WPGW (AM)
Encyclopedia
WPGW is a radio station
broadcasting a Adult Contemporary format. Licensed to Portland, Indiana
, USA. The station is currently owned by Wpgw, Inc. and features programing from CNN Radio and Westwood One
.
From that point until the summer of 1974.
West (owner/operator/original licensee) and his wife ran the station with a potporri of big band
nostalgia
, middle of the road, polka
and adult standards
. Much of its programming was geared to older adults past the age of 50...some of the 15 inch transcription LPs were still in use in addition to public service programs produced by Armed Forces recruiters on 12 inch LPs. West anchored all local news (obits,hospital report and weather) at 12 noon and before sign-off at local sunset well into his later years when his voice aged.
ABC Radio news aired at the top and bottom of the hour and again at five minutes before the top of the hour. This practice continued well into the late 1960s and early 1970s when ABC diversified its radio network into its "demographic" networks (American Information,American Entertainment and American Contemporary). Only the American FM Network was not used. At the time WPGW was only a daytime station. An FM grant from the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) was given to West as a construction permit in 1973 but due to West's advancing age and health concerns,the station was put up for sale. At the time the station was sold to new owners,the control room studio was still equipped with the original Gates transmitter,audio console,two 15 inch transcription turntables and a reel-to reel tape recorder/playback deck. There were no audio cartridge playback machines used as most commercials were done either live by West and his wife or played directly on reel-to-reel.The adjacent on-air studio included a piano and microphone (but no audio production facilities since nearly all local programming was done live)in addition to a home-built EBS
"air alert" receiver system located near the station's office. WPGW was one of the last stations in Indiana still using the original vintage equipment since its initial 1951 sign-on.
in Fort Wayne) who replaced the musical potpourri with a mix of adult contemporary and oldies
under the new corporate name and licensee WPGW Inc. incorporating a "new look" for the station using the nickname "PG-14" with ABC Contemporary news at five minutes before the hour. Top of the hour news was later provided by the now defunct Mutual Broadcasting System
in the 1980s,1990s and now by CNN Radio. Since PG-14's directional signal also covers into neighboring counties in West Central Ohio,the station in addition aired farm programming from Ohio-based Agri Broadcasting Network
and its founder/director,the late Ed Johnson
.
WPGW-FM
signed on under Brandon's ownership on May 19, 1975. At first as a simulcast and continuation of PG-14's programming in the evening hours before WPGW-FM switched to "Jay Country 101" a country music
format in 1980. Both AM and FM formats remain in place.
Contrary to popular belief, the MPAA "PG-13" rating (which was not incorporated until 1984) was not the inspiration for the "PG-14" branding. Instead it is an acronym for the call letters and frequency without having to use the "W" portions of the call sign at the beginning and end...examplified by Buffalo,New York's WKBW nickname "KB"...hence it was one of the first brandings of its kind used in Indiana radio
..possibly a later inspration for WFBQ
"Q-95" in 1975 and WZWZ "Z-93" in 1978.
WPGW-AM now operates in the evening hours with reduced power. Its normal daytime power is 500 watts.
WPGW's studios and transmitter remains located west of Portland on Indiana State Road 67
where West founded the station.
In 1980,Rob Weaver purchased both stations from Bob Brandon.
WPGW's sister station is WZBD
(the former WQTZ) founded in August 1993 located to the north in Berne
operating under the licensee name Adams County Radio Inc.
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...
broadcasting a Adult Contemporary format. Licensed to Portland, Indiana
Portland, Indiana
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 6,437 people, 2,739 households, and 1,750 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,566.8 people per square mile . There were 2,928 housing units at an average density of 712.7 per square mile...
, USA. The station is currently owned by Wpgw, Inc. and features programing from CNN Radio and Westwood One
Westwood One
Westwood One was an American radio network and was based in New York City. At one time, it was managed by CBS Radio, the radio arm of CBS Corporation, and Viacom and was later purchased by the private equity firm The Gores Group...
.
Early history 1951-1974
Glenn West, a local electronics engineer founded the AM station in 1950 with its initial sign-on that took place January 14, 1951.From that point until the summer of 1974.
West (owner/operator/original licensee) and his wife ran the station with a potporri of big band
Big band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
nostalgia
Nostalgia
The term nostalgia describes a yearning for the past, often in idealized form.The word is a learned formation of a Greek compound, consisting of , meaning "returning home", a Homeric word, and , meaning "pain, ache"...
, middle of the road, polka
Polka
The polka is a Central European dance and also a genre of dance music familiar throughout Europe and the Americas. It originated in the middle of the 19th century in Bohemia...
and adult standards
Adult standards
Adult standards is a North American radio format heard primarily on AM or class A FM stations.Adult standards is aimed at "mature" adults, meaning mainly those persons over 50 years of age, but it is mostly targeted for senior citizens...
. Much of its programming was geared to older adults past the age of 50...some of the 15 inch transcription LPs were still in use in addition to public service programs produced by Armed Forces recruiters on 12 inch LPs. West anchored all local news (obits,hospital report and weather) at 12 noon and before sign-off at local sunset well into his later years when his voice aged.
ABC Radio news aired at the top and bottom of the hour and again at five minutes before the top of the hour. This practice continued well into the late 1960s and early 1970s when ABC diversified its radio network into its "demographic" networks (American Information,American Entertainment and American Contemporary). Only the American FM Network was not used. At the time WPGW was only a daytime station. An FM grant from the Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
(FCC) was given to West as a construction permit in 1973 but due to West's advancing age and health concerns,the station was put up for sale. At the time the station was sold to new owners,the control room studio was still equipped with the original Gates transmitter,audio console,two 15 inch transcription turntables and a reel-to reel tape recorder/playback deck. There were no audio cartridge playback machines used as most commercials were done either live by West and his wife or played directly on reel-to-reel.The adjacent on-air studio included a piano and microphone (but no audio production facilities since nearly all local programming was done live)in addition to a home-built EBS
Emergency Broadcast System
The Emergency Broadcast System was an emergency warning system in the United States, used from 1963 to 1997, when it was replaced by the Emergency Alert System.-Purpose:...
"air alert" receiver system located near the station's office. WPGW was one of the last stations in Indiana still using the original vintage equipment since its initial 1951 sign-on.
PG-14 Radio 1974-present
In the summer of 1974. West and his wife retired and sold the daytime station to Bob Brandon(previously with WOWOWOWO
Located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, WOWO is an independent news/talk radio station transmitting on 1190 kHz at 50,000 watts during the daylight hours and 9,800 watts during the nighttime hours. An application is on file with the Federal Communications Commission to add a fourth tower to the three...
in Fort Wayne) who replaced the musical potpourri with a mix of adult contemporary and oldies
Oldies
Oldies is a term commonly used to describe a radio format that concentrates on music from a period of about 15 to 55 years before the present day....
under the new corporate name and licensee WPGW Inc. incorporating a "new look" for the station using the nickname "PG-14" with ABC Contemporary news at five minutes before the hour. Top of the hour news was later provided by the now defunct Mutual Broadcasting System
Mutual Broadcasting System
The Mutual Broadcasting System was an American radio network, in operation from 1934 to 1999. In the golden age of U.S. radio drama, MBS was best known as the original network home of The Lone Ranger and The Adventures of Superman and as the long-time radio residence of The Shadow...
in the 1980s,1990s and now by CNN Radio. Since PG-14's directional signal also covers into neighboring counties in West Central Ohio,the station in addition aired farm programming from Ohio-based Agri Broadcasting Network
Agri Broadcast Network
The Agri Broadcasting Network was a radio news network in the U.S. state of Ohio. ABN programming was heard on more than 60 radio stations statewide, including the major markets of Canton, Toledo, and Columbus....
and its founder/director,the late Ed Johnson
Ed Johnson (broadcaster)
Ed Johnson was the founder of Agri Communicators, Inc., the parent company of the Agri Broadcast Network .-The ABN:...
.
WPGW-FM
WPGW-FM
WPGW-FM is a radio station broadcasting a Country format. Licensed to Portland, Indiana, USA. The station is currently owned by Wpgw, Inc..-Early history:...
signed on under Brandon's ownership on May 19, 1975. At first as a simulcast and continuation of PG-14's programming in the evening hours before WPGW-FM switched to "Jay Country 101" a country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
format in 1980. Both AM and FM formats remain in place.
Contrary to popular belief, the MPAA "PG-13" rating (which was not incorporated until 1984) was not the inspiration for the "PG-14" branding. Instead it is an acronym for the call letters and frequency without having to use the "W" portions of the call sign at the beginning and end...examplified by Buffalo,New York's WKBW nickname "KB"...hence it was one of the first brandings of its kind used in Indiana radio
..possibly a later inspration for WFBQ
WFBQ
WFBQ is a radio station in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, owned by Clear Channel Communications. The station operates on the FM radio frequency of 94.7 MHz, FM channel 234. The studios are located at 6161 Fall Creek Road on the northeast side of Indianapolis. The transmitter and antenna are...
"Q-95" in 1975 and WZWZ "Z-93" in 1978.
WPGW-AM now operates in the evening hours with reduced power. Its normal daytime power is 500 watts.
WPGW's studios and transmitter remains located west of Portland on Indiana State Road 67
Indiana State Road 67
State Road 67 in the U.S. State of Indiana cuts a diagonal route from southwest to northeast across the state from the north side of Vincennes to Indianapolis to the Ohio state line, where it becomes State Route 29 east of Bryant.-Route description:...
where West founded the station.
In 1980,Rob Weaver purchased both stations from Bob Brandon.
WPGW's sister station is WZBD
WZBD
WZBD is a radio station broadcasting a Adult Contemporary format. Licensed to Berne, Indiana, USA. The station is currently owned by Adams County Radio, Inc and features programing from CNN Radio and Westwood One.-Programming:...
(the former WQTZ) founded in August 1993 located to the north in Berne
Berne, Indiana
Berne is a city in Monroe and Wabash townships, Adams County, Indiana, United States, 35 miles south of Fort Wayne. The population was 4,150 at the 2000 census...
operating under the licensee name Adams County Radio Inc.