WIGY (AM) explained

WIGY
City:Lewiston, Maine
Country:US
Area:Lewiston–Auburn
Branding:105.5 & 95.7 WIGY
Frequency:1240 kHz
Airdate: (as WCOU)[1]
Format:Classic hits
Class:C
Facility Id:11031
Licensing Authority:FCC
Coordinates:44.1154°N -70.2481°W
Owner:Bennett Radio Group
Licensee:Bennett Radio Group, LLC
Sister Stations:WOXO-FM, WPNO, WIGY-FM, WEZR, Channel X Radio

WIGY (1240 AM) is a radio station owned by Bennett Radio Group that is licensed to serve Lewiston, Maine. WIGY airs a classic hits radio format.[2] Its programming is also heard on translator stations W239ET (95.7 FM) and W288CW (105.5 FM). In addition to music, WIGY broadcasts Lewiston–Auburn area high school sports.

History

The station was assigned the WEZR call letters by the Federal Communications Commission on January 18, 2007.[3] 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".[4] [5] 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).[6]

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.[7] The stations had been up for sale following the death of owner Dick Gleason in February 2019.[8] A sale of the Gleason Media Group stations to Bennett Radio Group was announced in May 2020.[9]

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).[10] 1240 AM changed its callsign to WIGY on September 7, 2020.[3]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1999. 1999. D-199. PDF. August 27, 2016.
  2. Web site: Nielsen Audio . Summer Station Information Profile.
  3. Web site: Call Sign History . FCC Media Bureau CDBS Public Access Database.
  4. News: Crosby. Christopher. Radio station WOXO changes frequencies. August 2, 2016. Sun Journal. August 1, 2016.
  5. News: Venta. Lance. WEZR & WOXO Lewiston On The Move. August 27, 2016. RadioInsight. July 29, 2016.
  6. https://radioinsight.com/headlines/175886/woxo-wezr-swap-frequencies/ WOXO & WEZR Swap Frequencies
  7. News: WOXO says farewell to listeners; Gleason Radio Group to go silent after 45 years . March 25, 2020 . Lewiston Sun Journal . March 25, 2020.
  8. News: Venta . Lance . Gleason Media To Shut Down Cluster In Lewiston/Auburn . March 25, 2020 . RadioInsight . March 25, 2020.
  9. https://radioinsight.com/headlines/187736/binnie-vp-programming-stan-bennett-acquires-silent-maine-cluster/ Binnie VP/Programming Stan Bennett Acquires Silent Maine Cluster
  10. https://radioinsight.com/headlines/195748/woxo-returns-wezr-to-become-wigy/ WOXO returns WEZR to become WIGY