WGEN-FM is a non-commercial eclectic music/talk radio station in Monee, Illinois, broadcasting on 88.9 FM. It is owned by Wild World Media, Inc.WGEN fcc.gov. Accessed November 2, 2013
History The station began broadcasting November 1, 1995, holding the call sign WGNR, standing for "Good News Radio".Ghrist, John R. (1996). Valley Voices: A Radio History. Crossroads Communications. p. 293. It aired a Christian format, as an affiliate of Moody Radio, under the ownership of The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago. In January 1998, the station's call sign was changed to WMBY, and in June 1998, it was changed to WJCG. Its format would remain the same under the new call signs.Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2000, Broadcasting & Cable, 2000. p. D-141. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
Worship on the Way In early 2007, WJCG was acquired by Life On The Way Communications,Application for Consent to Assignment of Broadcast Station Construction Permit or License, fcc.gov. Retrieved July 26, 2018.Application Search Details, fcc.gov. Retrieved July 26, 2018. and the station was temporarily taken silent."Notification of Suspension of Operations / Request for Silent STA", fcc.gov. Retrieved July 26, 2018.The Radio Book. 2007-2008. p. 203. Retrieved July 26, 2018. In April 2007, the station's call sign was changed to WOTW, and the station returned to the air shortly thereafter as an affiliate of the newly renamed "Worship On THE WAY Radio Network".Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2008, Broadcasting & Cable, 2008. p. D-190. Retrieved July 26, 2018. The station aired Christian talk and teaching programs, with hosts such as Jack Hayford, Woodrow Kroll, Alistair Begg, and David Jeremiah, along with a variety of Christian music.
My Gen Radio In 2013, WOTW was broken off from the simulcast of KTLW along with several translators in the Los Angeles, California area. WOTW's callsign was changed to WGEN-FM, and "My Gen Radio" was formed, which aired Christian contemporary music, and targeted a younger listening audience than sister network, "Worship On The Way Radio Network". Despite WGEN being located in a southern suburb of Chicago, Illinois, the station was primarily used to feed the 3 translators in Southern California, which was where My Gen Radio's primary target listening audience was located.
In 2015, Life On The Way Communications sold WGEN-FM to Wild World Media, Inc. at a price of $55,000."Station Sales Week Of 5/15", Radio Insight. May 15, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2021."Deal Digest for the week of August 6, 2015", Inside Radio. August 6, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2021."WFNO/New Orleans Sold", All Access Music Group. May 14, 2015. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
Translators WGEN-FM was formerly simulcast on K216EM in Arcadia, California and K216FM in Valley Village, California; these translators were sold to Educational Media Foundation effective December 3, 2015, and began rebroadcasting KYLA Air1 programming.
Popular culture Fictional radio station WOTW is prominently featured in the 2019 science fiction film The Vast of Night.
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