| WGQF | |
|---|---|
|
Location |
Bartlett, IL |
|
Branding |
WGQF 19 |
|
Slogan |
The Clear Choice For News |
|
Channel(s) |
Digital/Virtual: 19 (UHF/PSIP) |
|
Affiliation |
Independent |
|
First air date |
July 7, 1977 (original) |
|
Last air date |
June 8, 2017 (original) |
|
Former call letters |
none |
|
Former channel number |
none |
|
Former Affiliation |
Independent/Public Access (1977-1986) |
|
Owner |
StormCam Television |
WGQF is an independent station in Bartlett, IL. It was formerly the Fox-affiliated station for Bartlett, IL.
History
The station signed on for the first time on July 7, 1977. It was unique in that it was one of the few public access stations to be available over the air. This was due to the fact that the station couldn't afford any syndicated programming. Instead, WGQF operated from 11:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M. Monday to Saturday (the only station broadcasting 12 hours a day at the time) leasing to airtime to whoever wanted it. Time was mostly bought up by local advertisers, essentially pioneering paid programming in the area.
WGQF picked up the Fox affiliation for the area upon that networks launch in 1986. Around this time, the station removed its public access-type programming and only operated during the times when Fox offered programming. This was originally only Saturday and Sunday evenings. WGQF began broadcasting full time in 1993 when Fox began offering a full week's worth of programming. In addition, WGQF established a full news department and added some syndicated fare outside of Fox programming.
The station signed off for good on June 8, 2017 as networks were moving out of areas that are not defined as DMA's, including Bartlett.
On July 5, 2022, WGQF signed back on the air, this time owned by StormCam Television, and became a news-intensive independent station.
Programming
WGQF presently broadcasts 74½ hours of locally produced newscasts each week (with 12½ hours each weekday, 5½ hours on Saturdays and 6½ hours on Sundays); in regards to the number of hours devoted to locally produced newscasts, it is the largest newscast output of any station in the Bartlett, IL area.
Syndicated programming on WGQF includes Family Feud among others.
After joining Fox in 1986, WGQF only broadcast programs on Saturday and Sunday evenings (the only time Fox offered any programming). Prior to this, WGQF only operated for 12 hours a day on every day of the week except Sunday. When Fox wasn't broadcasting programming, the rest of the time was filled with color bars, station ID, local commercials, and local scenery (usually) set to soft rock and easy listening-type music.
