WOON
Broadcast areaBlackstone Valley
Frequency1240 kHz
BrandingO-N AM & FM
Programming
FormatFull Service
Affiliations
Ownership
OwnerO-N Radio, Inc.
History
First air date
November 11, 1946 (1946-11-11)
Former call signs
WWON (1946-1992)
Call sign meaning
Woonsocket
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID73676
ClassC
Power1,000 watts
Transmitter coordinates
42°0′58″N 71°29′30″W / 42.01611°N 71.49167°W / 42.01611; -71.49167
Translator(s)99.5 W258DU (Woonsocket)
Links
Public license information
Websitewww.woonsocketradio.com

WOON (1240 AM) is Woonsocket, Rhode Island's oldest radio station, having taken to the air on November 11, 1946 as WWON, a callsign it kept until the current WOON became available in 1992. The change in call became effective on February 3, 1992. On June 26, 1949 WWON added a sister station with WWON-FM on 105.5Mc/s. later moving to 106.3Mc/s. That station is now WWKX.

WWON was owned by the local newspaper The Woonsocket Call for a time. It is currently owned by O-N Radio, Inc. WOON's programming day consists of almost exclusively locally originating programming with a few exceptions (Cowboy Corner, Old Time Radio, The Cowboy Show, and a few other shows). WOON's format is "full-service" meaning it mixes news/talk and music (in WOON's case: oldies & Adult Contemporary among others).

Technical parameters

WOON operates on 1240 kHz with an unlimited power level of 1,000 watts unlimited hours, diplexing off of the WNRI tower. Originally it was licensed at 250 watts, later upgrading to 1,000 watts day/250 watts night before receiving authorization to increase nighttime power to 1,000 watts as well.

Programming

WOON is a full service station. On weekdays WOON begins with morning host Joe Callahan followed by a roundtable discussion program entitled "Coffee An'". Coffee An' is billed by the station as the longest running panel discussion program in American Radio. Following that, WOON's programs consist of a nutrition show, a nostalgia show ("Do You Remember?"), an Astrology show, old-time radio, a midday music/trivia/interview show, varied programs in the mid-afternoon & evening. Weekend programs consist of easy listening music and oldies as well as sports and programs in the Portuguese, Polish & Spanish languages. WOON also serves as the home station for Bryant University athletics & Woonsocket Villanovans sports.

Internet-only stations

Besides its primary AM signal on 1240 kHz, it operates several internet stations including all-news "O-N2", all-sports "O-N3", and internet TV station "O-N TV" plus an on-demand service.

History

1940s

WWON signs on the air with 250 watts (day & night) on November 11, 1946 as Woonsocket's lone radio station. It would add F.M. service with WWON-FM/105.5 on June 26, 1949.

1970s

  • WWON is listed as a Mutual Network affiliate along with WWON-FM in 1976.
  • Current morning personality Dave Richards takes over the slot in 1978.

1980s

WWON is part of the Boston Bruins Radio Network. Later that decade, the F.M. station is spun off from the A.M. & becoming WWKX.

1990s

Logo before translator sign on

On February 3, 1992 WWON changes calls to WOON after that call becomes available.

2010s

On July 24, 2018 WOON added FM service on 99.5 via translator W258DU.[2]

FM translator

Call signFrequencyCity of licenseFIDERP (W)HAATClassTransmitter coordinatesFCC info
W258DU 99.5 MHz FMWoonsocket, Rhode Island20105115070 m (230 ft)D41°59′43.4″N 71°30′18.2″W / 41.995389°N 71.505056°W / 41.995389; -71.505056LMS

References

  1. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for WOON". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ↑ "FCCInfo Results".
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