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{{distinguish|Wasserstein GAN}} |
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{{short description|News/talk radio station in Portland, Maine}} |
{{short description|News/talk radio station in Portland, Maine}} |
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{{Infobox radio station |
{{Infobox radio station |
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| name = WGAN |
| name = WGAN |
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| logo = WGAN |
| logo = WGAN NewsRadio 560 98.5 logo.png |
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| city = [[Portland, Maine]] |
| city = [[Portland, Maine]] |
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| country = US |
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| area = [[Portland metropolitan area, Maine|Portland metropolitan area]] |
| area = [[Portland metropolitan area, Maine|Portland metropolitan area]] |
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| branding = Newsradio WGAN |
| branding = Newsradio WGAN |
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| frequency = 560 [[Hertz|kHz]] |
| frequency = 560 [[Hertz|kHz]] |
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| translator = 98.5 |
| translator = {{Radio Relay|98.5|W253DA|Portland}} |
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| repeater = 93.1 |
| repeater = {{Radio Relay|93.1|[[WMGX|WMGX-HD2]]|Portland}} |
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| airdate = {{start date and age|1938}} |
| airdate = {{start date and age|1938}} |
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| format = [[Talk radio|News/ |
| format = [[Talk radio|News/talk]] |
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| power = 5,000 |
| power = 5,000 watts |
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| class = B |
| class = B |
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| facility_id = 58544 |
| facility_id = 58544 |
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| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]] |
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| coordinates = {{coord|43|41| |
| coordinates = {{coord|43|41|24.29|N|70|19|3.18|W|region:US-ME_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} |
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| callsign_meaning = [[Guy Gannett Communications|Guy Gannett Publishing Company]] (previous owner) |
| callsign_meaning = [[Guy Gannett Communications|Guy Gannett Publishing Company]] (previous owner) |
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| former_callsigns = |
| former_callsigns = |
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| affiliations = [[ |
| affiliations = {{ubl|[[Compass Media Networks]]|[[Salem Radio Network]]|[[Westwood One]]}} |
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| network = [[CBS News Radio]] |
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| owner = Saga Communications |
| owner = Saga Communications |
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| licensee = Saga Communications of New England |
| licensee = Saga Communications of New England, LLC |
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| sister_stations = [[WBAE (AM)|WBAE]], [[WCLZ]], [[WMGX]], [[WPOR]], [[WYNZ]], [[WZAN]] |
| sister_stations = [[WBAE (AM)|WBAE]], [[WCLZ]], [[WMGX]], [[WPOR]], [[WYNZ]], [[WZAN]] |
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| webcast = |
| webcast = {{listenlive|https://player.amperwaveg.net/7913}} |
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| website = |
| website = {{URL|https://wgan.com/}} |
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}} |
}} |
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'''WGAN''' (560 [[ |
'''WGAN''' (560 [[AM broadcasting|AM]]) is an [[commercial radio|commercial]] radio station [[City of license|licensed]] to [[Portland, Maine]]. The station is owned by Saga Communications and it airs a [[talk radio|news/talk]] [[radio format]]. The station calls itself "Newsradio WGAN AM 560 and FM 98.5" The studios and offices are on Western Avenue in [[South Portland, Maine]]. |
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The station is also heard on a 250- |
The station is also heard on a 250-watt [[FM broadcasting|FM]] [[Broadcast relay station|translator]], 98.5 '''W253DA''', which allows listeners who prefer FM radio to hear WGAN in Portland and its close suburbs.<ref>[https://radio-locator.com/info/W253DA-FX Radio-Locator.com/W253DA]</ref> In addition, WGAN is heard on the [[HD Radio|HD]]2 channel of co-owned 93.1 [[WMGX]]. AM 560 broadcasts with 5,000 watts around the clock, covering much of [[Southern Maine Coast|Southern Maine]] and along the [[Maine]] Coast up to [[Rockland, Maine|Rockland]]. The [[transmitter]] is near the [[Maine Turnpike]] off Warren Avenue in Portland.<ref>[https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/finder?call=wgan&x=0&y=0&sr=Y&s=C Radio-Locator.com/WGAN]</ref> WGAN is Maine's primary entry point station for the [[Emergency Alert System]]. |
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==Programming== |
==Programming== |
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WGAN begins each weekday with a local news and interview show, hosted by [[Matthew Gagnon]]. The rest of the weekday schedule is made up of [[radio syndication|nationally syndicated]] [[conservative talk]] shows from [[Hugh Hewitt]], |
WGAN begins each weekday with a local news and interview show, hosted by [[Matthew Gagnon]]. The rest of the weekday schedule is made up of [[radio syndication|nationally syndicated]] [[conservative talk]] shows from [[Hugh Hewitt]], Grace Curley, [[Boston]]-based [[Howie Carr]], [[Mark Levin]], ''[[John Batchelor|CBS Eye on the World with John Batchelor]]'', ''[[Red Eye Radio]]'' and ''[[This Morning, America's First News with Gordon Deal]]''. |
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On weekends, there are shows on money, real estate, technology and gardening. Weekend hosts include [[ |
On weekends, there are shows on money, real estate, technology and gardening. Weekend hosts include [[Larry Kudlow]], [[Lars Larson]], [[Sebastian Gorka]] and ''[[The Tech Guy|Rich DeMuro on Tech]]''. Most hours begin with world and national news from [[CBS News Radio]], followed by Maine news with local reporters. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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[[File:WGAN logo 2013.png|thumb|200px |
[[File:WGAN logo 2013.png|thumb|200px|WGAN's logo from July 2002 until May 27, 2014]] |
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The station was founded in 1938 by [[Guy Gannett Publishing]], which was then the owner of the ''[[Portland Press Herald]]'' newspaper.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1939/Radio-by-State-BC-YB-1939.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1939 page 116]</ref> It was Portland's second radio station after 970 WCSH (now co-owned [[WZAN]]) which [[sign-on|signed on]] in 1925. WGAN had its studios in the Columbia Hotel and originally broadcast on 640 |
The station was founded in 1938 by [[Guy Gannett Publishing]], which was then the owner of the ''[[Portland Press Herald]]'' newspaper.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1939/Radio-by-State-BC-YB-1939.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1939 page 116]</ref> It was Portland's second radio station after 970 WCSH (now co-owned [[WZAN]]) which [[sign-on|signed on]] in 1925. WGAN had its studios in the Columbia Hotel and originally broadcast on 640 kHz at 500 watts. It was a [[daytimer]], required to go off the air at sunset in Los Angeles, because it shared [[AM 640]] with [[List of North American broadcast station classes|Class I-A]] [[KFI]], the dominant [[clear channel station]]. |
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WGAN was a [[CBS]] [[Network affiliate]], carrying its schedule of dramas, comedies, news, sports, |
WGAN was a [[CBS]] [[Network affiliate]], carrying its schedule of dramas, comedies, news, sports, soap operas, game shows and [[big band]] broadcasts during the "[[Golden Age of Radio]]". After the enactment of the [[North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement]] (NARBA) in 1941, WGAN moved to 560 kHz.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1942/Radio-Alll-BC-YB-1942.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1942 page 136]</ref> It got a power boost to 5,000 watts and could broadcast around the clock. |
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In 1954, WGAN gained a companion television station, WGAN-TV 13, and in 1967, a co-owned FM station, 102.9 WGAN-FM (now [[WBLM]]). When network programming moved from radio to television, WGAN began airing a [[full service radio|full service]], [[middle of the road (music)|middle of the road]] format of popular music, news and sports. |
In 1954, WGAN gained a companion television station, WGAN-TV 13, and in 1967, a co-owned FM station, 102.9 WGAN-FM (now [[WBLM]]). When network programming moved from radio to television, WGAN began airing a [[full service radio|full service]], [[middle of the road (music)|middle of the road]] format of popular music, news and sports. |
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On May 27, 2014, WGAN began [[simulcast]]ing on [[FM translator]] W288CU 105.5 FM, via [[sister station]] [[WMGX]]'s HD2 subchannel.<ref>[http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/88812/wgan-adds-fm-signal/ WGAN Adds FM Signal]</ref> |
On May 27, 2014, WGAN began [[simulcast]]ing on [[FM translator]] W288CU 105.5 FM, via [[sister station]] [[WMGX]]'s HD2 subchannel.<ref>[http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/88812/wgan-adds-fm-signal/ WGAN Adds FM Signal]</ref> |
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On August 22, 2019, WGAN also began simulcasting on FM translator W253DA 98.5 FM.<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/179924/wgan-moves-fm-signal-to-98-5/ WGAN Moves FM Signal to 98.5] Radioinsight - August 23, 2019</ref> |
On August 22, 2019, WGAN also began simulcasting on FM translator W253DA 98.5 FM.<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/179924/wgan-moves-fm-signal-to-98-5/ WGAN Moves FM Signal to 98.5] Radioinsight - August 23, 2019</ref> The 105.5 translator would switch to an [[oldies]] format in the fall. |
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In March 2020, morning co-host Ken Altshuler was fired, followed in April with weekend morning host John McDonald's termination. Altshuler had been with WGAN for 18 years, and McDonald for 25. |
In March 2020, morning co-host Ken Altshuler was fired, followed in April with weekend morning host John McDonald's termination. Altshuler had been with WGAN for 18 years, and McDonald for 25. |
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| class1 = D |
| class1 = D |
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| city1 = Portland, Maine |
| city1 = Portland, Maine |
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| coord1 = {{coord|43|41|26|N|70|19| |
| coord1 = {{coord|43|41|26.3|N|70|19|3.2|W|region:US-ME_type:landmark|name=W253DA}} |
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| notes1 = |
| notes1 = |
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}} |
}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{AM station data|WGAN}} |
{{AM station data|58544|WGAN}} |
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*{{ |
*{{FCC-LMS-Facility|201994|W253DA}} |
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*{{FXL|W253DA}} |
*{{FXL|W253DA}} |
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Latest revision as of 16:45, 27 September 2024
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|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Portland metropolitan area |
| Frequency | 560 kHz |
| Branding | Newsradio WGAN |
| Programming | |
| Format | News/talk |
| Network | CBS News Radio |
| Affiliations | |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
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| WBAE, WCLZ, WMGX, WPOR, WYNZ, WZAN | |
| History | |
First air date | 1938 |
Call sign meaning | Guy Gannett Publishing Company (previous owner) |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 58544 |
| Class | B |
| Power | 5,000 watts |
Transmitter coordinates | 43°41′24.29″N 70°19′3.18″W / 43.6900806°N 70.3175500°W |
| Translator(s) | 98.5 W253DA (Portland) |
| Repeater(s) | 93.1 WMGX-HD2 (Portland) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen live |
| Website | wgan |
WGAN (560 AM) is an commercial radio station licensed to Portland, Maine. The station is owned by Saga Communications and it airs a news/talk radio format. The station calls itself "Newsradio WGAN AM 560 and FM 98.5" The studios and offices are on Western Avenue in South Portland, Maine.
The station is also heard on a 250-watt FM translator, 98.5 W253DA, which allows listeners who prefer FM radio to hear WGAN in Portland and its close suburbs.[2] In addition, WGAN is heard on the HD2 channel of co-owned 93.1 WMGX. AM 560 broadcasts with 5,000 watts around the clock, covering much of Southern Maine and along the Maine Coast up to Rockland. The transmitter is near the Maine Turnpike off Warren Avenue in Portland.[3] WGAN is Maine's primary entry point station for the Emergency Alert System.
Programming
[edit]WGAN begins each weekday with a local news and interview show, hosted by Matthew Gagnon. The rest of the weekday schedule is made up of nationally syndicated conservative talk shows from Hugh Hewitt, Grace Curley, Boston-based Howie Carr, Mark Levin, CBS Eye on the World with John Batchelor, Red Eye Radio and This Morning, America's First News with Gordon Deal.
On weekends, there are shows on money, real estate, technology and gardening. Weekend hosts include Larry Kudlow, Lars Larson, Sebastian Gorka and Rich DeMuro on Tech. Most hours begin with world and national news from CBS News Radio, followed by Maine news with local reporters.
History
[edit]
The station was founded in 1938 by Guy Gannett Publishing, which was then the owner of the Portland Press Herald newspaper.[4] It was Portland's second radio station after 970 WCSH (now co-owned WZAN) which signed on in 1925. WGAN had its studios in the Columbia Hotel and originally broadcast on 640 kHz at 500 watts. It was a daytimer, required to go off the air at sunset in Los Angeles, because it shared AM 640 with Class I-A KFI, the dominant clear channel station.
WGAN was a CBS Network affiliate, carrying its schedule of dramas, comedies, news, sports, soap operas, game shows and big band broadcasts during the "Golden Age of Radio". After the enactment of the North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement (NARBA) in 1941, WGAN moved to 560 kHz.[5] It got a power boost to 5,000 watts and could broadcast around the clock.
In 1954, WGAN gained a companion television station, WGAN-TV 13, and in 1967, a co-owned FM station, 102.9 WGAN-FM (now WBLM). When network programming moved from radio to television, WGAN began airing a full service, middle of the road format of popular music, news and sports.
Until the early 1980s, Gannett's Portland operations owned the major daily newspaper, the CBS television station, 102.9 WGAN-FM and 560 WGAN, two of the city's top radio stations. Channel 13 was later renamed WGME when WGAN-AM-FM were sold to Taylor Communications in 1983. In 1987, WGAN was sold by Taylor to Saga Communications, its present owner. Saga increased the talk programming and decreased the music shows, eventually evolving WGAN to a full time talk format.
On May 27, 2014, WGAN began simulcasting on FM translator W288CU 105.5 FM, via sister station WMGX's HD2 subchannel.[6]
On August 22, 2019, WGAN also began simulcasting on FM translator W253DA 98.5 FM.[7] The 105.5 translator would switch to an oldies format in the fall.
In March 2020, morning co-host Ken Altshuler was fired, followed in April with weekend morning host John McDonald's termination. Altshuler had been with WGAN for 18 years, and McDonald for 25.
Translator
[edit]| Call sign | Frequency | City of license | FID | ERP (W) | Class | Transmitter coordinates | FCC info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W253DA | 98.5 FM | Portland, Maine | 201994 | 250 | D | 43°41′26.3″N 70°19′3.2″W / 43.690639°N 70.317556°W | LMS |
References
[edit]- ^ "Facility Technical Data for WGAN". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ Radio-Locator.com/W253DA
- ^ Radio-Locator.com/WGAN
- ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1939 page 116
- ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1942 page 136
- ^ WGAN Adds FM Signal
- ^ WGAN Moves FM Signal to 98.5 Radioinsight - August 23, 2019
External links
[edit]- Facility details for Facility ID 58544 (WGAN) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- WGAN in Nielsen Audio's AM station database
- Facility details for Facility ID 201994 (W253DA) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- W253DA at FCCdata.org