WIBA (AM)
 | |
| Broadcast area | Madison metropolitan area |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 1310 kHz (HD Radio) |
| Branding | News/Talk 1310 WIBA |
| Programming | |
| Format | News/Talk |
| Affiliations | Fox News Radio Premiere Networks Westwood One Network |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| WIBA-FM, WMAD, WTSO, WXXM, WZEE | |
| History | |
First air date | April 2, 1925 |
Call sign meaning | "WIsconsin" and "BAdger Broadcasting" (former owner) |
| Technical information | |
| Facility ID | 17384 |
| Class | B |
| Power | 5,000 watts |
Transmitter coordinates | 42°59′58″N 89°25′47″W / 42.99944°N 89.42972°W |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | wiba.com |
WIBA (1310 kHz) is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Madison, Wisconsin. Owned by iHeartMedia (formerly Clear Channel Communications), the station airs a News/Talk format, under the slogan "Madison's News/Talk Station." National news is supplied at the beginning of each hour by Fox News Radio.
WIBA operates at 5,000 watts around the clock. By day, the station is non-directional but at night it uses a directional signal to protect other stations on 1310 kHz. The studios, offices and transmitter are located off South Fish Hatchery Road in Fitchburg, Wisconsin.
Programming
WIBA broadcasts both local and nationally syndicated talk shows. Most of the syndicated programming comes from Premiere Networks, a subsidiary of iHeartMedia. Weekdays begin at 5 a.m. with Madison in The Morning with Robin Colbert and Shawn Prebil. That's followed by The Dan O'Donnell Show at 9 a.m. At 11 a.m. it's Rush Limbaugh. Vicki McKenna is heard from 2 to 5 p.m. Sean Hannity airs 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sports shows are heard in the early evening and Mark Levin is carried at 9 p.m. Overnight it's Coast to Coast AM with George Noory and at 4 a.m. This Morning, America's First News with Gordon Deal is heard.
Weekends feature shows on money, health, home improvement and computers, including syndicated shows from Kim Komando and Bill Cunningham, as well as Builder's Showcase and repeats of weekday shows. Some paid brokered programming also airs.
Sports
WIBA serves as the flagship station for the Wisconsin Badgers radio network. It is also the Madison outlet for Green Bay Packers football and Milwaukee Brewers baseball broadcasts.
History
WIBA is the oldest commercial radio station in Wisconsin, licensed on April 2, 1925 to the Capital Times.[1] It is the second-oldest station in the state overall, with the University of Wisconsin's WHA getting its license three years earlier but never as a commercial broadcaster. On October 8, 1935, the Federal Communications Commission authorized WIBA to increase its power to 5000 watts (daytime) and 1000 watts (nights).[2]
Willard Waterman, who later gained fame playing the title role on The Great Gildersleeve, was a member of a quartet at WIBA in his early years in radio. In 1963, he recalled, "[W]e sang musical interludes between programs."[3] Johnny Olson, known for his announcing work with Goodson-Todman game shows, had his first radio job at WIBA.[1]
References
- ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1977
- ^ "Actions of the Federal Communications Commission" (PDF). Broadcasting. October 15, 1935. Retrieved 4 November 2014.
- ^ Leadabrand, Russ (September 22, 1963). "A Pro in Evoking Stitches". Independent Star-News. p. 58. Retrieved June 13, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
External links
- WIBA in the FCC AM station database
- WIBA in Nielsen Audio's AM station database
- WIBA station website
- From the Wisconsin Historical Society: A 1938 Capital Times article on WIBA's 14th birthday
- FCC History Cards for WIBA