In a town where politics is considered a sport, where local events are heatedly discussed in the coffee shop, by the water cooler and in the local watering hole, and where everyone wants to voice their opinion, one station offers live and local talk 12 hours every weekday from 6am to 6pm so central Illinois residents can interact and expose their views.

That station is Springfields 970 WMAY...your forum for the First Amendment!

 

Facts

  • The only Springfield station that features local live talk…
    From 6a-7p each weekday, and more hours on the weekend, 970 WMAY is the only place on the radio dial where local listeners can interact and have a forum for their views all day long.  This is one of the factors that makes WMAY so successful as an advertising tool for local businesses.  Our topics of  local interest keep people listening longer and more attentively which means your commercial will have greater impact.  How do we know?  We measure it with the hundreds of phone calls we receive every day from listeners wanting to interact with the personalities on the News and Talk of Springfield.
  • WMAY is the home of the ABC News Network…
    Prestigious ABC Global Coverage… every hour, on the hour, with breaking news and in-depth       coverage of major stories. America’s #1 news source is on WMAY, drawing more listeners who are looking for the very best national and international coverage. This means that your advertising       message is connected with a strong news message reaching intelligent, sharp and aware listeners.
  • 970 WMAY brings that same quality to our local news coverage . . .
    Award-winning, aggressive, acclaimed local news coverage from Springfield’s most talented and    aggressive radio news team.  If it’s important to you - it’s on 970 WMAY News - voted “Best Radio News” by readers of the Illinois Times.  More than 250 local newscasts every week, including four times an hour weekday mornings and live interviews with local, state and federal newsmakers throughout the day - plus immediate coverage of local breaking news.  Our in-depth local news coverage allows us to dig deeper into local issues on our talk shows giving Springfield the most comprehensive look at the top stories of the day.
  • Outstanding local talk show hosts, with 70+ hours a week Live & Local…
    Start your weekday mornings with the Jim Leach Show from 6a-9a - voted favorite local talk show host by    readers of the Illinois Times, three years running, also voted Best Morning Show by the Illinois Broadcasters Association (IBA)!  Then, Kelm and Kirk “Set Springfield Right” from  9a-Noon.  From Noon-3p, tune into Molson & Josie - they are like nothing else you’ve ever heard on talk radio!  Voted Best Broadcast Team by the IBA.  Then, from 3p-6p, WMAY’s former TV anchor man Mark Thoma takes over the airwaves. Often irreverent, always passionate and never afraid to mix it up with callers or roast a few sacred cows, WMAY’s local talkers grab the audience and keep them locked in, so they won’t want to miss a minute - including your advertising message.
  • Sports and Weather…
    From the Cubs, Cards and White Sox, to the Bears, Fighting Illini and local Chatham-Glenwood    Football coverage, sports is always a hot topic.  WMAY has you covered with sports updates twice an hour, along with exclusive NFL coverage during football season.  And, in Springfield, the weather is often the top news story and topic of conversation.  So, the News and Talk of Springfield has you   covered, with the Forecast on the Fours every 10 minutes in the morning and a total of 60 weathercasts every day.  Plus, wall-to-wall coverage of   emergency weather situations, so you’ll always have the vital, lifesaving information you need when the weather turns threatening.
  • Promotions…
    WMAY is active in the community, stepping in to assist a variety of local agencies and causes.  Recent efforts include major fundraisers for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, support for the  Salvation Army Tree of Lights, the Relay for Life benefiting the American Cancer Society, Bowl for Kid’s Sake benefiting Big Brother/Big Sisters, the record-setting Toys for Tots campaign, blood drives to combat critical shortages at the Central Illinois Community Blood Center, the Stuff-A-Truck campaign to re-stock the Food Pantry, the Midwest Charity Cruise and many more Springfield City benefits - just to name a few.
  • The Audience…
    970 WMAY, the News and Talk of Springfield, is programmed to reach the affluent male demographic that is attracted to the local news/talk format.  This is the meat & potatoes of the male baby boomer generation.  And, talk radio listeners are active listeners; they pay attention and respond to what they hear.  WMAY is a cost-effective medium to reach these much sought after consumers.  Our audience has helped many local businesses gain great success -  from Head West Sub Stop to Fritz Pfister of Remax Professionals, to the Party Tree and Affordable Shred - and WMAY can do the same for your business.
  • Excellence…
    Trusted, Professional, Aggressive! That’s our team - the News and Talk of Springfield!
  • LIVE AND LOCAL… WMAY 970AM, The News and Talk of Springfield

Local Line-up:

The Jim Leach Show (M-F 6a-9a)
A ten year veteran of WMAY, Jim launches his show each morning with The Morning Jolt, a quick run through all the key news stories of the day. Then he digs in deeper on those stories as well as prominent issues effecting our community. Jim is known to take the liberal slant, which some people love and many hate, but everyone is given the chance to call in and give their opinion.

The Kirk & Kelm Show (M-F 9a-Noon)
WMAY goes in a conservative direction when Kirk Farah and Dave Kelm take over the microphone, but tend to argue with one another over their individual viewpoints. Best of all they offer listeners the opportunity to chime in and choose the side they agree with, even if it doesn’t align with our co-hosts. Fun and inviting…the show is also know as A.D.D. radio due to their switching of topics at a moments notice.

The Molson and Lee Show (M-F Noon-3p)
Former Second City performer allow us to take a moment away from the serious nature of the issues and look at them from a twisted angle. Johnny Molson and Josie have quickly developed a cult following to their show with a series of bits, interviews and day to day quirks you would find nowhere else on the radio dial. Listen to Molson and Josie and we guarantee you'll find yourself with a big smile.

Thoma Time with Mark Thoma (M-F 3p-6p)
Former News Channel 20 anchorman Mark Thoma now has the opportunity to not only give the news, but also give his opinion and ask listeners to call and share their opinions as well. As a former newsman Mark has the uncanny ability to dig deep into stories to showcase their components from multiple angles.

The Frank McNeil Show (M-F 6p-7p)
Former Springfield City Alderman Frank McNeil tackles the tough local issues with a degree of knowledge only available to someone with his connections and experience.