WTSO
Broadcast areaMadison metropolitan area
Frequency1070 kHz
BrandingFox Sports 1070 The Game
Programming
FormatSports
AffiliationsFox Sports Radio
Chicago Cubs Radio Network
Motor Racing Network
Performance Racing Network
Wisconsin Badgers Radio Network
Ownership
Owner
WIBA (AM), WIBA-FM, WMAD, WXXM, WZEE
History
First air date
January 19, 1948 (1948-01-19) (as WKOW)
Former call signs
WKOW (1948-1971)
Call sign meaning
From the station's AM frequency, Ten Seven ZerO
Technical information
Facility ID41973
ClassB
Power10,000 watts (day)
5,000 watts (night)
Links
WebcastListen Live
WebsiteFoxSports1070.com

WTSO (1070 kHz, "1070 The Game") is a commercial AM radio station in Madison, Wisconsin, known as "1070 The Game." The station is owned and operated by iHeartMedia, Inc., and airs a sports radio format. The offices and studios are on South Fish Hatchery Road in Fitchburg (but using Madison as its mailing address).[1]

By day, WTSO is powered at 10,000 watts. But 1070 AM is a clear-channel frequency reserved for Class A station KNX Los Angeles. So at night, to avoid interference, WTSO must reduce its power to 5,000 watts and use a directional antenna with a six-tower array. (WTSO must also protect a former Class A station on 1070 AM in Moncton, New Brunswick, even though it switched to the FM band.) WTSO's transmitter is off East Tower Road in McFarland.[2]

Programming

On weekdays, WTSO mostly simulcasts the Wisconsin-based sports shows airing on co-owned WRNW 97.3 FM in Milwaukee. Steve Czaban is heard in morning drive time. He's followed by former Green Bay Packers linebacker John Kuhn. In afternoons, Mike Heller, Drew Olsen and Kevin Brandt host shows focused on Wisconsin and national sports. Nights and weekends, programming from Fox Sports Radio is heard.

WTSO's live sports coverage includes broadcasts of Chicago Cubs baseball, NASCAR races from MRN Radio and PRN Radio, as well as local high school events, including championships in the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. WTSO also airs live broadcasts of some University of Wisconsin Badgers games along with sister station WIBA 1310 AM.

History

The station signed on the air on January 19, 1948. The original call sign was WKOW.[3] With Wisconsin known as "The Dairy State," the original call letters stood for the word "cow." The licensee was the Monona Broadcasting Company.[4]

In the mid-1970s, the call sign was changed to WTSO to stand for Ten Seven zerO, its frequency. At that time it was owned by Mid-Continent Broadcasting and aired a country music format. As country music listening switched to the FM dial, WTSO tried a talk radio format and later adult standards.

In 2000, WTSO switched to its current all-sports format, originally as a network affiliate of ESPN Radio. It was called "Madison's ESPN Radio 10-7-0." On January 1, 2009, WTSO parted company with ESPN Radio and rebranded as "The Big 1070, Madison's Sports Station." It affiliated with Fox Sports Radio and later added some programming from NBC Sports Radio.[5] (ESPN Radio programming now airs on 100.5 WTLX.)

On February 3, 2020, WTSO rebranded as "1070 The Game." In March 2021 WTSO announced it would become the Chicago Cubs Radio Network's first Wisconsin affiliate, providing a locally based alternate to the Chicago-based WSCR 670 AM which also covers Southern Wisconsin with its signal.[6]

From 2014 until February 1, 2020, WTSO programming was simulcast on FM translator W265CV at 100.9 MHz.[7] W265CV now airs a 1960s-1970s oldies format as "U-100.9".[8]

Previous Logos


WTSO's original logo under the "Big 1070" branding (c. 2010).


WTSO's Previous Logo used from 2010 to 2014.


WTSO's Previous Logo used from 2014 to 2020.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Fox Sports 1070 - We Are Fox Sports 1070 Madison!".
  2. ↑ Radio-Locator.com/WTSO
  3. ↑ Broadcasting Yearbook 1977 page C-233
  4. ↑ "WKOW Madison, Wis., on Air with 10 kw" (PDF). Broadcasting. January 26, 1948. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  5. ↑ "sports". madison.com. Retrieved November 11, 2009.
  6. ↑ "Brewers games on Bally Sports Wisconsin will look similar, but some streaming services lack deals | Major League Baseball | madison.com".
  7. ↑ "WTSO Brings More FM Sports To Madison," from RadioInsight, 8/4/2014
  8. ↑ "IHeartMedia to Launch U100.9 & 1070 the Game in Madison".

42°59′45″N 89°18′59″W / 42.99583°N 89.31639°W / 42.99583; -89.31639

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