WIGY (AM)

WIGY (1240 AM) is a radio station owned by Bennett Radio Group that is licensed to serve Lewiston, Maine. WIGY airs a classic hits radio format.[3] Its programming is also heard on translator stations W239ET (95.7 FM) and W288CW (105.5 FM). In addition to music, WIGY broadcasts Lewiston–Auburn area high school sports.

WIGY
Broadcast areaLewiston–Auburn
Frequency1240 kHz
Branding105.5 & 95.7 WIGY
Programming
FormatClassic hits
Ownership
Owner
  • Bennett Radio Group
  • (Bennett Radio Group, LLC)
WOXO-FM, WPNO, WIGY-FM, WEZR
History
First air date
August 21, 1938 (1938-08-21) (as WCOU)[1]
Former call signs
  • WCOU (1938–1988)
  • WXGL (1988–1991)
  • WTME (1991–2001)
  • WCNM (2001–2007)
  • WEZR (2007–2020)[2]
Technical information
Facility ID11031
ClassC
Power
  • 1,000 watts day
  • 860 watts night
Transmitter coordinates
44°6′55″N 70°14′55″W
Translator(s)
  • 95.7 W239ET (Lewiston)
  • 105.5 W288CW (Lewiston)
Links
WebcastListen Live
Websitewigyradio.com

History
Logo as "Maine's Big Z", used from 2016 until 2019

The station was assigned the WEZR call letters by the Federal Communications Commission on January 18, 2007.[2] On March 31, 2014, WEZR began simulcasting on 105.5 FM, via translator W288CW, and rebranded as Z105.5. On August 1, 2016, the station began simulcasting on WEZR-FM (92.7, formerly WOXO-FM, whose country music format was transferred to 1450 AM and 96.9 FM), expanding the format's reach to the Oxford Hills area; as a result, the station rebranded to "Maine's Big Z".[4][5] In April 2019, WEZR rebranded as "Z105.5 & 96.9", reflecting the move of its Oxford Hills simulcast from WEZR-FM to WOXO (now WPNO).[6]

WEZR, along with its sister stations, went off the air March 29, 2020, citing financial considerations that included expected reduction in advertising revenue attributed to COVID-19.[7] The stations had been up for sale following the death of owner Dick Gleason in February 2019.[8] A sale of the Gleason Media Group stations to Bennett Radio Group was announced in May 2020.[9]

Bennett Radio Group's purchase, at a price of $300,000, was consummated on August 5, 2020. On August 19, 2020, WEZR and WPNO returned to the air as they relaunched the hot AC format as "WIGY", while adding a simulcast on the former WTME (now WEZR).[10] 1240 AM changed its callsign to WIGY on September 7, 2020.[2]

Translator
Call signFrequencyCity of licenseFIDERP (W)HAATClassTransmitter coordinatesFCC info
W239ET 95.7 FMLewiston, Maine2001492500 m (0 ft)D44°12′16.8″N 70°33′9.2″WLMS
W288CW 105.5 FMLewiston, Maine15228325058.2 m (191 ft)D44°6′54″N 70°14′52″WLMS

References
  1. Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1999 (PDF). 1999. p. D-199. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  2. "Call Sign History". FCC Media Bureau CDBS Public Access Database.
  3. "Summer Station Information Profile". Nielsen Audio.
  4. Crosby, Christopher (August 1, 2016). "Radio station WOXO changes frequencies". Sun Journal. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  5. Venta, Lance (July 29, 2016). "WEZR & WOXO Lewiston On The Move". RadioInsight. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
  6. WOXO & WEZR Swap Frequencies Radioinsight - April 4, 2019
  7. "WOXO says farewell to listeners; Gleason Radio Group to go silent after 45 years". Lewiston Sun Journal. March 25, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  8. Venta, Lance (March 25, 2020). "Gleason Media To Shut Down Cluster In Lewiston/Auburn". RadioInsight. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  9. Binnie VP/Programming Stan Bennett Acquires Silent Maine Cluster Lance Venta, Radio Insight, May 26, 2020.
  10. WOXO returns WEZR to become WIGY Lance Veta, RadioInsight, August 19, 2020.


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