Broadcast area | LaSalle / Princeton |
---|---|
Frequency | 100.9 MHz |
Branding | 100.9 FM Rocks! |
Programming | |
Format | Classic rock |
Affiliations | Westwood One |
Ownership | |
Owner |
|
Sister stations | WALS, WGLC-FM, WIVQ, WSTQ, WYYS |
History | |
First air date | March 15, 1970 |
Former call signs | WGSY (1969–1977) WIVQ (1977–1984) WLRZ (1984–2000) |
Technical information | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
Facility ID | 69732 |
Class | A |
ERP | 3,000 watts |
HAAT | 100 meters (330 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 41°18′11″N 89°14′10″W / 41.303°N 89.236°W / 41.303; -89.236 |
Links | |
Public license information | |
Website | wbzg.net |
WBZG (100.9 FM) is a radio station licensed to Peru, Illinois, covering, LaSalle, Peru, Princeton, and Vicinity. WBZG airs a classic rock format and is owned by Shaw Media, through licensee Shaw Local Radio Co., after previously being owned by Studstill Media/Mendota Broadcasting, Inc. until April 2023.
History
WGSY
The station began broadcasting on March 15, 1970, holding the call sign WGSY. The station was originally owned by George W. Yazell, and had an ERP of 3,000 watts at a HAAT of 145 feet. WGSY aired a variety format. In 1977, the station was sold to Radio Illinois, Ltd. for $85,000.
WIVQ
In 1977, the station's call sign was changed to WIVQ, and the station began airing a MOR format. By 1980, the station had begun airing an adult rock format. By 1983, the station had begun airing a beautiful music/easy listening format. By 1984, the station was airing a MOR format. In 1984, the station was sold to Starved Rock Radio Project for $155,000.
WLRZ
In September 1984, the station's call sign was changed to WLRZ. WLRZ would air an adult contemporary format. By 1990, the station had begun airing a classic rock format. In 1994, the station was sold to Valley Plus Broadcasting for $150,000. In 1997, the station was sold to Mendota Broadcasting, Inc., along with 103.3 WAIV, for $700,000.
WBZG
In July 2000, the station's call sign was changed to WBZG, and the station was branded "The Buzz". However, in August 2000, 107.7 WBZM in Bloomington would begin broadcasting with "The Buzz" branding, airing a modern rock format. Unbeknownst to WBZG, the owner of WBZM had trademarked "The Buzz" branding for the entire state of Illinois, and WBZG stopped calling itself "The Buzz" to avoid a lawsuit. The station would later be branded "100.9 FM Rocks!".
On January 24, 2023, it was announced that Studstill Media had sold WBZG, along with its sister stations, to Shaw Media in Crystal Lake, Illinois, for a total of $1.8 million. The sale was under FCC review for just under two months before being finalized on March 23, 2023. Shaw Local Radio officially assumed ownership of WBZG and its sister stations on April 3, 2023.
References
- Barichello, David. "Shaw Local Radio completes purchase of 8 radio stations". Shaw Local. Shaw Media.
- ^ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1982, Broadcasting/Cablecasting. 1982. p. C-75. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ History Cards for WBZG, fcc.gov. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ^ Call Sign History, FCC.gov. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- "Facility Technical Data for WBZG". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- Barichello, David. "Shaw Local Radio completes purchase of 8 radio stations". Shaw Local. Shaw Media.
- 1973 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting. 1973. p. B-64. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- Broadcasting Yearbook 1977, Broadcasting. 1977. p. C-66. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- "Ownership changes", Broadcasting. May 23, 1977. p. 68. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- Broadcasting Yearbook 1978, Broadcasting. 1978. p. C-68. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- Broadcasting Yearbook 1980, Broadcasting. 1980. p. C-71. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1983, Broadcasting/Cablecasting. 1983. p. B-77. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1984, Broadcasting/Cablecasting. 1984. p. B-83. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- "Ownership changes", Broadcasting. July 9, 1984. p. 78. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- Public Notice Comment, fcc.gov. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1986, Broadcasting/Cablecasting. 1986. p. B-90. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- The Broadcasting Yearbook 1990, Broadcasting & Cable. 1990. p. B-103. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
- Rocheleau, Paul (1991). Radio on Wheels. Berkley Books. p. 102. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
- "Late 1993 Transactions at a Glance", Radio & Records. January 14, 1994. p. 7. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- Public Notice Comment, fcc.gov. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- "Transactions", Radio & Records. April 11, 1997. p. 6. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- Consent to Assignment, fcc.gov. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- "Format Changes & Updates", The M Street Journal. Vol. 17 No. 31. August 2, 2000. p. 2. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
- ^ Sadler, Roger L. (2005). Electronic Media Law. SAGE Publications. p. 329. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
- "100.9 FM Rocks!". WYKT. Archived from the original on March 11, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- Shaw Local News Network. "Studstill announces sale of 8 radio stations to Shaw Media". Shaw Local. Shaw Media Local.
- Barichello, David. "Shaw Local Radio completes purchase of 8 radio stations". Shaw Local. Shaw Media.
External links
- WBZG's website
- Facility details for Facility ID 69732 (WBZG) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- WBZG in Nielsen Audio's FM station database
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Classic rock radio stations in the state of Illinois | |
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