WTSO
title: "WTSO" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["radio-stations-in-madison,-wisconsin", "sports-radio-stations-in-the-united-states", "iheartmedia-radio-stations", "fox-sports-radio-stations"] topic_path: "sports" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WTSO" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox radio station"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | WTSO |
| city | Madison, Wisconsin |
| country | US |
| area | Madison metropolitan area |
| branding | 1070 The Game |
| frequency | |
| airdate | |
| format | Sports |
| power | |
| class | B |
| facility_id | 41973 |
| callsign_meaning | For station's frequency, read as "ten-seven-oh (zero)" |
| former_callsigns | WKOW (1948–1971) |
| affiliations | Fox Sports Radio |
| owner | iHeartMedia, Inc. |
| licensee | iHM Licenses, LLC |
| sister_stations | WIBA (AM), WIBA-FM, WMAD, WXXM, WZEE |
| webcast | |
| website | 1070thegame.iheart.com |
| licensing_authority | FCC |
| :: |
| name = WTSO | city = Madison, Wisconsin | country = US | area = Madison metropolitan area | branding = 1070 The Game | frequency = | airdate = | format = Sports | power = | class = B | facility_id = 41973 | coordinates = | callsign_meaning = For station's frequency, read as "ten-seven-oh (zero)" | former_callsigns = WKOW (1948–1971) | affiliations = Fox Sports Radio | owner = iHeartMedia, Inc. | licensee = iHM Licenses, LLC | sister_stations = WIBA (AM), WIBA-FM, WMAD, WXXM, WZEE | webcast = | website = 1070thegame.iheart.com | licensing_authority = FCC
WTSO (1070 AM, "1070 The Game") is a commercial radio station in Madison, Wisconsin, known as "1070 The Game." The station is owned and operated by iHeartMedia, Inc., and airs a sports radio format. The offices and studios are on South Fish Hatchery Road in Fitchburg (but using Madison as its mailing address).
By day, WTSO is powered at 10,000 watts. Because 1070 AM is a clear-channel frequency reserved for Class A station KNX Los Angeles, at night, to avoid interference, WTSO must reduce its power to 5,000 watts and use a directional antenna with a six-tower array. (WTSO must also protect the former Class A station on 1070 AM in Moncton, New Brunswick, CBA, though it has since moved to FM as CBAM-FM.) WTSO's transmitter is off East Tower Road in McFarland.
History
The station signed on the air on January 19, 1948. The original call sign was WKOW. With Wisconsin known as "The Dairy State," the original call letters stood for the word "cow." The licensee was the Monona Broadcasting Company.
In the mid-1970s, the call sign was changed to WTSO to stand for Ten Seven zerO, its frequency. At that time, it was owned by Mid-Continent Broadcasting and aired in a country music format. As country music listening switched to the FM dial, WTSO tried a talk radio format and later adult standards.
In 2000, WTSO switched to its current all-sports format, initially as a network affiliate of ESPN Radio. It was called "Madison's ESPN Radio 10-7-0." On January 1, 2009, WTSO parted company with ESPN Radio and rebranded as "The Big 1070, Madison's Sports Station." It affiliated with Fox Sports Radio and later added some programming from NBC Sports Radio. (ESPN Radio programming now airs on WTLX.)
On February 3, 2020, WTSO rebranded as "1070 The Game." In March 2021, WTSO announced it would become the Chicago Cubs Radio Network's first Wisconsin affiliate, providing a locally based alternate to the Chicago-based WSCR, which also covers Southern Wisconsin with its signal.
From 2014 until February 1, 2020, WTSO programming was simulcast on FM translator W265CV at 100.9 MHz. W265CV now airs a 1960s-1970s oldies format as "U-100.9".
Programming
Programming from Fox Sports Radio is heard on nights and weekends.
WTSO's live sports coverage includes broadcasts of Chicago Cubs baseball, NASCAR races from MRN Radio and PRN Radio, as well as local high school events, including championships in the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association. WTSO also airs live broadcasts of some University of Wisconsin Badgers games along with sister station WIBA (1310 AM).
References
References
- "Fox Sports 1070 - We Are Fox Sports 1070 Madison!".
- [[Broadcasting & Cable. Broadcasting Yearbook 1977 page C-233]]
- (January 26, 1948). "WKOW Madison, Wis., on Air with 10 kw".
- "sports". [[madison.com]].
- "Brewers games on Bally Sports Wisconsin will look similar, but some streaming services lack deals {{!".
- [https://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/89630/wtso-brings-more-fm-sports-to-madison/ "WTSO Brings More FM Sports To Madison,"] from RadioInsight, 8/4/2014
- "iHeartMedia To Launch U100.9 & 1070 The Game In Madison".
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