WZPN
| City | Farmington, Illinois |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Peoria, Illinois |
| Branding | 96.5 ESPN |
| Frequency | 96.5 MHz |
| First air date | September 8, 1997 |
| Format | Sports Talk |
| ERP | 4,300 watts |
| HAAT | 115 meters (377 ft) |
| Class | A |
| Facility ID | 76410 |
| Transmitter coordinates | 40°40′10.1″N 89°53′31.4″W / 40.669472°N 89.892056°WCoordinates: 40°40′10.1″N 89°53′31.4″W / 40.669472°N 89.892056°W (NAD83) |
| Callsign meaning | "ZPN" = "ESPN" |
| Former callsigns |
WPIA (September 2006 – June 2007) WWCT (2003–2006) WXMP (September 2003) WJPL (1997–2003)[1] |
| Affiliations | ESPN Radio |
| Owner |
Mike Rea (Advanced Media Partners, LLC) |
| Sister stations |
98.5 WPIA 99.9 WWCT 101.1 WXMP |
| Website |
www |
WZPN (96.5 ESPN Radio) is a sports talk FM broadcasting station licensed for Farmington, Illinois near Peoria, Illinois. WZPN is the former flagship radio station of the Peoria Chiefs and Peoria Rivermen, and is currently a member of the Chicago Cubs radio network, Illinois Fighting Illini radio network and Chicago Bulls radio network.
History
The radio station originally went on the air as WJPL with a rock format, then changed to Smooth Jazz 96.5 through the rest of the 90's. In early 2001 AAA Entertainment signed on "The Point" which was a Hot AC station featuring Bob and Sheri in the morning. The station added simulcast 94.3 for a short time.
In June 2003, AAA Entertainment moved the format to the much stronger 105.7 and rebranded to "Mix 105.7". WWCT, known for years as Rock 106, moved down the dial to 96.5 to become Rock 96.5 with Mancow in the morning. The station struggled with several airstaff changes and variations, including an all-request format.
In September 2006, AAA Entertainment sold 96.5 to newly formed Independence Media, which simulcasted its new CHR format on sister WPIA 98.5 until its format and callsign change on July 2, 2007.[2] In November 2010, Independence Media Holdings sold WPIA, along with its other 3 Peoria-area stations (98.5 WPIA Eureka, 99.9 WWCT, and 101.1 WHPI Glasford) to Michael S. Rea's Advanced Media Partners.[3]
Current programming
All programming is fed by satellite from ESPN Radio, unless noted:
- Mike and Mike in the Morning
- Dan LeBatard
- Russillo and Kanell
- Bomani Jones
- The Jim Mattson Show weekdays from 3-6 PM
- Saturday Kickoff with Jim Mattson from 7-9 AM
- Prospects Showcase, Fridays from 5-7 PM
- The Prospects with Tim van Straten and Spencer Siegel, Saturdays from 9-11 AM
- Peoria Fantasy Focus with Skeeter and Rodney, Sundays from 9-11 AM
- Chicago Cubs Baseball
- Chicago Bulls Basketball
- Illinois Fighting Illini Football and Basketball
- National Broadcasts of NFL, NBA, MLB, College Football, and College Basketball
References
- ↑ "WZPN(FM)". FCCInfo.com. Cavell Mertz & Associates, Inc. 2007-09-04. Retrieved 2007-09-08.
- ↑ http://www.pjstar.com/stories/070107/STE_BDL3RTSG.004.php (dead link)
- ↑ "Application Search Details (BALH-20100723AEO)". Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
External links
- Query the FCC's FM station database for WZPN
- Radio-Locator information on WZPN
- Query Nielsen Audio's FM station database for WZPN