WFIW (1390 kHz) is an AMradio station broadcasting a news talkformat. Licensed to Fairfield, Illinois, the station is currently owned by The Original Company, Inc., which also owns WFIW-FM 104.9 FM and WOKZ 105.9 FM.[4] WFIW AM and FM simulcast their programming until February 15, 1983.[2]
WFIW began broadcasting on August 21, 1953.[1] The station was originally owned by Thomas Smoot Land and Bryan Davidson, doing business as Wayne County Broadcasting Company.[6] In May 1974, Thomas Land would take sole ownership of the station,[2][6] and would later pass ownership of the station to his son, Dave Land.[7][8] In 2012, Land sold WFIW, along with WFIW-FM and WOKZ, to The Original Company for $962,766.67.[8][9]
WFIW originally ran 500 watts during daytime hours only.[6] On May 25, 1961, the station's power was increased to 1,000 watts.[2][6] From the early to mid 1980s, the station was an affiliate of Music of Your Life.[10][11] By 1986, the station was airing a modern country format.[12] By 1989, nighttime operations were added, running 87 watts.[13] By 1991, the station had added news-talk programming.[14][15] By 1993, the station was completely airing a talk format.[16]
The call letters WFIW were originally assigned to a station in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.[17] In 1932, that station was bought by George Norton Jr., and its transmitter was moved to Louisville, Kentucky, with the call letters being changed to WAVE.[18]
