WCFW (FM)

Last updated

WCFW
Broadcast area Chippewa Falls–Eau Claire
Frequency 105.7 MHz (HD Radio)
Branding105.7 CFW
Programming
Format Adult hits
Subchannels HD2: Progressive talk "93.5 The Tap"
Ownership
Owner
  • Civic Media
  • (Civic Media, Inc.)
WBZH, WLAK, WLCX
History
First air date
October 20, 1968;54 years ago (1968-10-20) (at 105.5)
Former call signs
  • WCFW (1968–2022)
  • WEZY (2022–2023)
Former frequencies
105.5 MHz (1968–1997)
Call sign meaning
Chippewa Falls
Technical information
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 7874
Class C3
ERP 25,000 watts
HAAT 93 m (305 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
 44°52′18″N91°17′11″W / 44.87167°N 91.28639°W / 44.87167; -91.28639
Translator(s) HD2: 93.5 W228EP (Eau Claire)
Links
Public license information
Webcast
Website

WCFW (105.7 FM; "105.7 CFW") is a radio station broadcasting an adult hits format. Licensed to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, United States, the station serves the Eau Claire area. The station is owned by Civic Media.

Contents

The station began broadcasting as WCFW in 1968. It was owned by Pat and Roland Bushland, through their Bushland Radio Specialties, for 54 years.

History

WCFW signed on October 20, 1968; the station had been owned by Roland Bushland since its inception, first with his father Roy [1] and later with his wife Pat. [2] Roland, who turned 29 the day the station went on the air, [2] had grown interested in radio as a hi-fi buff. [1] WCFW originally operated at 105.5 MHz [3] from studios at the Bushland home east of Chippewa Falls. [1] The facility was not originally located in Chippewa Falls because it was short-spaced by 1.5 mi (2.4 km) to an FM station in Red Wing, Minnesota. [4]

Pat Bushland applied in 1984 to build a television station on channel 48 from the same site; [5] however, an application by Family Group Broadcasting of Florida put the WCFW bid at a disadvantage because of FCC policies promoting diversification of media ownership, [6] and Family Group won the construction permit for WEUX after reaching a settlement with the Bushlands. [7] In 1988, WCFW moved its studios to the Warren Street site; the next year, after several delays, it became the last station in the Chippewa Falls–Eau Claire area to begin stereo broadcasts. [8] [9] Roy Bushland died in August 1990. [10] In 1997, WCFW moved from 105.5 to 105.7 MHz as part of an increase to 25,000 watts. [11]

In addition to its soft AC programming and hourly Associated Press newscasts, the station covered high school sports. WCFW also broadcast polka music in the early morning hours, which local farmers have claimed helps relax milking cows. [2] Polka music formerly occupied lunchtime and early evening slots as well. [12] It was also the last station to carry two formerly-syndicated programs: the American Institute of Physics-produced weekend feature Science Report and two daily broadcasts of The Jack Raymond Show. Jack Raymond and WCFW were the focus of a documentary called Silently Steal Away. WCFW's jingle, featuring the slogan "where FM means fine music", was part of a set of 10 jingles the station purchased from a Texas ad agency for $25; only one would be used on the air. [2] The format, which was highly rated with older audiences, remained untouched from the station's inception. [13] It remained a family operation: Roland performed the station's engineering (and built most of its equipment), while Pat handled advertising sales and music programming. [13] The station carried comparatively few commercials, something it had done from the start, [4] with most of the advertisers being longtime local businesses. [2]

On June 20, 2022, after 54 years of ownership, Bushland Radio Specialties filed to sell WCFW and translator W256AE to Magnum Media for $600,000, marking the company's entry into the Eau Claire market. [11] [14] The sale closed on October 1, 2022, with the Bushlands recording an ID thanking listeners; new WEZY call letters, which Magnum had parked at a station in Portage, [15] went into effect on November 9. [16]

On June 5, 2023, after Magnum sold the station to Civic Media, WEZY returned to the WCFW call sign and launched an adult hits format, branded as "105.7 CFW". [17]

Translators

A translator, W256AE (99.1 FM), has broadcast in the Chippewa Falls city center since 1995 to reduce shadowing in some areas of the city. [18] Effective February 22, 2023, the translator was licensed to move to Eau Claire on 93.5 MHz, as W228EP. [15]

HD Radio

On June 5, 2023, WCFW launched a progressive talk format on its HD2 subchannel and W228EP 93.5 FM, branded as "93.5 The Tap". [19]

Broadcast translator for WCFW-HD2
Call sign Frequency City of license ERP (W) Class FCC info
W228EP93.5 FM Eau Claire, Wisconsin 250D FMQ

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eau Claire, Wisconsin</span> City in Wisconsin, United States

Eau Claire is a city mostly located in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, of which it is the county seat, and with a small portion in Chippewa County, Wisconsin. It had a population of 69,421 in 2020, making it the state's eighth largest city. Eau Claire is the principal city of the Eau Claire, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area, locally known as the Chippewa Valley, and is also part of the larger Eau Claire-Menomonie Combined Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WQOW</span> ABC/CW affiliate in Eau Claire, Wisconsin

WQOW is a television station in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, United States, serving the Chippewa Valley as an affiliate of ABC. Owned by Allen Media Broadcasting, the station has studios on Friedeck Road in Eau Claire, and its transmitter is located in Altoona, Wisconsin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chippewa River (Wisconsin)</span> River in Wisconsin, United States

The Chippewa River in Wisconsin flows approximately 183 miles (294 km) through west-central and northwestern Wisconsin. It was once navigable for approximately 50 miles (80 km) of its length, from the Mississippi River, by Durand, northeast to Eau Claire. Its catchment defines a portion of the northern boundary of the Driftless Area. The river is easily accessible for bikers and pleasure seekers via the Chippewa River State Trail, which follows the river from Eau Claire to Durand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KQEG-CD</span> Class A TV station in La Crescent, Minnesota

KQEG-CD is a low-power, Class A television station licensed to La Crescent, Minnesota, United States. It is a translator of La Crosse, Wisconsin–licensed CBS affiliate WKBT-DT which is owned by Morgan Murphy Media. KQEG-CD's transmitter is located near Hokah, Minnesota; its parent station maintains studios on South 6th Street in downtown La Crosse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WEAU</span> NBC affiliate in Eau Claire, Wisconsin

WEAU is a television station licensed to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, United States, serving the La Crosse–Eau Claire market as an affiliate of NBC and The CW Plus. The station is owned by Gray Television, and maintains studios on South Hastings Way / US 53 Business in Altoona ; its transmitter is located north of Fairchild, near the Eau Claire–Clark county line.

WLAX, licensed to La Crosse, Wisconsin, United States, and WEUX, licensed to Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, are television stations affiliated with the Fox network and serving the La Crosse–Eau Claire market. The stations are owned by Nexstar Media Group. WLAX maintains studios at Interchange Place in La Crosse and a transmitter in La Crescent, Minnesota, while WEUX has offices on WIS 93 in Eau Claire and a transmitter southeast of Colfax.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WAXX</span> Radio station in Eau Claire, Wisconsin

WAXX is a radio station in the Eau Claire area of Wisconsin, with its studio/offices located in Altoona, Wisconsin. Its transmitter is located in Fairchild, Wisconsin, sharing the tower with WEAU.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WECL</span> Radio station in Lake Hallie, Wisconsin

WECL is an active rock formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Lake Hallie, Wisconsin, serving the Eau Claire/Chippewa Falls area. WECL is owned and operated by Mid-West Family Broadcasting.

WVTY is a country music-formatted radio station in Racine in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It serves Racine, Kenosha and Milwaukee's southern suburbs. WVTY is owned by David Magnum, through licensee Magnum Communications, Inc., along with sister stations WRJN and West Bend-based WIBD and WMBZ. Its studios are in Racine and the transmitter site is in Raymond.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Abe State Trail</span>

Old Abe State Trail is a 19.5-mile (31.4 km) paved multi-use rail trail in Chippewa County, Wisconsin, USA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WVSS</span> Radio station in Menomonie, Wisconsin

WVSS is a radio station licensed to Menomonie, Wisconsin. The station is part of Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR) and airs WPR's "NPR News & Music Network", consisting of classical music and news and talk programming, as well as local news from WPR's regional studio in Eau Claire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WEZY (FM)</span> Radio station in Kewaunee, Wisconsin

WEZY is a Regional Mexican formatted radio station licensed to Kewaunee, Wisconsin, that serves the Green Bay area. The station is owned by Magnum Broadcasting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WISM-FM</span> Radio station in Altoona, Wisconsin

WISM-FM is a radio station broadcasting a classic hits format. Licensed to Altoona, Wisconsin, United States, the station serves the Eau Claire-Chippewa Falls area. It is owned by Mid-West Family Broadcasting.

WAUN is a radio station broadcasting a mainstream rock format. Known as WPDR for nearly 70 years, the station previously held a news/talk format. Before that, WPDR played oldies and also played country music for many years. Licensed to Portage, Wisconsin, United States, the station is currently owned by Magnum Broadcasting. Co-owned WDDC, formerly WPDR-FM, is located at 100.1 MHz. WAUN is simulcast on FM via two translator stations, 102.1 in Baraboo which covers the majority of the Dells/Baraboo and Portage areas from a transmitter on the Baraboo Range as well as 96.9 in DeForest which covers the northern Madison area.

Marvin J. Roshell was an American electrician, small business owner, and Democratic politician. He served 14 years in the Wisconsin State Senate, representing the 23rd Senate district in western Wisconsin.

Edward Flanders "Pete" Ackley was an American lawyer, politician, and football coach. He served in the Wisconsin State Senate from 1913 to 1916.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Brothers Three</span>

The Brothers Three is a pizza restaurant in Marinette, Wisconsin and former pizza chain. It was founded in Cicero, Illinois in 1968 by the brothers Glen, Keith, and Dale Nergaard. In 1972 they opened the Marinette location. Over the next several decades, they expanded the chain to other locations across Wisconsin. Currently only one location remains, in Marinette. There is another The Brothers Three in Oconto, Wisconsin, which was formerly part of the chain, but is now independently run.

Steven C. Brist is an American attorney and former Democratic politician. He served three terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly and currently works as an assistant city attorney for Madison, Wisconsin.

WEZY may mean:

WCFW may refer to:

References

  1. 1 2 3 Robinson, Marti (June 19, 1968). "Bushland tells Rotarians of new FM station". Chippewa Herald-Telegram. Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. p. 1, 4. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Vagnino, Katie (August 26, 2016). "Where FM Means Fine Music". Volume One. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  3. ↑ 1970 Broadcasting Yearbook (PDF). 1970. p. B-223. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 20, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  4. 1 2 Lawin, Tom (February 14, 1969). "New Chippewa Radio Station Uses Commercials Sparingly". The Daily Telegram. Eau Claire, Wisconsin. p. Hi-Lites 7. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ Stetzer, Rod (November 15, 1984). "Bushland applies for Chippewa Falls television station". Chippewa Herald-Telegram. Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. p. 1A. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ Matthews, John (February 18, 1987). "Florida company wants to put TV station in Chippewa Falls". Chippewa Herald-Telegram. Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. p. 1A. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Settlement reached for TV station license". Leader-Telegram. Eau Claire, Wisconsin. March 24, 1987. p. 3A. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ Stetzer, Rod (August 12, 1988). "Local AM stations suffer in Arbitron ratings". Leader-Telegram. Eau Claire, Wisconsin. p. 1B. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ Stetzer, Rod (October 20, 1989). "WCFW-FM now in stereo". Leader-Telegram. Eau Claire, Wisconsin. p. 1B. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "Roy W. Bushland". Chippewa Herald-Telegram. Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. August 28, 1990. p. 5A. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
  11. 1 2 Ellis, Jon (June 20, 2022). "Longtime Owner Sells Unique Wis. Station to Magnum Media". NorthPine: Upper Midwest Broadcasting. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  12. ↑ Daily, Jim (December 18, 1981). "Protests Chippewa parking ban: Station owner silences early 'polka show'". Leader-Telegram. Eau Claire, Wisconsin. p. 1B. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
  13. 1 2 Brown, Bob (April 24, 1999). "Watts up: Ratings on rise at CF radio station". Leader-Telegram. Eau Claire, Wisconsin. p. 1B. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ Venta, Lance (June 20, 2022). "Magnum Media Expands Into Eau Claire With WCFW Purchase". RadioInsight. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022.
  15. 1 2 Ellis, Jon (October 2, 2022). "Western Wis. Radio Sale Closes with Message from Longtime Owners". Northpine.
  16. ↑ Magnum, David R (November 3, 2022). "Form 380 - Exchange Request". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission . Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  17. ↑ WCFW Returns to Chippewa Falls/Eau Claire Radioinsight - June 5, 2023
  18. ↑ Johnson, Robert (September 19, 1995). "WCFW increases wattage". Chippewa Herald-Telegram. Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. p. 2A. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved June 20, 2022– via Newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ Civic Media Launches Talkers in Eau Claire, La Crosse & Racine/Kenosha Radioinsight - June 5, 2023
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.