WPFR (AM) – Wikipedia

Posted on by
before-content-x4

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 after-content-x4

Radio station in Terre Haute, Indiana

WPFR is a Christian radio station licensed to Terre Haute, Indiana, broadcasting on 1480 kHz AM. The station is owned by American Hope Communications.[4]

History[edit]

The station began broadcasting January 6, 1948, and originally held the call letters WTHI.[1][2] The station ran 1,000 watts 24 hours a day.[2] In 1970, the station’s daytime power was increased to 5,000 watts.[2] WTHI AM 1480, along with WTHI-FM, and WTHI-TV were long owned by Tony Hulman, and remained in his family’s hands until 1998, when all three stations were sold to Emmis Communications.[5][6]

WTHI aired a Top 40 format from the mid-1960s until January 1974, when the station adopted a country music format.[7] By 1983, the station had adopted a MOR format.[8] By 1988, the station had begun airing an oldies format.[9] By 1991, the station had returned to airing a country music format, simulcasting 99.9 WTHI-FM.[10]

The station adopted a news-talk format in 1992.[11] As a news-talk station, WTHI was Terre Haute’s home for prominent national personalities such as Rush Limbaugh and Paul Harvey, as well as The Bob & Tom Show.[12][13] The station also carried The Mike Pence Show, a statewide talk show which Pence hosted prior to his election to congress.[14]

In 2000, the station was donated to Word Power, Inc., and its call sign was changed to WPFR, with the station adopting a Christian format.[15][3][16] The station was taken off the air in March 2020.[17]

 after-content-x4

In 2021, it was sold to American Hope Communications, along with WKZI, WLHW, WPFR-FM, and three translators, for $179,000.[18][19]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b 1973 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting, 1973. p. B-71. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d History Cards for WPFR, fcc.gov. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Call Sign History, fcc.gov. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  4. ^ AM Query Results: WPFR, fcc.gov. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  5. ^ Fybush, Scott. “Terre Haute, Indiana (Part I)“, fybush.com. June 2, 2006. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  6. ^ “Proposed Station Transfers“, The M Street Journal. Vol. 15, No. 17. April 29, 1998. p. 6. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  7. ^ “$14G Promo Tees Oft Ind. Country Shift“, Billboard. January 26, 1974. p. 22. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  8. ^ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1983, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1983. p. B-85. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  9. ^ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1988, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1988. p. B-100. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  10. ^ Unmacht, Robert (1991). The M Street Radio Directory. p. 145. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  11. ^ “Format Changes“, The M Street Journal. Vol. 9, No. 40. October 7, 1992. p. 1. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  12. ^ “The Wabash Valley Home of the Bob & Tom Show!”. WTHI. Archived from the original on February 4, 1998. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  13. ^ “Format Changes & Updates“, The M Street Journal. Vol. 12, No. 40. October 5, 1995. p. 1. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  14. ^ “The Wabash Valley Home of the Bob & Tom Show!”. WTHI. Archived from the original on April 28, 1997. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  15. ^ “Transactions“, Radio & Records. November 5, 1999. p. 6. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  16. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2001, Broadcasting & Cable, 2001. p. D-159. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  17. ^ “WPFR Terre Haute Shuts Down“, RadioInsight. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  18. ^ “Indiana-Illinois Cluster Sold“, All Access. April 2, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  19. ^ “Hoosier Group Spun To Hopeful New Owner“, Radio & Television Business Report. April 2, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2022.

External links[edit]


after-content-x4