| City of license | Beech Grove, Indiana |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Indianapolis |
| Branding | La Ley |
| Frequency | 1590 kHz |
| Format | Regional Mexican |
| Audience share | 1.2 (Sp'08 P2, R&R[1]) |
| Power | 5,000 watts day 500 watts night |
| Class | B |
| Facility ID | 58320 |
| Affiliations | Salem Communications |
| Owner | Davidson Media Station Wnts Licensee, LLC |
WNTS is an AM radio station owned by Davison Media Group in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. though technically licenced in Beech Grove, Indiana. The station operates on the AM radio frequency of 1590 kHz. The studios and transmitters are located at 4800 E. Raymond St. on the southeast side of Indianapolis.
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A search of Broadcasting Magazine's annual Yearbooks shows that WNTS began operation as WGEE on December 10, 1956. A large portion of the station's programming was aimed toward the African American population of Indianapolis. Much of the remainder of the daytime only operated AM station's programming was devoted to Country music.
WGEE launched sister station WGEE-FM 103.3 mHz (64KW at 120FT) on May 15, 1964. The WGEE stations simulcast in the early 70's with the "WG Parade Of Hits". Bob Todd was Program Director and local air talents of Scott Evans, Mike O'Brien, Scott Wheeler, Jim Fox, Ron Hoffer, and Steve Miller. Dick Shane was News Director.
WIRE-AM owner Mid America Radio acquired WGEE-FM in March, 1972. The FM adopted a beautiful music format with call letters WXTZ. On May 7, 1972, WGEE-AM was acquired by B & G Broadcasting. The station soon became WNIR "The Country Winner" with a country format programmed by Bob Todd, with Buddy O'Shay as morning announcer.
On April 15, 1974, WNIR was acquired by S & M Broadcasting, and became News Talk Sports 16, WNTS. Sam Smulyan was President of the new company. His son Jeff (now Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of Indianapolis based Emmis Communications) was appointed General Manager. Operations were handled by Rick Cummings.
Other employees after the change to news and talk included a Broad Ripple High School and Ball State University graduate named David Letterman. WNTS moved into an all-news direction in early 1976. After the failed attempt to draw audience with programming from NBC's all-news News and Information Service, WNTS changed format to Religion on January 18, 1977.
After the change to Religion, WNTS moved from daytime only operation to full time operation. To do so, the city of license for WNTS was changed from Indianapolis to Beech Grove. An additional tower was also added at the station's transmitter site.
Since the station was sold (reported October 10, 2005 by Indiana RadioWatch), its website has gone down.
WNTS broadcasts using 5 kW daytime power and .5 kW nighttime power. The station uses a directional antenna at night. More information is available at the FCC query for WNTS.
WNTS was a Southern Gospel music and talk station, but upon ownership change, became a Hispanic programming station.
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