WPFR (AM) explained
WPFR (1480 kHz) is a Christian AM radio station licensed to Terre Haute, Indiana. The station is owned by American Hope Communications, Inc.[4]
History
The station began broadcasting January 6, 1948, and originally held the call sign WTHI.[1] [2] The station ran 1,000 watts 24 hours a day.[2] In 1970, the station's daytime power was increased to 5,000 watts.[2] WTHI AM 1480, along with WTHI-FM, and WTHI-TV were long owned by Tony Hulman, and remained in his family's hands until 1998, when all three stations were sold to Emmis Communications.[5] [6]
WTHI aired a Top 40 format from the mid-1960s until January 1974, when the station adopted a country music format.[7] By 1983, the station had adopted a MOR format.[8] By 1988, the station had begun airing an oldies format.[9] By 1991, the station had returned to airing a country music format, simulcasting 99.9 WTHI-FM.[10]
The station adopted a news-talk format in 1992.[11] As a news-talk station, WTHI was Terre Haute's home for prominent national personalities such as Rush Limbaugh and Paul Harvey, as well as The Bob & Tom Show.[12] [13] The station also carried The Mike Pence Show, a statewide talk show which Pence hosted prior to his election to congress.[14]
In 2000, the station was donated to Word Power, Inc., and its call sign was changed to WPFR, with the station adopting a Christian format.[15] [3] [16] The station was taken off the air in March 2020.[17]
Effective October 29, 2021, it was sold to American Hope Communications, along with WKZI, WLHW, WPFR-FM, and three translators, for $179,000.[18] [19]
Notes and References
- 1973 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting, 1973. p. B-71. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
- https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=67416 History Cards for WPFR
- https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=70653&Callsign=WPFR70653 Call Sign History
- https://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/amq?list=0&facid=70653 AM Query Results: WPFR
- Fybush, Scott. "Terre Haute, Indiana (Part I)", fybush.com. June 2, 2006. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
- "Proposed Station Transfers", The M Street Journal. Vol. 15, No. 17. April 29, 1998. p. 6. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
- "$14G Promo Tees Oft Ind. Country Shift", Billboard. January 26, 1974. p. 22. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
- Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1983, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1983. p. B-85. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
- Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1988, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1988. p. B-100. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
- Unmacht, Robert (1991). The M Street Radio Directory. p. 145. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
- "Format Changes", The M Street Journal. Vol. 9, No. 40. October 7, 1992. p. 1. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
- Web site: The Wabash Valley Home of the Bob & Tom Show! . https://web.archive.org/web/19980204025819/http://www.newstalk1480.com:80/default.htm. WTHI . February 4, 1998. October 21, 2018.
- "Format Changes & Updates", The M Street Journal. Vol. 12, No. 40. October 5, 1995. p. 1. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
- Web site: The Wabash Valley Home of the Bob & Tom Show! . https://web.archive.org/web/19970428080340/http://www.newstalk1480.com/default.htm. WTHI . April 28, 1997. October 21, 2018.
- "Transactions", Radio & Records. November 5, 1999. p. 6. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
- Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2001, Broadcasting & Cable, 2001. p. D-159. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
- "WPFR Terre Haute Shuts Down", RadioInsight. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- "Indiana-Illinois Cluster Sold", All Access. April 2, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
- "Hoosier Group Spun To Hopeful New Owner", Radio & Television Business Report. April 2, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
