WPEP (AM)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
WPEP is an AM broadcast station operating on a frequency of 1570 kHz from Taunton, Massachusetts. WPEP's format is full-service, offering local news and talk programming, as well as music and nationally syndicated talk. The station is owned by Anastos Media Group.
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[edit] History
In late 1948, Silver City Broadcasting Corp., owned by businessman John McGregor, applied for and was granted a construction permit for an AM broadcast station in Taunton. The station's callsign was originally to be WTRN, however the callsign was changed to WPEP before the station officially signed on the air December 22nd 1949.
When WPEP signed on, its studio was located atop the Roseland Ballroom, north of downtown Taunton. The original format is believed to have been all local programming.
WPEP was a 1kilowatt daytime-only station from 1949 to 1970. This meant that WPEP was required to cease transmitting from sunset to sunrise. On November 27th 1970, WPEP received pre-sunrise authority, allowing it to sign on at 0600 local time with a power of 350 watts, which could be upped to the full kilowatt at sunrise (during months when sunrise occurs later than 0600). Daytime-only status lasted until September 1st 1986 when WPEP was granted nighttime authorization, which allowed WPEP to transmit 227.4 watts of power.
[edit] Auxiliary licenses
KRN297, a Remote Pickup Unit (RPU) on 161.64/.67 Mc.. WLI832, a Studio-Transmitter Link (STL) on 948Mc..
[edit] Status
A May 5, 2005 article in the Taunton Daily Gazette said that the station was in jeopardy because WNSH in Beverly, Massachusetts got approval from the FCC to increase their daytime power. WNSH is owned by former WPEP owner J. Keating Wilcox. When Wilcox sold WPEP to Anastos Media, there was an informal agreement that Anastos Media would turn in the station's license to allow WNSH (on the same frequency) to up their power, contingent on the power increase being granted by the FCC. The city's mayor and U.S. Representative filed objections; however, the station's general manager dismisses the possibility the station may go dark. As of December 2, 2005 Anastos Media has filed a renewal of the WPEP license. The renewal was granted by the FCC on March 28, 2006.
