WBKR

Last updated
WBKR
WBKR 92.5 logo.png
Broadcast areaOwensboro
Evansville, Indiana
Frequency 92.5 MHz
Branding92.5 WBKR
Programming
Format Country
Affiliations Compass Media Networks
Performance Racing Network
Ownership
Owner
WDKS, WGBF, WGBF-FM, WJLT, WKDQ, WOMI
History
First air date
1948;76 years ago (1948) [1]
Former call signs
WOMI-FM (1948–1975)
Call sign meaning
"Big Kountry Radio"
Technical information
Facility ID 67778
Class C
ERP 100,000 watts
HAAT 320 meters (1,050 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
 37°36′29″N87°03′14″W / 37.608°N 87.054°W / 37.608; -87.054
Links
Webcast Listen live
Website www.wbkr.com

WBKR (92.5 FM) is an American radio station broadcasting a country music format. The station is licensed to Owensboro, Kentucky. Its powerful 100,000-watt signal covers much of northwest Kentucky and southwest Indiana, including the Evansville area. The station is owned by Townsquare Media. The station transmits from a tower located near Utica on Kentucky Route 140. The studios are located at 3301 Frederica Street in Owensboro. [2]

Contents

History

In November 1945, the FCC issued a construction permit to the Hager Family, who were also the owners of WOMI-AM, as well as the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer daily newspaper. The permit was filed under licensee Owensboro Broadcasting Company. It originally intended to broadcast at 92.3 megacycles, but in 1947, the construction permit was modified to allow the station to instead broadcast at 92.5 megacycles. The station began operations in 1948 under Special temporary authority as WOMI-FM, simulcasting the original WOMI-AM on a 425 feet (130 m) tower with 60,000 watts of power. It was founded and operated by the Hager Family, Its first official license was granted on April 15, 1949. [3] For its first 27 years on the air, the station simulcast its AM sister station. In 1975, the station's callsign was changed to the current WBKR when the station became a separate operation, and began broadcasting an automated country music format. [1] : 86  Through the ensuing years, little by little, it gradually moved away from automation with a live morning show, and eventually an afternoon show. By 1989, the station began operating with live deejays 24-hours-a-day. The station was capturing about 33% of Owensboro's radio audience by the early 1990s. [1] : 86 

Both WOMI and WBKR remained in the hands of the heirs of the Hager Family, the original owners, until 1993, when both stations were sold to Evansville-based Brill Media. Brill Media operated WOMI and WBKR and also bought the cross-town competition and longtime rival stations, WVJS and WSTO three years later. [4] Brill Media declared bankruptcy in 2002, and the stations were placed in the hands of a chapter 11 bankruptcy trustee who sold them. [5] WOMI and WBKR were acquired by Regent Broadcasting Corporation (now Townsquare Media) based in Covington, Kentucky, a cross-river suburb of Cincinnati. WSTO was purchased by South Central Communications Corporation of Evansville, which also operates WIKY-FM; [6] that company would eventually relocate WSTO's studio operations to Evansville. WVJS was purchased by the Cromwell Group, Inc., of Nashville, Tennessee, which also currently operates Philpot-licensed WBIO.

Programming and format

In addition to its country music format, WBKR is the Owensboro-area home to the Performance Radio Network, [7] as well as the UK Sports Radio Network broadcasts of University of Kentucky Wildcats football and men's basketball games.

Special broadcasts

WBKR is known for its annual Telephone Pioneers Christmas Wish. This program involves monetary donations to needy families (who might not otherwise have much of a Christmas), and listeners can participate in a program where they pick a family to buy Christmas presents for.

Current personalities

The WBKR morning team of Chad Benefield and Angel Welsh is known as The Morning Drive on 92-5. One of the former hosts, Moon Mullins, died in 2017, and was an inductee of the Country Radio Hall of Fame. [8]

The WBKR Midday Show is hosted by Barb Birgy. The WBKR Afternoon Show is hosted by Music Director Dave Spencer. At other times, listeners can hear on-air personalities Erin Grant, Brent Gardner, and Ethan Payne.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lawrence W. Hager</span> American newspaper publisher (1890-1982)

Lawrence White Hager Sr. was an American newspaper publisher, broadcasting executive. He served as director of the Southern Newspapers Association (1947–1950), Owensboro Publishing Company, and the Kentucky Broadcasting Company, president, owner, and operator of WOMI radio station, president of the Kentucky Press Association, and owner of the Messenger-Inquirer. Hager died in 1982.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Nash, Francis M. (1995). Towers Over Kentucky: A History of Radio and TV in the Bluegrass State (PDF). ISBN   9781879688933 – via World Radio History.
  2. ↑ "WBKR 92.5 – The Country Station! – Owensboro's Country Radio". WBKR.
  3. ↑ FCC History Cards for WBKR
  4. ↑ Heckel, Dan (November 22, 1996). "Brill Media buying WSTO, WVJS". Messenger-Inquirer. p. 1B.
  5. ↑ "Bondholders: Evansville media company bankrupt". Messenger-Inquirer. January 20, 2002. p. 5C.
  6. ↑ Lawrence, Keith (August 28, 2002). "Brill Media radio sale finalized". Messenger-Inquirer. pp. A1, A2 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ NASCAR Cup Series Affiliates. Performance Radio Network. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  8. ↑ Benefield, Chadwick. "Former WBKR Morning Show Host Moon Mullins Dies [Photo]". WBKR.
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