| 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
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
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
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
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
Fictional radio station WOTW is prominently featured in the 2019 science fiction film The Vast of Night. [18]
References
- ^ 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
- WGEN in the FCC FM station database
- WGEN in Nielsen Audio's FM station database