AM 1290 WIRL signal goes silent after 77 years of broadcasting

Former WIRL personality Wayne Miller pressed the button to shut off the AM 1290 WIRL signal for good after 77 years of broadcasting, on March 31st, 2026. (T.J. Carson/1470 & 100.3 WMBD)

PEORIA, Ill. – The Mighty 1290 has gone silent.

The signal for AM 1290 WIRL was shut down on Tuesday at noon after more than 77 years on the air.

AM 1290 first went on the air in 1948. Over the years, WIRL has broadcast a wide variety of formats, including news/talk, sports, and oldies. But the heyday of AM 1290 was when it served as a Top 40 hits station.

The announcement to close AM 1290’s signal for good came earlier this month, with a retrospective show hosted by former WIRL personalities Wayne R Miller and Scott Robbins airing in the final week.

Miller was also the one to press the button to shut down the signal for good, right after a final goodbye message from Midwest Communications General Manager Mike Wild.

“77 years, just over, and nothing but silence now,” Miller said, moments after the signal went silent. “It’s like euthanizing a best friend. I’m very sad.”

In its final days, AM 1290 WIRL aired a conservative talk format, with the signal simulcast on Freedom 95.9 FM. Freedom 95.9 will continue to air that programming, and no jobs will be lost due to AM 1290’s signal ending.