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WayFM Network

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WayFM
TypeRadio network
Country
Programming
FormatChristian adult contemporary
History
Launch dateOctober 9, 1987 (1987-10-09)
Links
WebcastListen Live
Websitehttps://www.wayfm.com/

The WayFM Network is a national, non-profit radio broadcasting network in the United States, primarily playing Christian adult contemporary music. While WayFM is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, it operates stations in 12 states (as of May 2018), with content creation and programming originating in Franklin, Tennessee.

History

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Origins in Fort Myers

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WAY Media, Inc. was founded in 1987 by Bob Augsburg.[1] The non-profit corporation began as a single FM radio station in Fort Myers, Florida.

In the early 1980s, Bob and Felice Augsburg were residing in Fort Myers, where Bob was working as the Program Director at WSOR, a Christian radio station formatted for older adults. Bob and Felice have said that they "were compelled by the burden to see a younger audience reached and Bob began producing a Saturday evening broadcast geared for youth."[2] This program, which aired on WSOR, became the springboard for Christian Rock concerts in the area and the impetus for a 24/7 station with this type of format.[2]

Much discussion with local parents and business people led to a non-profit Florida corporation and an application filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for an unused FM frequency.

On Christmas Eve (December 24) 1986, the group received its permit for the construction of a new non-commercial FM station in Fort Myers, WAYJ. On October 9, 1987, WAYJ, broadcasting as "WAY-FM", signed on the air.

Growth

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By 1992, three WAY-FM radio stations were on the air—including Fort Myers; Nashville, Tennessee (WAYM); and West Palm Beach, Florida (WAYF).

In the mid-90s, WAY-FM stations, beginning with WAYF, began to sponsor and organize large Christian music concerts and day-long music festivals. Within a few years, Nashville and Fort Myers also began to sponsor major Christian music events.

After several years of planning, in 1996, WAY-FM began the Christian Hit Radio Satellite Network (CHRSN). The network was designed to help other stations who desired to reach the youth and young adults of their respective communities but lacked the manpower or resources to operate a station on their own.

Corporate office established

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In 2001, WAY-FM Media Group established a corporate office in Colorado Springs, Colorado where Bob Augsburg, the president and founder now lives. Dusty Rhodes, former Station Manager of WAYF, joined Augsburg in Colorado as Chief Operating Officer and is now the ministry's Senior Vice President.

In 2005, Dar Ringling joined the ministry as Chief Financial Officer while Lloyd Parker, formerly General Manager of the K-LOVE & Air1 Radio Networks, became the Chief Operating Officer.

In 2012, WAY-FM shifted from its long time Christian CHR format to a Christian Adult Contemporary format, along with shifting their audience from 18- to 34-year-olds, to older adults (25–54), thus growing up with its original audience more or less. Since 2013 WAY-FM via flagship station WAYM, Nashville is a Christian AC reporter to the Nielsen BDS service, and became a monitored reporter to Mediabase's Christian AC panel in April 2015.

In July 2013, WAY-FM ceased providing programming to non-owned stations via satellite, with the exception of the network morning show, The Wally Show. In 2017, The Wally Show stopped syndication, as well.

In May 2015, WAY-FM announced plans to acquire KVRK, in North Texas.[3] The Station calls letters are now KAWA and now broadcasts the national WAY-FM format. The former Power FM however has become an online music channel, app, and community of Christian rock fans managed by WAY-FM Media Group.

New CEO

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In August 2017, founder Bob Augsburg officially retired from his position as CEO.[4] Bob remains on the board of directors and is still involved in the ministry. John Scaggs was chosen as the new CEO.[4]

Merger with Hope Media Group

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On January 26, 2022; it was announced that Way Media Group would merge with Hope Media Group based out of Houston, Texas. Hope Media Group owns and operates heritage Christian AC station KSBJ 89.3, and Spanish Christian AC sister KHVU 91.7 (Vida Unida), along with internet radio station NGEN Radio which features a pop and Hip-Hop leaning Christian CHR format.

Current reach

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At this time, WAY-FM owns and operates 23 full power FM radio stations. WAY-FM also owns 38 translator stations. WAY-FM is also heard online and offers two online exclusive streams. NGEN radio streaming Christian Pop and Hip-Hop and Way Loud streaming Christian Active/Alternative Rock.

Station list

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Alabama

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Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
WAYU 91.1 FM Steele, Alabama 173825 150 230 m (755 ft) A LMS
WAYH 88.1 FM Harvest, Alabama 61509 3,500 204 m (669 ft) C3 LMS
W297AP 107.3 FM Anniston, Alabama 141192 10 222 m (728 ft) D LMS
W220ED 91.9 FM Auburn, Alabama 148356 19 49 m (161 ft) D LMS
W210CA 89.9 FM Birmingham, Alabama 141129 10 349.1 m (1,145 ft) D LMS
W258AE 99.5 FM Florence, Alabama 58436 27 73.4 m (241 ft) D LMS
W256CD 99.1 FM Fultondale, Alabama 153894 130 0 m (0 ft) D LMS
W258AU 99.5 FM Huntsville, Alabama 141160 120 387 m (1,270 ft) D LMS
W259BS 99.7 FM Montgomery, Alabama 141115 10 0 m (0 ft) D LMS
W272CO 102.3 FM Montgomery, Alabama 90253 250 192 m (630 ft) D LMS
W292EI 106.3 FM Warrior, Alabama 141132 250 0 m (0 ft) D LMS

Colorado

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Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
KBWA 89.1 FM Brush, Colorado 91420 1,500 44.2 m (145 ft) A LMS
KXWA 101.9 FM Centennial, Colorado 70822 9,500 163 m (535 ft) C3 LMS
KCWA 93.9 FM Loveland, Colorado 9761 580 319 m (1,047 ft) A LMS
KRWA 90.9 FM Rye, Colorado 87409 10,000 34.6 m (114 ft) C3 LMS
KJWA 89.7 FM Trinidad, Colorado 87410 160 241 m (791 ft) A LMS
KFWA 103.1 FM Weldona, Colorado 79249 6,800 46.3 m (152 ft) C3 LMS
K257FO 99.3 FM Colorado Springs, Colorado 140178 72 651 m (2,136 ft) D LMS
K300CP 107.9 FM Denver, Colorado 140155 250 0 m (0 ft) D LMS
K230BO 93.9 FM Monument, Colorado 140364 250 148 m (486 ft) D LMS
K299AO 107.7 FM Sterling, Colorado 139945 75 110.4 m (362 ft) D LMS

Florida

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Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
WAYP 88.3 FM Marianna, Florida 40082 70,000 105 m (344 ft) C1 LMS
WAYJ 89.5 FM Naples, Florida 59831 100,000 94.1 m (309 ft) C1 LMS
WAYF 88.1 FM West Palm Beach, Florida 61507 50,000 321 m (1,053 ft) C1 LMS
W263BI 100.5 FM Fort Myers, Florida 143063 250 320.8 m (1,052 ft) D LMS
W295DC 106.9 FM Panama City, Florida 140054 15 11 m (36 ft) D LMS
W258BC 99.5 FM Perkins, Florida 144622 250 93.2 m (306 ft) D LMS
W244BD 96.7 FM Stuart, Florida 85974 800 42 m (138 ft) D LMS
W239CG 95.7 FM Tallahassee, Florida 144620 10 0 m (0 ft) D LMS
W212CG 90.3 FM West Palm Beach, Florida 123364 250 0 m (0 ft) D LMS

Georgia

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Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
WAYT 88.1 FM Thomasville, Georgia 61193 17,000 392 m (1,286 ft) C1 LMS
W212AR 90.3 FM Lindale, Georgia 64263 10 217 m (712 ft) D LMS

Indiana

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Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
WAYI 104.3 FM Charlestown, Indiana 76595 3,000 100 m (328 ft) A LMS
WJWA 91.5 FM Evansville, Indiana 69106 6,100 151 m (495 ft) B1 LMS
W220DV 91.9 FM Evansville, Indiana 141109 250 248.2 m (814 ft) D LMS
W261CW 100.1 FM Evansville, Indiana 141110 43 0 m (0 ft) D LMS

Kansas

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Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
KYWA 90.7 FM Wichita, Kansas 48537 53,000 144 m (472 ft) C1 LMS

Kentucky

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Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
WAYD 88.1 FM Auburn, Kentucky 93017 1,000 113 m (371 ft) A LMS
WAYK 105.9 FM Valley Station, Kentucky 50764 1,250 155 m (509 ft) A LMS
W212BZ 90.3 FM Brentwood, Kentucky 140468 19 87.2 m (286 ft) D LMS
W201DD 88.1 FM Central City, Kentucky 147296 27 58.9 m (193 ft) D LMS
W221EU 91.5 FM Central City, Kentucky 141101 120 0 m (0 ft) D LMS
W291BZ 106.1 FM Murray, Kentucky 142671 27 81.4 m (267 ft) D LMS
W217BP 91.3 FM Owensboro, Kentucky 140460 15 87.4 m (287 ft) D LMS

Oregon

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Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
KKWA 96.3 FM West Linn, Oregon 13581 1,350 386 m (1,266 ft) C3 LMS
K272EL 102.3 FM Portland, Oregon 149924 99 422.6 m (1,386 ft) D LMS

South Carolina

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Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
WAYA-FM 100.9 FM Ridgeville, South Carolina 25374 13,000 91 m (299 ft) C3 LMS
W267BK 101.3 FM Mount Pleasant, South Carolina 149547 250 201.5 m (661 ft) D LMS

Tennessee

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Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
WAYQ 88.3 FM Clarksville, Tennessee 83853 14,000 227 m (745 ft) C2 LMS
WAYW 89.9 FM New Johnsonville, Tennessee 91932 500 97 m (318 ft) A LMS
WAYM 88.7 FM Spring Hill, Tennessee 58421 5,000 330 m (1,083 ft) C2 LMS
W215BH 90.9 FM Chattanooga, Tennessee 94111 10 361 m (1,184 ft) D LMS
W284AE 104.7 FM Chattanooga, Tennessee 58443 250 219 m (719 ft) D LMS
W207CI 89.3 FM Cleveland, Tennessee 58444 13 123.1 m (404 ft) D LMS
W257BX 99.3 FM Columbia, Tennessee 140706 60 54.4 m (178 ft) D LMS
W213BT 90.5 FM Cookeville, Tennessee 64257 10 134.5 m (441 ft) D LMS
W210CD 89.9 FM Hendersonville, Tennessee 64258 250 316 m (1,037 ft) D LMS
W207CQ 89.3 FM Jackson, Tennessee 140689 10 108 m (354 ft) D LMS

Texas

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Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
KAWA 89.7 FM Sanger, Texas 76285 95,000 572 m (1,877 ft) C LMS

Washington

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Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
K218FL 91.5 FM Spokane, Washington 106445 26 m (0 ft) D LMS
K235CU 94.9 FM Longview, Washington 140432 20 0 m (0 ft) D LMS

References

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  1. ^ cmarcucci (2012-02-14). "WAY-FM selling WAYJ-FM". Radio & Television Business Report. Retrieved 2019-08-20.
  2. ^ a b [1] Archived July 13, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Philpot, Robert. "Report: Power 89.7 FM soon to become "Way-FM" | The Star Telegram The Star Telegram". Star-telegram.com. Retrieved 2015-05-15.
  4. ^ a b "John Scaggs Named CEO of Christian Broadcaster WAY Media". Insideradio.com. 17 August 2017. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
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