WGFB

WGFB
Broadcast areaRockford, Illinois
Frequency103.1 MHz
BrandingB103
Programming
FormatHot adult contemporary
Ownership
Owner
WNTA, WRTB, WXRX
History
First air date
March 1963[1]
Former call signs
  • WBEL-FM (1963–1967)[2]
  • WRWC (1967[2]-2000)[3]
Technical information[4]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID73975
ClassA
ERP2,400 watts
HAAT160 meters (520 ft)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen live
Websitewww.b103fm.com

WGFB (103.1 FM) is a radio station broadcasting a hot adult contemporary format. Licensed to Rockton, Illinois, the station serves the Rockford area. WGFB is owned by Mid-West Family Broadcasting.

History

The station began broadcasting in March 1963, and held the call sign WBEL-FM.[1][2] It was a sister station to WBEL 1380, and simulcast its programming.[1] The station was originally licensed to South Beloit, Illinois.[1][2] In 1967, the station's call sign was changed to WRWC.[2] In 1971, the station's city of license was changed to Rockton, Illinois.[2] In the 1970s, the station aired a format consisting of beautiful music and big band music.[5][6] The station continued airing a beautiful music format into the 1980s.[7]

By 1984, the station's format had been changed to adult contemporary.[8] In the 1990s, the station aired a soft AC format, and was branded "Lite 103".[9][10][11] The station aired Delilah evenings.[12] In April 2000, the station's call sign was changed to WGFB, and the station's format was shifted to mainstream AC.[3][13] The station was branded "B 103", with the slogan "Today's Lite Rock".[13][14] The station continued to air Delilah evenings.[13][15] By 2006, Delilah was replaced in the evenings with John Tesh.[16]

On December 26, 2022, after the conclusion of their annual wall to wall Christmas music, WGFB shifted their format to hot AC, dropping their AC format after 22 years.[17]

References

  1. ^ a b c d 1964 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting, 1964. p. B-52. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f History Cards for WGFB, fcc.gov. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Call Sign History, fcc.gov. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  4. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WGFB". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  5. ^ 1973 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting, 1973. p. B-65. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  6. ^ 1978 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting, 1978. p. C-69. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  7. ^ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1983, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1983. p. B-78. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  8. ^ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1984, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1984. p. B-83. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  9. ^ The M Street Radio Directory. 1996. p. 216. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  10. ^ "WRWC Salter Broadcasting". Salter Broadcasting. Archived from the original on April 14, 1997. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  11. ^ "Welcome to Lite 103 - WRWC". WRWC. Archived from the original on February 8, 1999. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  12. ^ "On-Air Personalities". WRWC. Archived from the original on February 11, 1998. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  13. ^ a b c "Format Changes & Updates", The M Street Journal. Vol. 17 No. 17. April 26, 2000. p. 1. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  14. ^ "The New B103 - Today's Lite Rock". WGFB. Archived from the original on May 20, 2000. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  15. ^ "Air Staff". B103. WGFB. Archived from the original on September 1, 2000. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  16. ^ "Personalities / On Air Schedule". WGFB. Archived from the original on February 5, 2006. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
  17. ^ "Now Playing".

42°22′01″N 89°05′13″W / 42.367°N 89.087°W / 42.367; -89.087