WKZF
This article possibly contains original research. (October 2014) |
Midwest Communications, Inc.) | |
WIRL, WMBD (AM), WPBG, WSWT, WXCL, W240DM, W274BM | |
History | |
First air date | 1976 | (as WTAZ)
Former call signs | WTAZ (1976–1999) WFXF (1999–2000) WDQX (2000–2014) WNGY (2014–2019) |
Call sign meaning | We're KZ 102.3 FM! |
Technical information | |
Facility ID | 43877 |
Class | A |
ERP | 4,100 watts |
HAAT | 121.9 meters (400 ft) |
Links | |
Webcast | Listen live |
Website | www |
WKZF (102.3
History
The station came on the air in 1976 as WTAZ,[1] broadcasting an oldies format with NBC features[citation needed] from a studio and transmitter 2.75 miles (4.43 km) northeast of Morton on Washington Road in Tazewell County (hence WTAZ).[1] Roy Demanes (the owner of the Ramada Inn, a bank, and a pharmacy in Peoria, as well as an extensive pre-need burial program) worked with Penny Press Publisher (and former WEEK-TV anchorman) Bud Carter to put the station on the air.[citation needed]
As of the late 1970s, the two were partners in the newspaper previously mentioned (a Peoria-based issues and entertainment oriented publication) and the radio station. Demanes exchanged his ownership in the paper for Carter's interest in the paper, then died of a heart attack a short time later.[citation needed]
The paper was purchased by another suburban weekly (the Observer), and Carter relocated to Atlanta where he now is Senior Chairman for the Atlanta operation of an international organization for CEOs (Vistage International).[citation needed]
Through most of the 1980s and 1990s, WTAZ had a talk format featuring personalities such as
In late 2005, WDQX was sold, along with WXCL, to JMP, a subsidiary of Triad Broadcasting. WDQX kept a classic rock format, but was rebranded as "Max FM", and the music was tweaked to include more hard rock.[6] Effective May 1, 2013, Triad sold WPBG and 29 other stations to L&L Broadcasting for $21 million.[7] L&L would merge with Alpha Media in April 2014.[8]
On October 15, 2014, WDQX owners Alpha Media announced 102.3 would flip to CHR as "Energy 102.3" at 9 a.m. the following day. The last song on "Max FM" was "
"Energy" would continue until September 16, 2016 at 5 p.m., when, after playing "Treat You Better" by Shawn Mendes, WNGY flipped to classic hip hop, branded as "G102.3". The first song on "G" was "Hypnotize" by The Notorious B.I.G.[11][12]
On February 4, 2019, Alpha Media announced that it would sell its Peoria cluster to Midwest Communications for $21.6 million.[13] The sale closed on April 30, 2019.
On December 9, 2019, at 10 a.m., WNGY began
Previous logos
References
- ^ a b "WTAZ" (PDF). History Cards. Washington, D.C.: Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
- Peoria Journal Star. June 15, 1999.
- Peoria Journal Star. June 15, 1999.
- Peoria Journal Star. October 4, 2000.
- Peoria Journal Star. October 13, 2000.
- Peoria Journal Star. December 4, 2005.
- ^ "Larry Wilson Acquires Triad Broadcasting". RadioInsight. 2012-11-30. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
- ^ "Alpha and L&L To Merge; Acquire Main Line Broadcasting". RadioInsight. 2014-04-17. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
- ^ ""Energy" Launching in Peoria". RadioInsight. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
- ^ ""Energy 102.3" Debuts". Format Change Archive. 2014-10-16. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
- ^ a b "Another Day, Another G as Classic Hip Hop Plays in Peoria". RadioInsight. September 16, 2016. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
- ^ "WNGY Becomes G102.3". Format Change Archive. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
- ^ "Midwest Communications Acquires Alpha Media's Peoria Stations". RadioInsight. 6 February 2019. Retrieved 2019-12-16.
- ^ "G102.3 Peoria Gives Way To Retro Hits KZ102.3". RadioInsight. December 9, 2019. Retrieved 2019-12-16.