WMNY

Last updated • 6 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
WMNY
Broadcast area Pittsburgh metropolitan area
Frequency 1150 kHz
Branding"Radio Dhoom"
Programming
Format South Asian
Ownership
Owner
  • Bhavna Gupta
  • (Radio 1150 Limited Liability Company)
History
First air date
October 1940
Former call signs
WKPA (1940–1993)
WGBN (1993–2014)
Call sign meaning
Money (from former financial advice format)
Technical information [1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID 52241
Class D
Power 1,000 watts day
70 watts night
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen Live
Website www.dhoommedia.com

WMNY (1150 AM) is a commercial radio station licensed to New Kensington, Pennsylvania and serving the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. It is owned by Gagan Deep, through licensee Radio 1150 Limited Liability Company. It airs a South Asian radio format featuring Bollywood music and talk, known as "Radio Dhoom."

Contents

By day, WMNY broadcasts with 1,000 watts, but to avoid interfering with other stations on 1150 AM, it reduces power at night to 70 watts. It uses a two-tower array directional antenna at all times.

History

Early years

The construction permit for the station was granted on June 25, 1940. The first call sign was WKPA and signed on in October. It was initially licensed to operate on 1120 kHz, with a power output of 250 watts as a daytimer, required to go off the air at night. The station was granted permission by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to operate from October 3 to October 8 with extended hours to 10pm for dedicatory program reasons. The FCC also granted permission for WKPA to remain on the air until 3am from November 5 to 6 for election return reports.

WKPA operated at this frequency until the North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement (NARBA) frequency re-allocation occurred in 1941. That year, WKPA moved to its present dial position but continued to operate at its daytime-only status.

WKPA was a typical, small-town radio station of its day. Local news, sports, and talk from the steel town of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, 20 miles northeast of downtown Pittsburgh. The station began at 810 Fifth Avenue, New Kensington, on the second floor of a two-story building that also housed a music store on the ground floor. Cooper Brothers, the owners of the music store, operated WKPA under the corporate name of Allegheny-Kiski Broadcasting Company, with Edward Kroen serving as the station's general manager and program director.

In 1957, Allegheny-Kiski Broadcasting Company applied for a construction permit to increase WKPA's power to its current level of one thousand watts, daytime only, which required the construction of a second antenna at its transmitter site in East Deer Township. Concurrently, the company applied for permission to add a second studio location at 321 Fifth Avenue in Tarentum. This second studio stayed in operation until 1963.

The Cooper family sold the station on July 2, 1964 to Nelson L. Goldberg, who had worked for the Cooper family as WKPA's general manager. Goldberg operated the station until its 1990 sale as Gateway Broadcasting Enterprises, Inc., not to be confused with Gateway Communications, which at that time owned a television station in Altoona.

Original station location at 810 Fifth Avenue from 1940 to 1993. A roof collapse over the second-floor studios forced WGBN to relocate to another building at 955 Fourth Avenue in 1993. WGBN Fifth Ave.jpg
Original station location at 810 Fifth Avenue from 1940 to 1993. A roof collapse over the second-floor studios forced WGBN to relocate to another building at 955 Fourth Avenue in 1993.
WKPA on-air studio in 1990, while at its original studio building at 810 Fifth Avenue in New Kensington. This studio was switched to production use only the following year, when a newer studio with more state-of-the-art equipment was put on the air. WKPA studio.jpg
WKPA on-air studio in 1990, while at its original studio building at 810 Fifth Avenue in New Kensington. This studio was switched to production use only the following year, when a newer studio with more state-of-the-art equipment was put on the air.
WKPA talk studio at 810 Fifth Avenue. The former WYDD on-air studio is in the background, and the WKPA main on-air studio could be viewed through the window at the right (partially hidden). WKPA talk studio.jpg
WKPA talk studio at 810 Fifth Avenue. The former WYDD on-air studio is in the background, and the WKPA main on-air studio could be viewed through the window at the right (partially hidden).

WKPA: the birthplace of modern cable TV

Goldberg, an innovator, pioneer and visionary in the telecommunications industry, developed the first cable system to be acquired by Comcast.

Goldberg's career began in radio sales at WKPA in New Kensington. In 1958, at the age of 28, Goldberg became General Manager of WKPA and then purchased the station in 1964. Goldberg acquired 104.7 WYDD-FM in 1963 and operated the two radio stations for more than 25 years. Goldberg developed WEFB-TV (TV3) and Westmoreland Cable in 1968, one of the first cable franchises in western Pennsylvania. The cable system was later sold to Comcast Corporation.

In the 1980s, Goldberg was the first to privately own satellite transponders and perceptively anticipated the advent of commercial television satellite broadcasting. Throughout his career, he continuously broke ground in developing new kinds of broadcast programming and the manner in which they were transmitted.

WGBN studio building at 955 Fourth Avenue. Now renovated, this building was heavily damaged by fire in 1994. WGBN occupied the second floor, accessible from the door on the right. The station had been at this location for only about a year. WGBN Fourth Ave.jpg
WGBN studio building at 955 Fourth Avenue. Now renovated, this building was heavily damaged by fire in 1994. WGBN occupied the second floor, accessible from the door on the right. The station had been at this location for only about a year.

Changes in Ownership

Both stations were sold to the California-based Salem Communications Corporation in the late 1980s. Salem is the nation's largest Christian radio owner, although the two stations remained secular at first. The transaction was not completed until early 1990. When Salem assumed ownership, WKPA and FM station WNRJ, immediately underwent changes. The FM outlet switched from Top 40 to an easy listening format and the subsequent call letter change to WEZE-FM, with WKPA simulcasting WEZE-FM's programming Monday through Friday, with existing weekend oldies and ethnic programming as its only original programming.

WEZE-FM moved its studios to suburban Pittsburgh in the spring of 1991, leaving WKPA at its Fifth Avenue location, but continuing the simulcast. Later that year, Salem officials announced that WEZE-FM would drop its easy listening format for Christian talk and teaching. As part of the change, WKPA would begin originating its own programming. Salem appointed former WEZE-FM announcer Ken Hawk to lead the station. Hawk, at 21, became one of the youngest radio executives in the market.

Under Hawk's direction, WKPA brought back a live adult contemporary morning show with local news and talk, plus a nationally syndicated talk format for weekday programming. The oldies and ethnic programming remained untouched. The rebirth of WKPA was successful but short-lived, with Salem spinning off WKPA to the Pentecostal Temple Development Corporation in November 1992.

Gospel Music

Salem donated WKPA to PTDC as a gift to the East Liberty-based church headed by pastor Rev. Dr. Loran Mann. Mann changed the format to Urban Gospel and the station's call letters to WGBN. It became first full-time gospel-formatted station in the Pittsburgh market. Programming was made up of sermons from Pentecostal Temple, and music is provided by Musical Soul Food Network's "Rejoice!" format. WGBN's studios moved to 560 7th Street in New Kensington. The radio station occupied the ground and second floor of half of this building.

WGBN swapped call signs on March 1, 2014 with sister station WMNY AM 1360. On January 3, 2018, the Pentecostal Temple Development sold WMNY to Radio 1150 Limited Liability Company.

Studio locations

WMNY moved to studios on Seventh Street in downtown New Kensington. The station was forced to abandon its original location at the Cooper Brothers building after the roof over its studios collapsed in 1994. The station then moved one block over to 955 Fourth Avenue, where it occupied the second floor, but the station was only there for a year.

In 1995, a fire gutted out both WGBN and the computer business that occupied the ground floor of the building both were housed in. Though WGBN's losses were covered by insurance, it was more than six months until the station was able to return to the air from its new location at 560 Seventh Street.

In 2014, the call letters switched to WMNY. In 2020, the station switched to South Asian programming under new owners.

Past Personalities

Among the talent that was heard on the station includes Bob Livorio, Jeff Allen, Charlie Apple, Alex Mellon, Porky Chedwick, Sean Israel, Joe Fenn, Jim DeCesare, Ford Shankle, Kelly Pidgeon, Mike Alexander and George Hart.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WWTC</span> Radio station in Minneapolis, Minnesota

WWTC is a commercial radio station licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, and serving the Twin Cities region. It is owned by Salem Media Group and broadcasts a conservative talk radio format.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WJBO</span> Talk radio station in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

WJBO is a commercial AM radio station in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, calling itself "WJBO Newsradio 1150 AM & 98.7 FM." It carries a news/talk format and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. The studios are on Hilton Avenue, east of downtown Baton Rouge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WBIX</span> Portuguese-language radio station in Boston

WBIX branded Nossa Rádio USA is a commercial Brazilian Portuguese radio station licensed to Boston, Massachusetts, serving Greater Boston. Owned by the International Church of the Grace of God, the WBIX studios are located in the Boston suburb of Somerville, while the station transmitter resides in Quincy, on the southern banks of the Neponset River near the Southeast Expressway. Besides its main analog transmission, WBIX is available online.

WORD-FM is a Christian talk radio station based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Owned by the Salem Media Group, the station broadcasts with an ERP of 43 kW. Its transmitter is located in Reserve Township, Pennsylvania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WBZZ</span> Radio station in New Kensington–Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

WBZZ is a top 40/CHR station licensed to New Kensington, Pennsylvania, targeting Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and owned by Audacy, Inc. Its transmitter is located in Pittsburgh's Spring Hill district and its studios are located west of downtown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WPGB</span> Radio station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

WPGB is a commercial FM radio station in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It broadcasts a country music format and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. Its studios and offices are located on Abele Rd. in Bridgeville next to I-79, along with its sister stations. WPGB carries The Bobby Bones Show on weekday mornings, syndicated from Nashville.

WJFA is a commercial radio station licensed to Apollo, Pennsylvania, and serving the northeast suburbs of the Greater Pittsburgh. The station carries a conservative talk radio format simulcast with WJFG 1480 AM in Latrobe. Both stations are owned by John Fredericks, through licensee Disruptor Radio LLC. They formerly carried the syndicated JACK-FM programming service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WGBN</span> Radio station in McKeesport, Pennsylvania

WGBN is an urban contemporary gospel radio station that serves the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, market in the US. Owned by Pentecostal Temple Development Corporation, the station operates with a power of 1,000 watts, and is licensed to McKeesport, Pennsylvania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WKHB (AM)</span> Radio station in Irwin, Pennsylvania, United States

WKHB is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Irwin, Pennsylvania, and serving Greater Pittsburgh. It is owned by Broadcast Communications, Inc., and it carries a brokered programming radio format. During the day, hosts pay the station for time on the air and may advertise their products or services during their shows. At night, WKHB plays oldies music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WEZE</span> Religious radio station in Boston

WEZE – branded 590 AM The Word – is a commercial Christian radio station licensed to Boston, Massachusetts, serving Greater Boston and much of surrounding New England. Owned by Salem Communications, WEZE is the Boston affiliate for the Salem Radio Network. The WEZE studios are located in the Boston suburb of North Quincy, and the station transmitter resides in neighboring Medford. Besides a standard analog transmission, WEZE is available online.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WBNW (AM)</span> Radio station in Massachusetts, United States

WBNW is a business talk radio station in the Boston market. The station is owned by Money Matters Radio, Inc. and is licensed to Concord, Massachusetts. It is simulcast on translator station W275CM in Concord. WBNW's flagship program, The Financial Exchange, is syndicated to several other stations in New England through the Money Matters Radio Network. Among the talk hosts have been Michael Graham, Don Imus, and John Batchelor were added to the lineup.

WKPA is a non-commercial radio station broadcasting Contemporary Christian music programming from the K-Love radio network. Licensed to serve Port Matilda, Pennsylvania, the station services the State College area. The station is owned by the Educational Media Foundation (EMF).

KBDT is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Highland Park, Texas, and serving the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. The station is owned by Charles Kim, through licensee Pacific Star Media LLC. It broadcasts an Asian format.

Nelson L. Goldberg was an innovator, pioneer and visionary in telecommunications and developed the first cable system to be acquired by Comcast. He was the son of the late Edward and Fannie Menzer Goldberg, was a native of New Kensington, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Arnold High and then Pennsylvania State University in 1956 where he was a member of the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War.

KVNT is a commercial radio station in Eagle River, Alaska, broadcasting to the Anchorage metropolitan area. It airs a talk radio format and is owned by CBI Media Group. Its studios are located on Business Park Boulevard in Anchorage.

WFGI was an American radio station broadcasting at a daytime power of 250 watts, and a nighttime power of five watts. The station was last licensed to Keymarket Licenses, LLC and served the area around Charleroi, Pennsylvania, south of Pittsburgh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KGNW</span> Radio station in Burien, Washington

KGNW is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Burien, Washington, and serving the Seattle metropolitan area. It airs a Christian talk and teaching radio format and is owned by the Salem Media Group. The radio studios and offices are on 5th Avenue South in downtown Seattle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WJRD</span> Radio station in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

WJRD is a radio station licensed to serve Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States. The station is owned by JRD, Inc. WJRD simulcasts on FM translators W271AM and W276DP in Tuscaloosa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CKFR</span> Radio station in Kelowna, British Columbia

CKFR is a radio station in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. Broadcasting at 1150 AM, the station airs news/talk and sports formats, and identifies on air as AM 1150 News, Talk, Sports. It is owned by Bell Media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KSAL (AM)</span> Radio station in Salina, Kansas

KSAL is a commercial AM radio station that broadcasts a news-talk radio format. Licensed to Salina, Kansas, it serves the Salina-Manhattan area. The station is owned by Christopher Miller, through licensee Meridian Media, LLC.

References

  1. "Facility Technical Data for WMNY". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.

40°34′24″N79°46′58″W / 40.57333°N 79.78278°W / 40.57333; -79.78278