WWGR
Encyclopedia
WWGR, known as "Gator Country 101.9", is a country music
radio station
based in the Fort Myers, FL area. The station, which is owned by Renda Broadcasting
, operates at 101.9 MHz with an ERP
of 100 kW. This power gives it one of the best radio signals in all of Southwest Florida
. Its transmitter is located off Corkscrew Road in Estero
.
station during the 1970s and 1980s. During that time, the station struggled to find a strong hold on the market's country music listers. That coupled with the increased competition from WCKT-FM
made it a very tough course for the station to sustain.
In the 1990s, WHEW-FM transformed to what is currently WWGR when the station was bought by Renda Broadcasting. Immediately following the sale of the station, the station took over the name Gator Country 101.9, "Southwest Florida's Country Station".
The Program/Music Director is Randy Savage.
In 2005, WWGR moved from its home in Fort Myers to Bonita Springs
just across the street from the Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track. This new building houses WWGR and sister stations WSGL
, WJGO
, and WGUF
.
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...
radio station
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...
based in the Fort Myers, FL area. The station, which is owned by Renda Broadcasting
Renda Broadcasting
Renda Broadcasting is a privately held Pittsburgh-based radio broadcasting company founded by chief executive, Tony Renda.Renda Broadcasting operates stations in Pennsylvania, Florida and Oklahoma.-Stations:Pittsburgh*WSHH 99.7 – Adult contemporary...
, operates at 101.9 MHz with an ERP
Effective radiated power
In radio telecommunications, effective radiated power or equivalent radiated power is a standardized theoretical measurement of radio frequency energy using the SI unit watts, and is determined by subtracting system losses and adding system gains...
of 100 kW. This power gives it one of the best radio signals in all of Southwest Florida
Southwest Florida
Southwest Florida is a region of Florida , United States located along its gulf coast, south of the Tampa Bay area, west of Lake Okeechobee and mostly north of the Everglades...
. Its transmitter is located off Corkscrew Road in Estero
Estero, Florida
Estero is a census-designated place in Lee County, Florida, United States. As of the 2010 census, the CDP population was 18,176. It is the home of Germain Arena, which hosts the home games for the Florida Everblades ECHL hockey team and the Florida Firecats af2 arena football team...
.
History
WWGR signed on in 1969 as WHEW-FM, and was a station that targeted the greater Fort Myers area as a CountryCountry 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...
station during the 1970s and 1980s. During that time, the station struggled to find a strong hold on the market's country music listers. That coupled with the increased competition from WCKT-FM
WCKT
WCKT is a commercial radio station located in Lehigh Acres, Florida, broadcasting to the Fort Myers, Florida area on 107.1 FM. WCKT airs a country music format branded as "Cat Country". WCKT originally signed on in 1976,...
made it a very tough course for the station to sustain.
In the 1990s, WHEW-FM transformed to what is currently WWGR when the station was bought by Renda Broadcasting. Immediately following the sale of the station, the station took over the name Gator Country 101.9, "Southwest Florida's Country Station".
WWGR Today
WWGR runs far ahead in the Fort Myers-Naples-Marco Island Arbitron ratings against WCKT. In the most recent Arbitron ratings, WWGR was the 5th ranked radio station in the Fort Myers-Naples market with Persons 12+. WCKT ranked 11th. This is what the current on-air schedule looks like for Gator Country 101.9:- 5a - 10a: Val and Scott in the Morning
- 10a - 2p: Buzzy "Buzzman" Ford
- 2p - 7p:
- 7p - 12a: CMT Radio Live - Cody Alan
- 12a - 5a: After Midnite with Blair Garner
The Program/Music Director is Randy Savage.
In 2005, WWGR moved from its home in Fort Myers to Bonita Springs
Bonita Springs, Florida
Bonita Springs is a city in Lee County, Florida, United States. The population was 43,914 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Cape Coral–Fort Myers Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is located on the southwest coast of the state....
just across the street from the Naples-Fort Myers Greyhound Track. This new building houses WWGR and sister stations WSGL
WSGL
WSGL is a commercial radio station located in Naples, Florida, broadcasting to the Fort Myers, Florida area on 104.7 FM. WSGL airs a hot adult contemporary music format branded as "Mix 104.7"....
, WJGO
WJGO
WJGO is a commercial radio station located in Tice, Florida, broadcasting to the Cape Coral-Fort Myers area on 102.9 FM. It airs an adult hits music format branded as "Bob FM". Bob FM currently airs a blend of music from the 60's thru today with a position of "We Play Anything"- WJGO Today...
, and WGUF
WGUF
WGUF is a radio station broadcasting a talk radio format. Licensed to Marco Island, Florida, USA, the station is currently owned by Renda Broadcasting....
.