WTPG

The call letters WTPG are used by a radio station in Columbus, Ohio owned by Clear Channel Communications.

WTPG operates at 1230kHz AM.

According to the station, the call letters WTPG stand for "We're Talking ProGressive."

History

At noon on September 7, 2004, WCOL became what is now known as "Progressive Talk AM 1230." It officially began operating as WTPG on September 8. WTPG broadcasts principally Air America programming, as well as syndicated shows by liberal pundits Ed Schulz and Stephanie Miller.

Prior to this format and call-letter change, WCOL played pre-British Invasion pop/rock as "Real Oldies 1230". Despite some positive "buzz" from long-time radio listeners, most of whom remembered WCOL from its Top 40 heyday (which the "Real Oldies" format resembled greatly, even going so far as to use some vintage station ID jingles), the format failed to capture a significant audience in the market. The station,mostly automated,using voice-tracking lacked the live personalities which made the original WCOL great. It's CC-owned sister station WSAI, Cincinnati originated the "Real Oldies" format in 2003 using a staff of real air personalities before it also switched to "Air America" WCKY in January of 2005.

Before reverting to WCOL, the station operated as WZNW and played sports programming as "1230 The Zone". However, WZNW was never able to compete effectively against the other full-time sports station in Columbus, WBNS.

Before becoming WZNW on March 12, 2001, the station operated as WFII. WFII was a talk station that used the slogan "1230 FYI". All of the shows on WFII were nationally syndicated programs. Overall, WFII had a decidedly conservative lineup.

Before becoming WFII on March 24, 1997, the station operated as WCOL. When the station first used the WCOL identification, it was the primary Top 40-format station in the Columbus market. It held this distinction from 1960 to the early 1970s, until the rise of the FM dial and WNCI. WCOL, in its Top-40 heyday was heralded as the station which "premiered" the hits. The WCOL calls were also used in tribute as the backdrop for the 1996 Tom Hanks movie "That Thing You Do."

In addition to its other programming, WTPG is presently the Columbus radio home of the Cincinnati Reds.

At one time, WCOL broadcast in stereo, though analog stereo transmissions ended many years ago. WTPG currently broadcasts using HD-Radio.

External links

AM Radio Stations in the Columbus, Ohio Market [(Arbitron #38)]

By Frequency: 610 | 700 | 820 | 880 | 920 | 1230 | 1320 | 1460 | 1550 | 1580

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