WGTE-FM signed on the air on May 2, 1976; 48 years ago (May 2, 1976).[3] At first, its programming was mostly classical music with six hours of jazz per week and hourly news updates. It also featured NPR's first weekday news program, All Things Considered.
When NPR began Morning Edition in 1979, that program was also heard on the weekday schedule. Gradually more news and talk programs from NPR and PRI were added, although unlike most other NPR affiliates, WGTE-FM continues to air a sizable number of classical music programs with some jazz music and other genres on weekends.
In 1981, WGLE-FM in Lima became the first simulcast station of WGTE-FM. WGBE-FM in Bryan was added in 1996 and WGDE-FM in Defiance signed on in 1999.