WBZG

WBZG
Broadcast areaLaSalle / Princeton
Frequency100.9 MHz
Branding100.9 FM Rocks!
Programming
FormatClassic rock
AffiliationsWestwood One
Ownership
Owner
WALS, WGLC-FM, WIVQ, WSTQ, WYYS
History
First air date
March 15, 1970[2]
Former call signs
WGSY (1969–1977)[3]
WIVQ (1977–1984)[3][4]
WLRZ (1984–2000)[4]
Technical information[5]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID69732
ClassA
ERP3,000 watts
HAAT100 meters (330 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
41°18′11″N 89°14′10″W / 41.303°N 89.236°W / 41.303; -89.236
Links
Public license information
Websitewbzg.net

WBZG (100.9 FM) is a radio station licensed to Peru, Illinois, covering, LaSalle, Peru, Princeton, and Vicinity. WBZG airs a classic rock format and is owned by Shaw Media, through licensee Shaw Local Radio Co., after previously being owned by Studstill Media/Mendota Broadcasting, Inc. until April 2023.[1]

History

WGSY

The station began broadcasting on March 15, 1970, holding the call sign WGSY.[2][3] The station was originally owned by George W. Yazell, and had an ERP of 3,000 watts at a HAAT of 145 feet.[3] WGSY aired a variety format.[6][7] In 1977, the station was sold to Radio Illinois, Ltd. for $85,000.[3][8]

WIVQ

In 1977, the station's call sign was changed to WIVQ, and the station began airing a MOR format.[3][9] By 1980, the station had begun airing an adult rock format.[10] By 1983, the station had begun airing a beautiful music/easy listening format.[11] By 1984, the station was airing a MOR format.[12] In 1984, the station was sold to Starved Rock Radio Project for $155,000.[13][14]

WLRZ

In September 1984, the station's call sign was changed to WLRZ.[4] WLRZ would air an adult contemporary format.[15] By 1990, the station had begun airing a classic rock format.[16][17] In 1994, the station was sold to Valley Plus Broadcasting for $150,000.[18][19] In 1997, the station was sold to Mendota Broadcasting, Inc., along with 103.3 WAIV, for $700,000.[20][21]

WBZG

In July 2000, the station's call sign was changed to WBZG, and the station was branded "The Buzz".[4][22] However, in August 2000, 107.7 WBZM in Bloomington would begin broadcasting with "The Buzz" branding, airing a modern rock format.[23] Unbeknownst to WBZG, the owner of WBZM had trademarked "The Buzz" branding for the entire state of Illinois, and WBZG stopped calling itself "The Buzz" to avoid a lawsuit.[23] The station would later be branded "100.9 FM Rocks!".[24]

On January 24, 2023, it was announced that Studstill Media had sold WBZG, along with its sister stations, to Shaw Media in Crystal Lake, Illinois, for a total of $1.8 million. The sale was under FCC review for just under two months before being finalized on March 23, 2023.[25] Shaw Local Radio officially assumed ownership of WBZG and its sister stations on April 3, 2023.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c Barichello, David. "Shaw Local Radio completes purchase of 8 radio stations". Shaw Local. Shaw Media.
  2. ^ a b Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1982, Broadcasting/Cablecasting. 1982. p. C-75. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e f History Cards for WBZG, fcc.gov. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d Call Sign History, FCC.gov. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  5. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WBZG". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  6. ^ 1973 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting. 1973. p. B-64. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  7. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1977, Broadcasting. 1977. p. C-66. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  8. ^ "Ownership changes", Broadcasting. May 23, 1977. p. 68. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
  9. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1978, Broadcasting. 1978. p. C-68. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  10. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1980, Broadcasting. 1980. p. C-71. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  11. ^ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1983, Broadcasting/Cablecasting. 1983. p. B-77. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  12. ^ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1984, Broadcasting/Cablecasting. 1984. p. B-83. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  13. ^ "Ownership changes", Broadcasting. July 9, 1984. p. 78. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
  14. ^ Public Notice Comment, fcc.gov. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
  15. ^ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1986, Broadcasting/Cablecasting. 1986. p. B-90. Retrieved September 11, 2018.
  16. ^ The Broadcasting Yearbook 1990, Broadcasting & Cable. 1990. p. B-103. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  17. ^ Rocheleau, Paul (1991). Radio on Wheels. Berkley Books. p. 102. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  18. ^ "Late 1993 Transactions at a Glance", Radio & Records. January 14, 1994. p. 7. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
  19. ^ Public Notice Comment, fcc.gov. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
  20. ^ "Transactions", Radio & Records. April 11, 1997. p. 6. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
  21. ^ Consent to Assignment, fcc.gov. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
  22. ^ "Format Changes & Updates", The M Street Journal. Vol. 17 No. 31. August 2, 2000. p. 2. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  23. ^ a b Sadler, Roger L. (2005). Electronic Media Law. SAGE Publications. p. 329. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  24. ^ "100.9 FM Rocks!". WYKT. Archived from the original on March 11, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  25. ^ Shaw Local News Network. "Studstill announces sale of 8 radio stations to Shaw Media". Shaw Local. Shaw Media Local.