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]

WFIW
CityFairfield, Illinois
Broadcast areaFairfield, Illinois
Frequency1390 AM (kHz)
Translator(s)W277CZ (103.3 MHz, Fairfield)
First air dateAugust 21, 1953[1]
FormatNews Talk / Sports
Power710 watts day
58 watts night
ClassD
Call sign meaning"Fairfield-Illinois-Wayne"[2]
OwnerThe Original Company, Inc.
Sister stationsWFIW-FM, WOKZ
Websitewww.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
  1. 1972 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting, 1972. p. B-63. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  2. "Station History". WFIW. Archived from the original on February 6, 2002. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  3. https://streamingradioguide.com/radio-parent-list.php?parentid=190 The Original Company list of radio stations
  4. WFIW AM Program Schedule Accessed May 11, 2010
  5. History Cards for WFIW, fcc.gov. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  6. "WFIW Radio’s Dave Land retiring", The Carmi Times, December 28, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  7. "Seller retains ties to Illinois radio trio", Radio & Television Business Report, May 24, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  8. Asset Purchase Agreement, fcc.gov. April 30, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  9. Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1983, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1983. p. B-73. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  10. Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1985, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1985. p. B-82. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  11. Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1986, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1986. p. B-86. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  12. Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1989, Broadcasting & Cable, 1989. p. B-92. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  13. The Broadcasting Yearbook 1991, Broadcasting & Cable, 1991. p. B-100. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  14. The M-Street Radio Directory. 1991. p. 129. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  15. "Format Changes", The M-Street Journal. Vol. 10 No. 28. July 14, 1993. p. 1. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  16. "WFIW Rebuilding" (PDF). Broadcasting. October 15, 1931. p. 20. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  17. Kieber, John E., Ed. (2001). The Encyclopedia of Louisville. The University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 0-8131-2100-0. P. 126.

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