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WBGG (AM)
Encyclopedia
WBGG is a sports radio station
based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
, owned by Clear Channel Communications
. The station broadcasts at 970 kHz with 5,000 watts day and night.
, requiring an eight-tower directional array
to use the frequency. This large array was one of the first of its kind in the United States.
For many years, this station was WWSW with a MOR music format aimed at older adults. In the early 1970s, General Manager Charles Warner instituted a news-heavy morning show to compete with market leader KDKA
. In 1980, a disastrous and abrupt format change to country music (as "Double Country") eventually resulted in the abandonment of the historic call letters and a switch to talk as WTKN. Later, the WWSW calls were reclaimed.
In 1988 WWSW-AM and sister WWSW-FM simultaneously switched to separate oldies
formats, with the FM concentrating more on hits of the 60s and 70s, while the AM focused on 50s and 60s music. Ultimately, the AM became a complete simulcast of the FM station, known as 3WS. In October 2000, 970 broke away from the simulcast to become a Fox Sports Radio
affiliate, and at first was known as "970 The Burgh." Today, the station calls itself "970 ESPN" as it is now an affiliate of ESPN Radio
.
The two stations had a common bond as, in addition to being co-owned, they were the flagship stations for the Pittsburgh Penguins
. The FM outlet for Penguins switched to WXDX in the 2006-07 hockey season while University of Pittsburgh football and basketball
switched to WWSW.
In addition, WBGG-AM, along with sister station WDVE, is the flagship station for the Pittsburgh Steelers
. While WDVE originates the broadcast, the contract with the Steelers specifies that the games also be aired on an AM radio station in the market.
Local programming was highlighted by former Steelers Tunch Ilkin
and Craig Wolfley
in the morning 7-10a, and Stan Savran
hosting Savran on Sports afternoons 3-6p. However, in July 2006, Clear Channel
(WBGG's parent company) replaced Savran with Tim Benz and former Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
writer Joe Bendel. Benz broadcasts alone from 3-4p, and Bendel is solo from 6-7p. The Ilkin-Wolfley morning show left the air during the summer of '06 when Ilkin decided to devote more time to other projects.
http://pittsburghpanthers.cstv.com/genrel/081205aab.html
On January 1, 2011 WBGG AM became an affiliate of the ESPN Radio Network as WEAE changed to Radio Disney.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, owned by Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008...
. The station broadcasts at 970 kHz with 5,000 watts day and night.
History
The station was originally at 1500 (later 1490), and moved to 970 after the end of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, requiring an eight-tower directional array
Directional array
In broadcast engineering, directional array refers to an antenna array arranged such that the superposition of the electromagnetic waves produce a predictable electromagnetic field...
to use the frequency. This large array was one of the first of its kind in the United States.
For many years, this station was WWSW with a MOR music format aimed at older adults. In the early 1970s, General Manager Charles Warner instituted a news-heavy morning show to compete with market leader KDKA
KDKA (AM)
KDKA is a radio station licensed to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Created by the Westinghouse Electric Corporation on November 2, 1920, it is one of the world's first modern radio stations , a distinction that has also been challenged by other stations, although it has claimed to be the first in...
. In 1980, a disastrous and abrupt format change to country music (as "Double Country") eventually resulted in the abandonment of the historic call letters and a switch to talk as WTKN. Later, the WWSW calls were reclaimed.
In 1988 WWSW-AM and sister WWSW-FM simultaneously switched to separate oldies
Oldies
Oldies is a term commonly used to describe a radio format that concentrates on music from a period of about 15 to 55 years before the present day....
formats, with the FM concentrating more on hits of the 60s and 70s, while the AM focused on 50s and 60s music. Ultimately, the AM became a complete simulcast of the FM station, known as 3WS. In October 2000, 970 broke away from the simulcast to become a Fox Sports Radio
Fox Sports Radio
Fox Sports Radio, abbreviated FSR, is an international radio network consisting of sports talk programming. The network is a service of Premiere Networks...
affiliate, and at first was known as "970 The Burgh." Today, the station calls itself "970 ESPN" as it is now an affiliate of ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio is an American sports radio network. It was launched on January 1, 1992 under the original banner of "SportsRadio ESPN." ESPN Radio is located at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut...
.
The two stations had a common bond as, in addition to being co-owned, they were the flagship stations for the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
. The FM outlet for Penguins switched to WXDX in the 2006-07 hockey season while University of Pittsburgh football and basketball
University of Pittsburgh Panthers
The Pittsburgh Panthers, commonly also referred to as the Pitt Panthers, are the athletic teams of University of Pittsburgh, although the term is colloquially used to refer to other aspects of the university such as alumni, faculty, and students...
switched to WWSW.
In addition, WBGG-AM, along with sister station WDVE, is the flagship station for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
. While WDVE originates the broadcast, the contract with the Steelers specifies that the games also be aired on an AM radio station in the market.
Local programming was highlighted by former Steelers Tunch Ilkin
Tunch Ilkin
Tunch Ilkin is a Turkish sports broadcaster and a former American football player. He currently serves as a television and radio analyst for the Pittsburgh Steelers.-Biography:...
and Craig Wolfley
Craig Wolfley
Craig Wolfley is a former American football player and current sideline reporter for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Along with former teammate Tunch Ilkin, he hosts a show on ESPN Radio 970.-College career:...
in the morning 7-10a, and Stan Savran
Stan Savran
Stan Savran is an American sports media personality based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.-Current work:...
hosting Savran on Sports afternoons 3-6p. However, in July 2006, Clear Channel
Clear channel
A clear-channel station is an AM band Radio station in North America that has the highest protection from interference from other stations, particularly concerning night-time skywave propagation. Usually known as class A stations since 1982, they are occasionally still referred to by their former...
(WBGG's parent company) replaced Savran with Tim Benz and former Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, also known as "the Trib," is the second largest daily newspaper serving metropolitan Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
writer Joe Bendel. Benz broadcasts alone from 3-4p, and Bendel is solo from 6-7p. The Ilkin-Wolfley morning show left the air during the summer of '06 when Ilkin decided to devote more time to other projects.
http://pittsburghpanthers.cstv.com/genrel/081205aab.html
On January 1, 2011 WBGG AM became an affiliate of the ESPN Radio Network as WEAE changed to Radio Disney.