WLCH (AM)
{{redirect|WGLD (AM)||WGLD (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = WLCH
| above = Simulcast of WLCH-FM, Lancaster
| logo =
| logo_size =
| city = Manchester Township, Pennsylvania
| country = US
| area = York, Pennsylvania
| branding = {{lang|es|Radio Centro}}
| frequency = 1440 kHz
| translators = {{Radio Relay|107.1|W296EA|Manchester Township}}
| repeaters =
| airdate = {{start date|1950|12|8}} (as WGCB)
| languages = English, Spanish
| format = Variety
| power = {{ubl|730 watts day|53 watts night}}
| class = D
| facility_id = 55352
| coordinates = {{coord|39|59|58.35|N|76|44|42.88|W|region:US-PA_type:landmark_source:FCC|display=inline,title|name=WLCH}}
| callsign_meaning =
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|WGCB (1950–1997)|WTHM (1997–2005)|WGLD (2005–2024)}}
| affiliations =
| owner = Spanish American Civic Association For Equality, Inc.
| licensee =
| sister_stations =
| webcast = {{listen live|https://live365.com/station/WLCH-Radio-Centro-a37354}}
| website = {{URL|https://wlchradio.org/}}
| licensing_authority= FCC
}}
WLCH (1440 AM, "{{langr|es|Radio Centro}}") is a radio station licensed to serve Manchester Township, Pennsylvania. The station is owned by the Spanish American Civic Association For Equality, Inc.{{cite web|url=https://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/amq?list=0&facid=55352 |title=WLCH Facility Record |website=fcc.gov |publisher=United States Federal Communications Commission, Media Bureau, Audio Division |access-date=April 23, 2016}}
It broadcasts a variety format in English and Spanish, simulcasting WLCH-FM in Lancaster. The station's programming is also available via its 250-watt translator W296EA (107.1 MHz).
History
WGCB was first licensed on December 8, 1950.{{cite web|url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/9b6b72da-99d1-10dc-8fca-ff4283892751 |title=History Cards for WLCH |website=fcc.gov |publisher=United States Federal Communications Commission, Media Bureau, Audio Division |access-date=December 23, 2024}} It originally was licensed to Red Lion, Pennsylvania. WGCB broadcast a Christian radio format and was owned by Red Lion Broadcasting.
John Harden Norris was the station's first manager.{{cite news |author= |title=John Norris Obituary |url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/york/obituary.aspx?n=john-harden-norris&pid=118189240 |newspaper=York Daily Record & York Dispatch |date=September 30, 2008 |access-date=April 23, 2016 }}
In 1964, Norris went on a fifteen-minute diatribe against journalist Fred Cook. Cook, under Fairness Doctrine rules, requested a chance to rebut, and Norris refused, claiming the doctrine to be unconstitutional. A lawsuit (Red Lion Broadcasting Co. v. FCC) ensued, which Cook won.
Cumulus Media took control of the station after its purchase of Susquehanna Radio Corporation in 2006. Following the purchase, Cumulus renamed the corporation Radio License Holding SRC, LLC.
Cumulus sold the station to Major Keystone LLC on September 24, 2021.{{Cite web|title=Major Keystone Acquires Four Pennsylvania Stations From Cumulus|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/211116/major-keystone-acquires-four-pennsylvania-stations-from-cumulus/|access-date=January 17, 2022|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US}}
File:WGLD CBS Sports Radio 1440 AM York logo.png
On January 17, 2022, WGLD changed its format from sports radio to Spanish CHR, branded as "Mega 107.1" and was sold to Victor Martinez's VP Broadcasting, along with its translator, W296EA, and sister station WTKZ.[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/218607/mega-107-1-debuts-in-lancaster-york-via-major-keystone-swap/ Mega 107.1 Debuts In Lancaster/York Via Major Keystone Swap] Radioinsight - January 17, 2022
VP Broadcasting sold WGLD to the Spanish American Civic Association For Equality, owners of WLCH in Lancaster, for $350,000 in 2024.{{cite news |last1=Venta |first1=Lance |title=Station Sales Week Of 6/7 |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/271415/station-sales-week-of-6-7-2/ |access-date=December 23, 2024 |work=RadioInsight |date=June 7, 2024}} The new owners began programming the station under a local marketing agreement on June 1, and changed the call sign to WLCH on November 24.{{cite web |last1=Moskowitz, Esq. |first1=Allan G |title=Form 380 - Change Request |url=https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/draftCopy.html?displayType=html&appKey=25076f91932b0f1b01933fde9e7610a2&id=25076f91932b0f1b01933fde9e7610a2&goBack=N |website=Licensing and Management System |publisher=Federal Communications Commission |access-date=December 23, 2024 |date=November 18, 2024}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://wlchradio.org/}}
{{AM station data|55352|WLCH}}
- {{FCC-LMS-Facility|200873|W296EA}}
- {{FXL|W296EA}}
{{York Radio}}
{{Spanish Radio Stations in Pennsylvania}}
Category:Radio stations established in 1950
Category:1950 establishments in Pennsylvania