| Broadcast area | Washington andOzaukee Counties |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 1470kHz |
| Branding | WRYU 101.3 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Classic rock |
| Affiliations | Compass Media Networks |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| WMBZ | |
| History | |
First air date | November 1950 (74 years ago) (1950-11) |
Former call signs |
|
Call sign meaning | "We Rock You" |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 71541 |
| Class | B |
| Power | 2,500 watts |
Transmitter coordinates | 43°22′14.00″N88°9′58.00″W / 43.3705556°N 88.1661111°W /43.3705556; -88.1661111 |
| Translator(s) |
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| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen live |
| Website | rockwryu |
WRYU (1470kHz) is a commercialAM radio station licensed toWest Bend, Wisconsin, and coveringMilwaukee's northern suburbs. The station is owned by David Magnum, through licensee Magnum Communications, Inc., and features aclassic rock format. The radio studios and offices are on South Main Street in West Bend. WRYU carries thesyndicated programJohn Tesh - Intelligence for Your Life.
WRYU is aClass B AM station powered at 2,500 watts. To protect other stations on1470 AM from interference, it uses adirectional antenna with a four-tower array. The signal coversWashington andOzaukee Counties. Thetransmitter is on Hron Road in West Bend.[2] Programming is also heard on FM translators W230DJ at 93.9MHz and W267CL at 101.3MHz.[3]
The stationsigned on the air in November 1950; 74 years ago (1950-11). Its originalcall sign was WPJM, changing shortly afterward to WBKV. It was a 1,000-wattdaytimer, required to go off the air at night. WBKV aired afull service format featuring local news, talk andmiddle of the road (MOR) popular music. The schedule included localhigh school sports and Wisconsincollege sports. In 1958, asister station was added, 92.9 WBKV-FM (later WBWI and currentlyWMBZ).
Around 2001, WBKV flipped to a satellite-deliveredclassic country format to complement sisterWBWI-FM, which has a contemporarycountry music sound. The local morning show was retained but other shows were cancelled. Most of the dayparts during the classic country period were covered byJones Radio Network's classic country feed. There werevoicetracked breaks from local staff in afternoon drive during the week for a few years. Classic country lasted for 12 years.
The station flipped to atalk radio format around March, 2013.[4] WBKV was branded as "LOCAL News/Talk". In addition to covering local high school sports – football, basketball, and baseball – WBKV was also anaffiliate of theWisconsin Badgers Radio Network.
On June 25, 2014, Bliss Communications announced that it would sell WBKV and WBWI-FM, along with sister stationsWRJN andWEZY inRacine. The new owner was David Magnum's Magnum Communications, Inc. Bliss had owned WBKV and WBWI since 1970.[5] The sale, at a price of $2.25 million, was consummated on October 31, 2014.
On February 7, 2015, WBKV changed its format toclassic hits andoldies, branded as "Kool Variety 1470". The station'splaylist consisted of the hits of the 1960s, '70s and '80s. WBKV also carried updates fromWestwood One News until the network ceased operations in 2020.
On October 28, 2016, WBKV changed its call sign to WIBD. It also added anFM translator at 101.3 FM. The station rebranded as "101.3 and 1470 WIBD".
The station changed its call sign to WRYU on January 10, 2024. On February 11, 2024, WRYU changed its format from classic hits to classic rock, using the tagline "We Rock You".[6]
