WPFR
Frequency1480 kHz
Programming
FormatSilent (was Christian Radio)
Ownership
OwnerAmerican Hope Communications, Inc.
WEHP, WKZI, WLHW
History
First air date
January 6, 1948[1]
Former call signs
WTHI (1948-2000)[2][3]
Technical information[4]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID70653
ClassB
Power5,000 watts day
1,000 watts night
Transmitter coordinates
39°30′2″N 87°23′10″W / 39.50056°N 87.38611°W / 39.50056; -87.38611
Translator(s)106.3 MHz W292FT (Terre Haute)
Links
Public license information
Websitehttps://wjly.org/

WPFR is a Christian radio station licensed to Terre Haute, Indiana, broadcasting on 1480 kHz AM. The station is owned by American Hope Communications, Inc.[5]

History

The station began broadcasting January 6, 1948, and originally held the call sign WTHI.[1][2] The station ran 1,000 watts 24 hours a day.[2] In 1970, the station's daytime power was increased to 5,000 watts.[2] WTHI AM 1480, along with WTHI-FM, and WTHI-TV were long owned by Tony Hulman, and remained in his family's hands until 1998, when all three stations were sold to Emmis Communications.[6][7]

WTHI aired a Top 40 format from the mid-1960s until January 1974, when the station adopted a country music format.[8] By 1983, the station had adopted a MOR format.[9] By 1988, the station had begun airing an oldies format.[10] By 1991, the station had returned to airing a country music format, simulcasting 99.9 WTHI-FM.[11]

The station adopted a news-talk format in 1992.[12] As a news-talk station, WTHI was Terre Haute's home for prominent national personalities such as Rush Limbaugh and Paul Harvey, as well as The Bob & Tom Show.[13][14] The station also carried The Mike Pence Show, a statewide talk show which Pence hosted prior to his election to congress.[15]

In 2000, the station was donated to Word Power, Inc., and its call sign was changed to WPFR, with the station adopting a Christian format.[16][3][17] The station was taken off the air in March 2020.[18]

Effective October 29, 2021, it was sold to American Hope Communications, along with WKZI, WLHW, WPFR-FM, and three translators, for $179,000.[19][20]

References

  1. 1 2 1973 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting, 1973. p. B-71. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 History Cards for WPFR, fcc.gov. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  3. 1 2 Call Sign History, fcc.gov. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for WPFR". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  5. ↑ AM Query Results: WPFR, fcc.gov. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  6. ↑ Fybush, Scott. "Terre Haute, Indiana (Part I)", fybush.com. June 2, 2006. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Proposed Station Transfers", The M Street Journal. Vol. 15, No. 17. April 29, 1998. p. 6. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  8. ↑ "$14G Promo Tees Oft Ind. Country Shift", Billboard. January 26, 1974. p. 22. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  9. ↑ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1983, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1983. p. B-85. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  10. ↑ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1988, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1988. p. B-100. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  11. ↑ Unmacht, Robert (1991). The M Street Radio Directory. p. 145. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  12. ↑ "Format Changes", The M Street Journal. Vol. 9, No. 40. October 7, 1992. p. 1. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  13. ↑ "The Wabash Valley Home of the Bob & Tom Show!". WTHI. Archived from the original on February 4, 1998. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Format Changes & Updates", The M Street Journal. Vol. 12, No. 40. October 5, 1995. p. 1. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  15. ↑ "The Wabash Valley Home of the Bob & Tom Show!". WTHI. Archived from the original on April 28, 1997. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  16. ↑ "Transactions", Radio & Records. November 5, 1999. p. 6. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  17. ↑ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2001, Broadcasting & Cable, 2001. p. D-159. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
  18. ↑ "WPFR Terre Haute Shuts Down", RadioInsight. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Indiana-Illinois Cluster Sold", All Access. April 2, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  20. ↑ "Hoosier Group Spun To Hopeful New Owner", Radio & Television Business Report. April 2, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
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