WBGU (FM)

WBGU
The WBGU recording studio.
Frequency88.1 MHz
Programming
Language(s)English
FormatCollege radio
Ownership
OwnerBowling Green State University
History
First air date
November 1951[1]
Former call signs
WRSM (Carrier current)
Former frequencies
600 KHz (Carrier current)
Call sign meaning
Bowling Green University[2]
Technical information
Facility ID6567
ClassA
ERP450 watts
HAAT54 meters (177 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
41°22′33″N 83°38′34″W / 41.37583°N 83.64278°W / 41.37583; -83.64278
Links
WebcastListen live
Websitewbgu-fm.com

WBGU (88.1 FM) is an American non-commercial, college radio station licensed to serve Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. The station, established in 1951, is owned and operated by Bowling Green State University.

WBGU broadcasts a college radio format from the campus of Bowling Green State University.[3] WBGU is a student-run radio station that focuses on independent, underground, and under-represented music.

History

WBGU's origins begin with a public address system built to broadcast a Bowling Green basketball game with audio phoned in from New York City in December 1947. This led to a carrier current station known as "WRSM" signing on in January 1948 at 600 kHz.[4] This station, run by students and volunteers, was authorized by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and was affiliated with the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System.[4] Repeated expansion led the university in 1951 to apply to the FCC for a construction permit to build an FM broadcasting station, licensed as "WBGU" in November 1951, with 10 watts of effective radiated power on a frequency of 88.1 MHz.[1] In the six decades since it launched, the station has upgraded its signal strength, studio facilities, and equipment to meet the needs of the campus and the surrounding area.

WBGU is also the flagship home for Bowling Green hockey with play-by-play voice Ryan Vallon.

References

  1. ^ a b "Directory of Radio Stations in the U.S.". Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1999. Washington, DC: R.R. Bowker. 1999. p. D-338.
  2. ^ Nelson, Bob. "Call Letter Origins". Radio History on the Web. Retrieved October 31, 2011.
  3. ^ "Station Information Profile". Arbitron. Retrieved October 31, 2011.
  4. ^ a b "Bee Gee News January 14, 1948". BG News (Student Newspaper). 14 January 1948. Retrieved 1 February 2021.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to WBGU.
  • WBGU in the FCC FM station database
  • WBGU in Nielsen Audio's FM station database
  • WFAL official site
  • Local newspaper article
  • Newspaper article
  • Telecomm Department
  • Balcerzak, Andrew, Kyle Gebhart, and Stephen Merrill. "WBGU 88.1 FM - Broadcasting from Bowling Green, Ohio." Ed. Dara Greene and Ryan Glover. BGSU. 9 July 2009.
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