WGL Shuts Down

[Y2kTheNewOldies]

https://radioinsight.com/headlines/...oinsight_daily_2020_03_29&utm_term=2020-03-29

WGL was the only AM holding of Adams without an active FM translator and carried the national Fox Sports Radio lineup around the clock.

A statement on the station’s website about the suspension of operations notes, “We regret to inform you that we will be discontinuing FOX Sports on WGL AM 1250 effective Monday, March, 22. With the current situation, we must devote all of our efforts to our larger signal stations. Thank you very much for listening.” The STA filed with the FCC adds, “As an AM radio station, WGL has been unable to generate sufficient financial resources to sustain operations. A situation that been made even more difficult as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. WGL must suspend operations to allow management time to review options for a resumption of service.”

Adams radio is reporting that WGL is shutting down due to financial issues and escalated due to the COVID-19 scares.

 

[Juan Bodley]

Unlike Federated Media's WKJG, there was no FM translator. Like WKJG they transmit from the south end of Fort Wayne and cover the Fort well enough to stay on when the programming's good. COVID19 was the last straw, maybe...
Adams had another AM on 1450 which is now AM stereo 1450 WIOE and owned by Bryan Walsh of Warsaw.
Seems maybe Adams Radio wants out of AM.

 

[gr8oldies]

WGL was owned by Frank and Connie Kovas as a News-Talker for years. Liberal as Kovas was, he was one of the original stations to air Rush Limbaugh, even bringing his Rush to Excellence Tour to town. Much of the rest of the day was ABC Talkradio until it gave up the ghost, then the American Radio Networks with Paul Bicknell and Ted Byrne; then Daynet.

 

[Jonathan]

Unlike Federated Media's WKJG, there was no FM translator. Like WKJG they transmit from the south end of Fort Wayne and cover the Fort well enough to stay on when the programming's good. COVID19 was the last straw, maybe...
Adams had another AM on 1450 which is now AM stereo 1450 WIOE and owned by Bryan Walsh of Warsaw.
Seems maybe Adams Radio wants out of AM.

I can't say I blame them. AM is a dead technology and seems to only be held on to for nostalgic reasons. It's only a matter of time before AM radio is completely shut down.

 

[davideduardo]

I can't say I blame them. AM is a dead technology and seems to only be held on to for nostalgic reasons. It's only a matter of time before AM radio is completely shut down.

There are three or so real reasons why AMs continue to broadcast:

Ones with good signals (about 90% of metro area AMs don't cover the whole rated market day and night) that have news, talk or sports formats tend to still do quite well and were profitable until the pandemic began.

AMs with niche formats, such as Farsi in LA or Russian in NYC are profitable and will continue to be when normalcy returns.

Religious stations still achieve their goals on AM and have contributions to sustain them.

A few big coverage AMs in farming states reach well beyond FM coverage areas. They are useful and profitable.

That said, a lot of bad coverage stations or small market ones where local business is long gone will just not make it.

 

[Juan Bodley]

WGL was running Fox Sports 24/7 except for times of college sports (I believe they had Indiana University...)
There was little programming otherwise...and WKJG on 1380 generally beat the coverage of 1250 around the Fort Wayne metro.

 

[Kent]

I've heard it’s back on-air simulcasting one of the FM's in the Adams cluster.

 

[JJSPC]

Reportedly they are back on simulcasting 103.9 WWFW. Probably only until the pending license renewal goes through?

 

[Juan Bodley]

An update from Radio Insight:

After taking 1250 WGL Fort Wayne off the air last month, Adams Radio Group has quickly found a buyer for the station. Brian Walsh, who bought 1450 WLYV/104.3 W282CH Fort Wayne (now WIOE) from Adams last year for $200,000, will acquire WGL and the CP for 94.5 W233CS Fort Wayne for $50,000.

(This was posted today.) Interesting to see what Mr. Walsh will do with these. Probably expand the reach of 101.1 into Fort Wayne?

 

[tsherck]

Expand WIOE I’m going to guess no. I could see him trying Adult Standards like what The River was from 2004-2010. And still have IU Football and Basketball.

 

[Juan Bodley]

Well Mr. Walsh DOES have his 104.3 repeater of WIOE in the Fort...so one's enough.
I'll just be sitting by the radio dial waiting for something to happen.
Wonder if he's interested in that dead 1300 AM freq. in Huntington? (I'd say NOPE.)