WGTR

{{short description|Radio station in Bucksport–Myrtle Beach, South Carolina}}

{{for|the Worcester, Massachusetts, FM station which held the WGTR call sign from 1943 to 1953|WGTR (Massachusetts)}}

{{Infobox radio station

| name = WGTR

| logo = File:WGTR GATOR107.9 logo.png

| city = Bucksport, South Carolina

| area = Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

| branding = Gator 107.9

| airdate = January 19, 1993

| frequency = 107.9 MHz

| format = Country

| affiliations = Premiere Networks

| erp = 20,000 watts

| haat = {{convert|239|meters}}

| class = C2

| facility_id = 3118

| licensing_authority = FCC

| coordinates = {{coord|33|35|45.00|N|79|3|11.00|W|region:US-SC_type:landmark}}

| callsign_meaning = "Gator"

| former_callsigns =

| owner = iHeartMedia

| licensee = iHM Licenses, LLC{{cite web|title=FCC Query Results: WGTR|url=http://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=WGTR|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|accessdate=December 3, 2014}}

| sister_stations = WLQB, WRXZ, WWXM, WYNA

| webcast = [https://www.iheart.com/live/gator-1079-6855/ Listen Live]

| website = [https://gator1079.iheart.com gator1079.iheart.com]

}}

WGTR (107.9 FM) is a country music radio station owned by iHeartMedia. Licensed to Bucksport, South Carolina, it serves the Myrtle Beach area. The station is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to broadcast with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 20,000 watts. WGTR goes by the name The Gator and its current slogan is "#1 For New Country, Gator 107.9". Its studios are located on the U.S. 17 Bypass in Myrtle Beach, and its transmitter is in Murrells Inlet.

History

The station went on the air as WGTR on January 19, 1993, with its country music format.{{cite web|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=3118&Callsign=WGTR |title=WGTR Call Sign History |work=United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division }}

In a deal announced in February 1997, Root Communications Ltd. announced plans to buy eight radio stations owned by Florence, South Carolina-based Atlantic Broadcasting, including WGTR.{{cite news|url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/keyword/cheraw/featured/4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219184712/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/keyword/cheraw/featured/4 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 19, 2013 |title=Root Communications Eyes 8 Radio Stations In Carolinas |last=Hager-Van Dyke |first=Charlene |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=February 20, 1997 |accessdate=November 1, 2011 }} Qantum Communications Inc. purchased Myrtle Beach's Root Communications Group LP stations in 2003.{{cite news|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/101197-Changing_Hands.php|title=Changing Hands|work=Broadcasting & Cable|date=March 16, 2003|accessdate=October 13, 2011}}

In Fall 2013, two-time Country Music Association award winner Jeff Roper became morning host and program director. Adam Dellinger, the show producer, worked with Roper in Greensboro, North Carolina and San Antonio, Texas.{{cite news|title=Myrtle Beach area radio stations add holiday tunes to the lineup|last=Palisin|first=Steve|work=The Sun News|date=November 19, 2013}} Roper left the station for KSAT-TV in San Antonio the next summer and was replaced in the morning by Zac Davis.{{cite news|url=http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2014/09/27/4499916/tesh-happy-to-return-to-myrtle.html?sp=/99/134/142/|title=Tesh happy to return to Myrtle Beach airwaves|last=Palisin|first=Steve|work=The Sun News|date=September 27, 2014}} The current iteration of the morning show includes Adam Dellinger, now Program Director, and Bri Prosser.

On May 15, 2014, Qantum Communications announced that it would sell its 29 stations, including WGTR, to Clear Channel Communications (now iHeartMedia), in a transaction connected to Clear Channel's sale of WALK AM-FM in Patchogue, New York to Connoisseur Media via Qantum.{{cite news|last=Venta|first=Lance|title=Qantum Sells To Clear Channel; Connoisseur Expands In Long Island|url=http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/88656/qantum-sells-to-clear-channel-connoisseur-expands-in-long-island/|accessdate=May 15, 2014|newspaper=RadioInsight|date=May 15, 2014}} According to FCC records, the transaction was consummated on September 9, 2014.{{cite web|title=WWXM FCC Consummation Notice|url=https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101650037&formid=905&fac_num=3118|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|accessdate=December 3, 2014}}{{cite web|title=WGTR FCC Assignment of License|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/pubacc/Auth_Files/1634815.pdf|publisher=Federal Communications Commission|accessdate=December 3, 2014}} Gator 107.9 features a local morning show, as Florence/Dillon based sister station WEGX Eagle 92.9 carries The Bobby Bones Show. Gator 107.9 is the host of the Carolina Country Music Fest. A yearly festival that normally takes place for three days in June in Myrtle Beach. The festival is held on the grounds of the former Myrtle Beach Pavilion.

References

External links

[https://gator1079.iheart.com Official website]
{{FM station data|3118|WGTR}}

GTR

Category:Radio stations established in 1993

Category:1993 establishments in South Carolina

Category:IHeartMedia radio stations