WFYR
{{short description|Country music radio station in Elmwood, Illinois, United States}}
{{for|the radio station at 103.5 in Chicago, Illinois and formerly known as WFYR-FM|WKSC-FM}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = WFYR
| logo =
| logo_size =
| image = Radio Stations Peoria 20231115 001.jpg
| caption = Studio in downtown Peoria
| city = Elmwood, Illinois
| area = Peoria, Illinois
| branding = 97.3 River Country
| frequency = {{Frequency|97.3|MHz}}
| repeater =
| airdate = {{start date and age|1993|8|2}}
| format = Country music
| erp = 23,500 watts
| haat = {{convert|103|m|sp=us}}
| class = B1
| licensing_authority = FCC
| facility_id = 72080
| coordinates = {{coord|40|46|22.1|N|89|44|50.4|W|region:US-IL_source:FCCInfo-NAD83}} (NAD83)
| callsign_meaning = "Fire" (station's original moniker, Fire 97.3)
| former_callsigns =
| affiliations = {{ubl|Compass Media Networks|Westwood One}}
| owner = Cumulus Media
| licensee = Radio License Holding CBC, LLC
| sister_stations = WGLO, WIXO, WVEL, WZPW
| webcast = {{listen live|https://player.listenlive.co/25401}}
[http://www.iheart.com/live/5941/?autoplay=true Listen Live (iHeart)]
| website = [http://www.973rivercountry.com/ 973rivercountry.com]
}}
WFYR (97.3 FM) is a radio station broadcasting a country music format{{cite web |url=http://www.arbitron.com |title=Station Information Profile |publisher=Arbitron |access-date=September 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301134627/http://www.arbitron.com/ |archive-date=March 1, 2010 |url-status=live}} and licensed for Elmwood, Illinois, United States, in the Peoria area. The station is owned by Cumulus Media,{{cite web |url=http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=WFYR |title=WFYR Facility Record |work=United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division}} which purchased the station from Townsquare Media.[http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/105367/cumulus-townsquare-swap-involves-65-stations-13-ma "Cumulus, Townsquare Swap Involves 65 Stations, 13 Markets, $116 Million Cash"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501083542/http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/105367/cumulus-townsquare-swap-involves-65-stations-13-ma |date=May 1, 2012 }} from All Access (April 30, 2012)
History
Ever since the station signed on on August 2, 1993, it has always aired a country format. At first, WFYR used the branding "Fire 97", while using the Jones Satellite Networks' CD Country format on the air. The first local personality on the station was Program Director/Morning Host Dr Chris Michaels (now at competitor WXCL). The second air talent added locally in 1996 was Robb Rose to Afternoon Drive/Promotions Director. In the early-2000s, it was changed to "97.3 River Country". From September 6, 2013, to February 2, 2020, it used the nationally syndicated "Nash FM" branding.{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/973rivercountry/posts/10151705303099585 |title=We have a new name !! !! ! |date=September 6, 2013 |access-date= September 30, 2013 |via=Facebook |author=97.3 River Country}}{{Primary source inline|date=February 2024}}{{cite web |url=http://blogs.pjstar.com/mindingbiz/2013/09/09/on-the-air-river-country-handle-traded-in-for-a-nash/ |title=On the air: River Country handle traded in for a NASH |first=Steve |last=Tarter |date=September 9, 2013 |access-date=September 30, 2013 |work=Minding Business |location=Peoria, Illinois |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210220742/http://blogs.pjstar.com/mindingbiz/2013/09/09/on-the-air-river-country-handle-traded-in-for-a-nash/ |archive-date=December 10, 2015 |url-status=live}}
Today, they are known for boosting local country music artists, with a weekly feature. From 2013 to 2020, the station competed in the Nash Next National Competition.
On February 3, 2020, WFYR rebranded back to its previous identity as "97.3 River Country."{{Cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/184100/wfyr-returns-to-river-country-identity/|title=WFYR Returns To River Country Identity - RadioInsight}}
Previous logo
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{FM station data|72080|WFYR}}
{{Peoria Radio}}
{{Country Radio Stations in Illinois}}
{{Cumulus Media}}
Category:1993 establishments in Illinois
Category:Country radio stations in the United States
Category:Cumulus Media radio stations
Category:Radio stations established in 1993
{{Illinois-radio-station-stub}}