WGIL
Radio station in Galesburg, Illinois, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
WGIL 1400 AM is a radio station broadcasting a news-talk-sports format. Licensed to Galesburg, Illinois, the station is owned by Galesburg Broadcasting Company.
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| Broadcast area | Galesburg, Illinois |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 1400 [kHz]] |
| Branding | WGIL 93.7FM & 1400AM |
| Programming | |
| Format | Talk radio |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Galesburg Broadcasting Company |
| WAAG, WLSR, WKAY | |
| History | |
First air date | June 12, 1938[1] |
Former frequencies | 1500 kHz (1938–1941)[2] |
Call sign meaning | Where Galesburg Is Listening[3] |
| Technical information[4] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 23039 |
| Class | C |
| Power | 740 watts |
| Translator | 93.7 W229BO (Galesburg) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Website | wgil |
WGIL carries a variety of local programming, as well as nationally syndicated shows such as Clark Howard and Jim Bohannon.[5]
History
WGIL began broadcasting on June 12, 1938, with its inaugural ceremony at the Galesburg Armory.[3][1] Among the ceremony's attendees was Edith Luckett Davis, actress and mother of future first lady, Nancy Reagan.[3] Congratulatory telegrams were sent by Bing Crosby, Eddy Duchin, Benny Goodman, Guy Lombardo, and Illinois Governor Henry Horner.[3]
The station originally broadcast at 1500 kHz, running 250 watts during daytime hours only.[2][3] Nighttime operations were added in 1939.[2] In 1941, the station's frequency was changed to 1400 kHz.[2][3] Daytime power was increased to 1,000 watts in 1961.[2] Nighttime power was increased to 1,000 watts in 1985. In 1997, the station's power was reduced to 740 watts.[6]
In the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, the station aired a MOR format.[1][7][8] By 1987, the station had begun airing talk programming.[9] By 1999, the station had adopted a news-talk-sports format.[10]