WLPO

Radio station in LaSalle, Illinois

LaSalle, Illinois

Broadcast areaNorthern Illinois / LaSalle - PeruFrequency1220 kHzBranding103.9 WLPOProgrammingFormatNews-Talk-RockOwnershipOwner

John Spencer
(Starved Rock Media, Inc.)

Sister stations

WAJK, WLWFHistory

First air date

November 16, 1947^[1]

Call sign meaning

LaSalle-Peru-OglesbyTechnical informationFacility ID36645ClassBPower1,000 watts day
500 watts nightTranslator(s)103.9 W280EG (Peru)LinksWebcastListen LiveWebsiteWLPO Online

WLPO (1220 AM) is a radio station licensed to LaSalle, Illinois covering Northern Illinois, including LaSalle, Ottawa, and Princeton from the heart of Starved Rock Country. The station features news and talk in conjunction with a classic rock format. WLPO-AM/FM is ranked #6 in the market ratings. Station personalities include Rod (Thorson) and Tom (Henson) in the morning, Clare Bennett middays and Jeremy Aitken (news director) afternoons. On January 1, 2020, the stations were purchased by Starved Rock Media, Inc. Starved Rock Media is a company formed by long-time employees Steve Vogler and John Spencer.^[2]

History

The station began broadcasting on November 16, 1947, and originally ran 250 watts during daytime hours only.^[1]^[3] In 1957, the station's power was increased to 1,000 watts, and it began using a directional array.^[3] For many years, the station aired an MOR format, with farm and talk programming as well.^[1]^[4]^[5]^[6] By 1988, the station had added nighttime operations, running 500 watts at night.^[7] By 1997, the station's music programming would be changed to oldies.^[8] The station was branded the "Spirit of the Valley".^[9]

By 2005, the station was completely airing a news-talk format branded the "Voice of the Valley".^[10]^[11] It would later be branded the "News and Talk of the Valley".^[12] During this period, the station variety of local programming as well as nationally syndicated shows, such as Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Dave Ramsey, Dennis Miller, and Dr. Joy Browne.^[12] On December 26, 2013, the station began airing a classic hits format.

Translator

In June 2013, 103.9 signed on as a 24-hour simulcast of WLPO AM 1220. The FM simulcast gives the station better coverage over the Illinois Valley and Starved Rock areas, especially at night when WLPO AM is legally required to lower their power so they don't interfere with other stations on the frequency.

Call sign	Frequency	City of license	ERP (W)	HAAT	Class	FCC info
W280EG	103.9 FM	Peru, Illinois	250	62.6 m (205 ft)	D	FMQ

References

^ ^a ^b ^c 1972 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting, 1972. p. B-64. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
^ WLPO lcbcradio.com/site/about
^ ^a ^b History Cards for WLPO, fcc.gov. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1979, Broadcasting, 1979. p. B-67. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
^ Broadcasting Cablecasting Yearbook 1986, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1986. p. B-88. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1996, Broadcasting & Cable, 1996. p. B-129. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
^ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1988, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1988. p. B-88. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1997, Broadcasting & Cable, 1997. p. B-138. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
^ "WKOT". WKOT. Archived from the original on December 1, 2002. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
^ "WKOT". WKOT. Archived from the original on November 16, 2005. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
^ The Radio Book. 2005-2006. p. 198. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
^ ^a ^b "WLPO Show Schedule". WLPO. Archived from the original on September 9, 2009. Retrieved July 21, 2018.