WSMN
Encyclopedia
WSMN is a radio station
broadcasting a news/talk
format. Licensed to Nashua, New Hampshire
, USA, the station serves the Manchester
area. The station is currently owned by Absolute Broadcasting LLC and features programing from Talk Radio Network
and Westwood One
.
During the mid-1990s, WSMN attempted a country music
format; however, this format became less viable for the station after Boston
country station WKLB-FM
moved from 96.9 FM (now WTKK
) to 99.5 FM (now WCRB
), and it reverted to adult standards
in December 1997. This was short lived; in March 1998, the station flipped to news/talk, though some timeslots were temporarily filled with adult contemporary music for a time. Initially locally-oriented, in June WSMN began adding nationally-produced programming, including Talk America shows and business news from Bloomberg Radio. Two years later, Tom O'Brien signed a local marketing agreement
to take over the station's operations.
WSMN was forced off the air February 1, 2005 after losing the lease to its transmitter and studio site on West Hollis Street (Route 111
). The license was sold to Absolute Broadcasting, owner of WSNH (900; now WGHM) that July, and the station returned to the air in October from the WSNH tower, running a low-power special temporary authority
signal. Initially simulcasting WSNH's ESPN Radio
programming, the station began shifting back to a news/talk format in early 2006.
in Boston), as well as various local programming in middays. Syndicated programming on the station includes The Fred Thompson Show, The Jerry Doyle Show, and The Laura Ingraham Show
. WSMN is also an affiliate of IRN-USA Radio News
.
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...
broadcasting a news/talk
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
format. Licensed to Nashua, New Hampshire
Nashua, New Hampshire
-Climate:-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 86,494 people, 35,044 households, and 21,876 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,719.9 people per square mile . There were 37,168 housing units at an average density of 1,202.8 per square mile...
, USA, the station serves the Manchester
Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which...
area. The station is currently owned by Absolute Broadcasting LLC and features programing from Talk Radio Network
Talk Radio Network
Talk Radio Network is an American radio network providing talk radio programming, with an emphasis on conservative talk on weekdays and variety/general interest talk radio on weekends. Some of the most recognizable personalities in American radio, such as Laura Ingraham and Michael Savage, are...
and Westwood One
Westwood One
Westwood One was an American radio network and was based in New York City. At one time, it was managed by CBS Radio, the radio arm of CBS Corporation, and Viacom and was later purchased by the private equity firm The Gores Group...
.
History
WSMN signed on March 9, 1958. The first voice heard was that of Manchester, New Hampshire native Frank G. Teas who spent the next 44 years with the organization until he retired in December of 2002. Original owner Merrimack Valley Broadcasting System sold the station only one year later, to 1590 Broadcasting Corporation. By 1971, WSMN had a middle-of-the-road format, mixed in with talk; this format remained in place through the decade.During the mid-1990s, WSMN attempted a country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
format; however, this format became less viable for the station after Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
country station WKLB-FM
WKLB-FM
WKLB-FM is a radio station licensed to Waltham, Massachusetts. WKLB was formerly broadcast on 99.5 MHz. It currently has a country music radio format. Its transmitter is located in Newton, Massachusetts...
moved from 96.9 FM (now WTKK
WTKK
WTKK is a New England commercial talk radio station, first broadcast out of Boston on 96.9 FM beginning in 1999. It can be heard in eastern Massachusetts, the northernmost area of Rhode Island, southern New Hampshire, and southern Maine...
) to 99.5 FM (now WCRB
WCRB
WCRB is a non-commercial radio station licensed to Lowell, Massachusetts and based in the Brighton area of Boston, which serves the Greater Boston area. It broadcasts a classical music format; it existed as a commercial station from the early 1950s until December 2009, and as a listener-supported...
), and it reverted to adult standards
Adult standards
Adult standards is a North American radio format heard primarily on AM or class A FM stations.Adult standards is aimed at "mature" adults, meaning mainly those persons over 50 years of age, but it is mostly targeted for senior citizens...
in December 1997. This was short lived; in March 1998, the station flipped to news/talk, though some timeslots were temporarily filled with adult contemporary music for a time. Initially locally-oriented, in June WSMN began adding nationally-produced programming, including Talk America shows and business news from Bloomberg Radio. Two years later, Tom O'Brien signed a local marketing agreement
Local marketing agreement
In U.S. and Canadian broadcasting, a local marketing agreement is an agreement in which one company agrees to operate a radio or television station owned by another licensee...
to take over the station's operations.
WSMN was forced off the air February 1, 2005 after losing the lease to its transmitter and studio site on West Hollis Street (Route 111
New Hampshire Route 111
New Hampshire Route 111 is a east–west highway in Hillsborough and Rockingham counties in southeastern New Hampshire. The road runs from Hollis to North Hampton on the Atlantic shore....
). The license was sold to Absolute Broadcasting, owner of WSNH (900; now WGHM) that July, and the station returned to the air in October from the WSNH tower, running a low-power special temporary authority
Special temporary authority
In U.S. broadcast law, a special temporary authorization or special temporary authority is a type of broadcast license which temporarily allows a broadcast station to operate outside of its normal technical or legal parameters...
signal. Initially simulcasting WSNH's ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio is an American sports radio network. It was launched on January 1, 1992 under the original banner of "SportsRadio ESPN." ESPN Radio is located at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut...
programming, the station began shifting back to a news/talk format in early 2006.
Programming
Currently, WSMN airs The Jeff Santos Show during morning drive (which is simulcast from WWZNWWZN
WWZN is an AM radio station licensed to serve the Boston media market. Its programming is a time-brokered mix between progressive talk radio during the daytime , sports talk and religious programming in the overnight hours...
in Boston), as well as various local programming in middays. Syndicated programming on the station includes The Fred Thompson Show, The Jerry Doyle Show, and The Laura Ingraham Show
The Laura Ingraham Show
The Laura Ingraham Show is a three-hour American radio show hosted by conservative commentator Laura Ingraham on Talk Radio Network. , the show is broadcast live on Channel 2, from 9 a.m...
. WSMN is also an affiliate of IRN-USA Radio News
USA Radio Network
The USA Radio Network is a syndicator of talk radio programming established in 1985. It provides programming to approximately 1,100 radio stations around the world, plus the American Forces Network and XM Satellite Radio, and can be heard on the internet from USA Radio's website.On March 5, 2008,...
.