WRIG

In late 1935, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) received two mutually exclusive applications to start new radio stations in Wausau. Both were from out-of-town investors. The Wausau Broadcasting Company, with investment from Minnesota and South Dakota individuals led by Emmons Abeles, and the Madison-based Northern Broadcasting Company sought the frequency of 1370 kHz. At comparative hearing, the Wausau Broadcasting group admitted none of the principals had ever visited the namesake city.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102883507/two-applicants-for-radio-stations-in/|date=December 14, 1935|page=1|title=Two Applicants For Radio Stations in Wausau at Capital|newspaper=Wausau Daily Record-Herald|location=Wausau, Wisconsin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 31, 2022|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601042136/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102883507/two-applicants-for-radio-stations-in/|url-status=live}} FCC hearing examiner P. W. Seward initially recommended both applications be denied, particularly Wausau Broadcasting because one of its corporations was not qualified to do business in Wisconsin,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102883544/recommends-denial-of-applications-for/|date=April 3, 1936|page=1|title=Recommends Denial Of Applications for Radio Stations Here|newspaper=Wausau Daily Record-Herald|location=Wausau, Wisconsin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 31, 2022|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601042136/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102883544/recommends-denial-of-applications-for/|url-status=live}} but Northern appealed the denial of its application and won a construction permit for a 100-watt, daytime-only station on September 29, 1936.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102883433/authority-to-erect-new-radio-station-at/|date=October 1, 1936|page=3|title=Authority To Erect New Radio Station At Wausau Granted|newspaper=Wausau Daily Herald|location=Wausau, Wisconsin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2022|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601042136/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102883433/authority-to-erect-new-radio-station-at/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url= https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=80543 |title= History Cards for WRIG|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}} (Guide to reading History Cards)

After changing its call letters from WDRB,{{r|hc}} WSAU debuted on January 30, 1937.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102883821/radio-station-presents-first-program/|date=January 30, 1937|page=4|title=Radio Station Presents First Program Over Air; Speakers Hail Opening|newspaper=Wausau Daily Record-Herald|location=Wausau, Wisconsin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2022|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601042137/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102883821/radio-station-presents-first-program/|url-status=live}} From studios on Third Street in the Leath and Company building,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102883781/radio-station-wsau-to-be-in-operation/|date=October 31, 1936|page=4|title=Radio Station WSAU To be in Operation Here by January 1|newspaper=Wausau Daily Record-Herald|location=Wausau, Wisconsin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2022|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601042137/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102883781/radio-station-wsau-to-be-in-operation/|url-status=live}} the station's initial lineup consisted of news, music, entertainment, and farm information programs.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102883795/wsau-greets-you/|date=January 29, 1937|page=4|title=WSAU Greets You!|newspaper=Wausau Daily Record-Herald|location=Wausau, Wisconsin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2022|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601042138/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102883795/wsau-greets-you/|url-status=live}} Operating for its first months on a daytime-only basis, the station applied shortly before launch for authority to broadcast at night, receiving it in September and beginning nighttime service on October 12.{{r|hc}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102883754/wsau-on-the-air-until-at-least-10-p-m/|date=October 12, 1937|page=2|title=WSAU on the air Until at least 10 P. M. Daily, Beginning Tonight!|newspaper=Wausau Daily Record-Herald|location=Wausau, Wisconsin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2022|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601042138/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102883754/wsau-on-the-air-until-at-least-10-p-m/|url-status=live}} Power was increased to 250 watts in 1938, and the station moved from 1370 to 1400 kHz when NARBA took effect on March 29, 1941.{{r|hc}}

In 1947, WSAU, along with an unbuilt FM construction permit, was sold to The Milwaukee Journal, which received approval in mid-June and began operating the Wausau station on June 20.{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1947/1947-06-30-BC.pdf|work=Broadcasting|date=June 30, 1947|page=22|title=Milwaukee Journal Now Operating WSAU|access-date=2022-06-01|archive-date=2021-11-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108151553/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1947/1947-06-30-BC.pdf|url-status=live}} The Journal was bullish on FM and hoped to construct a regional FM network, with the new WSAU-FM as one of the links; a facility was built on Rib Mountain in 1948 to house the AM and FM stations' transmitters, and both stations moved their studios to the Plumer mansion in 1949.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102934853/sale-of-wsau-is-announced/|date=October 10, 1951|page=1|title=Sale of WSAU Is Announced|newspaper=Wausau Daily Record-Herald|location=Wausau, Wisconsin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2022|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601042138/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102934853/sale-of-wsau-is-announced/|url-status=live}} However, the band failed to take off with listeners, and WSAU-FM was shuttered in April 1950. The Journal had not planned on continuing to run a 250-watt AM radio station, but it felt that it had a responsibility to the community to keep Wausau's only local station on the air. When an offer was made by John Tomek—owner of a station at Rhinelander and applicant for another in Wausau—and Charles Lemke, the Journal opted to sell.{{r|Waus511010}}

In February 1952, WSAU filed to start a television station on channel 7, in advance of the FCC lifting its four-year freeze on new TV station licenses.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102935121/local-radio-station-seeks-tv-channel/|date=February 19, 1952|page=12|title=Local Radio Station Seeks TV Channel|newspaper=Wausau Daily Record-Herald|location=Wausau, Wisconsin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2022|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601042138/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102935121/local-radio-station-seeks-tv-channel/|url-status=live}} The radio station was joined by two other applicants: Wausau's second station, WOSA (which withdrew and sought a UHF channel), and the Wisconsin Valley Television Company, a consortium of local newspapers—the Wausau Daily Record-Herald, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune, Merrill Daily Herald, Rhinelander Daily News, and Antigo Daily Journal, as well as the radio stations owned by the Wisconsin Rapids and Antigo newspapers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102935219/defer-action-on-tv-application/|date=January 24, 1953|page=1|title=Defer Action on TV Application|newspaper=Wausau Daily Record-Herald|location=Wausau, Wisconsin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2022|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601042139/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102935219/defer-action-on-tv-application/|url-status=live}} In March 1954, comparative hearings began between WSAU and Wisconsin Valley. They ended days later when Tomek and Lemke's company, WSAU, Inc., agreed to drop its application and sell the radio station to Wisconsin Valley, leaving it uncontested for channel 7 and leading to the construction of WSAU-TV that year.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102719426/agree-on-merger-of-tv-interests-wsau-sa/|date=March 29, 1954|page=1|title=Agree on Merger of TV Interests, WSAU Sale to Valley Television Corp.|newspaper=Wausau Daily Herald|location=Wausau, Wisconsin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 28, 2022|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601042140/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102719426/agree-on-merger-of-tv-interests-wsau/|url-status=live}}

Over the years, WSAU had attempted to increase power by applying twice for frequency changes. It unsuccessfully sought 1250 kHz in 1944, and a second application had been made in 1957 to increase to 5,000 watts day and 1,000 watts night at 1320 kHz.{{r|hc}} However, that would prove unnecessary. In January 1958, the Wisconsin Valley Television Company entered into an agreement to purchase WOSA and its FM companion at Merrill, Wisconsin, WLIN, from Alvin O'Konski for $225,000. Wisconsin Valley would retain the WOSA facility and move WSAU onto it, selling off the 250-watt station at 1400 kHz.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102867779/wosa-sold-to-wsau-owners-need-fcc-ok/|date=January 14, 1958|page=1|title=WOSA Sold to WSAU Owners; Need FCC OK|newspaper=Wausau Daily Record-Herald|location=Wausau, Wisconsin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 31, 2022|archive-date=May 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531011058/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102867779/wosa-sold-to-wsau-owners-need-fcc-ok/|url-status=live}}

Wisconsin Valley could not close on the purchase until the 1400 kHz frequency and physical plant was sold, and a buyer was found in May: Duey Wright, the owner of the Wright's Music Store and a school of music in Wausau, who would take over the 1400 frequency using the call sign WRIG and set up studios above the music store.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102867929/wright-family-to-buy-wsau-radio-faciliti/|date=May 22, 1958|page=1|title=Wright Family To Buy WSAU Radio Facilities|newspaper=Wausau Daily Herald|location=Wausau, Wisconsin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 31, 2022|archive-date=May 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531011059/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102867929/wright-family-to-buy-wsau-radio/|url-status=live}} On August 1, 1958, the realignment of radio frequencies portended by the sale became reality. WSAU and its programming moved from 1400 to 550 kHz, incorporating selected WOSA programs,{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102868420/ok-sale-of-wsau-radio/|date=June 19, 1958|page=1|title=OK Sale of WSAU-Radio|newspaper=Wausau Daily Record-Herald|location=Wausau, Wisconsin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 31, 2022|archive-date=May 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531011101/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102868420/ok-sale-of-wsau-radio/|url-status=live}} and WRIG debuted with a music-heavy format at 1400 kHz.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102868257/stations-are-realigned-in-wausau-area/|date=August 1, 1958|page=12|title=Stations Are Realigned in Wausau Area|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=Marshfield News-Herald|location=Marshfield, Wisconsin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 31, 2022|archive-date=May 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531011059/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102868257/stations-are-realigned-in-wausau-area/|url-status=live}}

An independent outlet for its first year, WRIG joined the CBS network in July 1959.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102936636/station-wrig-to-be-affiliate-of-cbs/|date=July 11, 1959|page=16|title=Station WRIG to Be Affiliate of CBS|newspaper=Wausau Daily Record-Herald|location=Wausau, Wisconsin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2022|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601042139/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102936636/station-wrig-to-be-affiliate-of-cbs/|url-status=live}} It emerged as a Top 40 station, calling itself "Big Wrig".{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102936864/big-wrig-wausau-station-really-shook-up/|date=August 6, 1988|page=6|title=Big WRIG: Wausau station really shook up the scene in its debut 30 years ago|newspaper=Wausau Daily Herald|location=Wausau, Wisconsin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2022|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601042235/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102936864/big-wrig-wausau-station-really-shook/|url-status=live}} WRIG-FM was started in 1964 and became WDEZ in 1973; it has aired a country music format since the early 1980s.{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2005/RR-2005-06-30.pdf|date=June 30, 2005|work=Radio & Records|pages=1, 34|title=Independence No Hazard For Duke: Midwest's Wright bullish on radio, Country|first=Lon|last=Helton|via=World Radio History|access-date=2022-06-01|archive-date=2022-05-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524051133/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2005/RR-2005-06-30.pdf|url-status=live}}

Duey "Duke" Wright Jr., the son of founder Duey Wright Sr., was a DJ at the station when it started and worked in various positions over the years at the outlet, becoming general manager in 1965; he moved to Green Bay in 1975 when he acquired stations there.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102870565/duke-of-the-air-waves-still-tops-charts/|date=August 6, 1988|page=B-4|first=Warren|last=Gerds|title=Duke of the air waves still tops charts|newspaper=Green Bay Press-Gazette|location=Green Bay, Wisconsin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2022|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601042236/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102870565/duke-of-the-air-waves-still-tops-charts/|url-status=live}} Wright Jr. had grown up on Wausau music and radio; in a 2002 interview with Radio & Records, he quipped, "I proudly announced that I could spell the name of our town: 'W-S-A-U'; actually, that was the station we listened to."{{cite news|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2002/RR-2002-03-29.pdf|date=March 29, 2002|page=11|title=GM Spotlight: Duke Wright|work=Radio & Records|via=World Radio History|access-date=2022-06-01|archive-date=2021-10-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001134816/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2002/RR-2002-03-29.pdf|url-status=live}} By 2019, Midwest Communications owned 75 stations in states stretching from North Dakota to Tennessee.{{cite news|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/174257/midwest-communications-acquires-alpha-medias-peoria-stations/|work=RadioInsight|date=February 6, 2019|title=Midwest Communications Acquires Alpha Media's Peoria Stations|first=Lance|last=Venta|access-date=June 1, 2022|archive-date=August 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817171706/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/174257/midwest-communications-acquires-alpha-medias-peoria-stations/|url-status=live}}

In 1985, the station changed to 1390 kHz and increased power to 5,000 watts, becoming the area's first AM stereo station in the process.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102936776/wrig-now-am-stereo-more-powerful/|date=June 9, 1985|page=2B|title=WRIG now AM stereo, more powerful|newspaper=Wausau Daily Herald|location=Wausau, Wisconsin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2022|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601042236/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102936776/wrig-now-am-stereo-more-powerful/|url-status=live}} This also led to the change in community of license from Wausau to Schofield.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102937324/wrig-radio-moves-to-schofield/|date=March 30, 1985|page=3|title=WRIG radio moves to Schofield|newspaper=Wausau Daily Herald|location=Wausau, Wisconsin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2022|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601042236/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102937324/wrig-radio-moves-to-schofield/|url-status=live}} The station switched from oldies to adult standards in 1993, dropping the format and changing to Fox Sports Radio in 2003. The move allowed WSAU—which Wright purchased in 1996—to add more non-sports talk shows to its lineup.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102937023/am-stations-move-to-more-talk-music-dro/|date=January 25, 2003|page=1A, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102937062/ 2A]|first=David|last=Paulsen|title=AM stations move to more talk: Music dropped from WRIG lineup|newspaper=Wausau Daily Herald|location=Wausau, Wisconsin|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=June 1, 2022|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601042236/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102937023/am-stations-move-to-more-talk-music/|url-status=live}} The station reverted to oldies but then flipped back to Fox Sports in 2009.{{cite news|url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/59217/rome-fsr-add-affiliates|work=All Access|date=June 8, 2009|title=Rome, FSR Add Affiliates|access-date=June 1, 2022|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601042237/https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/59217/rome-fsr-add-affiliates|url-status=live}}

On November 2, 2020, WRIG rebranded as "93.9 The Game" with weekday daytime programming originating from WRNW in Milwaukee.{{cite news|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/200898/97-3-the-game-expands-across-wisconsin/|title=97.3 The Game Expands Across Wisconsin|work=RadioInsight|date=November 4, 2020|access-date=November 4, 2020|archive-date=November 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104130637/https://radioinsight.com/headlines/200898/97-3-the-game-expands-across-wisconsin/|url-status=live}}

{{Reflist}}

{{AM station data|73946|WRIG}}

• {{FCC-LMS-Facility|142640|W230BU}}
• {{FXL|W230BU}}

{{Wausau-Stevens Point Radio}}

{{Sports Radio Stations in Wisconsin}}

{{Midwest Communications}}

{{Milwaukee Bucks Radio Network}}

RIG

Category:Midwest Communications radio stations

Category:Sports radio stations in the United States

Category:Fox Sports Radio stations

Category:Radio stations established in 1937

Category:1937 establishments in Wisconsin