Today in Wheeling History: December 13--Wheeling radio station WWVA-AM began broadcasting (1926).
WWVA radio was founded in Wheeling, West Virginia by physics teacher John Stroebel, who built a 50-watt transmitter in his basement. On December 13, 1926, Stroebel flipped the switch and WWVA began broadcasting. Over the years, the station increased in power and prominence. In 1933, WWVA started the Wheeling Jamboree country music radio show (later Jamboree USA), which still broadcasts today on WKKX. WWVA also aired the popular "It's Wheeling Steel" program from 1936-1944 featuring music by steel company employees.
The station moved its offices to the Capitol Theatre in 1969 under general manager Ross Felton. Longtime on-air personalities included Buddy Ray, who hosted a nightly trucking show in the 1970s. In the 1980s, prominent journalists Jim Forsyth and Colleen Marshall led an award-winning WWVA news department. The station pioneered use of a CB radio for nighttime listener call-ins.
Over its history, WWVA changed ownership many times, belonging to companies like Storer Broadcasting, Columbia Pictures, Coca-Cola, and Clear Channel. Current owner iHeartMedia continues a news/talk format with hosts such as Glenn Beck and Coast to Coast AM. Though no longer airing the original Jamboree USA, WWVA remains West Virginia's only 50,000 watt clear-channel AM station. Its broadcasts can be heard across much of eastern North America.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/mrxf95ft) (https://tinyurl.com/465s3yzj) (https://tinyurl.com/2bjm8sp6) (https://tinyurl.com/5ydxsvuk) (https://tinyurl.com/3zx458s6)
Photo Credits: jeff560.tripod.com, The West Virginia Encyclopedia; Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV
WWVA radio was founded in Wheeling, West Virginia by physics teacher John Stroebel, who built a 50-watt transmitter in his basement. On December 13, 1926, Stroebel flipped the switch and WWVA began broadcasting. Over the years, the station increased in power and prominence. In 1933, WWVA started the Wheeling Jamboree country music radio show (later Jamboree USA), which still broadcasts today on WKKX. WWVA also aired the popular "It's Wheeling Steel" program from 1936-1944 featuring music by steel company employees.
The station moved its offices to the Capitol Theatre in 1969 under general manager Ross Felton. Longtime on-air personalities included Buddy Ray, who hosted a nightly trucking show in the 1970s. In the 1980s, prominent journalists Jim Forsyth and Colleen Marshall led an award-winning WWVA news department. The station pioneered use of a CB radio for nighttime listener call-ins.
Over its history, WWVA changed ownership many times, belonging to companies like Storer Broadcasting, Columbia Pictures, Coca-Cola, and Clear Channel. Current owner iHeartMedia continues a news/talk format with hosts such as Glenn Beck and Coast to Coast AM. Though no longer airing the original Jamboree USA, WWVA remains West Virginia's only 50,000 watt clear-channel AM station. Its broadcasts can be heard across much of eastern North America.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/mrxf95ft) (https://tinyurl.com/465s3yzj) (https://tinyurl.com/2bjm8sp6) (https://tinyurl.com/5ydxsvuk) (https://tinyurl.com/3zx458s6)
Photo Credits: jeff560.tripod.com, The West Virginia Encyclopedia; Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV
RSS Feed
