WLW (AM)

WLW (AM) is a 50,000-watt clear-channel radio station broadcasting on 700 kHz from Cincinnati, Ohio. Owned by iHeartMedia, it is one of the most powerful and historically significant stations in North America, known for its era of experimental "super-power" broadcasting at 500,000 watts in the 1930s. The station has been a flagship for influential talk and news programming and was a cornerstone of the Crosley Broadcasting Corporation, playing a pivotal role in the development of American broadcasting.

History

The station's origins trace back to experimental station 8CR, licensed to radio manufacturer Powel Crosley Jr. in 1921; it received the WLW call sign upon its commercial launch from the Crosley Manufacturing Corporation plant in Norwood, Ohio. Under the direction of Powel Crosley Jr. and chief engineer William G. "Bill" O'Brien, WLW quickly expanded, constructing a massive transmitter facility in Mason, Ohio in the early 1930s. In 1934, under a special experimental license from the Federal Radio Commission, WLW began broadcasting with an unprecedented 500,000 watts, earning the moniker "The Nation's Station" and covering much of the eastern United States at night. This super-power era ended in 1939 due to regulatory changes and complaints from other stations about interference, though WLW remained a dominant 50,000-watt clear-channel voice. The station was a key property of the Crosley Broadcasting Corporation, which later became part of Avco, and was eventually acquired by Jacor Communications in the 1990s before its absorption into iHeartMedia.

Programming

Throughout its history, WLW has featured a diverse array of programming, evolving from early musical variety and serial dramas to its modern identity as a major news/talk outlet. In its golden age, it broadcast popular shows like The Crosley Hour and Moon River and was an important outlet for big band music and country music artists. The station was also an early pioneer in sports radio, carrying broadcasts of the Cincinnati Reds baseball team for decades. Since the late 20th century, its schedule has been dominated by conservative talk shows, including long-running local programs and syndicated personalities like Bill Cunningham and Mike McConnell. It continues to serve as the flagship station for University of Cincinnati football and basketball and maintains a strong commitment to local news coverage from its studios in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport area.

Technical details

WLW transmits with 50,000 watts day and night from a directional antenna array located near Mason, Ohio, on the federally assigned clear-channel frequency of 700 kHz. Its transmitter site, historically featuring a 831-foot tall Blaw-Knox tower, was engineered to minimize interference to other stations on adjacent frequencies, particularly WBBM in Chicago. The station's signal provides groundwave coverage throughout the Ohio River Valley and, at night via skywave propagation, can be heard across much of the eastern half of North America. WLW's technical operations, including its modern HD Radio digital signal, are overseen by iHeartMedia's engineering staff, maintaining the station's legacy as a technical powerhouse in the AM broadcasting band.

Notable personalities

Many prominent broadcasters have been associated with WLW over its century on air. Early stars included musician and bandleader Fats Waller, who had a popular show in the 1930s, and writer Rod Serling, who penned scripts for the station early in his career. Legendary broadcaster Paul Harvey began his national career at WLW in the 1940s. The station was also the professional home for iconic Cincinnati Reds announcer Waite Hoyt and talk host Bob Trumpy, the former NFL tight end. In recent decades, influential conservative talk hosts like Bill Cunningham and Mike McConnell have defined its modern sound, alongside longtime news anchor Bill "Seg" Dennison.

Impact and legacy

WLW's impact on American broadcasting is profound, having demonstrated the potential and limits of high-power radio transmission and influencing subsequent FCC regulations on signal strength. The station helped launch the careers of numerous entertainment and journalism figures and was instrumental in popularizing country music in the Midwestern United States through its programming. Its model of combining strong local news and community service with powerful clear-channel signal coverage set a standard for AM radio. WLW is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its contributions in communications and is considered a landmark institution in both Cincinnati and the broader history of radio in the United States.

Category:Radio stations in Cincinnati Category:Clear-channel stations Category:1922 establishments in Ohio