WGTE-FM marking its 35th year
5/2/2011Thirty-five years ago Monday WGTE-FM, 91.3, began broadcasting.
The public radio station was created by a WGTE board of trustees wanting to fill the broadcasting void of classical music and jazz programming in the area. The station first signed on Sunday, May 2, 1976, bringing classic music and National Public Radio's All Things Considered to Northwest Ohio. Early broadcasts included live concerts by the Toledo Symphony, the first Metropolitan Opera stereo television simulcasts with WGTE-TV, Channel 30, and weekly coverage of the Toledo City Council.
The station began 24-hour broadcasting in 1984 with Music Through the Night and Jazz After Hours.
WGTE extended its broadcast reach with the construction of satellite stations WGLE Lima in 1981, WGBE Bryan in 1996, and WGDE Defiance in 1999. Twenty-six counties in Ohio and Michigan are served by the four stations.
WGTE continues its program service of NPR news and information, classical, jazz, folk, and eclectic music. Programs from Public Radio International include Marketplace and weekend entertainment and variety shows.