WGEN-FM
| Broadcast area | South Suburban Chicago |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 88.9 MHz |
| Programming | |
| Format | Eclectic music/Talk |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Wild World Media, Inc. |
| History | |
First air date | November 1, 1995[1] |
Former call signs | WGNR (1995–1998) WMBY (1998) WJCG (1998–2007) WOTW (2007–2013)[2] |
| Technical information | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| ERP | 100 watts |
| HAAT | 54 meters (177 ft) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | http://www.wgenradio.org |
WGEN-FM is a non-commercial eclectic music/talk radio station in Monee, Illinois, broadcasting on 88.9 MHz FM. It is owned by Wild World Media, Inc.[3]
History
[edit]The station began broadcasting November 1, 1995, holding the call sign WGNR,[1] standing for "Good News Radio".[4] It aired a Christian format, as an affiliate of Moody Radio, under the ownership of The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.[1] In January 1998, the station's call sign was changed to WMBY, and in June 1998, it was changed to WJCG.[2] Its format would remain the same under the new call signs.[5]
Worship on the Way
[edit]In early 2007, WJCG was acquired by Life On The Way Communications,[6][7] and the station was temporarily taken silent.[8][9] In April 2007, the station's call sign was changed to WOTW,[2] and the station returned to the air shortly thereafter as an affiliate of the newly renamed "Worship On THE WAY Radio Network".[10][11] The station aired Christian talk and teaching programs, with hosts such as Jack Hayford, Woodrow Kroll, Alistair Begg, and David Jeremiah, along with a variety of Christian music.[12]
My Gen Radio
[edit]In 2013, WOTW was broken off from the simulcast of KTLW along with several translators in the Los Angeles, California area.[13] WOTW's callsign was changed to WGEN-FM,[2] and "My Gen Radio" was formed, which aired Christian contemporary music,[13] and targeted a younger listening audience than sister network, "Worship On The Way Radio Network".[14] Despite WGEN being located in a southern suburb of Chicago, Illinois, the station was primarily used to feed the 3 translators in Southern California, which was where My Gen Radio's primary target listening audience was located.[13]
In 2015, Life On The Way Communications sold WGEN-FM to Wild World Media, Inc. at a price of $55,000.[15][16][17]
Translators
[edit]WGEN-FM was formerly simulcast on K216EM in Arcadia, California and K216FM in Valley Village, California; these translators were sold to Educational Media Foundation effective December 3, 2015, and began rebroadcasting KYLA Air1 programming.
Popular culture
[edit]Fictional radio station WOTW is prominently featured in the 2019 science fiction film The Vast of Night.[18]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1997, Broadcasting & Cable, 1997. p. B-140. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Call Sign History fcc.gov. Accessed November 2, 2013
- ^ WGEN fcc.gov. Accessed November 2, 2013
- ^ Ghrist, John R. (1996). Valley Voices: A Radio History. Crossroads Communications. p. 293.
- ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2000, Broadcasting & Cable, 2000. p. D-141. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- ^ Application for Consent to Assignment of Broadcast Station Construction Permit or License, fcc.gov. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- ^ Application Search Details, fcc.gov. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- ^ "Notification of Suspension of Operations / Request for Silent STA", fcc.gov. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- ^ The Radio Book. 2007-2008. p. 203. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- ^ "Station Information". Worship on THE WAY Radio Network. Archived from the original on May 11, 2008. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2008, Broadcasting & Cable, 2008. p. D-190. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- ^ "Central Time Schedule". Worship on THE WAY Radio Network. Archived from the original on May 15, 2008. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- ^ a b c "Who We Are". My Gen Radio. Archived from the original on August 2, 2014. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- ^ "Our Mission". My Gen Radio. Archived from the original on May 7, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- ^ "Station Sales Week Of 5/15", Radio Insight. May 15, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
- ^ "Deal Digest for the week of August 6, 2015", Inside Radio. August 6, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
- ^ "WFNO/New Orleans Sold", All Access Music Group. May 14, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
- ^ "The Vast of Night Is the First Must-Watch Movie of the Coronavirus Era". May 29, 2020.
External links
[edit]- Facility details for Facility ID 43708 (WGEN-FM) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- WGEN-FM in Nielsen Audio's FM station database