| Simulcast ofWPEO (1020 AM) | |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Champaign,Bloomington |
| Frequency | 98.3MHz |
| Branding | The Word |
| Programming | |
| Format | Christian talk and teaching |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | WPEO Radio Foundation |
| History | |
First air date | 1983; 42 years ago (1983) (as WZRO) |
Former call signs | WEZO (1983–1996) WWHP (1996–2018) WEXG (2018–2020) |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 14962 |
| Class | A |
| ERP | 5,200watts |
| HAAT | 107 meters (351 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 40°24′17.00″N88°35′34.00″W / 40.4047222°N 88.5927778°W /40.4047222; -88.5927778 |
| Repeater(s) | WPEO1020 AMPeoria |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | www |
WPEO-FM (98.3MHz) is anFM radiostationlicensed toFarmer City, Illinois.[2] It is owned by WPEO Radio Foundation, and itsimulcasts aChristian talk and teachingradio format with co-ownedWPEO1020 AM inPeoria, Illinois. Theradio studios and offices are just south ofIllinois Central College inEast Peoria, Illinois.
WPEO-FM has aneffective radiated power (ERP) of 5,200watts. Thetransmitter is inSaybrook, Illinois, giving it coverage of an area ofCentral Illinois betweenChampaign andBloomington.[3]
The station began operations in 1983 as WZRO "5 County Country", then changed to WEZO, and changed to WWHP as "The Whip". It played a variety of music genres, primarily Americana roots, classic country, blues, and bluegrass. The station claimed to be located, "somewhere between Memphis and Chicago."[4]
After a change in ownership in early 2014, the station changed formats to classic hits.[5]
On November 23, 2015, WWHP became "NewsTalk 98.3" with a local morning and afternoon drive.
Former Cities 92.9 morning host Ian Bayne took over the station as program director and general manager and hosted the morning show from 6-9 am, installing national Breitbart editor Mike Flynn from 3-6 pm. Other programming included Laura Ingraham, Dana Loesch, Jerry Doyle, and Lars Larson.[6]
On May 30, 2016, WWHP changed its format to classic rock.
On January 24, 2018, the station changed its call sign to WEXG and rebranded as "The Edge".[7]
On October 6, 2020, WEXG changed its format from classic rock to a simulcast of Christian radio-formattedWPEO 1020 AM Peoria, branded as "The Word", and adopted a new WPEO-FM call sign the next day.[8] Smash Hit then sold the station to WPEO owners WPEO Radio Foundation for $159,900.[9] The sale was consummated on March 16, 2021.