WIGY (AM)

WIGY
Broadcast areaLewiston–Auburn
Frequency1240 kHz
Branding105.5 & 95.7 WIGY
Programming
Language(s)English
FormatClassic hits
AffiliationsCBS News Radio
Ownership
Owner
  • Bennett Radio Group
  • (Bennett Radio Group, LLC)
Channel X Radio, WEZR, WIGY-FM, WOXO-FM, WPNO
History
First air date
August 21, 1938; 86 years ago (1938-08-21)[1]
Former call signs
  • WCOU (1938–1988)
  • WXGL (1988–1991)
  • WTME (1991–2001)
  • WCNM (2001–2007)
  • WEZR (2007–2020)
[2]
Technical information[3]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID11031
ClassC
Power
  • 1,000 watts (day)
  • 860 watts (night)
Transmitter coordinates
44°6′55.26″N 70°14′53.2″W / 44.1153500°N 70.248111°W / 44.1153500; -70.248111 (WIGY)
Translator(s)
  • 95.7 W239ET (Lewiston)
  • 105.5 W288CW (Lewiston)
Links
Public license information
Webcast
Websitewigyradio.com

WIGY (1240 kHz) is an AM radio station owned by Bennett Radio Group that is licensed to serve Lewiston, Maine. WIGY airs a classic hits radio format.[4] In addition to music, WIGY broadcasts Lewiston–Auburn area high school sports.

History

[edit]
Logo as "Maine's Big Z", used from 2016 until 2019

The station was assigned the WEZR call letters by the Federal Communications Commission on January 18, 2007.[2] On March 31, 2014, WEZR began simulcasting on 105.5 FM, via translator W288CW, and rebranded as Z105.5. On August 1, 2016, the station began simulcasting on WEZR-FM (92.7, formerly WOXO-FM, whose country music format was transferred to 1450 AM and 96.9 FM), expanding the format's reach to the Oxford Hills area; as a result, the station rebranded to "Maine's Big Z".[5][6] In April 2019, WEZR rebranded as "Z105.5 & 96.9", reflecting the move of its Oxford Hills simulcast from WEZR-FM to WOXO (now WPNO).[7]

WEZR, along with its sister stations, went off the air March 29, 2020, citing financial considerations that included expected reduction in advertising revenue attributed to COVID-19.[8] The stations had been up for sale following the death of owner Dick Gleason in February 2019.[9] A sale of the Gleason Media Group stations to Bennett Radio Group was announced in May 2020.[10]

Bennett Radio Group's purchase, at a price of $300,000, was consummated on August 5, 2020. On August 19, 2020, WEZR and WPNO returned to the air as they relaunched the hot AC format as "WIGY", while adding a simulcast on the former WTME (now WEZR).[11] The call sign for 1240 AM was changed to WIGY on September 7, 2020.[2]

Translator

[edit]
Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) HAAT Class Transmitter coordinates FCC info
W239ET 95.7 FM Lewiston, Maine 200149 250 0 m (0 ft) D 44°12′16.8″N 70°33′9.2″W / 44.204667°N 70.552556°W / 44.204667; -70.552556 (W239ET) LMS
W288CW 105.5 FM Lewiston, Maine 152283 250 58.2 m (191 ft) D 44°6′54.2″N 70°14′50.1″W / 44.115056°N 70.247250°W / 44.115056; -70.247250 (W288CW) LMS

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1999 (PDF). 1999. p. D-199. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c "Call Sign History". FCC Media Bureau CDBS Public Access Database.
  3. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WIGY". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  4. ^ "Summer Station Information Profile". Nielsen Audio.
  5. ^ Crosby, Christopher (August 1, 2016). "Radio station WOXO changes frequencies". Sun Journal. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  6. ^ Venta, Lance (July 29, 2016). "WEZR & WOXO Lewiston On The Move". RadioInsight. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  7. ^ WOXO & WEZR Swap Frequencies Radioinsight - April 4, 2019
  8. ^ "WOXO says farewell to listeners; Gleason Radio Group to go silent after 45 years". Lewiston Sun Journal. March 25, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  9. ^ Venta, Lance (March 25, 2020). "Gleason Media To Shut Down Cluster In Lewiston/Auburn". RadioInsight. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  10. ^ Binnie VP/Programming Stan Bennett Acquires Silent Maine Cluster Lance Venta, Radio Insight, May 26, 2020.
  11. ^ WEZR Relaunches As WIGY Following Return Of WOXO Lance Venta, RadioInsight, August 19, 2020.
[edit]
FM translators


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