 | |
| |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Green Bay metropolitan area |
| Frequency | 1590kHz |
| Branding | WGBW 97.9 FM 1590 AM |
| Programming | |
| Language | English |
| Format | Progressive talk radio |
| Affiliations | ABC News Radio |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
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| WISS,WZBU | |
| History | |
First air date | October 29, 1951; 73 years ago (1951-10-29) |
Former call signs |
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Call sign meaning | Green Bay, Wisconsin |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 74127 |
| Class | B |
| Power |
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Transmitter coordinates | 44°18′50.00″N87°47′16.00″W / 44.3138889°N 87.7877778°W /44.3138889; -87.7877778 |
| Translator(s) | 97.9 W250CV (Green Bay) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Website | wgbw |
WGBW (1590AM) is a radio stationlicensed to serveDenmark, Wisconsin. The station airs aprogressive talk radio format, and is owned by Sage Weil, through licensee Civic Media, Inc.
The station had been on the air since October 29, 1951, licensed toTwo Rivers, Wisconsin and serving theManitowoc area, most notably under the WTRWcall sign.[2] In September 2006, the station was assigned the WGBW call sign by the FCC,[3] part of an effort by station ownership to move the station from the Two Rivers/Manitowoc area to the largerGreen Bay radio market. After four years of applications and amendments, the FCC granted WGBW aconstruction permit in August 2008 to move the station'scity of license from Two Rivers toDenmark, Wisconsin, and to increase its daytime and nighttime broadcast power.[4] On September 14, 2011, WGBW relaunched with its new 10,000 watt day/500 watt night signal from its new transmitter site inDenmark, Wisconsin. The station changed owners effective January 17, 2023.
For several years, WGBW aired a satellite-fedoldies music format; the station had carriedDial Global's "Kool Gold" service until October 15, 2008, when it moved toCitadel Media's "The True Oldies Channel". The station also carried top-of-the-hour newscasts fromABC News (it had carriedCNN Radio andNBC Radio News newscasts prior to January 2010). WGBW has also featured broadcasts ofDenmark Vikings high school sporting events.
On January 2, 2013, WGBW dropped its oldies format and became a full-time affiliate ofESPN Radio, replacingWDUZ as the Green Bay market's ESPN affiliate.[5] Though the move meant the loss of its programming on theFM signal WDUZ provided (at 107.5 FM), the move to WGBW gave ESPN Radio live clearance of its full daily sports talk schedule in Green Bay for the first time, including some shows that WDUZ preempted in favor of local talk programming (among themMike and Mike in the Morning andThe Herd with Colin Cowherd).[6]
On April 3, 2013, WGBW switched back to True Oldies and ended its ESPN Radio affiliation, blaming a crowded market in the Green Bay area for sports talk in leaving the format after only three months. ESPN has yet to re-launch a radio affiliate in the Green Bay market, as of Spring 2023. Programming of oldies continued until the station was sold in January 2023.
On September 23, 2022, it was announced that Civic Media would acquire WGBW and translator W250CV, along with sister stationWLAK and its translator, W230DA.[7] The purchase, at a price of $937,000, was consummated on December 29, 2022.
On January 18, 2023, WGBW changed its format from oldies to progressive talk.[8]