WTPG

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**WTPG**

Broadcast area	Columbus, Ohio
Branding	1230 WTPG Progressive Talk
Slogan	Talk Radio For The Rest of Columbus
Frequency	1230 AM (kHz)
Format	Progressive Talk
Power	1,000 watts
Class	C
Callsign meaning	"We're Talking ProGressive."
Owner	Clear Channel Communications
Website	www.progressive1230.com

WTPG (1230 AM) is a radio station in Columbus, Ohio owned by Clear Channel Communications. They carry a progressive talk format. According to the station, the call letters WTPG stand for "We're Talking ProGressive." WTPG is the Columbus radio home of the Cincinnati Reds baseball team.

[edit] History

The 1230 AM frequency is best known to Columbus area residents as the former home of Top-40 station WCOL. When the station first used the WCOL identification, it was the primary Top-40 format station in the Columbus market. It held this distinction from 1960 to the early 1970s, until the rise in popularity of FM broadcasting and competition from WNCI. WCOL, in its Top-40 heyday was heralded as the station which "premiered" the hits. The WCOL calls were also used in tribute as the backdrop for the 1996 Tom Hanks movie "That Thing You Do."

WCOL became WFII on March 24, 1997, airing a syndicated conservative talk radio format as "1230 FYI".

WFII was not a ratings success, and in 2001 the station became WZNW, airing a sports talk format as "1230 The Zone". However, WZNW was never able to compete effectively against the other full-time sports station in Columbus, WBNS.

WCOL returned to 1230 in 2003, playing pre-British Invasion pop/rock as "Real Oldies 1230". WCOL traded in on its heritage as a Top 40 station, and the "Real Oldies" format played much of the same music. They even used some of their vintage jingles from that era.

Despite some positive "buzz" from long-time radio listeners, many of whom remembered WCOL from its Top 40 heyday, the format failed to capture a significant audience in the market. The station, mostly automated using voice-tracking, lacked the live personalities which made the original WCOL great.

At noon on September 7, 2004, WCOL became WTPG, as "Progressive Talk AM 1230." hit the Columbus airwaves. WTPG carries programming mostly from the Air America Radio network, as well as syndicated hosts Ed Schulz and Stephanie Miller. Since picking up the format, 1230 AM has seen mild ratings improvements, although ranks well behind counter-programmed sister station WTVN.

At one time, WCOL broadcast in stereo, though analog stereo transmissions ended many years ago. WTPG currently broadcasts using HD-Radio.

As of December 11, 2006, WTPG dropped the Al Franken Show and replace it with the Thom Hartman Show. It is unclear if this is a permanent replacement.