WDEO (AM)

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WDEO
Image:WDEO-AM.jpg
City of license Ypsilanti, Michigan
Broadcast area [1] (Daytime}
[2] (Nighttime)
Branding Ave Maria Radio
First air date November 16, 1962
Frequency 990 kHz
Format Religious; Catholic-based talk/sermons
Power 9,200 watts (Daytime)
250 watts (Nighttime)
Class B
Former callsigns WWCM (12/86-10/99)
WYFC (1974-12/86)
WYNZ (1962-1974)
Owner Word Broadcasters
Website http://www.avemariaradio.net/

WDEO is a radio station broadcasting on 990 kilohertz in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Broadcasting Catholic programming, WDEO is operated by Ave Maria Radio.

WDEO's programming is simulcast on WMAX, 1440 AM, in the Bay City/Saginaw area, and on WTCK, 90.9 FM, in Charlevoix in northern Michigan. Some programming is locally produced, and some is simulcast from EWTN's "Global Catholic Radio" shortwave network.

WDEO began operations in 1962 as WYNZ, a 250-watt daytimer on 1520 AM with a country format, which changed to Top 40 later in the 1960s and later religious programming. In 1974, the station changed its calls to WYFC with the format remaining Christian-based. This continued until late 1986, when the station moved to its current 990 AM frequency and became WWCM, a pioneering contemporary Christian music station in the area. In the late 1990s, WWCM's daytime power increased to 9,200 watts, giving the station much better coverage of the metropolitan Detroit area. WWCM also broadcast in AM Stereo (which was dropped after the station changed format).

Former Domino's Pizza owner Tom Monaghan purchased WWCM in 1999 and changed it to WDEO, using the same calls and Catholic format formerly heard on AM 1290 in Saline (now WLBY). The station's studios were also moved from their longtime location on Cross Street in Ypsilanti into the Domino's Farms complex in Ann Arbor.

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