WayFM Network

Last updated
WayFM
Type Radio network
Country
Programming
Format Christian adult contemporary
History
Launch dateOctober 9, 1987 (1987-10-09)
Links
Webcast Listen Live
Website https://www.wayfm.com/

The WayFM Network is a national, non-profit radio broadcasting network in the United States, primarily playing Christian adult contemporary music. While WayFM is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, it operates stations in 12 states (as of May 2018), with content creation and programming originating in Franklin, Tennessee.

Contents

History

Origins in Fort Myers

WAY Media, Inc. was founded in 1987 by Bob Augsburg. [1] The non-profit corporation began as a single FM radio station in Fort Myers, Florida.

In the early 1980s, Bob and Felice Augsburg were residing in Fort Myers, where Bob was working as the Program Director at WSOR, a Christian radio station formatted for older adults. Bob and Felice have said that they "were compelled by the burden to see a younger audience reached and Bob began producing a Saturday evening broadcast geared for youth." [2] This program, which aired on WSOR, became the springboard for Christian Rock concerts in the area and the impetus for a 24/7 station with this type of format. [2]

Much discussion with local parents and business people led to a non-profit Florida corporation and an application filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for an unused FM frequency.

On Christmas Eve (December 24) 1986, the group received its permit for the construction of a new non-commercial FM station in Fort Myers, WAYJ. On October 9, 1987, WAYJ, broadcasting as "WAY-FM", signed on the air.

Growth

By 1992, three WAY-FM radio stations were on the air—including Fort Myers; Nashville, Tennessee (WAYM); and West Palm Beach, Florida (WAYF).

In the mid-90s, WAY-FM stations, beginning with WAYF, began to sponsor and organize large Christian music concerts and day-long music festivals. Within a few years, Nashville and Fort Myers also began to sponsor major Christian music events.

After several years of planning, in 1996, WAY-FM began the Christian Hit Radio Satellite Network (CHRSN). The network was designed to help other stations who desired to reach the youth and young adults of their respective communities but lacked the manpower or resources to operate a station on their own.

Corporate office established

In 2001, WAY-FM Media Group established a corporate office in Colorado Springs, Colorado where Bob Augsburg, the president and founder now lives. Dusty Rhodes, former Station Manager of WAYF, joined Augsburg in Colorado as Chief Operating Officer and is now the ministry's Senior Vice President.

In 2005, Dar Ringling joined the ministry as Chief Financial Officer while Lloyd Parker, formerly General Manager of the K-LOVE & Air1 Radio Networks, became the Chief Operating Officer.

In 2012, WAY-FM shifted from its long time Christian CHR format to a Christian Adult Contemporary format, along with shifting their audience from 18- to 34-year-olds, to older adults (25–54), thus growing up with its original audience more or less. Since 2013 WAY-FM via flagship station WAYM, Nashville is a Christian AC reporter to the Nielsen BDS service, and became a monitored reporter to Mediabase's Christian AC panel in April 2015.

In July 2013, WAY-FM ceased providing programming to non-owned stations via satellite, with the exception of the network morning show, The Wally Show. In 2017, The Wally Show stopped syndication, as well.

In May 2015, WAY-FM announced plans to acquire KVRK, in North Texas. [3] The Station calls letters are now KAWA and now broadcasts the national WAY-FM format. The former Power FM however has become an online music channel, app, and community of Christian rock fans managed by WAY-FM Media Group.

New CEO

In August 2017, founder Bob Augsburg officially retired from his position as CEO. [4] Bob remains on the board of directors and is still involved in the ministry. John Scaggs was chosen as the new CEO. [4]

Merger with Hope Media Group

On January 26, 2022; it was announced that Way Media Group would merge with Hope Media Group based out of Houston, Texas. Hope Media Group owns and operates heritage Christian AC station KSBJ 89.3, and Spanish Christian AC sister KHVU 91.7 (Vida Unida), along with internet radio station NGEN Radio which features a pop and Hip-Hop leaning Christian CHR format.

Current reach

At this time, WAY-FM owns and operates 23 full power FM radio stations. WAY-FM also owns 38 translator stations. WAY-FM is also heard online and offers two online exclusive streams. NGEN radio streaming Christian Pop and Hip-Hop and Way Loud streaming Christian Active/Alternative Rock.

Station list

Alabama

Call sign Frequency City of license ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
WAYU91.1 FM Steele, Alabama 150230  m (755  ft)A FMQ
WAYH 88.1 FM Harvest, Alabama 3,500204 m (669 ft)C3 FMQ
W297AP107.3 FM Anniston, Alabama 10222 m (728 ft)D FMQ
W220ED91.9 FM Auburn, Alabama 1949 m (161 ft)D FMQ
W210CA89.9 FM Birmingham, Alabama 10349.1 m (1,145 ft)D FMQ
W258AE99.5 FM Florence, Alabama 2773.4 m (241 ft)D FMQ
W256CD99.1 FM Fultondale, Alabama 1300 m (0 ft)D FMQ
W258AU99.5 FM Huntsville, Alabama 120387 m (1,270 ft)D FMQ
W259BS99.7 FM Montgomery, Alabama 100 m (0 ft)D FMQ
W272CO102.3 FM Montgomery, Alabama 250192 m (630 ft)D FMQ
W292EI106.3 FM Warrior, Alabama 2500 m (0 ft)D FMQ

Colorado

Call sign Frequency City of license ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
KBWA89.1 FM Brush, Colorado 1,50044.2  m (145  ft)A FMQ
KXWA 101.9 FM Centennial, Colorado 9,500163 m (535 ft)C3 FMQ
KCWA 93.9 FM Loveland, Colorado 580319 m (1,047 ft)A FMQ
KRWA90.9 FM Rye, Colorado 10,00034.6 m (114 ft)C3 FMQ
KJWA89.7 FM Trinidad, Colorado 160241 m (791 ft)A FMQ
KFWA 103.1 FM Weldona, Colorado 6,80046.3 m (152 ft)C3 FMQ
K257FO99.3 FM Colorado Springs, Colorado 72651 m (2,136 ft)D FMQ
K300CP107.9 FM Denver, Colorado 2500 m (0 ft)D FMQ
K230BO93.9 FM Monument, Colorado 250148 m (486 ft)D FMQ
K299AO107.7 FM Sterling, Colorado 75110.4 m (362 ft)D FMQ

Florida

Call sign Frequency City of license ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
WAYP88.3 FM Marianna, Florida 70,000105  m (344  ft)C1 FMQ
WAYJ 89.5 FM Naples, Florida 100,00094.1 m (309 ft)C1 FMQ
WAYF88.1 FM West Palm Beach, Florida 50,000321 m (1,053 ft)C1 FMQ
W263BI100.5 FM Fort Myers, Florida 250320.8 m (1,052 ft)D FMQ
W295DC106.9 FM Panama City, Florida 1511 m (36 ft)D FMQ
W258BC99.5 FM Perkins, Florida 25093.2 m (306 ft)D FMQ
W244BD96.7 FM Stuart, Florida 80042 m (138 ft)D FMQ
W239CG95.7 FM Tallahassee, Florida 100 m (0 ft)D FMQ
W212CG90.3 FM West Palm Beach, Florida 2500 m (0 ft)D FMQ

Georgia

Call sign Frequency City of license ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
WAYT88.1 FM Thomasville, Georgia 17,000392  m (1,286  ft)C1 FMQ
W212AR90.3 FM Lindale, Georgia 10217 m (712 ft)D FMQ

Indiana

Call sign Frequency City of license ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
WAYI 104.3 FM Charlestown, Indiana 3,000100  m (328  ft)A FMQ
WJWA 91.5 FM Evansville, Indiana 6,100151 m (495 ft)B1 FMQ
W220DV91.9 FM Evansville, Indiana 250248.2 m (814 ft)D FMQ
W261CW100.1 FM Evansville, Indiana 430 m (0 ft)D FMQ

Kansas

Call sign Frequency City of license ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
KYWA90.7 FM Wichita, Kansas 53,000144  m (472  ft)C1 FMQ

Kentucky

Call sign Frequency City of license ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
WAYD88.1 FM Auburn, Kentucky 1,000113  m (371  ft)A FMQ
WAYK 105.9 FM Valley Station, Kentucky 1,250155 m (509 ft)A FMQ
W212BZ90.3 FM Brentwood, Kentucky 1987.2 m (286 ft)D FMQ
W201DD88.1 FM Central City, Kentucky 2758.9 m (193 ft)D FMQ
W218CR91.5 FM Central City, Kentucky 1200 m (0 ft)D FMQ
W291BZ106.1 FM Murray, Kentucky 2781.4 m (267 ft)D FMQ
W217BP91.3 FM Owensboro, Kentucky 1587.4 m (287 ft)D FMQ

Oregon

Call sign Frequency City of license ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
KKWA 96.3 FM West Linn, Oregon 1,350386  m (1,266  ft)C3 FMQ
K272EL102.3 FM Portland, Oregon 99422.6 m (1,386 ft)D FMQ

South Carolina

Call sign Frequency City of license ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
WAYA-FM 100.9 FM Ridgeville, South Carolina 13,00091  m (299  ft)C3 FMQ
W267BK101.3 FM Mount Pleasant, South Carolina 250201.5 m (661 ft)D FMQ

Tennessee

Call sign Frequency City of license ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
WAYQ88.3 FM Clarksville, Tennessee 14,000227  m (745  ft)C2 FMQ
WAYW89.9 FM New Johnsonville, Tennessee 50097 m (318 ft)A FMQ
WAYM88.7 FM Spring Hill, Tennessee 5,000330 m (1,083 ft)C2 FMQ
W215BH90.9 FM Chattanooga, Tennessee 10361 m (1,184 ft)D FMQ
W284AE104.7 FM Chattanooga, Tennessee 250219 m (719 ft)D FMQ
W207CI89.3 FM Cleveland, Tennessee 13123.1 m (404 ft)D FMQ
W257BX99.3 FM Columbia, Tennessee 6054.4 m (178 ft)D FMQ
W213BT90.5 FM Cookeville, Tennessee 10134.5 m (441 ft)D FMQ
W210CD89.9 FM Hendersonville, Tennessee 250316 m (1,037 ft)D FMQ
W207CQ89.3 FM Jackson, Tennessee 10108 m (354 ft)D FMQ

Texas

Call sign Frequency City of license ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
KAWA 89.7 FM Sanger, Texas 95,000572  m (1,877  ft)CKAWA FMQ]

Washington

Call sign Frequency City of license ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
K218FL91.5 FM Spokane, Washington 260  m (0  ft)D FMQ
K235CU94.9 FM Longview, Washington 200 m (0 ft)D FMQ

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KAWA is an American contemporary Christian music (CCM) formatted radio station located in Dallas, Texas. It is a WAY-FM Network owned and operated station through Hope Media Group. As a non-profit under previous ownership of Research Educational Foundation, Inc., it annually hosted two fund-raising drives to remain on the air. It broadcasts at 95,000 watts from a tower in Sanger, Texas.

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WAYJ is a radio station broadcasting a Christian radio format. Licensed to Naples, Florida, United States, the station is currently owned and operated by WAY-FM Network.

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References

  1. cmarcucci (2012-02-14). "WAY-FM selling WAYJ-FM". Radio & Television Business Report. Retrieved 2019-08-20.
  2. 1 2 Archived July 13, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  3. Philpot, Robert. "Report: Power 89.7 FM soon to become "Way-FM" | The Star Telegram The Star Telegram". Star-telegram.com. Retrieved 2015-05-15.
  4. 1 2 "John Scaggs Named CEO of Christian Broadcaster WAY Media". Insideradio.com. Retrieved 2019-08-15.