the change and the prospects of what the station will contribute to the community.
“The Fox sports brand offers unparalleled coverage of sports in the US,” says Murphy. “We also understand that sports have the power to unite communities and build bridges and that’s what we plan on doing at Fox sports 94.7 Augusta. We hope to use our radio station to contribute to the local economy by promoting sporting events and boost tourism and attract fans to the region.”
Fox Sports 94.7 FM officially began airing on July 3, 2023.
