WMCW

WMCW began broadcasting with midnight tests on January 30, 1955, and was officially dedicated February 22, 1955. The station originally ran 500 watts during daytime hours only.[https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=65027 History Cards for WMCW], fcc.gov. Retrieved December 30, 2018. The station's motto was "Top of the State, Top of the Dial". The station aired a high amount of local programming, with owner Esther Blodgett serving as an announcer.Heise, Kenan. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-10-01-8703140215-story.html Esther Blodgett, 85, Founder Of Radio Station]", Chicago Tribune. October 01, 1987. Retrieved December 31, 2018. In 1965, Blodgett was named "AP Correspondent of the Month" for her coverage of a tornado that struck the area during the Palm Sunday outbreak. Blodgett's final broadcast was March 14, 1979.

In 1979, Blodgett sold the station to Obed Borgen for $175,000."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1979/BC-1979-03-12.pdf Ownership Changes]", Broadcasting. March 12, 1979. p. 150. Retrieved December 30, 2018. Under Borgen's ownership, the station aired a country music format.[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1980/C-1%20Radio%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201980.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1980], Broadcasting, 1980. p. C-68. Retrieved December 31, 2018.[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1982/C%20Radio%20AL%20to%20MT%20BC%20YB%201982%20All-4.pdf Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1982], Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1982. p. C-72. Retrieved December 31, 2018.

In 1982, the station was sold to Mitchell Broadcasting for $245,000."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1982/BC-1982-04-19.pdf Changing Hands]", Broadcasting. April 19, 1982. p. 71. Retrieved December 30, 2018.[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/comment.pl?Application_id=41315&File_number=BAL-19820402GX Public Notice Comment - BAL-19820402GX], fcc.gov. Retrieved December 30, 2018. The station would air a full service-MOR format.[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1983/B-Radio-Ala-Mt-1983-YB.pdf Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1983], Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1983. p. B-74. Retrieved December 31, 2018.[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Other-Documments/City-Magazines-Misc/Chicagoland-Radio-Waves-Two-Issues.pdf Chicagoland Radio Waves], MediaTies. Summer 1988/Spring-Summer 1989. Retrieved December 31, 2018. Throughout the 1980s along with WXET (now WZSR), WMCW broadcasts sports games from high schools across McHenry and Boone Counties and the city of Marengo’s Federal Savings show “Making your finances fit” every Monday through Friday at 7:10 AM. In 1996, ownership of the station was transferred Stateline Radio, which was owned by the daughter of the owner of Mitchell Broadcasting."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1996/BC-1996-09-09.pdf Changing Hands]", Broadcasting & Cable. September 9, 1996. p. 74. Retrieved December 31, 2018. WMCW was a favorite among locals, broadcasting daily local news and a talkshow featuring locals from the area every morning. The Station wrote daily local newspages which were delivered weekdays to local businesses in Harvard, Marengo and Woodstock.  During Harvard's yearly Milk Day celebration the reporters were always on the scene, reporting in great color, all the action. Live reports from county fairs, local events and as many news worthy stories they could cover. On Sunday, the local church services were aired. The station continued airing a full service-soft AC format throughout the 1990s.Unmacht, Robert (1990). [https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/1990/AL-MT-M-Street-2-1990.pdf The M Street Radio Directory]. p. 122. Retrieved December 31, 2018.Unmacht, Robert; McCrummen, Pat; Heller, Jill; Apel, Steven (1994). [https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/1995/AL-MT-M-Street-6-1995.pdf The M Street Radio Directory]. 1995 Edition. p. 196. Retrieved December 31, 2018.Unmacht, Robert; McCrummen, Pat (1998). [https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/1998/AL-MT-M-Street-8-1998.pdf The M Street Radio Directory]. Eighth Edition. p. 211. Retrieved December 31, 2018.Madler, Mark R. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-10-12-9910120207-story.html Programs to Remain as Radio Station Sold]", Chicago Tribune. October 12, 1999. Retrieved December 31, 2018.

File:WMCW station logo.jpg

In 1999, the station was sold to WPW Broadcasting for $790,000."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1999/RR-1999-11-05.pdf Transactions]", Radio & Records. November 5, 1999. p. 6. Retrieved December 31, 2018.Kampert, Patrick. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2003-03-02-0303020241-story.html Lose a pet? Tractor to sell?]", Chicago Tribune. March 02, 2003. Retrieved December 31, 2018. The station aired a news-talk format in 2002, featuring syndicated personalities such as Laura Ingraham.{{cite web|url=http://www.lauraingraham.com:80/public/popup/affiliates_nc.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021203195916/http://www.lauraingraham.com:80/public/popup/affiliates_nc.asp|title=Laura Ingraham Affiliate List|publisher=LauraIngraham.com|access-date=December 29, 2018|archive-date=December 3, 2002|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} The station switched to an adult standards format by early 2003, with the slogan "Your Music, Your Lifestyle, Your Station".{{cite web|url=http://wmcw.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030203170540/http://wmcw.com/|title=WMCW 1600 AM Radio - Setting the Standard for the State Line|publisher=WMCW|access-date=December 29, 2018|archive-date=February 3, 2003|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} The station continued to air a large amount of local programming.

In 2004, the station was sold to Kovas Communications for $650,000."[https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/changing-hands-101724 Changing Hands]", Broadcasting & Cable. January 11, 2004. Retrieved December 31, 2018. In 2005, the station switched to Health Radio Network programming, simulcasting 1580 WKKD.Devine, Cathy (2005). [https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/2005/AL-MT-M-Street-14-2005-2006.pdf The Radio Book]. 2005-2006 Edition. p. 196. Retrieved December 31, 2018."[https://www.thirteen.org/baker/media-briefing/media-briefing-for-wednesday-may-7-2008/ Media Briefing for Wednesday, May 7, 2008]", Thirteen. May 7, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2018."[https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/39910/suburban-chicago-am-goes-dark Suburban Chicago AM Goes Dark]", All Access Music Group. May 7, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2018. On May 3, 2008, the station was taken silent, and the following year Kovas Communications surrendered WMCW's license, and the licenses of 1580 WKKD and 1600 WCGO to allow sister station 1590 WONX (now WCGO) to increase power to 7 kW."[https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/56227/wcgo-goes-dark-wonx----now-wcgo----ups-power WCGO Goes Dark, WONX -- Now WCGO -- Ups Power]", All Access Music Group. April 13, 2009. Retrieved December 31, 2018.

{{Reflist}}

• [https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/public/tv/publicFacilityDetails.html?facilityId=43421 Facility details for Facility ID 43421 (WNCW)] in the FCC Licensing and Management System
• [https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=65027 FCC History Cards for WMCW] (covering 1952-1979)

{{Kenosha-Waukegan Radio}}

Category:Radio stations established in 1955

Category:Radio stations disestablished in 2008

MCW

Category:Defunct radio stations in the United States

Category:1955 establishments in Illinois

Category:2008 disestablishments in Illinois

MCW