HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Join the Morning Show gang this morning for its 80th Birthday, May 28th. It all started May 28, 1935.
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Visit us at the Eagle Media Center today between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The first 200 guests will receive a KWBW coffee mug.
Join us today and take home a free mug!
Hutchinson’s first radio station, KWBG, went on the air May 28, 1935. According to the Kansas Association of Broadcasters, it became the ninth station in Kansas.
In 1940, BG became BW Radio after Bill Greenwald sold his company, Nation’s Center Broadcasting, to Bill and Bess Wyse of Austin, Texas.
Originally 100 watts, BW Radio power was increased to 250 watts in 1942. Since then, power has been raised to the current limit of 1,000 watts.
In 1950, Bill Wyse died and Bess took over ownership.
Bess Wyse-Rickard sold a minority interest in the station to Fred Conger. She became vice president and secretary of Nation’s Center Broadcasting. Mr. Conger became president.
Mrs. Wyse-Rickard sold her remaining interest in 1986. The next transition started in 1989 when Conger sold Nation’s Center Broadcasting to KAYS, Inc., headed by Ross Beach and Bob Schmidt of Hays.
The majority ownership of BW Radio is now in the hands of more than 200 employees of Eagle Communications.
KWBW is currently located at 9th & Main in Hutchinson. The public is invited today to stop by from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for free hot dogs, chips, cupcakes and drinks to help celebrate our 80th birthday.