WFIW (AM)
WFIW 1390 AM is a radio station broadcasting a news talk format. Licensed to Fairfield, Illinois, the station is currently owned by The Original Company, Inc., which also owns WFIW-FM 104.9 FM and WOKZ 105.9 FM.[3] WFIW AM and FM simulcast their programming until February 15, 1983.[2]
![]() | |
City | Fairfield, Illinois |
---|---|
Broadcast area | Fairfield, Illinois |
Frequency | 1390 AM (kHz) |
Programming | |
Format | News Talk / Sports |
Ownership | |
Owner | The Original Company, Inc. |
Sister stations | WFIW-FM, WOKZ |
History | |
First air date | August 21, 1953[1] |
Call sign meaning | "Fairfield-Illinois-Wayne"[2] |
Technical information | |
Class | D |
Power | 710 watts day 58 watts night |
Translator(s) | W277CZ (103.3 MHz, Fairfield) |
Links | |
Website | www.wfiwradio.com |
WFIW carries a variety of local programming, as well as nationally syndicated shows such as Dave Ramsey, Rush Limbaugh, Clark Howard, Roger Hedgecock, Dr. Joy Browne, Coast to Coast AM, and Bill Cunningham.[4]
History
WFIW began broadcasting on August 21, 1953.[1] The station was originally owned by Thomas Smoot Land and Bryan Davidson, doing business as Wayne County Broadcasting Company.[5] In May 1974, Thomas Land would take sole ownership of the station,[2][5] and would later pass ownership of the station to his son, Dave Land.[6][7] In 2012, Land sold WFIW, along with WFIW-FM and WOKZ, to The Original Company for $962,766.67.[7][8]
WFIW originally ran 500 watts during daytime hours only.[5] On May 25, 1961, the station's power was increased to 1,000 watts.[2][5] From the early to mid 1980s, the station was an affiliate of Music of Your Life.[9][10] By 1986, the station was airing a modern country format.[11] By 1989, nighttime operations were added, running 87 watts.[12] By 1991, the station had added news-talk programming.[13][14] By 1993, the station was completely airing a talk format.[15]
The call letters WFIW were originally assigned to a station in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.[16] In 1932, that station was bought by George Norton Jr., and its transmitter was moved to Louisville, Kentucky, with the call letters being changed to WAVE.[17]
References
- 1972 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting, 1972. p. B-63. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
- "Station History". WFIW. Archived from the original on February 6, 2002. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
- https://streamingradioguide.com/radio-parent-list.php?parentid=190 The Original Company list of radio stations
- WFIW AM Program Schedule Accessed May 11, 2010
- History Cards for WFIW, fcc.gov. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
- "WFIW Radio’s Dave Land retiring", The Carmi Times, December 28, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
- "Seller retains ties to Illinois radio trio", Radio & Television Business Report, May 24, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
- Asset Purchase Agreement, fcc.gov. April 30, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
- Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1983, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1983. p. B-73. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
- Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1985, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1985. p. B-82. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
- Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1986, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1986. p. B-86. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
- Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1989, Broadcasting & Cable, 1989. p. B-92. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
- The Broadcasting Yearbook 1991, Broadcasting & Cable, 1991. p. B-100. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
- The M-Street Radio Directory. 1991. p. 129. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
- "Format Changes", The M-Street Journal. Vol. 10 No. 28. July 14, 1993. p. 1. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
- "WFIW Rebuilding" (PDF). Broadcasting. October 15, 1931. p. 20. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
- Kieber, John E., Ed. (2001). The Encyclopedia of Louisville. The University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 0-8131-2100-0. P. 126.
External links
- WFIW in the FCC's AM station database
- WFIW on Radio-Locator
- WFIW in Nielsen Audio's AM station database