WOON
Encyclopedia
WOON is Woonsocket, Rhode Island
's oldest radio station
, having taken to the air on November 11, 1946 as WWON, a callsign it kept until the current WOON became available in 1992. The change in call became effective on February 3, 1992. On June 26, 1949
WWON added a sister station with WWON-FM on 105.5Mc/s. later moving to 106.3Mc/s. That station is now WWKX
.
WWON was owned by the local newspaper The Woonsocket Call for a time. It is currently owned by O-N Radio, Inc. WOON's programming day consists of almost exclusively locally originating programming with a few exceptions (Cowboy Corner, Old Time Radio, The Cowboy Show, and a few other shows). WOON's format is "full-service" meaning it mixes news/talk and music (in WOON's case: oldies & Adult Contemporary among others).
station. On weekdays WOON begins with morning host Mike Sheridan followed by a roundtable discussion program entitled "Coffee An'". Coffee An' is billed by the station as the longest running panel discussion program in American Radio. Following that, WOON's programs consist of a nutrition show, a nostalgia show ("Do You Remember?"), an Astrology show, old-time radio, a midday music/trivia/interview show, varied programs in the mid-afternoon & evening as well as an afternoon drive program ("Woonsocket Open Line"). Weekend programs consist of easy listening music and oldies as well as sports and programs in the Portuguese, Polish & Spanish languages. WOON also serves as the home station for Bryant University
athletics & Woonsocket Villanovans sports.
service with WWON-FM/105.5 on June 26, 1949.
. Later that decade, the F.M. station is spun off from the A.M. & becoming WWKX
.
Woonsocket, Rhode Island
Woonsocket is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 41,186 at the 2010 census, making it the sixth largest city in the state. Woonsocket lies directly south of the Massachusetts border....
's oldest radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
, having taken to the air on November 11, 1946 as WWON, a callsign it kept until the current WOON became available in 1992. The change in call became effective on February 3, 1992. On June 26, 1949
1949 in radio
The year 1949 saw a number of significant events in radio broadcasting history.-Events:*1 April – The facilities and staff of the Broadcasting Corporation of Newfoundland are transferred to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation....
WWON added a sister station with WWON-FM on 105.5Mc/s. later moving to 106.3Mc/s. That station is now WWKX
WWKX
WWKX is a Rhythmic Contemporary station serving the Providence area. The Cumulus Media outlet operates with an ERP of 1.15 kW and is licensed to Woonsocket, Rhode Island.-History:...
.
WWON was owned by the local newspaper The Woonsocket Call for a time. It is currently owned by O-N Radio, Inc. WOON's programming day consists of almost exclusively locally originating programming with a few exceptions (Cowboy Corner, Old Time Radio, The Cowboy Show, and a few other shows). WOON's format is "full-service" meaning it mixes news/talk and music (in WOON's case: oldies & Adult Contemporary among others).
Technical parameters
WOON operates on 1240kHz with an unlimited power level of 1kW unlimited hours, diplexing off of the WNRI tower. Originally it was licensed at 250W (.25kW), later upgrading to 1kW day/250W night before receiving authorization to increase nighttime power to 1kW as well.Programming
WOON is a full serviceFull service (radio format)
The full service radio format consists of a wide range of programming. Mostly found on the AM band, the format can be found on a handful of FM stations...
station. On weekdays WOON begins with morning host Mike Sheridan followed by a roundtable discussion program entitled "Coffee An'". Coffee An' is billed by the station as the longest running panel discussion program in American Radio. Following that, WOON's programs consist of a nutrition show, a nostalgia show ("Do You Remember?"), an Astrology show, old-time radio, a midday music/trivia/interview show, varied programs in the mid-afternoon & evening as well as an afternoon drive program ("Woonsocket Open Line"). Weekend programs consist of easy listening music and oldies as well as sports and programs in the Portuguese, Polish & Spanish languages. WOON also serves as the home station for Bryant University
Bryant University
Bryant University is a private university located in Smithfield, Rhode Island, U.S., that grants the degrees of bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, and master's degrees in business, taxation and accounting. Until August 2004, it was known as Bryant College...
athletics & Woonsocket Villanovans sports.
Internet-only stations
Besides its primary AM signal on 1240 kHz, it operates several internet stations including all-news "O-N2", all-sports "O-N3", and internet TV station "O-N TV" plus an on-demand service.1940s
WWON signs on the air with 250 watts (day & night) on November 11, 1946 as Woonsocket's lone radio station. It would add F.M.FM broadcasting
FM broadcasting is a broadcasting technology pioneered by Edwin Howard Armstrong which uses frequency modulation to provide high-fidelity sound over broadcast radio. The term "FM band" describes the "frequency band in which FM is used for broadcasting"...
service with WWON-FM/105.5 on June 26, 1949.
1970s
- WWON is listed as a Mutual Network affiliate along with WWON-FM in 1976.
- Current morning personality Dave Richards takes over the slot in 1978.
1980s
WWON is part of the Boston Bruins Radio NetworkBoston Bruins Radio Network
The Boston Bruins Radio Network is a 16-station 11 A.M., 5 F.M.) CBS Radio network which carries live game broadcasts of the Boston Bruins. The network's flagship station is WBZ-FM/98.5-Boston, Massachusetts. Dave Goucher announces play-by-play...
. Later that decade, the F.M. station is spun off from the A.M. & becoming WWKX
WWKX
WWKX is a Rhythmic Contemporary station serving the Providence area. The Cumulus Media outlet operates with an ERP of 1.15 kW and is licensed to Woonsocket, Rhode Island.-History:...
.