WNTS

WNTS

Beech Grove, Indiana
Broadcast area	Indianapolis, Indiana
Frequency	1590 kHz
Branding	Exitos 1590
Programming
Format	Regional Mexican
Affiliations	Salem Communications
Ownership
Owner	Marvin B. Kosofosky (Continental Broadcast Group, L.L.C.)
History
First air date	May 1, 1957 (license granted)
Technical information
Facility ID	58320
Class	B
Power	5,000 watts day 500 watts night
Transmitter coordinates	39°44′21″N 86°5′26″W
Links
Website	Exitos 1590 Website

WNTS is an AM radio station owned by Marvin Kosofosky's Continental Broadcast Group, L.L.C., in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S., though technically licensed in Beech Grove, Indiana. The station operates on the AM radio frequency of 1590 kHz. The studios and transmitters are located at 4800 E. Raymond St. on the southeast side of Indianapolis.

History

A search of Broadcasting Magazine's annual Yearbooks shows that WNTS began operation as WGEE on December 10, 1956. A large portion of the station's programming was aimed toward the African American population of Indianapolis. Much of the remainder of the daytime only operated AM station's programming was devoted to Country music.

WGEE launched sister station WGEE-FM 103.3 (64 kW at 120 ft.) on May 15, 1964. WGEE & WGEE-FM simulcast in the early 1970s with the "WG Parade Of Hits". Bob Todd was Program Director and local air talents of Scott Evans, George L. Davis, Mike O'Brien, Scott Wheeler, Jim Fox, Ron Hoffer, and Steve Miller. Dick Shane was News Director.

WIRE owner Mid America Radio acquired WGEE-FM in March 1972. The FM adopted a beautiful music format with call letters WXTZ. On May 7, 1972, WGEE was acquired by B & G Broadcasting. The station soon became WNIR "The Country Winner" with a country format programmed by Bob Todd, with Buddy O'Shay as morning announcer.

On April 15, 1974, WNIR was acquired by S & M Broadcasting, and became News Talk Sports 16, WNTS. Sam Smulyan was President of the new company. His son Jeff (now Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of Indianapolis-based Emmis Communications) was appointed General Manager. Operations were handled by Rick Cummings.

Other employees after the change to news and talk included a Broad Ripple High School and Ball State University graduate named David Letterman. WNTS moved into an all-news direction in early 1976. After the failed attempt to draw audience with programming from NBC's all-news News and Information Service, WNTS changed format to Religion on January 18, 1977.

After the change to Religion, WNTS moved from daytime only operation to full-time operation. To do so, the city of license for WNTS was changed from Indianapolis to Beech Grove. An additional tower was also added at the station's transmitter site.

Since the station was sold (reported October 10, 2005 by Indiana RadioWatch), its website has gone down.

Station broadcasting information

WNTS broadcasts using 5 kW daytime power and .5 kW nighttime power. The station uses a directional antenna at night. More information is available at the FCC query for WNTS.

Programming

After changing to religious programming, WNTS was originally dedicated to contemporary Christian music. Around 1990 it changed format to Southern Gospel music and talk station. The station was managed by Jim Wilson, and the station had steady programming for over 15 years. DJ's like Larry Dean, Diane Benson, Kevin Wilson, Chris Moore, Nancy Marie, and Tom Elliott were mainstays at the station and well loved by its dedicated audience. One favorite was the "Country Gospel Store" started by Jim Wilson's wife, Nancy Marie. This was a 4-hour all request music format, where listeners could call in virtually any request of music that was in the station's library. Nancy Marie died from cancer, and the Country Gospel Store continued with Kevin Wilson running the show.

In 2005 the station changed ownership and format to Hispanic programming, which has continued through 2015.

External links

• Indiana Radio Archive, WNTS
• Davison Media Group
• Facility details for Facility ID WNTS ({{{2}}}) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
• {{{2}}} in Nielsen Audio's AM station database