WDOG, Tuscarawas County's newest radio station, to go on air sometime this summer

NEW PHILADELPHIA ‒ Tuscarawas County's newest radio station, WDOG, Bad Dog Radio 105.9 FM, is expected to go on the air sometime this summer.

The Federal Communications Commission authorized a construction permit for the station on March 19. The studio will be located at 1158 Miller Ave. NW in New Philadelphia, the home of Steve Slentz, the president of Bad Dog Educational Media, the non-profit organization that will run the station.

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It will have an all rock format.

"It's going to be only the best rock," Slentz said. "You'll hear old, you'll hear new, but it's only the best rock. You won't hear that album cut that wasn't very popular, and only maybe two people liked it. But it's going to have that wow factor, to where, 'Wow. I haven't heard that in ages.'"

A priority of the station will be to promote events of local non-profit organizations, he said.

Coverage area

The 100-watt station will cover New Philadelphia and Dover, and the signal will reach into Bolivar, Sugarcreek, Uhrichsville and Dennison. It will be run entirely by volunteers.

Because it is a non-profit station, listeners will never hear commercials or political ads.

"That's the biggest thing that I really like," Slentz said about no political ads. "In today's world, politics is out there, and we get knocked down with so much politics every single day of our lives. When you listen to Bad Dog Rock, you will never hear anything political. Only good stuff, things to make you feel good, music to make you feel good."

Channel 19, WOIO in Cleveland, will have a tower camera on Bad Dog Radio's Tower, and one of the station's meteorologists, Jeff Tanchak, will do a personalized forecast for the area on weekday mornings.

Long career in radio

Slentz has had a long career in the radio industry, getting start at age 14 at WJER in Dover. He has done administrative work, sales, programming and promotions. He and his family were responsible for starting WDNP radio in Dover, another non-profit station.

His brother, Dan, who is chief engineer for Channel 19 and 43 in Cleveland, will serve as WDOG's engineer and technical adviser.

WDOG will depend on donations to remain on the air. Bad Dog Educational Media is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so donations are tax deductible, Slentz said.

Members of the board include Kristine Fink, secretary/treasurer; Danielle Levengood, treasurer/secretary; Nathan Levengood; and William Pringle.

For more information on the station, contact Steve Slentz at 330-795-0371 or at baddog1059@outlook.com.

Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at jon.baker@timesreporter.com.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: WDOG, Tuscarawas County's newest radio station, to go on air sometime this summer