WOR (AM)

WOR (AM) is a commercial news/talk radio station licensed to New York City and serving the New York metropolitan area. Owned by iHeartMedia, it broadcasts on 710 kHz with a powerful signal from its transmitter site in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. The station, which first signed on in 1922, is one of the oldest continuously operating radio stations in the United States and has been a flagship for influential talk programming for decades.

History

The station was founded by the Bamberger's department store in Newark, New Jersey, with its first broadcast originating from a studio inside the store. In 1941, WOR was a key founding member of the Mutual Broadcasting System, a major radio network that distributed popular programs like The Lone Ranger and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. The station moved its studios to 1440 Broadway in Manhattan in the 1940s, solidifying its identity as a New York City institution. Throughout the mid-20th century, it was known for innovative programming, including the long-running Rambling with Gambling morning show hosted by John Gambling. Ownership changed hands several times, with the station being acquired by RKO General before being purchased by Buckley Broadcasting in 1989. In 2012, the station was sold to Clear Channel Communications, which later rebranded as iHeartMedia.

Programming

WOR primarily features a conservative talk radio format, with a lineup of local and syndicated hosts discussing politics, current events, and lifestyle topics. The station is the flagship for the nationally syndicated programs The Mark Levin Show and The Sean Hannity Show. Local programming has included shows hosted by figures like Len Berman and Michael Riedel, focusing on sports and Broadway theatre, respectively. On weekends, WOR airs specialty programs covering finance, health, home improvement, and gardening, such as The Money Pit. The station also provides comprehensive traffic and weather reports through its partnership with Total Traffic and Weather Network and carries live broadcasts of New York Yankees baseball games as the team's flagship radio station.

Technical details

WOR transmits with 50,000 watts during the day and 25,000 watts at night from a three-tower directional array located in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, near the New Jersey Turnpike. Its signal on 710 kHz, a clear-channel frequency, provides reliable coverage across the New York metropolitan area and much of the Northeastern United States after sunset. The station's antenna system is designed to protect other stations on the same frequency, such as KIRO (AM) in Seattle. Due to its high power and favorable ground conductivity in the region, WOR can be heard in parts of Canada and over the Atlantic Ocean under ideal conditions. The station is also available nationwide via iHeartRadio and other online streaming platforms.

Notable on-air staff

Current and former notable personalities include longtime morning host John Gambling, who helmed Rambling with Gambling for decades, and his son, John A. Gambling. Talk host Joan Hamburg was a staple for many years with her consumer advice program. Celebrity attorney Mark Geragos hosted a weekend program, while sportscaster Len Berman and Broadway columnist Michael Riedel have hosted popular local shows. Syndicated conservative hosts featured on the station have included Mark Levin, Sean Hannity, and Glenn Beck. Other notable figures in the station's history include news anchor John Wingate and talk show host Bob Grant, who was influential in shaping the modern talk radio format.

Ownership and management

WOR is owned and operated by iHeartMedia, Inc., one of the largest radio broadcasting companies in the United States. The station falls under the purview of iHeartMedia's New York City market management. Previous owners include its founder, Bamberger's, the General Tire subsidiary RKO General, and the family-owned Buckley Broadcasting. The station's license is held by iHM Licenses, LLC. Management decisions, including programming and talent, are made in conjunction with iHeartMedia's national programming division, particularly for its syndicated talk radio content, while local sales and operations are managed from its studios in Manhattan.

Category:Radio stations in New York City Category:News/talk radio stations in the United States Category:iHeartMedia radio stations Category:Radio stations established in 1922