Gardner MA WGAW Radio Has Audience Growth – Here’s Why
The growth of WGAW’s audience can be attributed to a number of factual factors, not just lucky sevens as the station celebrates its 77th year. (founded 1946)
Consistency: Current owner Steve Wendell has provided a consistent News/Talk format for over a decade now.
Pandemic: Audience Growth was fueled by the station’s proactive efforts in keeping the public informed during the entirety of the pandemic. The station provided the latest information to the public on a daily basis.
Technology and Accessibility: Originally just on AM 1340, the station can be heard on 98.1FM and from anywhere in the world through a live stream. Live Stream, CLICK HERE.
Programming: The station is known for its variety of talk programming and news which is aired 24 hours a day,7 days a week including the morning news from 6am to 9am weekdays and the popular Hotline Radio interview show which airs on Saturday from noon to 2pm. The station has a website, CLICK HERE.
Subsidized Advertising Rates: Station Owner Steve Wendell has been offering advertising at much lower than market rates, effectively subsidizing advertisers. The rate for a sixty second commercial is actually lower today than 40 years ago which is a huge benefit not every local business is taking advantage of. Not everyone in the community knows just how much the current owner has helped local business through his generosity.
Just how much has the audience grown? One indicator is website traffic is up 53% July 2023 vs July 2022. For the year 2023, total website traffic so far this year has already exceeded last year by 20%, and a third of the year is left to go. Gardner Magazine wishes WGAW well on its continued upward trajectory and thanks the station for its 77 years of service to Gardner and North Central Massachusetts.