WFYR
WFYR (97.3 FM) is a radio station broadcasting a country music format[1] and licensed for Elmwood, Illinois, United States, in the Peoria area. The station is owned by Cumulus Media,[2] which purchased the station from Townsquare Media.[3]
| City | Elmwood, Illinois | 
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Peoria, Illinois | 
| Frequency | 97.3 MHz | 
| Branding | 97.3 River Country | 
| Programming | |
| Format | Country | 
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Cumulus Media (Radio License Holding CBC, LLC) | 
| WGLO, WIXO, WVEL, WZPW | |
| History | |
| First air date | August 2, 1993 | 
| Call sign meaning | "Fire" (station's original nickname, Fire 97.3) | 
| Technical information | |
| Facility ID | 72080 | 
| Class | B1 | 
| ERP | 23,500 watts | 
| HAAT | 103 meters (338 ft) | 
| Transmitter coordinates | 40°46′22.1″N 89°44′50.4″W (NAD83) | 
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen live Listen Live (iHeart) | 
| Website | 973rivercountry.com | 
History
    
Ever since the station signed on on August 2, 1993, it has always aired a country format. At first, WFYR used the branding "Fire 97.3". In the early-2000s, it was changed to "97.3 River Country". From September 6, 2013, to February 2, 2020, it used the nationally syndicated "Nash FM" branding.[4][5]
Today, they are known for boosting local country music artists, with a weekly feature. From 2013 to 2020, the station competed in the Nash Next National Competition.
On February 3, 2020, WFYR rebranded back to its previous identity as "97.3 River Country."[6]
On Air Personalities
    
| Days | Time | Show/Personality | 
|---|---|---|
| M-F | 5a-9a | The Ty Bentli Show | 
| M-F | 9a-12p | Kristin | 
| M-F | 12p-3p | Doc Watson | 
| M-F | 3p-7p | Red Hot Brian Scott | 
| M-S | 7p-12a | Nash Nights Live | 
| M-F | 12a-4a | The Blair Garner Show | 
| Sa | 7a-10a | American Country Countdown Rewind | 
| Su | 9a-12p | Country Countdown USA with Lon Helton | 
| Su | 12p-4p | American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks | 
Previous logo
    

References
    
- "Station Information Profile". Arbitron. Archived from the original on March 1, 2010. Retrieved September 4, 2018.
- "WFYR Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
- "Cumulus, Townsquare Swap Involves 65 Stations, 13 Markets, $116 Million Cash" Archived May 1, 2012, at the Wayback Machine from All Access (April 30, 2012)
- 97.3 River Country (September 6, 2013). "We have a new name !! !! !". Facebook. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
- Tarter, Steve (September 9, 2013). "On the air: River Country handle traded in for a NASH". Minding Business. Peoria, Illinois. Archived from the original on December 10, 2015. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
- WFYR Returns To River Country Identity
External links
    
- WFYR in the FCC FM station database
- WFYR on Radio-Locator
- WFYR in Nielsen Audio's FM station database