WBZ (AM)

WBZ (AM) is the callsign for an AM radio station in Boston, Massachusetts which is owned by Infinity Broadcasting, which itself is owned by Viacom. Originally based in Springfield, MA, WBZ swapped callsigns with sister station WBZA in the early 1930s, a move that placed the station at its current location.

Related Topics:
Callsign - AM - Radio station - Boston, Massachusetts - Infinity Broadcasting - Viacom - Springfield, MA - 1930s

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WBZ radio, which broadcasts at 1030 kHz, is the oldest surviving commercial radio station in New England, as it began broadcasting in 1921 (a smaller operation that had existed before WBZ has been forgotten by history). It currently runs an all-news format during the day, with popular news anchors like Gary Lapierre in the morning, and a talk radio format at night, with hosts like Paul Sullivan. The station is the most listened-to radio station in the Boston area, and covers much of the eastern United States at night with its 50,000-watt signal from their transmitter location in Hull, Massachusetts, which has been used by the station since the early 1940s.

Related Topics:
KHz - New England - 1921 - All-news - News anchors - Gary Lapierre - Talk radio - Paul Sullivan - United States - Hull, Massachusetts - 1940s

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During the daytime hours, WBZ is also well-known for Traffic on the 3s, which provides a detailed summary of traffic on all major highways in Boston, MA and throughout Massachusetts. In addition, national and international news, as well as some segments, are provided by the ABC Information network and the CBS radio network (including noted radio raconteur Paul Harvey, which is provided by ABC), but almost all programming, including the nighttime talk shows, are produced in-house. WBZ has also been heavily involved in charitable work, with its annual Christmastime fund drive for Boston's Children's Hospital (which it does along with sister TV station WBZ-TV) being the most high-profile.

Related Topics:
Highways - Boston, MA - Massachusetts - ABC - CBS - Paul Harvey - WBZ-TV

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WBZ has consistently been the #1 station in the Boston market for decades, and was the home for a great many years of talkmaster David Brudnoy until the day before his death in 2004. Other notable personalities included jazz DJ turned talkmaster Norm Nathan, late-night talker and humorist Larry Glick, and morning personalities Tom Bergeron and Dave Maynard.

Related Topics:
David Brudnoy - 2004 - Jazz - Norm Nathan - Larry Glick - Tom Bergeron - Dave Maynard

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During the 1940s, WBZ operated a shortwave station using the callsign WBOS; this station has long been dark and the callsign has since been reassigned to what is now an AAA station. Additionally, during the 1970s, WBZ was one of a number of clear channel AM stations that petitioned to be allowed to increase their power; WBZ would have used half a megawatt out of Provincetown, Massachusetts to reach all of New England during the day. A backlash from smaller stations led to a denial of the petition and a limitation for station protections of 750 miles radius.

Related Topics:
1940s - WBOS - AAA - Clear channel - Provincetown, Massachusetts

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