WGNS Donates Approximately $5-million of air time in 5-years

October 15, 2008

If you have lived in Murfreesboro/Rutherford County for any length of time, you have fallen in love with the area. As you have heard on WGNS, the fact that we live in the Heart of Tennessee–it is more than a geographic identifier of this being the center of the state. The heart describes how people in this community react to each to helping others who are in need.

You also consistently hear the Good Neighbor Station (that’s what W-GNS stand for) encouraging listeners do business locally and to support local family businesses. The compassionate feeling of this community is mostly a blend of the spirit found in local businesses and residents. We all love the many corporate businesses, but usually–they are the same here and everywhere.

WGNS is passionate about promoting and strengthening our local quality of life. At no expense to city, county or state government, your radio station works to develop strength and understanding between the different segments of this area. A few highlights of some of the programs broadcast over WGNS in the past 9-month of this year include:

“LIVE” from an airplane flying at 3,000 feet over Rutherford County discussing the benefits of living in Middle Tennessee and also discussing the upcoming Wings of Freedom Fish Fry in September. The “IN-air” program also discussed the importance of the Smyrna, Rutherford County Airport. This was the first local in-air program in the country for a local radio station.
“LIVE” from a moving Rover Bus in Murfreesboro. The hour long program interviewed new bus riders and transportation director Bob Nugent and reconfirmed the need for public transportation. This was the first documented live program from a moving bus that we could find in the United States.
“LIVE” from the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center on September 11^th during the annual fair for the community.This has been a traditional broadcast since the attacks of 9/11.
“LIVE” from the Rutherford County Courthouse, covering the Bible Theme Park commission meeting (6-hour program, uninterrupted, no commercials).
“LIVE” from National Night Out
“LIVE” hour-long call-in talk shows weekly with City Mayor, Vice Mayor, Chief of Police, Sheriff or County Mayor.
“LIVE” once monthly with the Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department.
“LIVE” once monthly discussing important issues with state representatives, senators and congressmen.
“LIVE” coverage of local high school football, basketball and soon select baseball and softball games.
“LIVE” weekly with representatives from the Rutherford County UT-Agriculture Extension Service to answer lawn and garden questions.
“LIVE” once monthly with the Rutherford County Bar Association. This allows callers to ask important questions to local attorneys for free on a call by call basis.
“LIVE” once monthly with representatives from the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce
“LIVE” 3-times per year with officials from the Stones River National Battlefield.
“LIVE” Coverage of the Vice Presidential Debate and the Presidential Debates – (this preempts commercials that would normally air.) - Commercial free broadcast.

Total cost of air time if the city, county and federal government were to pay for the publicity that was received: $820,000 (est.) during the first 9-month period of 2008 alone.

Estimated amounts of Air Time WGNS has used as a public service:

January – December 2007: $1,093,333

January – December 2006: $1,003,000

January – December 2005: $1,001,000

January – December 2004: $1,000,000

WGNS cares about our community.

(Pictured: Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg “live” on WGNS at National Night Out 2008) The WGNS network of stations (FM 100.5; FM 101.9; AM 1450; over-the-air TV channel 11; on the internet at www.WGNSradio.com) continuously promotes this community. As you think of something that would make the Heart of Tennessee better, or if you see projects in other communities–please take time to let us know. E-mail to your ideas to OPINION@WGNSradio.com.

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