WHCO (1230 AM) is a

country A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. It may be a sovereign state or make up one part of a larger state. For example, the country of Japan is an independent, sovereign state, whi ...

formatted

broadcast Broadcasting is the distribution of audio or video content to a dispersed audience via any electronic mass communications medium, but typically one using the electromagnetic spectrum (radio waves), in a one-to-many model. Broadcasting began wi ...

radio station Radio broadcasting is transmission of audio (sound), sometimes with related metadata, by radio waves to radio receivers belonging to a public audience. In terrestrial radio broadcasting the radio waves are broadcast by a land-based radio ...

licensed to

Sparta, Illinois Sparta is a city in Randolph County, Illinois, United States. The population was 4,095 at the 2020 census. The city was the principal filming location for the 1967 film '' In the Heat of the Night''. Consumer ammunition manufacturer Underwood ...

, serving

Sparta Sparta ( Doric Greek: Σπάρτα, ''Spártā''; Attic Greek: Σπάρτη, ''Spártē'') was a prominent city-state in Laconia, in ancient Greece. In antiquity, the city-state was known as Lacedaemon (, ), while the name Sparta referr ...

and

Randolph County, Illinois Randolph County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2020 census, it had a population of 30,163. Its county seat is Chester. Owing to its role in the state's history, the county motto is "Where Illinois Began. ...

. WHCO is owned and operated by David and Carol Holder, through licensee Southern Illinois Radio Group, Inc.

History

WHCO began broadcasting in February 1955 and aired a country music format. It was owned by Hirsch Communication Engineering Corporation.History Cards for WHCO
fcc.gov. Retrieved April 21, 2019. By the early 1970s, the station was airing a middle of the road (MOR) format, along with 30 hours of country music a week. In the 1980s and 1990s, the station aired a

full service Full service or Full Service may refer to: * Full-service radio, a wide range of programming * Full Service Network, a communications company Entertainment * "Full Service", a song by the New Kids on the Block from their album ''The Block'' * Ful ...

format, with

adult contemporary Adult contemporary music (AC) is a form of radio-played popular music, ranging from 1960s vocal and 1970s soft rock music to predominantly ballad-heavy music of the present day, with varying degrees of easy listening, pop, soul, R&B, quie ...

and country music, along with talk, farm, and religious programming.
Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1985
', Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1985. p. B-87. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1988
', Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1988. p. B-92. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
Broadcasting & Cable Market Place 1992
',

Broadcasting & Cable ''Broadcasting & Cable'' (or ''Broadcasting+Cable'') is a weekly telecommunications industry trade magazine published by Future US. Previous names included ''Broadcasting-Telecasting'', ''Broadcasting and Broadcast Advertising'', and ''Broadcas ...

, 1992. p. A-113. Retrieved April 21, 2019.
Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1997
',

, 1997. p. B-144. Retrieved April 21, 2019. In 1998, the station adopted a

news-talk Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues and consisting entirely or almost entirely of original spoken word content rather than outside music. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often featu ...

format, carrying local programming as well as nationally syndicated hosts such as G. Gordon Liddy,

Larry King Larry King (born Lawrence Harvey Zeiger; November 19, 1933 – January 23, 2021) was an American television and radio host, whose awards included 2 Peabodys, an Emmy and 10 Cable ACE Awards. Over his career, he hosted over 50,000 interviews. ...

, and

Jim Bohannon James Everett Bohannon (January 7, 1944 – November 12, 2022) was an American broadcaster who worked in both television and radio. He is best known for hosting the nationally syndicated late night radio talk show ''The Jim Bohannon Show'' or ...

. In 2008, WHCO returned to a country music format. In 2013, controlling interest in the station was sold to David and Carol Holder's Southern Illinois Radio Group, Inc. for $150,000.Elmira TV gets an AM little sister
, ''Radio & Television Business Report''. January 28, 2013. Retrieved April 21, 2019.

Translator

In addition to the main station, WHCO is relayed by an FM translator.

References

External links

Real Country 1230 and 97.3 WHCO Online
{{Country Radio Stations in Illinois HCO Country radio stations in the United States Radio stations established in 1955 1955 establishments in Illinois