WIYY shares studios and offices with sister stations WBAL (1090 AM) and WBAL-TV (channel 11) on Television Hill in the Woodberry section of Baltimore.

WMAR-FM was a collaborative partner of Transit Rides Inc., developer of a music format designed for public transportation and owned by the Cincinnati-based Taft family.

After two years on the air, Abell decided shut down WMAR-FM in June 1950 and turned in its license to the Federal Communications Commission.

The 97.9 frequency remained silent until December 1958 when WFDS-FM signed on for the first time,[7] a classical music outlet under the ownership of William S. Cook, a Baltimore native and professional engineer.

Other nominees included WAAF in Boston, KBPI in Denver, WRIF in Detroit, WMMR in Philadelphia, and KISW in Seattle.