History of WBDG

WBDG-FM began broadcasting a regular schedule on February 14, 1966 at 90.9 FM. WBDG is the oldest continuously-operating high school radio station in Marion County. During those early days, the station operated only during school hours and reached a very small listening area. The station expanded its operations and its coverage area over the ensuing years. By the end of the 1970’s, WBDG was broadcasting to its current coverage area and student DJs operated the station in studio even on school breaks and holidays from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm on the weekdays and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

In 1986, WBDG conducted a fundraising drive that raised enough money to purchase its first stereo console. WBDG became Stereo 91. WBDG went 24 hours in 1995 using a state-of-the-art computer automation system. On June 1, 2002, WBDG made the transition from being Radio Spectrum B91 to Giant 90.9. In the fall of 2002, Ben Davis radio students were joined by students from the Area 31 Career Center sending schools as the station became one of the career center’s excellent and cutting-edge programs. Returning to its roots in the 1980’s and 90’s fundraising drives, WBDG began doing radio marathons again to celebrate student radio in 2005.

Staying on the cutting edge, WBDG launched a podcast page in 2014. Since then, the program has expanded its reach streaming on the world-wide-web and launching in HD radio in January of 2018. WBDG is one of the few student run stations broadcasting in HD Radio. As of today, the station continues to serve the Westside of Indianapolis and the world while educating students in the Area 31 Career Center about radio broadcasting and media.