fbpx

WGVE 88.7 FM

Back To Academics

A Brief Description and History

Since 1954, WGVE 88.7 FM has served the Northwest Indiana community as a reliable and valuable public radio source. The station was originally located in Lew Wallace High School and operated at less than 50 watts. The primary purpose of the station during this era was to enhance the local school curriculum by airing instructional programs. The station was also used to make local announcements concerning the school district.
As the Age of Information began to appear on the horizons, the facility was moved to the Gary Area Career Center in 1969, where a broadcast-training program for area high school students was added. Currently a mixture of school and community news, educational programming, public service announcements and music characterize the WGVE broadcast days.

Programs

“Doors Wide Open”

Programming is designed to offer a valuable informational platform for the community. Local programming like “Doors Wide Open” host a wide array of guest from the Gary Community School Corporation, the City of Gary and other valuable partners in education and human services. Frequent guest include Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson and various department heads of the City of Gary; the leadership of Gary Community School Corporation, department directors, school principals and teachers the president of the local teachers union and other guest.

“Prep Sports Network”

Our “Prep Sports Network” programming offers exciting play-by-play action of area high school basketball and football games. Featured games include all high schools in Gary, Northwest Indiana and teams from around the state.

Live Broadcasts of School Board and Gary Common Council Meetings

Live broadcast of the Gary School Board meetings will air at 6 PM every second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.  Live meetings of the Gary Common Council will air every first and third Tuesdays of the month at 6 PM.

“A Variety of Programs”

Other programming focuses on parenting, child development, health, aging and international affairs, which includes Public Radio International productions.
This program allows District personnel and community activist to visit and talk live about activities and events related to their organization. WGVE also offers a wide genre of music from Jazz, Blues and Hip-Hop.

“Television Productions”

In the late 70’s, a multi-camera television studio was added to WGVE. This facility serves as a laboratory for students to gain experience in the production of visual materials suitable for cable broadcast.

WGVE students produce “District Connections”, a television talk show that is designed to keep local cable access viewers in the know about the Gary Community School Corporation.”District Connections” also features the accomplishments and activities of area schools. The program can be viewed on WJPN Channel 21 in Gary, Indiana and on various channels through U-Verse.

Radio Station Facts

First Broadcast: January 1954

Antenna Height: 125-foot self-supporting tower

Studio and Tower Location: The Gary Area Career Center

Four studio facility: Two master control-rooms and two production studios

Effective Radiated Power: 2.1 Kilowatts

Audience Demographics – Gary, Indiana

Area square miles 57.24 miles
Total Population: 102,746

Among major American cities, ranked No. 1 in percentage black population (84%)

Male 47088 45.83%
Female 55658 54.17%

Breakdown of age groups

15 and younger: 25,709

16-24: 15,362

25-44: 25,738

45-64: 22,794

65+: 13,143

Race
White 11.92%
African American Population 84.03%
Latino 4.93%

Median Household Income: $27,195
Median Family Income: $32,205

Education
10% of Gary residents age 25 and older have a bachelor’s or advanced college degree.

Total Housing Units 43,630
Average number of persons per household 2.66

WGVE Audience Demographics- Northwest Indiana

The following represents the demographics of the Northwest Indiana and the population within the WGVE coverage map.

Area square miles: 496.98

Total Population: 484,564

Male 233,367 (48.2%)
Female 251,197 (51.8%)

Breakdown of age groups

15 and younger: 107,338

16-24: 67,293

25-44: 137,174

45-64: 109,525

65+: 63,234

Population – Race
White 66.7%
African American 25.3%
Latino 12.2%
Other 6.9%

Median Household Income: $41,829
Median Family Income: $32,205

Total Housing Units: 194,992
Average number of persons per household 2.76