WMFD (AM)

Last updated

WMFD
Broadcast area
Frequency 630 kHz
BrandingESPN Wilmington
Programming
Format Sports
Affiliations ESPN Radio
Charlotte Hornets
North Carolina Tar Heels
UNC Wilmington Seahawks
Sports USA Radio Network
Westwood One
Ownership
Owner Capitol Broadcasting Company
WAZO, WILT, WKXB, WRMR
History
First air date
September 15, 1935 (1935-09-15)
Former frequencies
  • 1370 kHz (1935–1941)
  • 1400 kHz (1941–1949)
Technical information [1]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 61701
Class B
Power
  • 800 watts (day)
  • 1,000 watts (night)
Transmitter coordinates
 34°16′19″N77°58′28″W / 34.27194°N 77.97444°W / 34.27194; -77.97444
Translator 101.7 W269DF (Wilmington)
Repeater 99.9  WKXB-HD3 (Boiling Spring Lakes)
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen live
Website espnwilmington.com

WMFD (630 AM) is a commercial radio station licensed to Wilmington, North Carolina, United States. It is owned by the Capitol Broadcasting Company and broadcasts a sports format, primarily from ESPN Radio. The radio studios and offices are on North Kerr Avenue in Wilmington. [2] The transmitter is off Sampson Street in Navassa, North Carolina.

Contents

Programming is simulcast on 250-watt FM translator W269DF at 101.7 MHz. WMFD is also heard on the HD Radio digital subchannel of co-owned WKXB-HD3.

History

WMFD signed on the air on September 15, 1935. It is Wilmington's oldest, though not its first, radio station. It has retained its original call sign throughout its history. [3]

In 1954, the station launched WMFD-TV Channel 6, Wilmington's first TV station, now WECT.

In May 1996, Community Broadcasting sold radio stations WMFD, WUOY, and WBMS to a new company called Ocean Broadcasting. As a talk station, WMFD added Dr. Laura Schlessinger and The Fabulous Sports Babe, as well as CNN Headline News part of the time. [4] In 1999, WMFD was airing Don Imus' morning show from New York City. [5]

In 2000, WMFD changed to sports radio and added the minor-league baseball team Wilmington Waves. [6]

In July 2004, NextMedia Group purchased WRQR, WAZO, and WMFD from Ocean Broadcasting, and WKXB and WSFM from Sea-Comm Inc. [7]

In July 2008, Capitol Broadcasting announced its purchase of NextMedia's Wilmington stations. [8]

Former logo WMFD ESPNWilmington logo.jpg
Former logo

Translator

In addition to the main station, WMFD is relayed by FM translator W269DF 101.7 to widen its broadcast area. This station rebroadcast WLTT prior to 2014.

Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) Class FCC info
W269DF101.7 FM Wilmington, North Carolina 144958250D LMS

References

  1. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for WMFD". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ↑ ESPNwilmington.com/station-information
  3. ↑ "AM Query Results: First license date" (FCC.gov).
  4. ↑ Kristina Bartlett, "WUOY-FM, WMFD-AM AND WBMS-AM / Stations Sold to Ocean Broadcasting; New Company Purchases 3 Wilmington Radio Stations," Star-News, May 17, 1996.
  5. ↑ Toby Eddings, "Imus on a local station? Not yet," The Sun News, Jan. 14, 1999.
  6. ↑ Chuck Carree, "Waves Baseball; Sports Station to Carry All Games," Star-News, November 16, 2000.
  7. ↑ Bonnie Eksten, "Ocean Broadcasting, Sea-Comm Stations Sold to NextMedia - New Owner to Operate Locally," Star-News, July 14, 2004.
  8. ↑ "Capitol Broadcasting acquires seven radio stations in deals worth nearly $13M". www.wral.com. July 16, 2008. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
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