KWDM

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KWDM, "88.7 KWDM The Point," is a modern rock radio station serving the Des Moines, Iowa, area. It is located at 88.7 on the FM dial. The station's studio is located at Valley High School (Des Moines, Iowa)'. It is owned and operated by the West Des Moines Community School District, though it is typically operated by students at Valley. As it is a station run by high school students, it rarely broadcasts on weekends.

[edit] History

KWDM first began broadcasting in 1948 by George Webber under the frequency 1150 AM. He then sold the station to investors from 3M in 1959. 1150 AM's call letters changed to KWKY.

In 1964, Webber revived KWDM via the frequency 93.3 FM. The station consisted of block programming of music, usually ethnic music not heard elsewhere in Des Moines as well as a talk show by his wife and play-by-play sports. KWDM was never a top performer in the ratings, but it did have a loyal following. However, that following was not enough to keep it afloat and the station was in constant financial trouble.

In 1968, George Webber began selling KWDM on contract to The SEQ Corporation. On April 10, 1969, the station went dark, after the owner of the tower and transmitter site shut down the station due to non-payment of rent. A month later, Webber regained control of the station, operating it at reduced hours until it shut down.

[edit] Current Ownership

In 1976, the West Des Moines Community School District took control of the KWDM call letters on the frequency 88.9 FM. The school district has control of the station to this day.

In 1994, KWDM's frequency was migrated from 88.9 FM to 88.7 FM and its power increased from 10 watts ERP to 100 watts. The station is one of two high school radio stations in Iowa, the other being KDPS operated by Des Moines Public Schools.

[edit] Programming

KWDM's student staff dictates what format that station will play. Students have the option to change the format at the beginning of any school year. In the late 70s and through much of the 80s, the station played a free-form format where the on-air jock played the music of their choice. In the early 1990s, the station was a strictly classic rock format. In 1993, the station began playing the popular Alternative or Modern Rock format. In 1999, KWDM began to experiment a switch to CHR/Top 40 music. The move was abandoned after Clear Channel owned KKDM switched from Alternative to Top 40 and re-branded itself as "Kiss 107FM." The station continues to play the Modern Rock format today.

[edit] Student Management

One of KWDM's hallmarks is its student management. While a faculty advisor oversees operations and is responsible for regulatory and engineering issues, students are predominantly responsible for the station's programming and music selection. One student is selected each year through a competitive application process to serve as station manager.

[edit] KWDM Alums in Broadcasting

In the more than 30 years that the West Des Moines School District has owned KWDM, many of the station's alumni have gone on to careers in the radio and television industry.

[edit] Current Shows and Information

Current boardcasts include the Morning Show, Midday Requests, and Valley Tiger football boardcasts.

[edit] References

• KWDM FM 93.3. Accessed July 9, 2006.
• West Des Moines Community School District Home. Accessed July 9, 2006.

[edit] External links

• KWDM The Point website