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WATT
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| |
| Frequency | 1240 kHz |
|---|---|
| Branding | News Talk 1240 |
| Programming | |
| Format | News-Talk-Sports |
| Affiliations | Michigan Radio Network |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | MacDonald Garber Broadcasting |
| WKAD, WKHQ-FM, WLXT, WLXV, WMKT, WMBN | |
| History | |
First air date | September 30, 1945 |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 65928 |
| Class | C |
| Power | 1,000 watts |
| Translators | W291DE (106.1 MHz, Cadillac) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
WATT (1240 AM, "News Talk 1240") is a radio station broadcasting a news-talk-sports format. Licensed to Cadillac, Michigan, it began broadcasting in 1946.
WATT officially began broadcasting on September 30, 1945, as Cadillac's first radio station[2] on the frequency of 1240 kHz.[3] The station was founded by Les Biederman, a broadcast pioneer who had previously launched WTCM in Traverse City. WATT was a key member of Biederman’s Paul Bunyan Network, a group of small-market stations designed to provide localized news and entertainment to Northern Michigan communities.[4] During its early years, WATT operated with a power of 250 watts and served as an NBC Radio Network affiliate, bringing national programming and block-style variety shows to Wexford County residents.[5]
In the 1970s, Les Biederman sold WATT to Kenneth MacDonald Sr., the founder of MacDonald Broadcasting. MacDonald, a former hall-of-fame broadcaster from Saginaw, purchased the station alongside its FM sister (WLXV) and properties in Petoskey.[6]
In 1998, as part of a corporate reorganization of the family business, the Northern Michigan stations—including WATT—were spun off into a separate entity called MacDonald-Garber Broadcasting, headed by Patricia MacDonald-Garber.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ "Facility Technical Data for WATT". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ "Cadillac Gets Station". The Bay City Times. United Press. September 30, 1945. p. 10. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ "1240 AM WATT Media Kit" (PDF). MacDonald-Garber Broadcasting. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
- ^ "WTCM (AM) History" (PDF). Broadcasting Publications Inc. p. C-104. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
- ^ "Michigan Radio History Records" (PDF). World Radio History. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
- ^ "MacDonald Broadcasting Hall of Fame". Michigan Association of Broadcasters. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
- ^ "Cadillac Chamber of Commerce Member Directory". Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
External links
[edit]- FCC History Cards for WATT
- Michiguide.com - WATT History
- Facility details for Facility ID 65928 (WATT) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- WATT in Nielsen Audio's AM station database
44°13′27″N 85°24′0″W / 44.22417°N 85.40000°W
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