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WNWC (AM)

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WNWC-AM
Broadcast areaMadison, Wisconsin
Frequency1190 kHz
BrandingFaith 1190, Faith Radio
Programming
FormatChristian talk and teaching
AffiliationsNorthwestern Media
Ownership
OwnerUniversity of Northwestern - St Paul
WNWC-FM
History
Former call signs
WERU (1981–1995)
WMAD (1985–1997)
Technical information
Facility ID17381
ClassD
Power4,800 watts day
21 watts night
Transmitter coordinates
43°9′36.00″N 89°12′55.00″W / 43.1600000°N 89.2152778°W / 43.1600000; -89.2152778
Translator(s)W284CW 104.7 FM
Links
Webcastclick "play" button on website
Websitemyfaithradio.com

WNWC (1190 AM "Faith 1190 WNWC" or "Faith Radio") is a radio station in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, that is owned and operated by University of Northwestern – St. Paul. It is a non-profit, listener-supported radio station relying on donations from the local community throughout the year. It broadcasts on 1190 AM and an FM translator at 104.7 FM, covering Madison, Wisconsin and surrounding areas from a transmitter located south of Sun Prairie.

History

Early success and financial trouble

Erin Broadcasting Corporation, owned by Nancy and John McMahon, put the 1190 frequency on the air in Madison as WERU on January 13, 1982.[1] WERU, a daytime-only station, initially aired an adult standards format[2] using the Music of Your Life syndicated format.[3] Before signing on, the station scored a major coup when it lured market "morning institution" Jim Mader from WIBA (1310 AM).[4] The company also purchased WMAD (92.1 FM) before WERU signed on.[2] The station made an immediate impression in the Madison radio ratings, ranking third in the market in its first book.[3]

However, the 8.3 posted in its first year would be the high water mark for the frequency, as ratings fell every year in the 1980s after the station's debut.[5] Mader left in 1984 for WNLT (94.9 FM), a move that prompted a breach of contract lawsuit.[6] Erin sold WERU and WMAD to Jay and Loretta Blackburn in 1985[7] for $2.4 million.[8] As part of an engineering overhaul, WERU kept its format but became WMAD, matching the FM.[9] Ratings continued to slide despite the changes.[5] The Blackburns, however, had more pressing issues of a financial nature, including debts owed to the Internal Revenue Service.[10] After they could not meet their obligations to the original owners, the McMahons bought back WMAD-AM-FM for one dollar in November 1986.[11]

All-news and bank intervention

In February 1989, WMAD went briefly off air to install new equipment. When it returned, it had shed its three live air staff and instituted a broader oldies format.[12] Continued low ratings prompted the station to change again that September to the audio of CNN Headline News, with an assortment of weekend specialty shows including an afternoon big band show.[13]

After several years, WMAD ran into financial trouble again. In 1991, McMahon surrendered the assets of WMAD-AM-FM to the Bank of Sun Prairie.[14] Under the bank's ownership, in January 1992, WMAD returned to its adult standards format under the name "Memories 1190".[15] Five months later, however, on June 2, 1992,[16] the bank opted to cease operating the stations.[17] The move came as a shock to the employees of the two stations, particularly as three new staff had started at WMAD-AM-FM in the ten days preceding the closure, one of them the preceding day.[16] One staffer, who called the move by the Bank of Sun Prairie "premeditated murder", claimed that a board member of the institution had compared the pair to a "stock that wasn't performing to our expectations" that they had sold.[16] In a statement, the bank said it had only been operating the outlets while it tried to find a buyer.[18]

After the bank took the two stations silent, they were sold twice, first to Allen Shaw in October 1992[19] and then to Lee Leicinger, part-owner of WIBA-AM-FM; the FM station returned in June 1993,[20] and a month later, WMAD AM and its standards programming were reactivated.[21]

Point Communications sale and cluster spin-off

The WIBA and WMAD stations were sold in 1995 to Point Communications, an investment firm from New York; Leicinger continued as manager.[22] A year later, Point announced its plans to merge with the three stations of Mid-Continent Broadcasting of Wisconsin. The combined firm could own six stations in Madison, and the two groups had seven. WMAD AM was immediately designated to be divested, as the weakest outlet in the combined cluster.[23] Northwestern College, which had maintained a presence on the FM band in Madison since 1973 with WNWC-FM, submitted an offer to buy the AM frequency.[24]

Northwestern's $85,000[25] purchase of WMAD closed on January 2, 1997. The college took over and renamed the station WNWC, initially simulcasting the FM but with plans to institute the Christian talk format heard today.[26] In 2007, Northwestern filed for and was approved to add nighttime operation to WNWC, using 21 watts.[27]

Programming

Main article: KTIS (AM)

WNWC, like Northwestern's other AM stations, airs its Faith Radio Christian talk and teaching format, which is delivered from Northwestern Media's studio base in Minneapolis. Programs on Faith Radio include Turning Point with David Jeremiah; Focus on the Family; Family Life Today with Dennis Rainey; Insight for Living with Chuck Swindoll; Living on the Edge with Chip Ingram; In Touch with Charles Stanley; and others.[28]

Translators

In 2016, this station started broadcasting on W284CW 104.7 FM.

Broadcast translator for WNWC AM
Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) Class FCC info
W284CW 104.7 FM Madison, Wisconsin 250 D

References

  1. ^ "WERU-AM debut is delayed". Wisconsin State Journal. January 13, 2020. p. 2. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Erin purchases WMAD-FM". Wisconsin State Journal. August 23, 1981. p. 7. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Carr, Debra (August 24, 1982). "WERU/AM's big band sound brings quick success". The Capital Times. p. 31. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  4. ^ "Mader to leave WIBA". Wisconsin State Journal. December 5, 1981. p. 1. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  5. ^ a b Duncan, James (2004). "Madison" (PDF). Duncan's American Radio. Retrieved June 25, 2020 – via World Radio History.
  6. ^ "WERU sues Mader in contract dispute". The Capital Times. September 10, 1984. p. 25. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  7. ^ "Radio stations to be sold". Wisconsin State Journal. January 10, 1985. p. 5. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  8. ^ "Changing Hands" (PDF). Broadcasting. January 14, 1985. p. 191. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  9. ^ Rosenthal, Phil (March 8, 1985). "WMAD may rock again". The Capital Times. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  10. ^ Egerton, Brooks (November 18, 1986). "WMAD recycles back to ex-owner". The Capital Times. p. 2. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  11. ^ Kodrich, Kris (November 18, 1986). "Former owner to take over WMAD radio". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 1. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  12. ^ Davies, Don (February 25, 1989). "WMAD-AM and listeners adjusting". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 5C. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  13. ^ Davies, Don (September 11, 1989). "WMAD-AM to try all-news format". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 5C. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  14. ^ Wendling, Patrice (July 26, 1991). "Bank may take over WMAD operation". Wisconsin State Journal. pp. 1C, 6B. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  15. ^ Simms, Pat. "Back to basics". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 1B, 1. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  16. ^ a b c "Street Talk" (PDF). Radio & Records. June 12, 1992. p. 44. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  17. ^ Lautenschlager, Scott (October 21, 1992). "WMAD may return to the air". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 8B. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  18. ^ Treleven, Ed (June 4, 1992). "Slim chance of WMAD's return". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 1B. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  19. ^ "Changing Hands" (PDF). Broadcasting & Cable. April 26, 1993. p. 54. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  20. ^ Treleven, Ed (June 26, 1993). "WMAD-FM back on the air". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 1D. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  21. ^ "WMAD back on air". Wisconsin State Journal. July 22, 1993. p. 3F. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  22. ^ Simms, Patricia (April 7, 1995). "New York firm buys WIBA, WMAD radio". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 8B. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  23. ^ Hawkins Jr., Lee (March 28, 1996). "How will the merger affect what we hear?". Wisconsin State Journal. pp. 1A, 2A. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  24. ^ Becker, Dave (October 17, 1996). "Company may buy WMAD-AM". Wisconsin State Journal. p. 1F. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  25. ^ "Transactions" (PDF). Radio & Records. October 4, 1996. p. 10. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  26. ^ "New letters, new sound". Wisconsin State Journal. February 14, 1997. p. 1C. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  27. ^ "BP - 20070321ABU Application for Construction Permit for Commercial Broadcast Station — WNWC (AM)". FCC. March 21, 2007. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  28. ^ "Programs". Faith Radio. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
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