// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did WBZG say to its radio friend? You're on the same frequency.
 | |
| |
Broadcast area | LaSalle / Princeton |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 100.9 MHz |
| Branding | 100.9 FM Rocks! |
| Programming | |
| Format | Classic rock |
| Affiliations | Westwood One |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| WALS, WGLC-FM, WIVQ, WSTQ, WYYS | |
| History | |
First air date | March 15, 1970[2] |
Former call signs | WGSY (1969–1977)[3] WIVQ (1977–1984)[3][4] WLRZ (1984–2000)[4] |
Call sign meaning | For aborted rock branding of The Buzz |
| Technical information[5] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| 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 |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen live |
| 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.[1]
History
[edit]WGSY
[edit]The station began broadcasting on March 15, 1970, holding the call sign WGSY.[2][3] The station was originally owned by George W. Yazell, and had an ERP of 3,000 watts at a HAAT of 145 feet.[3] WGSY aired a variety format.[6][7] In 1977, the station was sold to Radio Illinois, Ltd. for $85,000.[3][8]
WIVQ
[edit]In 1977, the station's call sign was changed to WIVQ, and the station began airing a MOR format.[3][9] By 1980, the station had begun airing an adult rock format.[10] By 1983, the station had begun airing a beautiful music/easy listening format.[11] By 1984, the station was airing a MOR format.[12] In 1984, the station was sold to Starved Rock Radio Project for $155,000.[13][14]
WLRZ
[edit]In September 1984, the station's call sign was changed to WLRZ.[4] WLRZ would air an adult contemporary format.[15] By 1990, the station had begun airing a classic rock format.[16][17] In 1994, the station was sold to Valley Plus Broadcasting for $150,000.[18][19] In 1997, the station was sold to Mendota Broadcasting, Inc., along with 103.3 WAIV, for $700,000.[20][21]
WBZG
[edit]In July 2000, the station's call sign was changed to WBZG, and the station was branded "The Buzz".[4][22] However, in August 2000, 107.7 WBZM in Bloomington would begin broadcasting with "The Buzz" branding, airing a modern rock format.[23] 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.[23] The station would later be branded "100.9 FM Rocks!".[24]
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.[25] Shaw Local Radio officially assumed ownership of WBZG and its sister stations on April 3, 2023.[1]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Barichello, David. "Shaw Local Radio completes purchase of 8 radio stations". Shaw Local. Shaw Media.
- 1 2 Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1982[dead link], Broadcasting/Cablecasting. 1982. p. C-75. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 History Cards for WBZG, fcc.gov. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- 1 2 3 4 Call Sign History, FCC.gov. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ↑ "Facility Technical Data for WBZG". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ↑ 1973 Broadcasting Yearbook[dead link], Broadcasting. 1973. p. B-64. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ↑ Broadcasting Yearbook 1977[dead link], Broadcasting. 1977. p. C-66. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ↑ "Ownership changes", Broadcasting. May 23, 1977. p. 68. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ↑ Broadcasting Yearbook 1978[dead link], Broadcasting. 1978. p. C-68. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ↑ Broadcasting Yearbook 1980[dead link], Broadcasting. 1980. p. C-71. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ↑ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1983[dead link], Broadcasting/Cablecasting. 1983. p. B-77. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ↑ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1984[dead link], 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[dead link], Broadcasting/Cablecasting. 1986. p. B-90. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
- ↑ The Broadcasting Yearbook 1990[dead link], Broadcasting & Cable. 1990. p. B-103. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
- ↑ Rocheleau, Paul (1991). Radio on Wheels[dead link]. 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.
- 1 2 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.
External links
[edit]- 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