WARK (AM)

Last updated

WARK
Broadcast area Hagerstown metropolitan area
Frequency 1490 kHz
Branding98.9 FM & AM 1490 WARK
Programming
Language English
Format News/talk
Affiliations
Ownership
OwnerManning Broadcasting, Inc.
History
First air date
July 20, 1947 (1947-07-20)
Technical information [1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID 39807
Class C
Power 1,000 watts (unlimited)
Translators
  • 98.9 W255CP (Hagerstown)
  • 106.3 W292FR (Frederick)
Repeater 106.9  WWEG-HD4 (Myersville)
Links
Public license information
Website www.989wark.com OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

WARK (1490 kHz) is an AM radio station located in Hagerstown, Maryland, it features a news/talk radio format including syndicated shows with Mike Gallagher, Sean Hannity, and Mark Levin. The station also carries sporting events for the Baltimore Orioles, Baltimore Ravens, and Maryland Terrapins.

Contents

Ownership

WARK is owned by Manning Broadcasting, Inc. WARK broadcasts an FM translator (W255CP) on 98.9 MHz (250 watts @ 341 feet on the WARK tower). WARK is also simulcast on WWEG HD4.

History

The station signed on the air on July 20, 1947. [2]

During the 1960s and 1970s, while owned by Washington DC–based Rau Radio, WARK was a primary source for top 40 music in Hagerstown. Around 1977, WARK adjusted its format to "Adult Rock" (an early form of the "adult contemporary" format) and took on the 15ARK moniker. This lasted until February 1981, when they became Skyline Radio, a mixed talk/music format. It failed within three months; the station was again playing Adult Rock on 15ARK as of May 1981, and made a last foray into a broader Top 40 format with "The Ark" in early/mid-1982. In August 1982, the station changed format again to the Music of Your Life syndicated format. This lasted until sometime in the mid 2000s, when they became a full-time talk radio station. In October 1982, Rau Radio sold WARK to Manning Broadcasting; in 2005, the station was acquired by Nassau Broadcasting Partners.

Logo before 106.3 translator sign on WARK 98.9FM-AM1490 logo.png
Logo before 106.3 translator sign on

After Nassau went into chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, WARK and WWEG, along with WAFY in Frederick, were purchased by Manning Broadcasting in May 2012, [3] with the sale being completed on November 1, 2012, at a price of $6.4 million. [4] Manning's repurchase of WARK and WWEG followed a lawsuit against Nassau over missed payments. [5]

References

  1. "Facility Technical Data for WARK". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. "WARK Radio 7/21/1947". The Daily Mail. Hagerstown, Maryland. July 21, 1947. p. 2. Retrieved December 31, 2025 via newspapers.com.
  3. Aines, Don (May 9, 2012). "Two area radio stations return to local owners". The Herald-Mail . Archived from the original on January 6, 2014. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
  4. "EMF Buys Dallas-Fort Worth FM From Liberman". All Access. November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
  5. "Manning Broadcasting Sues Nassau Principal Over Unpaid Note, Contract Amounts". All Access. January 23, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2012.

39°37′36″N77°42′40″W / 39.62667°N 77.71111°W / 39.62667; -77.71111