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{{short description|Radio station in Topeka, Kansas}}
{{short description|Radio station in Topeka, Kansas}}
{{Infobox radio station
{{Infobox radio station
| name = WIBW-FM
| name = WIBW-FM
| image = WIBW FM 94.5 Country Logo.png
| logo = WIBW FM 94.5 Country Logo.png
| image_size = 200px
| logo_size = 200px
| city = [[Topeka, Kansas]]
| city = [[Topeka, Kansas]]
| area = [[Topeka, Kansas]]
| area = [[Topeka metropolitan area, Kansas|Topeka metropolitan area]]
| branding = ''The BIG 94.5 Country''
| branding = ''The BIG 94.5 Country''
⚫
| frequency = 94.5 [[Megahertz|MHz]]
| slogan = Topeka's Most & Best Country
⚫
| airdate = September 1, [[1961 in radio|1961]] (at 97.3 MHz)
⚫
| frequency = 94.5 [[Megahertz|MHz]]
| format = [[Country music|Country]]
⚫
| airdate = September 1, [[1961 in radio|1961]] (at 97.3)
| format = [[Country music|Country]]
| erp = 100,000 [[watt]]s
| erp = 98,400 [[watt]]s
| haat = {{convert|351|m|ft|sp=us}}
| haat = 351 [[meter]]s
| class = C0
| class = C0
| facility_id = 63174
| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]
| facility_id = 63174
| callsign_meaning = None, sequentially assigned
| callsign_meaning = None, sequentially assigned to AM station
| former_callsigns =
| former_callsigns =
| former_frequencies = 97.3 MHz (1961-2002)
| former_frequencies = 97.3 MHz (1961–2002)
| owner = [[Alpha Media]]
| owner = [[Alpha Media]]
| licensee = Alpha Media Licensee LLC
| licensee = Alpha Media Licensee LLC
| affiliations = [[Westwood One]]
| sister_stations = [[KSAJ]], [[KTPK]], [[WIBW (AM)]]
| sister_stations = [[KSAJ]], [[KTPK]], [[WIBW (AM)]]
| webcast = [http://mgmt.firststreaming.com/listen/player.php?callsign=WIBW_FM Listen Live]
| webcast = [http://mgmt.firststreaming.com/listen/player.php?callsign=WIBW_FM Listen Live]
| website = {{url|www.94country.com}}
| website = {{url|www.94country.com}}
}}
}}


'''WIBW-FM''' (94.5 [[Hertz|MHz]]) is a [[commercial radio|commercial]] [[FM broadcasting|FM]] [[radio station]] in [[Topeka, Kansas]]. It is owned by [[Alpha Media]] and airs a [[country music|country]] [[radio format]]. The [[radio studio|studio]]s and offices are on SW Executive Drive in Topeka.<ref>[https://www.wibwnewsnow.com/contact/ WIBWnewsnow.com/contact]</ref> The [[transmitter]] is off Windy Hill Road in [[Maple Hill, Kansas|Maple Hill]].<ref>[https://radio-locator.com/info/WIBW-FM Radio-Locator.com/WIBW-FM]</ref> WIBW-FM broadcasts at 100,000 [[watt]]s.<ref>[https://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=wibw&fileno=&state=&city=&freq=0.0&fre2=107.9&serv=&status=&facid=&asrn=&class=&list=0&ThisTab=Results+to+This+Page%2FTab&dist=&dlat2=&mlat2=&slat2=&NS=N&dlon2=&mlon2=&slon2=&EW=W&size=9 FCC.gov/WIBW-FM]</ref>
'''WIBW-FM''' (94.5 [[FM broadcasting|FM]]) is a [[country music]] [[radio station]] in [[Topeka, Kansas]]. Until 2000, the station was located at 97.3 FM. The station was moved to make way for a new move-in station in [[Kansas City, Kansas|Kansas City]]. The station also serves as the primary [[Emergency alert system|Emergency Alert System]] station for the state of Kansas along with KTPK.

The station serves as the primary [[Emergency alert system|Emergency Alert System]] station for the state of Kansas along with [[sister station]] [[KTPK]]. WIBW-FM, along with co-owned [[WIBW (AM)|WIBW]] and one-time sister station [[WIBW-TV]], are unusual in having [[call sign]]s beginning with a "W", while all other stations in Kansas have "K" call signs. The reason is that the AM station was originally established in [[Indiana]] in 1925, a state in W territory. WIBW kept its call letters when it moved to Topeka, which it has kept to this day. In addition, the [[Federal Communications Commission]] allows co-owned FM and TV stations to share the same call sign, even if the call letters do not conform to current policy for that state.


==History==
==History==
===Beginning-2002: WIBW-FM "''Rock 97''"===
===Rock and Top 40 days===
On September 1, 1961, WIBW-FM [[sign-on|signed on]] the air at 97.3&nbsp;MHz.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1961-62/section%20B%20All%20Radio%20%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201961-1962-9.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1961-1962 page B-67]</ref> It was owned by the Topeka Broadcasting Association, a subsidiary of Stauffer Publications. The company also owned [[WIBW (AM)|WIBW]] (580 AM) and [[WIBW-TV]], along with a daily newspaper, ''[[The Topeka Capital-Journal]]''. At first, WIBW-FM [[simulcast]] the AM station, though in the late 1960s, the FCC was encouraging AM-FM radio stations to offer different programming. WIBW-FM switched to an [[album rock]] format known as "Rock 97 and "The Rock of Kansas".
Before becoming a country station, WIBW-FM had other formats. It was known as "Rock 97" and "The Rock of Kansas" during the 1970s, although its automated music primarily fit in the [[Top 40]] category. The room with the FM programming doubled as the control room for the [[Kansas City Royals]] radio network when WIBW held the baseball team's broadcast rights.<ref name="History">[http://kcradio.tripod.com/945.html WIBW-FM History]</ref>

Over time, the rock hits format moved in the direction of [[contemporary hit radio|Top 40]], promoted as "97fm".<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1980/C%20Radio%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201980.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1980 page C-87]</ref> The FM studio was across the hall from the control room which managed both the AM station and the [[Kansas City Royals]] radio network when WIBW held the baseball team's broadcast rights.<ref name="History">[http://kcradio.tripod.com/945.html WIBW-FM History]</ref>

===Country music===
⚫
In 1990, WIBW-FM flipped to country music.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1991/B-Radio-All-1991-B&W-3.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1991 page B-128]</ref> The station became known for a bright red remote truck which looked like a [[boombox]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/wibw-fm/18327 |title=WIBW-FM - Kansapedia - Kansas Historical Society |publisher=Kshs.org |access-date=2015-08-29}}</ref>

⚫
The WIBW-AM-FM-TV studios for decades were located at 5600 SW 6th in West Topeka. That building received heavy damage from a fire on January 5, 2012.<ref name="Fire">[http://www.wibw.com/home/headlines/Former_WIBW_Scene_Of_Massive_Fire_136774643.html WIBW stations old building receives heavy damage from January 2012 Fire]</ref>


Until 2002, WIBW-FM was located at 97.3&nbsp;MHz. The station moved its frequency to 94.5&nbsp;MHz to make way for a new move-in station in [[KLRX|Kansas City]].
===2002-present: WIBW-FM "''94 Country''"===
⚫
The station became known for a bright red remote truck which looked like a [[boombox]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/wibw-fm/18327 |title=WIBW-FM - Kansapedia - Kansas Historical Society |publisher=Kshs.org |date= |accessdate=2015-08-29}}</ref>


===St. Jude's Hospital and other events===
⚫
The WIBW stations had their studios for decades at 5600 SW 6th in West Topeka. That building received heavy damage from fire January 5, 2012.<ref name="Fire">[http://www.wibw.com/home/headlines/Former_WIBW_Scene_Of_Massive_Fire_136774643.html WIBW stations old building receives heavy damage from January 2012 Fire]</ref>
Each year, WIBW-FM holds a [[telethon|radiothon]] where all proceeds go to [[St. Jude Children's Research Hospital]] in [[Memphis, Tennessee]]. It is usually run on a Thursday and Friday in February, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., at a [[Hy-Vee]] supermarket at 29th and Wanamaker in Topeka. [[Disc jockey|DJ]]s do there programs from the store. Interviews are conducted with "ambassador families" during the broadcast, telling how they benefited from the St. Jude's Hospital.


WIBW-FM also sponsors the annual [[Country Stampede Music Festival]], where all proceeds go to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.<ref>[http://cjonline.com/news/2012-02-22/big-945-country-air-st-jude-radiothon Big 94.5 Country to air ''St. Jude's Radiothon'']</ref>
==94.5 Country's ''St. Jude's Radiothon''==
Each February, WIBW-FM holds a radiothon where all proceeds go to [[St. Jude Children's Research Hospital]]. Each year, it is run on a Thursday and Friday, from 6 am to 7 pm, at the local (Hy-Vee) at 29th and Wanamaker. WIBW's DJs do live remotes there, as well. They do air songs during the radiothon; however, they choose songs to reflect the theme. Additionally, interviews are conducted with “ambassador families” during the telethon, telling how they benefited from the St. Jude's Hospital. Apart from the Radiothon, 94.5 Country sponsors the [[Country Stampede Music Festival]] held each year in [[Manhattan, Kansas]], where all proceeds go to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.<ref>[http://cjonline.com/news/2012-02-22/big-945-country-air-st-jude-radiothon Big 94.5 Country to air ''St. Jude's Radiothon'']</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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{{coord|39.0261|N|95.9172|W|type:landmark_region:US_source:FCC|display=title}}
{{coord|39.0261|N|95.9172|W|type:landmark_region:US_source:FCC|display=title}}


[[Category:Radio stations in Topeka, Kansas|µ]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Topeka, Kansas|μ]]
[[Category:Country radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Country radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1961]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1961]]
[[Category:Alpha Media radio stations]]
[[Category:Alpha Media radio stations]]
[[Category:1961 establishments in Kansas]]

Latest revision as of 18:29, 28 April 2024

WIBW-FM
Broadcast areaTopeka metropolitan area
Frequency94.5 MHz
BrandingThe BIG 94.5 Country
Programming
FormatCountry
AffiliationsWestwood One
Ownership
Owner
KSAJ, KTPK, WIBW (AM)
History
First air date
September 1, 1961 (at 97.3 MHz)
Former frequencies
97.3 MHz (1961–2002)
Call sign meaning
None, sequentially assigned to AM station
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID63174
ClassC0
ERP100,000 watts
HAAT351 meters (1,152 ft)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen Live
Websitewww.94country.com

WIBW-FM (94.5 MHz) is a commercial FM radio station in Topeka, Kansas. It is owned by Alpha Media and airs a country radio format. The studios and offices are on SW Executive Drive in Topeka.[2] The transmitter is off Windy Hill Road in Maple Hill.[3] WIBW-FM broadcasts at 100,000 watts.[4]

The station serves as the primary Emergency Alert System station for the state of Kansas along with sister station KTPK. WIBW-FM, along with co-owned WIBW and one-time sister station WIBW-TV, are unusual in having call signs beginning with a "W", while all other stations in Kansas have "K" call signs. The reason is that the AM station was originally established in Indiana in 1925, a state in W territory. WIBW kept its call letters when it moved to Topeka, which it has kept to this day. In addition, the Federal Communications Commission allows co-owned FM and TV stations to share the same call sign, even if the call letters do not conform to current policy for that state.

History[edit]

Rock and Top 40 days[edit]

On September 1, 1961, WIBW-FM signed on the air at 97.3 MHz.[5] It was owned by the Topeka Broadcasting Association, a subsidiary of Stauffer Publications. The company also owned WIBW (580 AM) and WIBW-TV, along with a daily newspaper, The Topeka Capital-Journal. At first, WIBW-FM simulcast the AM station, though in the late 1960s, the FCC was encouraging AM-FM radio stations to offer different programming. WIBW-FM switched to an album rock format known as "Rock 97 and "The Rock of Kansas".

Over time, the rock hits format moved in the direction of Top 40, promoted as "97fm".[6] The FM studio was across the hall from the control room which managed both the AM station and the Kansas City Royals radio network when WIBW held the baseball team's broadcast rights.[7]

Country music[edit]

In 1990, WIBW-FM flipped to country music.[8] The station became known for a bright red remote truck which looked like a boombox.[9]

The WIBW-AM-FM-TV studios for decades were located at 5600 SW 6th in West Topeka. That building received heavy damage from a fire on January 5, 2012.[10]

Until 2002, WIBW-FM was located at 97.3 MHz. The station moved its frequency to 94.5 MHz to make way for a new move-in station in Kansas City.

St. Jude's Hospital and other events[edit]

Each year, WIBW-FM holds a radiothon where all proceeds go to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. It is usually run on a Thursday and Friday in February, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., at a Hy-Vee supermarket at 29th and Wanamaker in Topeka. DJs do there programs from the store. Interviews are conducted with "ambassador families" during the broadcast, telling how they benefited from the St. Jude's Hospital.

WIBW-FM also sponsors the annual Country Stampede Music Festival, where all proceeds go to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.[11]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WIBW-FM". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ WIBWnewsnow.com/contact
  3. ^ Radio-Locator.com/WIBW-FM
  4. ^ FCC.gov/WIBW-FM
  5. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1961-1962 page B-67
  6. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1980 page C-87
  7. ^ WIBW-FM History
  8. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1991 page B-128
  9. ^ "WIBW-FM - Kansapedia - Kansas Historical Society". Kshs.org. Retrieved 2015-08-29.
  10. ^ WIBW stations old building receives heavy damage from January 2012 Fire
  11. ^ Big 94.5 Country to air St. Jude's Radiothon

External links[edit]

39°01′34″N 95°55′02″W / 39.0261°N 95.9172°W / 39.0261; -95.9172

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