KWDM

Encyclopedia : K : KW : KWD : KWDM

KWDM, "88.7 KWDM The Point," is a modern rock radio station serving the Des Moines, Iowa, area. It is located at 88.7 on the FM dial. The station's studio is located at Valley High School (Des Moines, Iowa)'. It is owned and operated by the West Des Moines Community School District, though it is typically operated by students at Valley.

Contents

1 History
2 Current Ownership
3 Status
4 References
5 External Links

History

KWDM first began broadcasting in 1948 by George Webber under the frequency 1150 AM. He then sold the station to investors from 3M in 1959. 1150 AM's call letters changed to KWKY.

In 1964, Webber revived KWDM via the frequency 93.3 FM. The station consisted of block programming of music, usualy ethnic music not heard elsewhere in Des Moines as well as a talk show by his wife and play-by-play sports. KWDM was never a top performer in the ratings, but it did have a loyal following. However, that following was not enough to keep it afloat and the station was in constant financial trouble.

In 1968, George Webber began selling KWDM on contract to The SEQ Corporation. On April 10, 1969, the station went dark, after the owner of the tower and transmitter site shut down the station due to non-payment of rent. A month later, Webber regained control of the station, operating it at reduced hours until it shut down.

Current Ownership

In 1976, the West Des Moines Community School District took control of the KWDM call letters on the frequency 88.7 FM. The school district has control of the station to this day. The station is one of two high school radio stations in Iowa, the other being KDPS operated by Central Campus.

Status

As of July 2006, KWDM is off the air as the Valley students typically operating the station are on summer vacation. The station is expected to return when school resumes August 23.

References

[link] KWDM FM 93.3. Accessed July 9, 2006
[link] West Des Moines Community School District Home. Accessed July 9, 2006

External Links

[KWDM The Point website]

Broadcast radio in the Des Moines/Ames market ([Arbitron DMA #91])
AM: WOI (AM)>WOI 640 - KPSZ 940 - WHO 1040 - KWKY 1150 - KRNT 1350 - KASI 1430 - KXNO 1460 - KXLQ 1490 - KBGG 1700
FM: KDPS 88.1 - KWDM 88.7 - KJMC 89.3 - WOI-FM 90.1 - KDFR 91.3 - KJJY 92.5 - KIOA 93.3 - KGGO 94.9 - KHKI 97.3 - KWQW 98.3 - KZZQ 99.5 - KDRB 100.3 - KSTZ 102.5 - KAZR 103.3 - KLTI 104.1 - KCCQ 105.1 - KPTL 106.3 - KNWI 107.1 - KKDM 107.5