It was part of the WayFM Network and aired a Christian contemporary hit radio format simulcast from WAYJ in Fort Myers.

[8] A loss of donations from listeners and businesses during the recession has led Northwestern College to close WSMR, even though the special temporary authority (STA) filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said that the station would continue broadcasting.

On the day of WSMR's closure, the University of South Florida (USF) announced its intention to acquire WSMR, with plans to change the station's format to classical music, while reimaging Tampa's WUSF FM as a station carrying National Public Radio-based talk programming by day and jazz at night.

WUSF's main frequency began broadcasting an NPR News and talk schedule on September 15, 2010;[9] however, WSMR failed to launch on that date as previously announced.

Various explanations were offered by WUSF, including delays due to FCC approval, and an undefined technical issue relating to another frequency assigned to "first responders" at the same tower site.

"On October 25, 2010, WSMR resumed broadcasting, but temporarily at 5,000 watts on a Sarasota-area tower rented from Clear Channel Communications.