WGIR (AM)

Weekdays begin with a local news and interview show, "New Hampshire Today", hosted by Chris Ryan, also heard on several other stations in the state.{{cite news |title=Chris Ryan Named Host Of WGIR-A/Manchester-WQSO/Portsmouth, NH's 'New Hampshire Today' |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/203066/chris-ryan-named-host-of-wgir-a-manchester-wqso-po |access-date=October 17, 2022 |work=All Access |date=December 30, 2020 |language=en}} The rest of the schedule consists of nationally syndicated shows, including The Glenn Beck Program, The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, The Sean Hannity Show, The Dave Ramsey Show, Ground Zero Radio with Clyde Lewis, Coast to Coast AM with George Noory and This Morning, America's First News with Gordon Deal.

Weekend feature programs on money, health, law, technology and the Paul Parent Garden Club, as well as best-of editions of weekday programming. Some weekend shows are paid brokered programming. Syndicated weekend shows include The Tech Guy with Leo Laporte, Sunday Night Live with Bill Cunningham and Somewhere in Time with Art Bell. Most hours begin with world and national news from Fox News Radio, followed by New Hampshire news from local reporters.

WGIR is the flagship station of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats minor league baseball team. Additionally, WGIR is co-flagship of the Wildcat Sports Network along with sister stations 930 WPKX and 96.7 WQSO. The network airs college football, hockey and basketball from the University of New Hampshire.

The station signed on the air on October 2, 1941, as WMUR, owned by former New Hampshire Governor Francis P. Murphy.{{cite web|url=http://www.nhab.org/alumni/murphy.html|title=NHAB Alumni: Francis P. Murphy|date=October 29, 2001|publisher=New Hampshire Association of Broadcasters|accessdate=February 14, 2010}} WMUR was an NBC Blue Network affiliate.{{cite book|title=Broadcasting Yearbook 1943|year=1943|page=112|url=http://www.davidgleason.com/Archive%20BC-YB/1943/1943%20YB%20Radio%20By%20States.pdf|accessdate=February 14, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} WMUR carried the Blue Network line up of dramas, comedies, news and sports during the "Golden Age of Radio". The Blue Network later became ABC Radio.{{cite book|title=Broadcasting Yearbook-Marketbook 1956|year=1956|page=202|url=http://www.davidgleason.com/Archive%20BC-YB/1956/201-300%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201956.pdf|accessdate=February 14, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

An FM sister station on 95.7 MHz was added on December 21, 1947, which largely simulcast the AM station. Plans for an FM station had been in place for seven years. However, few people owned FM radios at the time and management doubted the FM station would ever be profitable. WMUR-FM was shut down December 27, 1950. The frequency is now occupied by WZID.{{cite web|url=http://www.ggninfo.com/July05.htm|title=WMUR-FM discontinues operation after December 27, 1950|date=July 2005|work=Photo of the Month|publisher=ggn information systems|accessdate=February 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214045635/http://www.ggninfo.com/July05.htm|archive-date=February 14, 2010|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}

A few years later, Murphy decided to apply for a television station on Channel 9. Murphy had to compete against applications from WFEA, WKBR (now WGAM), and the Manchester Union-Leader, the local daily newspaper headed by William Loeb III. Murphy won the construction permit, and WMUR-TV signed on March 28, 1954.{{cite journal|last=Rapsis|first=Jeff|date=March 4, 2004|title=WMUR At 50|journal=The Hippo|url=http://www.hippopress.com/features/cover040304.html|accessdate=February 14, 2010|archive-date=December 17, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041217182427/http://www.hippopress.com/features/cover040304.html|url-status=dead}}

Because WMUR radio was an ABC affiliate, WMUR-TV picked up programming from the ABC Television Network. WMUR and WMUR-TV broadcast from a Victorian-style house on Elm Street in Manchester.

Murphy decided to sell the WMUR stations in the mid-1950s, with Madeleine M. Girolimon acquiring WMUR radio for $150,000 in 1956{{cite news |title=WMUR Manchester Sale Filed |work=Broadcasting-Telecasting |date=February 6, 1956 |page=6}} and changing the call sign to the current WGIR. (The WMUR call letters remain on channel 9, which stayed under Murphy's ownership until a few months after his death in 1958.) Girolimon dropped the ABC affiliation soon after taking over.{{cite book|title=Broadcasting Yearbook-Marketbook 1957|year=1957|page=174|url=http://www.davidgleason.com/Archive%20BC-YB/1957/1957%20YB%20States%20Neb%20to%20Vir%20Is.pdf|accessdate=February 14, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} WGIR picked up CBS Radio programming in 1957.{{cite book|title=Broadcasting Yearbook 1958|year=1958|page=A-331|url=http://www.davidgleason.com/Archive%20BC-YB/1958/Sectin%20A%20Radio%20By%20State%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201958-9.pdf|accessdate=February 14, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Girolimon sold WGIR to Knight Quality Stations in 1961.{{cite web|url=http://www.nhab.org/alumni/mack.html|title=NHAB Alumni: Bernie Mack|date=October 29, 2001|publisher=New Hampshire Association of Broadcasters|accessdate=February 14, 2010}} Around the same time, the station switched its network affiliation to NBC Radio.{{cite book|title=Broadcasting Yearbook 1961-62|year=1961|page=B-111|url=http://www.davidgleason.com/Broadcasting%201961.62%20Yearbook%20Page%20Range%20Guide_files/201-300%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201961-1962-4.pdf|accessdate=February 14, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Under Knight, the station decided to reenter FM broadcasting, and WGIR-FM at 101.1 MHz signed on June 5, 1963.{{cite book|title=Broadcasting Yearbook 1981|year=1981|pages=C-147–8|url=http://www.davidgleason.com/Archive%20BC-YB/1981/Cb%20Facilities%20of%20Radio%201981%20N-Z.pdf|accessdate=February 16, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008193016/http://davidgleason.com/Archive%20BC-YB/1981/Cb%20Facilities%20of%20Radio%201981%20N-Z.pdf|archive-date=October 8, 2010|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} It largely simulcast the AM station in its early years.{{cite book|title=Broadcasting Yearbook 1964|year=1964|page=B-97|url=http://www.davidgleason.com/Archive%20BC-YB/1964/Section%20B2%20N%20Z%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201964.pdf|accessdate=February 16, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In 1977, the simulcast ended as WGIR-FM switched to a soft rock format.{{cite book|title=Broadcasting Yearbook 1978|year=1978|page=C-136|url=http://www.davidgleason.com/Broadcasting%201978%20Yearbook/C%20Radio%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201978%20Full-5.pdf|accessdate=February 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309112315/http://www.davidgleason.com/Broadcasting%201978%20Yearbook/C%20Radio%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201978%20Full-5.pdf|archive-date=2012-03-09|url-status=dead}}

Through the 1960s and 1970s, WGIR had a full service, middle of the road (MOR) format, mixed with some talk and sports programming.{{cite book|title=Broadcasting Yearbook 1973|year=1973|page=B-125|url=http://www.davidgleason.com/Archive%20BC-YB/1973/B%202%20YB%201973.pdf|accessdate=February 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101008151948/http://davidgleason.com/Archive%20BC-YB/1973/B%202%20YB%201973.pdf|archive-date=2010-10-08|url-status=dead}} By the early 1980s, the station evolved its music programming to adult contemporary, while adding more talk shows.{{cite book|title=Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1988|year=1988|page=B-179|url=http://www.davidgleason.com/Archive%20BC-YB/1988/B%20Radio%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201988-5.pdf|accessdate=April 5, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} On December 31, 1984, WGIR ended all remaining music programming to become a full-time news/talk station.{{cite web|url=http://www.nhab.org/alumni/frisch.html|title=NHAB Alumni: Bob Frisch|date=October 29, 2001|publisher=New Hampshire Association of Broadcasters|accessdate=November 30, 2010}}{{cite book|title=Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1989|year=1989|page=B-189|url=http://www.davidgleason.com/Archive%20BC-YB/1989/B-2%20Radio%20Neb%20to%20Terr%201989-5.pdf|accessdate=April 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110409143955/http://www.davidgleason.com/Archive%20BC-YB/1989/B-2%20Radio%20Neb%20to%20Terr%201989-5.pdf|archive-date=2011-04-09|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/02/11/us/1992-campaign-republicans-bush-steps-up-campaign-buchanan-lays-agenda.html?pagewanted=1|title=THE 1992 CAMPAIGN: Republicans; Bush Steps Up Campaign as Buchanan Lays Out an Agenda|last=Holmes|first=Steven A.|date=February 11, 1992|work=The New York Times|accessdate=February 15, 2010|quote=...WGIR-AM, a news-talk radio station...}} In 1990, the station swapped affiliations with WFEA and returned to ABC News Radio.{{cite web|url=http://www.manfrommars.com/wfea90s.html|title=WFEA History - 1990s|last=Brouder|first=Ed|date=January 1, 2009|work=Man from Mars Productions|accessdate=February 15, 2010|quote=On January first it [WFEA] switched from ABC to NBC, allowing cross-town rival WGIR to sign with ABC News.}}

Knight Quality Stations announced the sale of its eight New England radio stations, including WGIR, to Capstar Broadcasting Partners in April 1997;{{cite news|url=http://www.bostonradio.org/nerw/nerw-970417.html|title=In the Zone|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=April 17, 1997|work=North East RadioWatch|accessdate=February 15, 2010}}{{cite news |title=Cash-Rich Capstar Continues Capitalization |work=Radio & Records |date=April 25, 1997 |page=6}} upon assuming control in January 1998, the stations were operated by Capstar's Atlantic Star Communications subsidiary.{{cite news |title=Capstar buys New England radio stations |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/1998/01/05/daily12.html |access-date=May 4, 2024 |work=Austin Business Journal |date=January 9, 1998}} That September, Capstar rebranded the station as the "Action News Network".{{cite news|url=http://www.bostonradio.org/nerw/nerw-980925.html|title=WNFT, WNTN Sold|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=September 25, 1998|work=North East RadioWatch|accessdate=February 15, 2010}} In addition to broadcasting on AM 610, WGIR supplied programming to Seacoast radio stations 930 WZNN (renamed WGIN) and 1540 WMYF (renamed WGIP).{{cite news|url=http://www.bostonradio.org/nerw/nerw-981001.html|title=WNNZ Sold to Clear Channel|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=October 1, 1998|work=North East RadioWatch|accessdate=February 15, 2010}}{{cite news|url=http://www.bostonradio.org/nerw/nerw-981009.html|title=Clear Channel Gets Jacor|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=October 9, 1998|work=North East RadioWatch|accessdate=February 15, 2010}} WGIR switched networks again, this time dropping ABC and returning to NBC Radio. NBC radio news was subsequently phased out by Westwood One in favor of CNN Radio.

Capstar and Chancellor Media announced in August 1998 that they would merge (Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst was a major shareholder in both companies);{{cite news |last1=Littleton |first1=Cynthia |title=Chancellor, Capstar ink merger |url=https://variety.com/1998/biz/news/chancellor-capstar-ink-merger-1117479917/ |access-date=May 4, 2024 |work=Variety |date=August 28, 1998}} upon the merger's completion in July 1999, the combined company was named AMFM Inc.{{cite news|url=http://www.bostonradio.org/nerw/nerw-990521.html|title=NHPR Goes North|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=May 21, 1999|work=North East RadioWatch|accessdate=February 16, 2010}}{{cite news |title=Chancellor/Capstar merger creates AMFM Inc. |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/1999/07/12/daily6.html |access-date=May 4, 2024 |work=Austin Business Journal |date=July 13, 1999}} AMFM was in turn acquired by Clear Channel Communications (forerunner to iHeartMedia) in a deal announced on October 4, 1999,{{cite news|url=http://www.bostonradio.org/nerw/nerw-991008.html|title=The Big Get Bigger -- Again|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=October 8, 1999|work=North East RadioWatch|accessdate=February 16, 2010}}{{cite news |title=Clear Channel, AMFM deal |url=https://money.cnn.com/1999/10/04/deals/clear/ |access-date=May 4, 2024 |work=CNN Money |date=October 4, 1999}} and completed in August 2000.{{cite news |title=Clear Channel brings AMFM into focus |url=https://variety.com/2000/more/news/clear-channel-brings-amfm-into-focus-1117785751/ |access-date=May 4, 2024 |work=Variety |date=August 30, 2000}} For a time, Clear Channel added WGIR programming to a fourth station, WTSL 1400 AM in Hanover.{{cite news|url=http://www.fybush.com/NERW/2004/040823/nerw.html|title=Rochester Loses Pete Dobrovitz|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=August 23, 2004|work=NorthEast Radio Watch|accessdate=February 16, 2010}} WGIR picked up Fox News Radio for its news network in the mid-2000s after Clear Channel signed a larger agreement with the service.{{cite news|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2004/12/06/daily2.html?jst=b_ln_hl|title=Clear Channel tunes in Fox News as primary news provider|date=December 6, 2004|work=San Antonio Business Journal|publisher=American City Business Journals|accessdate=February 16, 2010}}

WGIP left the network in 2009, after it was placed in the Aloha Station Trust and sold off due to the privatization of Clear Channel; it became classic hits-formatted WXEX,{{cite news|url=http://www.fybush.com/NERW/2009/090316/nerw.html|title="Now," NY's K-Rock is History|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=March 16, 2009|work=NorthEast Radio Watch|accessdate=February 16, 2010}} and is now K-Love station WPKC. WGIN also stopped carrying WGIR programming in April 2011, switching to sports programming. It became WPKX in February 2012.{{cite news|last=Fybush|first=Scott|title=WBEN Adds FM|url=http://www.fybush.com/NERW/2011/110411/nerw.html|accessdate=April 30, 2011|newspaper=NorthEast Radio Watch|date=April 11, 2011}} Most of WGIR's programming and news remains available on the Seacoast through sister station WQSO (96.7 FM).

{{Reflist|2}}

• {{Official website|https://wgiram.iheart.com/}}

{{AM station data|35237|WGIR}}

{{Manchester, New Hampshire radio}}

{{News/Talk Radio Stations in New Hampshire}}

{{IHeartMedia}}

{{Authority control}}

GIR

Category:News and talk radio stations in the United States

Category:Radio stations established in 1941

Category:Manchester, New Hampshire

Category:IHeartMedia radio stations

Category:1941 establishments in New Hampshire