WFIW (1390 kHz) is an AM radio station broadcasting a news talk format. Licensed to Fairfield, Illinois, the station is currently owned by The Original Company, Inc., which also owns WFIW-FM 104.9 FM and WOKZ 105.9 FM.https://streamingradioguide.com/radio-parent-list.php?parentid=190 The Original Company list of radio stations WFIW AM and FM simulcast their programming until February 15, 1983.
WFIW carries a variety of local programming, as well as nationally syndicated shows such as Dave Ramsey, Rush Limbaugh, Clark Howard, Roger Hedgecock, Dr. Joy Browne, Coast to Coast AM, and Bill Cunningham.WFIW AM Program Schedule Accessed May 11, 2010
History WFIW began broadcasting on August 21, 1953. The station was originally owned by Thomas Smoot Land and Bryan Davidson, doing business as Wayne County Broadcasting Company.History Cards for WFIW, fcc.gov. Retrieved July 23, 2018. In May 1974, Thomas Land would take sole ownership of the station, and would later pass ownership of the station to his son, Dave Land."WFIW Radio’s Dave Land retiring", The Carmi Times, December 28, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2018."Seller retains ties to Illinois radio trio", Radio & Television Business Report, May 24, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2018. In 2012, Land sold WFIW, along with WFIW-FM and WOKZ, to The Original Company for $962,766.67.Asset Purchase Agreement, fcc.gov. April 30, 2012. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
WFIW originally ran 500 watts during daytime hours only. On May 25, 1961, the station's power was increased to 1,000 watts. From the early to mid 1980s, the station was an affiliate of Music of Your Life.Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1983, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1983. p. B-73. Retrieved July 23, 2018.Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1985, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1985. p. B-82. Retrieved July 23, 2018. By 1986, the station was airing a modern country format.Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1986, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1986. p. B-86. Retrieved July 23, 2018. By 1989, nighttime operations were added, running 87 watts.Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1989, Broadcasting & Cable, 1989. p. B-92. Retrieved July 24, 2018. By 1991, the station had added news-talk programming.The Broadcasting Yearbook 1991, Broadcasting & Cable, 1991. p. B-100. Retrieved July 23, 2018.The M-Street Radio Directory. 1991. p. 129. Retrieved July 23, 2018. By 1993, the station was completely airing a talk format."Format Changes", The M-Street Journal. Vol. 10 No. 28. July 14, 1993. p. 1. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
The call letters WFIW were originally assigned to a station in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. In 1932, that station was bought by George Norton Jr., and its transmitter was moved to Louisville, Kentucky, with the call letters being changed to WAVE.Kieber, John E., Ed. (2001). The Encyclopedia of Louisville. The University Press of Kentucky. . P. 126.
References
External links WFIW's website