Radio Station Call Letters- Where did they come up with them

Started by roadman65, January 31, 2015, 02:15:53 PM

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GeekJedi

Just found this thread - it's exactly in my area of expertise, being in the industry for 30 years...

Most call letter "meanings" are actually "backronyms", or acronyms given to the call letters after the fact. Stations such as WBBM received sequential call letters - they weren't chosen - so the meaning was given to them after the fact.

Of course nowadays the FCC makes it easy to change call letters so pretty much everyone picks them to fit whatever slogan they want to use.

As for the "decimal", early on not only did it have to do with analog vs. digital tuning, but also with Arbitron ratings. If you were "FM95" and you were at 94.7, someone may think that you are the station at 95.5 (if one existed), which wasn't a good thing in the ratings world, since (unless FM95 was clearly determined on the listener's diary) "FM95" could get credited to the wrong station.

With the new PPM technology in the top radio markets, that isn't a thing anymore, so that isn't as much of a thing as it uses to be.
"Wisconsin - The Concurrency State!"


abefroman329

Quote from: GeekJedi on June 24, 2018, 09:20:19 PM
Most call letter "meanings" are actually "backronyms", or acronyms given to the call letters after the fact

My personal favorite belongs to WGST in Atlanta - when a fire broke out in their broadcast booth at the old Fulton County Stadium, the backronym was "World's Greatest Stadium Torch."

MikeSantNY78

Quote from: NYhwyfan on February 24, 2015, 07:05:31 PM
WBUF - Buffalo, NY

More from the B=lo:
WGR: AM - World's Greatest Radio. WGRQ-FM (Q-FM-97, now WGRF) - unsure. (TV changed to WGRZ in 1983.)
WBEN: from the original owners, the Buffalo Evening News (TV changed to WIVB in 1977 - and thus, the slogan We're 4 Buffalo).
WKBW: A number of acronyms: Well-Known Bible Witness; We Know Buffalo Weather (more modern promotional TV tagline).
WBBZ (MeTV): from a local program no longer extant, the Daily Buzz. Was formerly WNGS (Wings, as in Chicken), with UPN.
WNED: Western N-y EDucational TV.
WNLO: Western N-y/buffaLO. Originally WNEQ, sibling to WNED.
WNYO: Western NY/Ontario. Originally Fox, then WB, now MyTV.
WUTV: from original owners UlTraVision.  Long-standing indy station that went to Fox (permanently) in the late 1980s. 

bing101

https://radioinsight.com/headlines/171898/amp-radio-98-7-detroit-drops-chr-for-the-rudolph-network/


https://radioinsight.com/headlines/171891/wisx-really-stunting-with-christmas-music/


https://radioinsight.com/headlines/171869/iheartmedia-to-launch-soft-ac-92-5-the-breeze-sacramento/


3 radio stations renamed themselves as "The Breeze" 


The Detroit Breeze is owned by Entercom
The Sacramento and Philadelphia editions of the Breeze are owned by IheartRadio and is named after the San Francisco edition of the Breeze


https://981thebreeze.iheart.com/


Here is the San Francisco edition of the Breeze.

jon daly

I'm not sure if channel 40 in Springfield, Mass. is still WGGB, but I know that that was a backronym "Good Guys Broadcasting."

But some of these are frontronyms. WTIC in Hartford, Conn. stood for the already existing Traveler's Insurance Company. (someone's gonna tell me it's actually Corporation; not Company.)

KEVIN_224

WGGB-TV letters are still there. It may have stood for Guy Gannett Broadcasting, a prior owner of channel 40. I think they once owned WGME-TV (CBS) channel 13 of Portland, ME.

As for WTIC-TV...old channel 3 version...I'm certain the "C" stood for corporation.

CNGL-Leudimin

Call letters are no longer used in Spain. Radio Huesca, a station in my area, was EAJ22, EAJ was the letters all early radio stations in Spain had, and 22 meant it was the 22nd radio station created. Radio Barcelona was the very first radio station in Spain, and thence got EAJ1.
Supporter of the construction of several running gags, including I-366 with a speed limit of 85 mph (137 km/h) and the Hypotenuse.

Please note that I may mention "invalid" FM channels, i.e. ending in an even number or down to 87.5. These are valid in Europe.

jon daly

Quote from: KEVIN_224 on November 13, 2018, 06:20:22 PM
WGGB-TV letters are still there. It may have stood for Guy Gannett Broadcasting, a prior owner of channel 40. I think they once owned WGME-TV (CBS) channel 13 of Portland, ME.

As for WTIC-TV...old channel 3 version...I'm certain the "C" stood for corporation.

Heh. I wasn't sure and too busy to look it up. Our workflow system at work has been slow enough for me to make posts while waiting for docs to appear. But it isn't slow enough to allow for well-researched posts.

MikeTheActuary

Quote from: KEVIN_224 on November 13, 2018, 06:20:22 PM
As for WTIC-TV...old channel 3 version...I'm certain the "C" stood for corporation.

Nope.

WTIC was named after its original owner, Travelers Insurance Company.

iowahighways

Quote from: pianocello on January 31, 2015, 02:51:11 PM
There has to be quite a few call letters that are based on their location. A few that come to mind are WQAD in the Quad Cities and WLNS in Lansing, MI. KWQC in the Quad Cities also has makes regional sense (I don't know if this is true, but the K and W seem to represent the two sides of the Mississippi and QC stands for Quad Cities).

WHBF (CBS affiliate) stood for Where Historical Black Hawk Fought, a reference to Chief Black Hawk.

KCRG in Cedar Rapids stood for its original owners, the Cedar Rapids Gazette, and KRNT radio stood for the Des Moines Register and Tribune.

One of the more creative ones for radio stations around here is for KXNO 1460 AM in Des Moines, a sports talk station, which is derived from the "X's and O's" in football playbooks.
The Iowa Highways Page: Now exclusively at www.iowahighways.org
The Iowa Highways Photo Gallery: www.flickr.com/photos/iowahighways/

Henry

Quote from: bing101 on November 13, 2018, 08:08:22 AM
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/171898/amp-radio-98-7-detroit-drops-chr-for-the-rudolph-network/


https://radioinsight.com/headlines/171891/wisx-really-stunting-with-christmas-music/


https://radioinsight.com/headlines/171869/iheartmedia-to-launch-soft-ac-92-5-the-breeze-sacramento/


3 radio stations renamed themselves as "The Breeze" 


The Detroit Breeze is owned by Entercom
The Sacramento and Philadelphia editions of the Breeze are owned by IheartRadio and is named after the San Francisco edition of the Breeze


https://981thebreeze.iheart.com/


Here is the San Francisco edition of the Breeze.
IIRC, the heritage ACs in those respective markets are WNIC, B101, Mix 96 and KOIT. It's going to be interesting how the new ones will stack up against their competitors.
Go Cubs Go! Go Cubs Go! Hey Chicago, what do you say? The Cubs are gonna win today!

bing101

Quote from: Henry on November 15, 2018, 09:35:01 AM
Quote from: bing101 on November 13, 2018, 08:08:22 AM
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/171898/amp-radio-98-7-detroit-drops-chr-for-the-rudolph-network/


https://radioinsight.com/headlines/171891/wisx-really-stunting-with-christmas-music/


https://radioinsight.com/headlines/171869/iheartmedia-to-launch-soft-ac-92-5-the-breeze-sacramento/


3 radio stations renamed themselves as "The Breeze" 


The Detroit Breeze is owned by Entercom
The Sacramento and Philadelphia editions of the Breeze are owned by IheartRadio and is named after the San Francisco edition of the Breeze


https://981thebreeze.iheart.com/


Here is the San Francisco edition of the Breeze.
IIRC, the heritage ACs in those respective markets are WNIC, B101, Mix 96 and KOIT. It's going to be interesting how the new ones will stack up against their competitors.






https://www.iheart.com/live/the-breeze-8143/


An update Iheart has just released a national feed for "the Breeze" on their app. So far I've heard rumors that other parts of the country will have Iheart owned station flip to "The Breeze" after Christmas or New Years. Not sure how that will play outside of Sacramento or San Francisco.

Henry

Quote from: bing101 on November 17, 2018, 09:01:07 PM
Quote from: Henry on November 15, 2018, 09:35:01 AM
Quote from: bing101 on November 13, 2018, 08:08:22 AM
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/171898/amp-radio-98-7-detroit-drops-chr-for-the-rudolph-network/


https://radioinsight.com/headlines/171891/wisx-really-stunting-with-christmas-music/


https://radioinsight.com/headlines/171869/iheartmedia-to-launch-soft-ac-92-5-the-breeze-sacramento/


3 radio stations renamed themselves as "The Breeze" 


The Detroit Breeze is owned by Entercom
The Sacramento and Philadelphia editions of the Breeze are owned by IheartRadio and is named after the San Francisco edition of the Breeze


https://981thebreeze.iheart.com/


Here is the San Francisco edition of the Breeze.
IIRC, the heritage ACs in those respective markets are WNIC, B101, Mix 96 and KOIT. It's going to be interesting how the new ones will stack up against their competitors.






https://www.iheart.com/live/the-breeze-8143/


An update Iheart has just released a national feed for "the Breeze" on their app. So far I've heard rumors that other parts of the country will have Iheart owned station flip to "The Breeze" after Christmas or New Years. Not sure how that will play outside of Sacramento or San Francisco.
Well, obviously they'd have to be branded as Lite, Magic, Soft Rock, whatever for this to happen, meaning that my hometown station could be known as 93.9 The Breeze in 2019. But I guess we'll find out when the last Christmas song has been played.
Go Cubs Go! Go Cubs Go! Hey Chicago, what do you say? The Cubs are gonna win today!

elsmere241

Quote from: elsmere241 on February 08, 2015, 10:00:38 PM
Quote from: KEVIN_224 on February 08, 2015, 07:59:58 PM
@ ELSMERE241: Do the letters of WSTW-FM 93.7 Wilmington mean anything?

I have no idea.

I saw on Wikipedia a while ago that they stood for a station owner.  I'd have to double-check.

elsmere241

Quote from: bing101 on November 17, 2018, 09:01:07 PM
Quote from: Henry on November 15, 2018, 09:35:01 AM
Quote from: bing101 on November 13, 2018, 08:08:22 AM
https://radioinsight.com/headlines/171898/amp-radio-98-7-detroit-drops-chr-for-the-rudolph-network/

Philadelphia's "The Breeze" has changed formats - again.


https://radioinsight.com/headlines/171891/wisx-really-stunting-with-christmas-music/


https://radioinsight.com/headlines/171869/iheartmedia-to-launch-soft-ac-92-5-the-breeze-sacramento/


3 radio stations renamed themselves as "The Breeze" 


The Detroit Breeze is owned by Entercom
The Sacramento and Philadelphia editions of the Breeze are owned by IheartRadio and is named after the San Francisco edition of the Breeze


https://981thebreeze.iheart.com/


Here is the San Francisco edition of the Breeze.
IIRC, the heritage ACs in those respective markets are WNIC, B101, Mix 96 and KOIT. It's going to be interesting how the new ones will stack up against their competitors.






https://www.iheart.com/live/the-breeze-8143/


An update Iheart has just released a national feed for "the Breeze" on their app. So far I've heard rumors that other parts of the country will have Iheart owned station flip to "The Breeze" after Christmas or New Years. Not sure how that will play outside of Sacramento or San Francisco.

skluth

I grew up in Green Bay, so that's the only area I know about some of the station names.

  • WBAY TV - after the eponymous bay of Green Bay
  • WTAQ AM - the old WBAY AM now a talk radio station
  • WIXX FM - the old WBAY FM. Changed when station changed owners to random letters
  • WFRV TV - Fox River Valley
  • WLUK TV - No idea. Probably random assignment.
  • WGBA TV - Assume Green Bay Area but the A may stand for Ashwaubenon where the station building is located
  • WPNE FM and TV - Public North East (Wisconsin)
  • WDUZ AM and FM - No idea. Probably random assignment.
  • WNFL AM - name changed about 1970 when it broadcast NFL Packers games
  • WGBW FM - Green Bay Wisconsin
This is by no means a complete listing. I haven't lived there in 35 years.

Flint1979

I really don't feel like scrolling through 9 pages right now to see if it was previously mentioned but WJR in Detroit stands for Jewett Radio which was the original owner.

hotdogPi

Quote from: Flint1979 on March 22, 2022, 12:50:02 PM
I really don't feel like scrolling through 9 pages right now to see if it was previously mentioned but WJR in Detroit stands for Jewitt Radio which was the original owner.

You mentioned it yourself in 2017.
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=14619.msg2280829;topicseen#msg2280829

Use the search feature.
Clinched, minus I-93 (I'm missing a few miles and my file is incorrect)

Traveled, plus US 13, 44, and 50, and several state routes

I will be in Burlington VT for the eclipse.

Flint1979

Quote from: 1 on March 22, 2022, 12:50:58 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on March 22, 2022, 12:50:02 PM
I really don't feel like scrolling through 9 pages right now to see if it was previously mentioned but WJR in Detroit stands for Jewitt Radio which was the original owner.

You mentioned it yourself in 2017.
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=14619.msg2280829;topicseen#msg2280829

Use the search feature.
LOL I figured I probably did but don't remember since it was 5 years ago.

Flint1979

Quote from: 1 on March 22, 2022, 12:50:58 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on March 22, 2022, 12:50:02 PM
I really don't feel like scrolling through 9 pages right now to see if it was previously mentioned but WJR in Detroit stands for Jewitt Radio which was the original owner.

You mentioned it yourself in 2017.
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=14619.msg2280829;topicseen#msg2280829

Use the search feature.
And also both times I spelled the word Jewett wrong.

Big John

Quote from: skluth on March 22, 2022, 12:41:49 PM

  • WIXX FM - the old WBAY FM. Changed when station changed owners to random letters
  • WLUK TV - No idea. Probably random assignment.
  • WDUZ AM and FM - No idea. Probably random assignment.
WIXX, WI -Wisconsin and X's for placeholders, such as LAX for Los Angeles.
WLUK - for "Lucky" 11.
WDUZ - Named for a brand of soap.

golden eagle

Quote from: elsmere241 on March 22, 2022, 11:53:56 AM
Quote from: elsmere241 on February 08, 2015, 10:00:38 PM
Quote from: KEVIN_224 on February 08, 2015, 07:59:58 PM
@ ELSMERE241: Do the letters of WSTW-FM 93.7 Wilmington mean anything?

I have no idea.

I saw on Wikipedia a while ago that they stood for a station owner.  I'd have to double-check.

We're Stereo To Wilmington - as the first stereo FM in Wilmington

Dirt Roads

Uh oh...  Back in the old days, Hurricane, West Virginia had WPNS, which stands for Putnam News Service.  In the mid-1970s, WPNS hired a DJ from the northeast who talked much faster than the locals.  Almost immediately (while blushing), the station applied for new call letters (which weren't granted).  In desperation, a second FCC application was approved a month later and the station got new the call letters WZTQ in August 1975.  They've had a few more changes since then.

One of my best friends in high school got his Ham license at an early age, which allowed him to become a DJ as soon as he turned 16.  I got to be a regular in the WZTQ studio, but since I didn't have a radio license I wasn't permitted to go live on the air (probably a station rule).  My friend hated doing live news and weather, so he talked me into taping those segments during the middle of music tracks (sometimes, this was an excuse to play Don McLean, Lynard Skynard, Boston or Ted Nugent).  Next thing I know, he roped me into basketball broadcasting (which almost became my career path).  I sometimes wonder if I could still do the weather during the middle of the long track of Freebird.

kevinb1994

#223
Adding to the list of current and former call signs in Jacksonville (Florida), there was once a sign known as Wonderful Miami Beach Radio (WMBR) or something like that. But that one actually came from the Tampa Bay Area, which is connected to South Florida via the Tamiami Trail. There was apparently some time-sharing with another radio station down there.

WMBR had a FM sister at one point, but both had to be sold not long after the Post (Washington D.C.) acquired the stations and the TV station which became WJXT. Unfortunately WJXT came to have a grudge with CBS and went independent 20 years ago, losing the 60s-vintage Eyewitness News moniker (apparently shared with what is now WUSA in D.C.) in the process (it is now News4Jax), and eventually the affiliation with the Post once Bezos purchased it.

What is now WJNJ was originally WJHP, which actually signed on the first NBC area affiliate in the early to mid 50s, before its thunder was (apparently illegally) stolen by the Florida Georgia Television Company, which gave us the longtime NBC affiliate here, originally known as WFGA. WFGA became WTLV in 1972. It wasn't long after that that the station was sold to San Antonio-based Harte-Hanks. That was around the time (roughly) when the area got the first round of Action News, despite dropping NBC for ABC in 1980 (then back to NBC in 1988, around the time that Gannett purchased the station).

WJAX was the first big radio station in town...but the call sign apparently came from Cleveland. Appears to have been assigned randomly.

WJGL was the first FM station in town, and was the counterpart to WJHP. JHP stands for John Holliday Perry, the guy whose family used to run the competitor to the Times-Union, the Jacksonville Journal.

The Times-Union had a short lived radio station called WDAL (for Duval, nothing to do with the Jags nor Dallas Texas nor even the Cowboys), and tried to get a TV station and was denied.

ABC's first affiliate in town was WJKS and is easy to figure out the meaning. Dedham, Massachusetts-based Rust Craft signed it on 1966. It was eventually sold to Ziff (now one-half of Ziff Davis) in 1979. Media General then bought the station in 1982, and then remained under the same owner until 2009, when it was sold to Nexstar Media. Several years later there was an awkward moment where Nexstar was forced to sell the station to Graham Media upon acquiring Media General...the former owner of the station! Wow. Anyway, Graham Media ended up with its own duopoly.

I should note that WJKS was no longer a ABC affiliate in 1997, after the current ABC affiliate, WJXX, signed on. It became a WB affiliate, and was known as WJWB. Once WB was replaced by The CW, it became known as WCWJ.

Actually, WJWB sounds like a Cleveland affiliate...which, in reality, would be WJW. Even WCWJ sounds like out-of-town (but only WJWB would be more like it).

WBSG would stand for BrunSwick Georgia. It was originally a independent station, but became a charter affiliate of the WB network, then became the ABC affiliate for South Georgia. This setup, done in tandem with WJXX, did not last long when Gannett bought WJXX and merged it with WTLV. While it has since became known as WPXC, it is now under a E.W. Scripps subsidiary. Gosh, that's another Cleveland reference...

golden eagle

WBHJ Birmingham (BirmingHam Jams, a hip-hop station)
WBHK Birmingham (BirmingHam Kiss, adult R&B)
WNSL Laurel-Hattiesburg (New South Laurel--New South were the original owners)
WKNN Biloxi (K Ninety Nine)
WZNF Gulfport: Was previously a rock station named Z95 (WZNinetyFive). Prior to that, the calls WLNF to reflect the name Live 95.



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