WMGN
 | |
| Broadcast area | Madison metropolitan area |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 98.1 MHz |
| Branding | Magic 98 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Adult contemporary |
| Affiliations | Premiere Networks |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| WHIT, WJJO, WJQM, WLMV, WOZN, WRIS-FM WWQM-FM | |
| History | |
First air date | September 1948 (as WISC-FM) |
Former call signs |
|
Call sign meaning | Magic Ninety-Eight |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 41900 |
| Class | B |
| ERP | 36,000 watts |
| HAAT | 176 meters (577 ft) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen live |
| Website | www |
WMGN (98.1 FM) is a commercial radio station in Madison, Wisconsin, known as "Magic 98". It is owned by Mid-West Family Broadcasting and broadcasts an adult contemporary radio format. Notable programming includes a "Five at Five" feature on weekday evenings with five songs in the same theme, and the syndicated call-in and request show Delilah. Weekend programming includes "Saturday at the 70s", "Sunday at The 80s", and the "Magic Sunday Morning" program.
WMGN has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 36,000 watts. The transmitter is off County Highway MM, near U.S. Route 14 in Fitchburg.[2] The studios and offices are on Rayovac Drive in Madison.
History
[edit]The station signed on the air in September 1948[3] as WISC-FM. It was mostly simulcast with sister station WISC 1480 AM (now WLMV). WISC-AM-FM were owned by Radio Wisconsin, Inc., with offices in the Commercial State Bank Building. WISC-FM was the second commercial FM station in Madison, going on the air a year after 101.5 WIBA-FM.
WISC-AM-FM slightly changed their call signs to WISM-AM-FM in 1959.[4] They were network affiliates of the Mutual Broadcasting System. By the late 1960s, WISM-FM had a separate easy listening format, that was largely automated.
By the 1980s, the easy listening format was attracting mostly older listeners. To gain a younger audience, WISM-FM flipped to soft rock as "Movin' Easy 98 FM".[5] On December 1, 1983, the station changed its call letters to WMGN with the moniker "Magic 98".[6] The format switched to soft adult contemporary music. Over time, the tempo picked up and WMGN became a Mainstream AC station.
WMGN had been one of the few AC stations in the U.S. that did not switch to all-Christmas music for most of November and December. In the past, the all-holiday music format in Madison was heard on iHeartMedia’s 92.1 WXXM, Audacy’s 105.1 WMHX and non-commercial Christian Contemporary station 102.5 WNWC-FM, owned by the University of Northwestern – St. Paul. WMGN would only switch to all-Christmas music a few days before December 25, calling it "The 98 Hours of Christmas", tying in its dial position. But in 2024, WMGN flipped to Christmas music earlier than most AC stations, at the end of October.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ "Facility Technical Data for WMGN". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ Radio-Locator.com/WMGN
- ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1951 page 327, Broadcasting & Cable
- ^ "FCC history cards" (PDF). Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ "Wisconsin Broadcasters Hall of Fame: Bill Vancil". Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ "Magic 98 History". Retrieved February 26, 2021.
- ^ RadioInsight.com "Christmas Music Starts Early Across The Country" Nov. 1, 2024.
External links
[edit]- WMGN official website
- Facility details for Facility ID 41900 (WMGN) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- WMGN in Nielsen Audio's FM station database