WFMG
Encyclopedia
WFMG is a radio station
licensed to Richmond, Indiana
, located at 101.3 MHz on the FM dial. WFMG broadcasts at an effective radiated power of 25,000 watts with its studios, offices, and tower located on West Main Street in Richmond.
format throughout its duration. WKBV-FM moved to 101.3MHz in the early 1960s. In 1976, the station dropped beautiful music in favor of a middle-of-the-road Adult Contemporary format as WRIA, meaning "W Richmond Indiana Area". The station eventually segued into what would today be considered Hot Adult Contemporary by the early and mid 80s. "FM 101" went to a soft rock format in 1986. The calls changed to WFMG and the station became known on the air as "Magic 101...Lite Rock, Less Talk." This format continued until the late 80s when cross-town station WQLK dropped its Top 40 format in favor of Classic Hits. "Magic 101" maximized on this move by adding hotter records to its playlist by 1990. Also added was a nightly countdown show as well as American Top 40
. Unlike WQLK, "Magic 101" did not go full-fledged into the format in order to maintain its presence as an Adult Contemporary station.
By 1991, WFMG began adding a couple of weekend Oldies shows to its line-up, which eventually led up to a format change in December 1991. The station became known as "Goodtime Oldies 101" and eventually just "Oldies 101." Unlike many of the Oldies stations of the early 90s, WFMG played a generous amount of 70s Pop and more or less stayed away from 50s Doo-Wop and Pop. The nearly-two year stint was a flop and, as a result, the station dropped the "Oldies" name and gradually moved back into a contemporary music direction. The transition was complete by 1994 when the station officially became Hot Adult Contemporary "Hits 101.3," featuring music of the 80s and 90s. The station remained "Hits" until the late 90s when the station became "G 101-3" as a result of an imaging change. Although the format remains Hot AC to this day with Rick Duncan as the Morning Show Host, the G101.3 Morning Show has a program from 7 to 9 called The Free For All Friday allowing listeners to request any song in any format as long as they have it, even Christmas songs in July. Originally they allowed for any tempo song to be requested, a second rule was added stating the songs must be up-tempo as people were requesting slow songs to be played after up-beat songs. Dave Snow now handles 9 am to 2 pm. Jessica Leigh is 2 pm to 7 pm, and Keith Wade is 7 pm to 12 am. Mark Brim handles a request show on the weekends.
, in the Cincinnati radio market. As a result of this move, many stations throughout Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky had to reduce power or change frequencies in order to make the move feasible. Therefore, WFMG had to cut its power in half, from 50,000 watts to 25,000 watts, in order for Radio One's WIZF
in Cincinnati to move to 101.1MHz. Radio One owns WIZF and was the suitor for WIFE-FM. WFMG, being on first-adjacent frequency from 101.1, had to reduce its power in order to prevent interference with WIZF. This severely affected WFMG's reception in the southern Whitewater Valley once WIZF signed on 101.1. Reception in the eastern, western, and northern portions of the coverage area were much less affected. However, this may change as another pending frequency move -- WKSW Urbana into the Dayton metro -- may have further impact on the station's reception to the east of Richmond if approved.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
licensed to Richmond, Indiana
Richmond, Indiana
Richmond is a city largely within Wayne Township, Wayne County, in east central Indiana, United States, which borders Ohio. The city also includes the Richmond Municipal Airport, which is in Boston Township and separated from the rest of the city...
, located at 101.3 MHz on the FM dial. WFMG broadcasts at an effective radiated power of 25,000 watts with its studios, offices, and tower located on West Main Street in Richmond.
History
WFMG started broadcasting on December 17, 1960 as WKBV-FM at 106.5MHz. WKBV-FM featured a Beautiful musicBeautiful music
Beautiful music is a mostly instrumental music format that was prominent in American radio from the 1960s through the 1980s...
format throughout its duration. WKBV-FM moved to 101.3MHz in the early 1960s. In 1976, the station dropped beautiful music in favor of a middle-of-the-road Adult Contemporary format as WRIA, meaning "W Richmond Indiana Area". The station eventually segued into what would today be considered Hot Adult Contemporary by the early and mid 80s. "FM 101" went to a soft rock format in 1986. The calls changed to WFMG and the station became known on the air as "Magic 101...Lite Rock, Less Talk." This format continued until the late 80s when cross-town station WQLK dropped its Top 40 format in favor of Classic Hits. "Magic 101" maximized on this move by adding hotter records to its playlist by 1990. Also added was a nightly countdown show as well as American Top 40
American Top 40
American Top 40 is an internationally syndicated, independent radio program created by Casey Kasem, Don Bustany, Tom Rounds and Ron Jacobs. Originally a production of Watermark Inc...
. Unlike WQLK, "Magic 101" did not go full-fledged into the format in order to maintain its presence as an Adult Contemporary station.
By 1991, WFMG began adding a couple of weekend Oldies shows to its line-up, which eventually led up to a format change in December 1991. The station became known as "Goodtime Oldies 101" and eventually just "Oldies 101." Unlike many of the Oldies stations of the early 90s, WFMG played a generous amount of 70s Pop and more or less stayed away from 50s Doo-Wop and Pop. The nearly-two year stint was a flop and, as a result, the station dropped the "Oldies" name and gradually moved back into a contemporary music direction. The transition was complete by 1994 when the station officially became Hot Adult Contemporary "Hits 101.3," featuring music of the 80s and 90s. The station remained "Hits" until the late 90s when the station became "G 101-3" as a result of an imaging change. Although the format remains Hot AC to this day with Rick Duncan as the Morning Show Host, the G101.3 Morning Show has a program from 7 to 9 called The Free For All Friday allowing listeners to request any song in any format as long as they have it, even Christmas songs in July. Originally they allowed for any tempo song to be requested, a second rule was added stating the songs must be up-tempo as people were requesting slow songs to be played after up-beat songs. Dave Snow now handles 9 am to 2 pm. Jessica Leigh is 2 pm to 7 pm, and Keith Wade is 7 pm to 12 am. Mark Brim handles a request show on the weekends.
Reception
In 2005, WFMG's sister station, WIFE-FM in nearby Connersville, applied to move to Norwood, OhioNorwood, Ohio
Norwood is the second most populous city in Hamilton County, Ohio, United States. The city is an enclave of the larger city of Cincinnati. The population was 21,675 at the 2000 census. Originally settled as an early suburb of Cincinnati in the wooded countryside north of the city, the area is...
, in the Cincinnati radio market. As a result of this move, many stations throughout Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky had to reduce power or change frequencies in order to make the move feasible. Therefore, WFMG had to cut its power in half, from 50,000 watts to 25,000 watts, in order for Radio One's WIZF
WIZF
WIZF is a Mainstream Urban radio station licensed to Erlanger, Kentucky serving the Cincinnati area. The station plays an hip hop, R&B, and gospel music. The station is owned and operated by Radio One. It broadcasts with an effective radiated power of 1250 watts...
in Cincinnati to move to 101.1MHz. Radio One owns WIZF and was the suitor for WIFE-FM. WFMG, being on first-adjacent frequency from 101.1, had to reduce its power in order to prevent interference with WIZF. This severely affected WFMG's reception in the southern Whitewater Valley once WIZF signed on 101.1. Reception in the eastern, western, and northern portions of the coverage area were much less affected. However, this may change as another pending frequency move -- WKSW Urbana into the Dayton metro -- may have further impact on the station's reception to the east of Richmond if approved.