WFYR

WFYR
	Studio in downtown Peoria
Elmwood, Illinois;
Broadcast area	Peoria, Illinois
Frequency	97.3 MHz
Branding	97.3 River Country
Programming
Format	Country music
Affiliations	Compass Media Networks; Westwood One;
Ownership
Owner	Cumulus Media; (Radio License Holding CBC, LLC);
Sister stations	WGLO, WIXO, WVEL, WZPW
History
First air date	August 2, 1993; 31 years ago
Call sign meaning	"Fire" (station's original moniker, Fire 97.3)
Technical information
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	72080
Class	B1
ERP	23,500 watts
HAAT	103 meters (338 ft)
Transmitter coordinates	40°46′22.1″N 89°44′50.4″W / 40.772806°N 89.747333°W (NAD83)
Links
Public license information	Public file; LMS;
Webcast	Listen live; Listen Live (iHeart)
Website	973rivercountry.com

WFYR (97.3 FM) is a radio station broadcasting a country music format^[2] and licensed for Elmwood, Illinois, United States, in the Peoria area. The station is owned by Cumulus Media,^[3] which purchased the station from Townsquare Media.^[4]

History

Ever since the station signed on on August 2, 1993, it has always aired a country format. At first, WFYR used the branding "Fire 97", while using the Jones Satellite Networks' CD Country format on the air. The first local personality on the station was Program Director/Morning Host Dr Chris Michaels (now at competitor WXCL). The second air talent added locally in 1996 was Robb Rose to Afternoon Drive/Promotions Director. In the early-2000s, it was changed to "97.3 River Country". From September 6, 2013, to February 2, 2020, it used the nationally syndicated "Nash FM" branding.^[5]^{[non-primary source needed]}^[6]

Today, they are known for boosting local country music artists, with a weekly feature. From 2013 to 2020, the station competed in the Nash Next National Competition.

On February 3, 2020, WFYR rebranded back to its previous identity as "97.3 River Country."^[7]