WAY-FM Network
The WayFM Network is a national, non-profit radio broadcasting network in the United States, primarily playing Contemporary Christian music. While WayFM is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, content creation and programming originates in Franklin, Tennessee and operates stations in 12 states (as of May 2018).
Type | Radio network |
---|---|
Country | |
Slogan | Uplifting. Upbeat. Real. |
Webcast | Listen Live |
Official website | https://www.wayfm.com/ |
Mission
WAY-FM's Mission is to influence this generation to love and follow Jesus through culturally relevant media.[1]
Their slogan is: "Uplifting. Upbeat. Real."[2]
History
Origins in Fort Myers
WAY Media, Inc. was founded in 1987 by Bob Augsburg.[3] The non-profit corporation began as a single FM radio station in Fort Myers, Florida.
In the early 1980s, Bob and Felice Augsburg were residing in Fort Myers, where Bob was working as the Program Director at WSOR, a Christian Radio Station formatted for older adults. Bob and Felice have said that they "were compelled by the burden to see a younger audience reached and Bob began producing a Saturday evening broadcast geared for youth."[4] This program, which aired on WSOR, became the springboard for Christian Rock concerts in the area and the impetus for a 24/7 station with this type of format.[4]
Much discussion with local parents and business people led to a non-profit Florida corporation and an application filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for an unused FM frequency.
On Christmas Eve (December 24) 1986, the group received its permit for the construction of a new non-commercial FM station in Fort Myers, WAYJ. On October 9, 1987, WAYJ, broadcasting as "WAY-FM", signed on the air.
Growth
By 1992, three WAY-FM radio stations were on the air—including Fort Myers; Nashville, Tennessee (WAYM); and West Palm Beach, Florida (WAYF).
In the mid-90s, WAY-FM stations, beginning with WAYF, began to sponsor and organize large Christian music concerts and day-long music festivals. Within a few years, Nashville and Fort Myers also began to sponsor major Christian music events.
After several years of planning, in 1996, WAY-FM began the Christian Hit Radio Satellite Network (CHRSN). The network was designed to help other stations who desired to reach the youth and young adults of their respective communities but lacked the manpower or resources to operate a station on their own.
Corporate office established
In 2001, WAY-FM Media Group established a corporate office in Colorado Springs, Colorado where Bob Augsburg, the president and founder now lives. Dusty Rhodes, former Station Manager of WAYF, joined Augsburg in Colorado as Chief Operating Officer and is now the ministry's Senior Vice President.
In 2005, Dar Ringling joined the ministry as Chief Financial Officer while Lloyd Parker, formerly General Manager of the K-LOVE & Air1 Radio Networks, became the Chief Operating Officer.
In 2012, WAY-FM shifted from its long time Christian CHR format to a Christian Adult Contemporary format, along with shifting their audience from 18- to 34-year-olds, to older adults (25-54), thus growing up with its original audience more or less. Since 2013 WAY-FM via flagship station WAYM, Nashville is a Christian AC reporter to the Nielsen BDS service, and became a monitored reporter to Mediabase's Christian AC panel in April 2015.
In July 2013, WAY-FM ceased providing programming to non-owned stations via satellite, with the exception of the network morning show, The Wally Show. In 2017, The Wally Show stopped syndication, as well.
In May 2015, WAY-FM announced plans to acquire KVRK, in North Texas.[5] The Station calls letters are now KAWA and now broadcasts the national WAY-FM format. The former Power FM however has become an online music channel, app, and community of Christian rock fans managed by WAY-FM Media Group.
Current Programming
The Wally Show,[7] WAY-FM's current morning show and the self-proclaimed as "the needle for the Christian bubble,"[8] launched in 2011.
Nationally syndicated hosts on The Brant Hansen Show[9] can be heard during middays on WAY-FM.
CJ & Joy[10] host WAY-FM's afternoon show. CJ joined the show in early 2018.
Kelly Corday[11] was hired as WAY-FM's evening show host and promotions director in 2019.[12]
Current reach
At this time, WAY-FM owns and operates 20 full power FM radio stations. WAY-FM also owns 24 low-power repeater stations.
Station list
Alabama
Call sign | Frequency (MHz) | City of license | ERP (W) | Height (m (ft)) | Class | FCC info |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WAYU | 91.1 | Steele, Alabama | 150 | 230 m (750 ft) | A | FCC |
WAYH | 88.1 | Harvest, Alabama | 3,500 | 204 m (669 ft) | C3 | FCC |
W297AP | 107.3 | Anniston, Alabama | 10 | 222 m (728 ft) | D | FCC |
W220ED | 91.9 | Auburn, Alabama | 19 | 49 m (161 ft) | D | FCC |
W210CA | 89.9 | Birmingham, Alabama | 180 | 349.1 m (1,145 ft) | D | FCC |
W258AE | 99.5 | Florence, Alabama | 27 | 73.4 m (241 ft) | D | FCC |
W258AU | 99.5 | Huntsville, Alabama | 120 | 387 m (1,270 ft) | D | FCC |
W272CO | 102.3 | Montgomery, Alabama | 250 | 192 m (630 ft) | D | FCC |
Colorado
Call sign | Frequency (MHz) | City of license | ERP (W) | Height (m (ft)) | Class | FCC info |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KBWA | 89.1 | Brush, Colorado | 1,500 | 44.2 m (145 ft) | A | FCC |
KXWA | 101.9 | Centennial, Colorado | 9,500 | 163 m (535 ft) | C3 | FCC |
KCWA | 93.9 | Loveland, Colorado | 580 | 319 m (1,047 ft) | A | FCC |
KRWA | 90.9 | Rye, Colorado | 10,000 | 34.6 m (114 ft) | C3 | FCC |
KJWA | 89.7 | Trinidad, Colorado | 160 | 241 m (791 ft) | A | FCC |
K257FO | 99.3 | Colorado Springs, Colorado | 72 | 651 m (2,136 ft) | D | FCC |
K299AO | 107.7 | Sterling, Colorado | 75 | 110.4 m (362 ft) | D | FCC |
Florida
Call sign | Frequency (MHz) | City of license | ERP (W) | Height (m (ft)) | Class | FCC info |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WAYP | 88.3 | Marianna, Florida | 70,000 | 105 m (344 ft) | C1 | FCC |
WAYJ | 89.5 | Naples, Florida | 100,000 | 94.1 m (309 ft) | C1 | FCC |
WAYF | 88.1 | West Palm Beach, Florida | 50,000 | 321 m (1,053 ft) | C1 | FCC |
W263BI | 100.5 | Fort Myers, Florida | 250 | 320.8 m (1,052 ft) | D | FCC |
W295DC | 106.9 | Panama City, Florida | 15 | 11 m (36 ft) | D | FCC |
W244BD | 96.7 | Stuart, Florida | 800 | 42 m (138 ft) | D | FCC |
Georgia
Call sign | Frequency (MHz) | City of license | ERP (W) | Height (m (ft)) | Class | FCC info |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WAYT | 88.1 | Thomasville, Georgia | 17,000 | 392 m (1,286 ft) | C1 | FCC |
W212AR | 90.3 | Lindale, Georgia | 10 | 217 m (712 ft) | D | FCC |
Indiana
Call sign | Frequency (MHz) | City of license | ERP (W) | Height (m (ft)) | Class | FCC info |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WAYI | 104.3 | Charlestown, Indiana | 3,000 | 100 m (330 ft) | A | FCC |
W220DV | 91.9 | Evansville, Indiana | 250 | 248.2 m (814 ft) | D | FCC |
Kansas
Call sign | Frequency (MHz) | City of license | ERP (W) | Height (m (ft)) | Class | FCC info |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KYWA | 90.7 | Wichita, Kansas | 53,000 | 144 m (472 ft) | C1 | FCC |
Kentucky
Call sign | Frequency (MHz) | City of license | ERP (W) | Height (m (ft)) | Class | FCC info |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WAYD | 88.1 | Auburn, Kentucky | 1,000 | 113 m (371 ft) | A | FCC |
WAYK | 105.9 | Valley Station, Kentucky | 1,250 | 155 m (509 ft) | A | FCC |
W212BZ | 90.3 | Brentwood, Kentucky | 19 | 87.2 m (286 ft) | D | FCC |
W201DD | 88.1 | Central City, Kentucky | 27 | 58.9 m (193 ft) | D | FCC |
W291BZ | 106.1 | Murray, Kentucky | 27 | 81.4 m (267 ft) | D | FCC |
W217BP | 91.3 | Owensboro, Kentucky | 15 | 87.4 m (287 ft) | D | FCC |
Oregon
Call sign | Frequency (MHz) | City of license | ERP (W) | Height (m (ft)) | Class | FCC info |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KKWA | 96.3 | West Linn, Oregon | 1,350 | 386 m (1,266 ft) | C3 | KKWA FCC] |
South Carolina
Call sign | Frequency (MHz) | City of license | ERP (W) | Height (m (ft)) | Class | FCC info |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WAYA-FM | 100.9 | Ridgeville, South Carolina | 13,000 | 91 m (299 ft) | C3 | FCC |
W267BK | 101.3 | Mount Pleasant, South Carolina | 250 | 201.5 m (661 ft) | D | FCC |
Tennessee
Call sign | Frequency (MHz) | City of license | ERP (W) | Height (m (ft)) | Class | FCC info |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WAYQ | 88.3 | Clarksville, Tennessee | 14,000 | 227 m (745 ft) | C2 | FCC |
WAYW | 89.9 | New Johnsonville, Tennessee | 500 | 97 m (318 ft) | A | FCC |
WAYM | 88.7 | Spring Hill, Tennessee | 5,000 | 330 m (1,080 ft) | C2 | FCC |
W215BH | 90.9 | Chattanooga, Tennessee | 10 | 361 m (1,184 ft) | D | FCC |
W284AE | 104.7 | Chattanooga, Tennessee | 250 | 219 m (719 ft) | D | FCC |
W207CI | 89.3 | Cleveland, Tennessee | 13 | 123.1 m (404 ft) | D | FCC |
W257BX | 99.3 | Columbia, Tennessee | 60 | 54.4 m (178 ft) | D | FCC |
W213BT | 90.5 | Cookeville, Tennessee | 10 | 134.5 m (441 ft) | D | FCC |
Texas
Call sign | Frequency (MHz) | City of license | ERP (W) | Height (m (ft)) | Class | FCC info |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KAWA | 89.7 | Sanger, Texas | 65,000 | 572 m (1,877 ft) | C | KAWA FCC] |
Washington
Call sign | Frequency (MHz) | City of license | ERP (W) | Height (m (ft)) | Class | FCC info |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
K206CQ | 89.1 | Spokane, Washington | 10 | 433 m (1,421 ft) | D | FCC |
References
- "WAY-FM's About Page".
- Philpot, Robert (14 May 2015). "Report: Power 89.7 FM soon to become "Way-FM"". Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
- cmarcucci (2012-02-14). "WAY-FM selling WAYJ-FM". Radio & Television Business Report. Retrieved 2019-08-20.
- Archived July 13, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
- Philpot, Robert. "Report: Power 89.7 FM soon to become "Way-FM" | The Star Telegram The Star Telegram". Star-telegram.com. Retrieved 2015-05-15.
- "John Scaggs Named CEO of Christian Broadcaster WAY Media". Insideradio.com. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
- "The Wally Show".
- "The Wally Show Facebook Page".
- "The Brant Hansen Show on WAY-FM".
- "CJ & Joy".
- "Kelly Corday WAY-FM".
- "Inside Radio".