Heralded by many as the boldest format change in Syracuse radio history, 94 Rock, then a highly successful album rock station, flipped its format to adult contemporary and became Y94FM (WYYY) on January 10, 1983. The on-air lineup on day one included 'Big Mike' Fiss, Kathy Rowe, Bob Mitchell, Dave Anthony, and Phil LoCascio (the original Dr. Phil).
Y94FM went on to dominate Syracuse radio in the 1980s, enjoying a long run as the market's undisputed ratings champ. Along with the station's ratings success, morning man 'Big Mike' was named Billboard Magazine's Medium Market Personality of the Year three times.