WCUG (FM)
{{short description|Radio station in Lumpkin–Columbus, Georgia}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = WCUG
| logo = WCUG 88.5 Cougar Radio logo.jpg
| area = Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area
| branding = Cougar Radio
| airdate = April 15, 2008
| frequency = 88.5 MHz
| format = Jazz, News, Sports and College
| erp = 23,000 watts
| haat = {{convert|164|meters}}
| class = C2
| facility_id = 88005
| coordinates = {{coord|31|59|19|N| 84|55|59|W|region:US_type:city}}
| callsign_meaning = Cougar
| former_callsigns = WTMQ (2002–2009)
WBOJ (2009–2015)
| owner = 88.5 The Truth Inc.
| licensee = 88.5 The Truth, Inc.
| sister_stations =
| webcast = [https://streamdb3web.securenetsystems.net/ce/index.cfm?stationCallSign=WCUGFM Listen Live]
| website = {{URL|wcugradio.columbusstate.edu}}
| affiliations =
| licensing_authority= FCC
}}
WCUG (88.5 FM, "Cougar Radio") is a college radio radio station licensedLumpkin, Georgia and serving the metro area. A student-run station, WCUG is owned by the Columbus State University with studios on the university's RiverPark Campus.{{ cite web |url=https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/education/article29463778.html |title=Columbus State's first radio station debuts |publisher=Ledger-Enquirer |access-date=January 31, 2019}}
History
On December 26, 2009, 88.5 switched its format from latin music{{ cite web |url=https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/living/religion/article29065792.html |title=Christian radio station now on 88.5 |publisher=Ledger-Enquirer |access-date=January 31, 2019}} to a Contemporary Christian radio station branded as 88.5 The Truth with a callsign of WBOJ.{{ cite web |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/93516/columbus-ga-stations-on-the-move/ |title=Columbus, GA Stations on the Move |publisher=Radio Insight}}
88.5 The Truth was put on the air by former WCGQ Programming Director/Air Talent Lee McCard who was the morning host until July 2009. Morning successor Heath Jackson was shot and killed at his home in September 2010, in a murder case which stunned Columbus.{{ cite web |url=http://www.wtvm.com/story/22417815/ricardo-strozier-pleads-guilty-to-gruesome-murder-of-radio-dj-heath-jackson/ |title=Ricardo Strozier pleads guilty to gruesome murder of radio DJ Heath Jackson |publisher=WTVM |access-date=January 31, 2019}} Police arrested a suspected burglar on murder charges.
In July 2015, the station moved its programming to 107.7 FM and 103.7 WLTC-HD3 and rebranded as 107.7 The Truth. This freed up 88.5 for use by Columbus State University.
On July 1, 2015, the station launched as Cougar Radio, with programming being handled by students and faculty of Columbus State's Department of Communication. The station's programming consists of various music genres including jazz, electronic dance music, country and other programming. CSU obtained the station through a partnership with PMB Broadcasting.{{ cite web |url=https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/living/article98399812.html |title=How Columbus State University got a radio station |publisher=Ledger-Enquirer |access-date=January 31, 2019}} The broadcasting group is leasing the station's license to the university for $1 a year.{{ cite web |url=http://www.wtvm.com/story/31792771/wtvm-editorials-42216-ucug-radio-launches/ |title=WTVM Editorials 4/22/16: WCUG Radio launches |publisher=WTVM |access-date=January 31, 2019}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{FM station data|88005|WCUG}}
{{Columbus GA Radio}}
{{Georgia college radio}}
{{coord|31.989|N|84.933|W|type:landmark_region:US_source:FCC|display=title}}
Category:Radio stations established in 2008
Category:Columbus State University
{{GeorgiaUS-radio-station-stub}}