Faith. Family. Fun. - WCTL ť History

History

1967		21 Christian businessmen and pastors commit to bringing Christian radio to the Erie area under the vision of George Smith, a local radio engineer.

1967		Inspiration Time, Inc. becomes a 49% owner of WBVB, a 250-watt FM radio station licensed to Union City, owned by William Baker and Virgil Brown.

October 3, 1967		George Smith takes over the daily operation and management of WBVB, marking the beginning of the WCTL radio ministry

1968		New manager Richard Frank chooses the slogan "We Broadcast Victorious Blessings" for WBVB.

1968		Power is increased to 350-watts

1972		Inspiration Time completes the purchase of WBVB and changes the call letters to WCTL meaning "With Christ There's Life".

1972		Power is increased to 3,000-watts.

1977		After several years of broadcasting from mobile homes and trailers, WCTL moves into a new building on Lincolnville Road just south of Union City. A 10th anniversary celebration features an appearance by Ben Kinchlow of the 700 Club.

1981		A 1-watt translator begins re-broadcasting WCTL at 98.3 FM in Erie.

1982		Former WBVB owner Bill Baker (having accepted Christ in 1975) becomes WCTL's full-time manager.

1985		WCTL begins broadcasting in stereo.

1990		Joel Natalie becomes WCTL's general manager.

March, 1992		Power is increased to 6,000-watts, generating new listeners in Northwestern Pennsylvania, Southwestern New York, Northeastern Ohio, and Southern Ontario, Canada.

Fall, 1992		25th anniversary celebration includes a free concert by First Call.

October, 1993		WCTL moves to it's present location on Peach Street, just north of Waterford.

April, 1994		WCTL becomes a nationally recognized music reporting station.

March, 1996		WCTL becomes the first Erie radio station with a Home Page on the World Wide Web.

1998		A 10-watt translator begins re-broadcasting WCTL at 107.7 FM in Oil City (lasting until January, 2002).

June, 1999		Internet streaming begins (lasting untiil August, 2002).

2001		WCTL selected a finalist for GMA (Gospel Music Association) small market "Radio Station of the Year" for outstanding achievement in Christian music.

2002		WCTL wins a Silver Award from the Erie Ad Club for the spot "Leading Experts" written and produced for Small Fry's.

March, 2004		A 200-watt translator begins re-broadcasting WCTL at 99.1 FM in North East.

August, 2004		Ron Raymond becomes WCTL's general manager.

2005		An 85-watt translator begins re-broadcasting WCTL at 105.9 FM in downtown Erie.

May, 2005		WCTL resumes live streaming on the internet.

March, 2007		10-watt translators begin re-broadcasting WCTL at 100.7 FM in Warren, PA and 98.7 FM in Jamestown, NY. The Jamestown translator goes dark in 2010.

April, 2007		WCTL wins PAB (Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters) Award for Excellence in Broadcasting for "Outstanding Radio Coverage of a Local Sporting Event" for live play-by-play coverage of the AAA High School Football State Championship Game on 12/15/06.

October, 2007		40th anniversary celebration with Phillips, Craig and Dean at Erie First.

April, 2008		WCTL wins PAB (Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters) Award for Excellence in Broadcasting for "Outstanding Radio Coverage of a Local Sporting Event."

March, 2009		A 38-watt translator begins re-broadcasting WCTL at 92.5 FM in Girard.

April, 2009		WCTL wins PAB (Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters) Award for Excellence in Broadcasting for "Outstanding Radio Coverage of a Local Sporting Event."

July, 2010		88.5 FM WTMV returns to the airwaves as WYVL The Light, partnering with 100.7 FM in Warren to serve communities in an expanded area. WMTV was begun by Bill Baker and donated to Inspiration Time, Inc. by his family after his passing in October, 2008.