WOR (AM)

WOR-AM is a class A (nighttime clear channel), AM radio station located in New York, New York, USA, operating on 710kHz. The station has a talk format and has been owned by Buckley Broadcasting since 1987, after the station was sold by the now-defunct RKO.

Related Topics:
Clear channel - AM radio - Station - New York, New York - USA - KHz - Talk - Buckley Broadcasting - 1987 - RKO

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WOR began broadcasting on February 22, 1922 using a 500 watt transmitter on 833kHz and located in the Bamberger's Department Store in Newark, New Jersey. Bamberger's sale of radio sets to consumers explained their affiliation with the station. The WOR call sign was reissued from the U.S. maritime radio service. The station initially operated limited hours, sharing time with two other stations, WDT-AM and WJY-AM, which also operated on 833kHz. After changing frequency to 740kHz in 1924 and sharing time with WJY, WOR occupied its current channel in 1927 on a full-time basis.

Related Topics:
February 22 - 1922 - Transmitter - Newark, New Jersey - Bamberger - Call sign - U.S. - WDT-AM - WJY-AM - 1924 - Channel - 1927

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In 1934, WOR formed the Mutual Broadcasting System and became its keystone station. In 1941 the station changed its city of license from Newark to New York City. In 1959 WOR left Mutual and became an independent station.

Related Topics:
1934 - Mutual Broadcasting System - 1941 - City of license - 1959

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In 1949 WOR started a sister TV station, WOR-TV, on channel 9. This station became WWOR-TV after it and WOR were sold to separate companies in 1987.

Related Topics:
1949 - WWOR-TV - 1987

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From the 1930s to the early 1980s, WOR was a free-flowing full service station. There was an emphasis on news reports and talk programs, but music was played also, usually pop standards.

Related Topics:
1930 - 1980 - Pop standards

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From 1983 to around 1985, WOR stopped playing music altogether, as they evolved to an almost complete talk format.

Related Topics:
1983 - 1985

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WOR's most renowned program was its morning show, Rambling with Gambling, which aired continuously from March 1925 to September 2000 across three generations of hosts: John B. Gambling, John A. Gambling, and John R. Gambling. After John R. Gambling's edition of the show was unceremoneously dropped, he moved to WABC where he hosts a late morning show.

Related Topics:
Rambling with Gambling - John B. Gambling - John A. Gambling - John R. Gambling - WABC

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Other notable WOR program hosts have included Arlene Francis, Michael Strange, Carlton Fredericks, Jinx Falkenberg, "Uncle Don" Carney, Jean Shepherd, Bob and Ray, Long John Nebel, Joy Browne, Michael Savage, Bill O'Reilly, and Bob Grant.

Related Topics:
Arlene Francis - Michael Strange - Carlton Fredericks - Uncle Don - Jean Shepherd - Bob and Ray - Long John Nebel - Joy Browne - Michael Savage - Bill O'Reilly - Bob Grant

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Today, WOR is a news and talk radio station. It broadcasts 24 hours per day with 50,000 watts using a three-tower directional antenna with a single radiation pattern, both day and night. Its transmitter is located in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. It is the only New York City AM station to have retained its original three-letter call sign, which are the oldest continually-used ones in the New York City area.

Related Topics:
Talk radio - Directional antenna - Radiation pattern - Lyndhurst, New Jersey

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On April 30, 2005, WOR moved its offices and studios from 1440 Broadway in Midtown Manhattan where it had been based for 80 years to a new facility at 111 Broadway in Downtown Manhattan. In a press release, Richard Buckley, president of WOR's owner, Buckley Broadcasting, cited that the main reason WOR moved was because the new New York Times building currently being built on 8th Avenue would block WOR's STL (Studio to Transmitter Link) from the main studio in Manhattan to their transmitter.

Related Topics:
April 30 - 2005

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