WIP (AM)
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| WIP | |
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| City of license | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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| Broadcast area | Greater Philadelphia (Delaware Valley) |
| First air date | March 17, 1922 |
| Frequency | 610 (kHz)  |
| Format | Sports |
| ERP | 5,000 watts |
| Owner | CBS Radio |
| Website | www.610wip.com |
WIP is a Philadelphia radio station with an all-sports format. Located at 610 AM, the station adopted its current all-sports format in 1987, making it the second all-sports radio station in the United States. Its transmitters are located in the Cresent Park section of Bellmawr, New Jersey.
The station is known for its heavy influence on the Philadelphia sports fanbase. Its prominent hosts include Angelo Cataldi, who arranged for a group of Eagles fans to attend the 1999 NFL Draft and demand the Eagles select University of Texas at Austin running back Ricky Williams with their #2 pick (which led to the booing of the decision to select Donovan McNabb), the Terrell Owens "funeral" (following the announcement of Owens's four-game suspension from the Eagles during the 2005-2006 season), and Howard Eskin during the 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. program. The station is also known for hosting the annual eating contest, the Wing Bowl.
It is a sister station to WFAN (New York City, formerly WNBC-AM), KYW, and WPHT. Unlike WFAN, which carries Don Imus, its morning show is sports-oriented.
WIP is the flagship radio station for the Philadelphia Flyers and Philadelphia 76ers. When both teams are playing at the same time, WPHT and/or WYSP will usually carry one of the games. WIP was also the flagship radio station for the Philadelphia Eagles until 1992, when Eagles broadcasts moved to WYSP-FM. The station also carried Philadelphia Phillies games on Friday nights during the 2005 season, allowing WPHT to pick up some regularly scheduled programming on Friday nights. WPHT now broadcasts all Phillies games.
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[edit] History
Founded by Gimbels department store, the station first went on the air on March 17, 1922 as Philadelphia's first commercial radio station with the call sign "WIP", which people mistakenly think stands for "Wireless In Philadelphia" and "Watch Its Progress", when in fact, "WIP" was a call sign randomly issued by the federal government. In the 1940s and 1950s, the station was an affiliate of the Mutual Broadcasting System. From the 1950s through the early 1970s, the station had a MOR format. With this format, the station played the hits of the 1940s, along with non-rock and soft-rock hits of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, mixed in with some music that was new at the time. In addition, the station was full service in approach, as they had a heavy emphasis on news as well.
By the mid 1970s, WIP evolved to an adult contemporary format, and for a while, they were heavy on 1950s and 1960s rock and roll oldies. The station would start adding sports programming in the mid-1980s before changing to an all-sports format near the end of 1987.
For many years, the station was owned by Metromedia. The station was purchased by Ed Snider's Spectacor Group, the longtime owner of the National Hockey League's Philadelphia Flyers, in 1987. Snider sold the station to Infinity Broadcasting in 1994. Infinity later merged with CBS, and the station is now owned by CBS Radio. The station made its largest progression under former station manager Tom Bigby, who opened it to more advertisement and a wider format aside from a strictly "sports-talk" station.
[edit] List of notable dates in WIP's history
- April 21, 2006 - WIP rehires Steve Martorano, giving him a two-year contract with an option for a third.
- March 20, 2006 - WIP fires Mike Missanelli for on-air and off-air altercations with co-workers.
- February 13, 2006 - First broadcast of "Mondays with Mo," on the Glen Macnow show, with Philadelphia 76ers coach Maurice Cheeks.
- February 11, 2006 - First broadcast of the "Rhea Hughes show," 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Saturdays.
- October 8, 2005 - The date of the first Philadelphia Phantoms game to be broadcast on radio (on WIP).
- September 16, 2005 - WIP announces a deal with the Philadelphia Phantoms to broadcast games.
- September 12, 2005 - WIP announces that it has obtained the rights to broadcast the "Terrell Owens Show" at 5 p.m. on Fridays during the Howard Eskin show. The show originates from WAXY in Miami, Florida.
- September 12, 2005 - First broadcast of Brian Dawkins on WIP's "Morning Show" discussing the Eagles' game from the previous day.
- July 27, 2005 - WIP signs a long-term agreement with the Philadelphia 76ers to retain broadcasting rights.
- July 5, 2005 - Mike Missanelli rejoins WIP, being paired with Anthony Gargano in the 10 a.m.-3 p.m. slot, Middays.
- June 30, 2005 - Steve Martorano leaves WIP when his contract expires.
- June 21, 2005 - WIP begins simultaneously broadcasting over the Internet.
- September 9, 2004 - Howard Eskin is suspended by WIP for 30 days to settle a defamation lawsuit brought by Richard Sprague, a lawyer for 76ers star Allen Iverson.
- August 14, 2004 - WIP begins broadcasting from its new Bala Cynwyd location.
- July 23, 2004 - WIP Program Director Tom Bigby leaves to take a similar position with Infinity sister station KRLD 1080-AM in Dallas.
- May 24, 2004 - Intune Media announces the launch of a new website for WIP.
- April 16, 2004 - Steve Fredericks retires from WIP and sports talk radio as a whole.
- May 23, 2003 - WIP sends a "cease and decist" letter to 93.3 WMMR's Joe Conklin over comments made about WIP on-air.
- May 1, 2003 - Mike Missanelli officially leaves WIP to begin a morning show called Philly Guys on 93.3 WMMR.
- April 1, 2003 - Mike Missanelli tenders his 30 days' notice of leave from WIP.
- January 2003 - Joe Conklin officially leaves WIP.
- August 14, 1998 - WIP signs a five year deal with the Philadelphia Flyers for broadcasting rights through the 2003 season.
- November 1990 - Angelo Cataldi joins the Morning Show, teaming with Tom Brookshier as "Brookie and the Rookie".
- November 1987 - WIP becomes all-sports talk except for the morning drive.
- September 1986 - WIP starts broadcasting sports talk with Howard Eskin in the afternoon from 5 p.m.-6PM.
- March 17, 1922 - WIP makes its first broadcast.
- March 16, 1922 - WIP is created.
[edit] On-air schedule
[edit] Weekdays
- (5:30 a.m.-5:45 a.m.) The "Overlap" Show - Angelo Cataldi, (Edward Gudonis) "Big Daddy Graham"
- (5:45 a.m.-10:00 a.m.) Morning Show - Angelo Cataldi, Rhea Hughes, Al Morganti, also features: Hugh Douglas (Mondays and Tuesdays), Keith Jones (Thursdays and Fridays), Joe Conklin and John Marzano.
- (10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.) Anthony Gargano, Steve Martorano
- (3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.) Howard Eskin
- (7:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.) Glen Macnow,Brian Startare
- (11:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.) Mark Eckel, Garry Cobb, Brian Startare, or Reuben Frank
- (2:00 a.m.-5:30 a.m.) (Edward Gudonis) "Big Daddy Graham"
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- Big Daddy Graham is on at 1:00 a.m. on weekdays with 76ers or Flyers games.
[edit] Saturdays
- (11:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.) Garry Cobb or Brian Startare
- (2:00 a.m.-6:00 a.m.) Paul Jolovitz
- (6:00 a.m.-7:00 or 8:00 a.m.) Best of Cataldi
- (7:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.) "The Football Show" with Brian Startare (during football season only)
- (8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.) Rhea Hughes (spring months only)
- (10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.) Glen Macnow with Ray Didinger
- (3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.) Rob Charry alone or with John Marzano
- (7:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.) Garry Cobb or Brian Startare with Mike Kern
- (11:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.) Garry Cobb or Reuben Frank or Jason Myrtetus
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- All scheduling between 11:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. is subject to change due to Flyers, 76ers, NFL Playoffs, NCAA Tournament games, or any sporting events of the sort.
[edit] Sundays
- (2:00 a.m.-6:00 a.m.) Paul Jolovitz
- (6:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m.) Conversations with Peter Solomon
- (8:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.) Sonny Hill
- (10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.) Don McKee
- (3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.) Rob Charry with Hugh Douglas
- (7:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.) Brian Startare alone or with Mike Kern, or Reuben Frank
- (11:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m.) Paul Jolovitz alone or Brian Startare or Garry Cobb
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- All scheduling between 11:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. is subject to change due to Flyers, 76ers, NFL Playoffs, NCAA Tournament games, or any sporting events of the sort.
[edit] Specialty Programming
- Sunday Night Football (through Westwood One, Sunday night's during football season, only when the Philadelphia Eagles aren't one of the teams)
- Monday Night Football (through Westwood One, Monday night's during football season, only when the Philadelphia Eagles aren't one of the teams)
- Philadelphia Flyers games (during hockey season)
- Philadelphia 76ers games (during basketball season)
[edit] Off-air Staff
- "Bubba" (Producer)
- Jonathan Buckley Stow (Producer)
- Dave "Zworken" Breitmaier (Producer)
- Marc Farzetta (Producer)
- Dan Fein (Promotions Director)
- Marc Rayfield (WIP General Manager)
- Jon Johnson (Producer)
- Joseph A. Weachter Jr. (Producer)
- Jill Speckman (Programming Assistant)
- Seth The Kid (Intern)
- Raheem Verdin (Producer)
[edit] Call-In Guests
- Brian Baldinger Rare(Former Philadelphia Eagles lineman, and current booth analyst for Fox NFL and columnist for The Sporting News)
- Mo Cheeks (Philadelphia 76ers Head Coach)
- John Clark Rare (NBC-10 Sports)
- Bill Clement Rare (OLN NHL Analyst)
- Pat Croce Commissioner Of Wing Bowl(Former President of the Philadelphia 76ers)
- Brian Dawkins (Philadelphia Eagles Free Safety)
- Ken Hitchcock (Former Philadelphia Flyers Head Coach)
- Jim Jackson (TV play-by-play analyst for the Philadelphia Flyers)
- Ron Jaworski Rare (ESPN NFL analyst, Philadelphia Soul Co-owner)
- Billy King (Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager)
- Mark Lawrence (Friday's, during Howard Eskin's show during NFL season. Expert on NFL betting)
- Phil Martelli (Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball head coach)
- John Marzano (Philadelphia Phillies analyst for Comcast SportsNet. Lead mentor at www.marzanobaseball.com)
- Kathy Orr Every Friday during the Morning Show(KYW-TV Meteorologist)
- Tim Panaccio (The Philadelphia Inquirer sports columnist)
- Sal Paolantonio Was a frequent caller to the Morning Show. A rift occurred between Angelo Cataldi and Paolantonio and now do not speak.(ESPN NFL analyst – also is a frequent guest on Big Talker's Michael Smerconish morning show)
- Gary Papa Rare(Action News Sports Director)
- Harvey Pollack Rare (Philadelphia 76ers Director of Statistical Information)
- Jerry Di Trentone (The Bucks County Courier Times sports columnist/analyst)
- Randy Miller (Columnist for Bucks County Courier Post)
- Merrill Reese (Radio voice of the Philadelphia Eagles)
- Andy Reid Rare (Philadelphia Eagles head coach)
- Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell
- Vai Sikahema (NBC-10 Sports)
- Stephen A. Smith (Columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer and analyst for NBA on ESPN)
- Dave Spadaro (PhiladelphiaEagles.com reporter)
- U.S. Senator Arlen Specter
- Jay Wright (Villanova Wildcats men's basketball head coach)
[edit] Hosts
[edit] Current
- Angelo Cataldi (November 1990-Present)
- Rob Charry
- Garry Cobb
- Joe Conklin (?-January 2003, May 3, 2006-Present)
- Left WIP in January 2003 to begin a show with Mike Missanelli on 93.3 WMMR. Currently in an free lance period, on the Morning Show usually on Tuesdays.
- Hugh Douglas
- Mark Eckel
- Howard Eskin (September 1986-Present)
- Reuben Frank
- Anthony Gargano
- John Marzano
- Edward Gudonis ("Big Daddy Graham")
- Sonny Hill
- Rhea Hughes
- Dick Jerardi
- Paul Jolovitz
- Keith Jones
- Mike Kern
- Glen Macnow
- Steve Martorano (November 1987-June 30, 2005, April 21, 2006-Present)
- Left WIP June 30, 2005 after his contract was not renewed to make way for Mike Missanelli. Was rehired after Mike Missanelli was fired.
- Don McKee
- Al Morganti
- Brian Startare
[edit] Former
- Tom Brookshier
- Tony Bruno
- Bill Campbell
- Craig Carton
- Pat Croce
- Steve Fredericks (1992-April 16, 2004)
- Retired from WIP on April 16, 2004.
- Jody MacDonald
- John McAdams
- Jack McCaffery
- Mike Missanelli (1992-May 1, 2003; July 5, 2005-March 20, 2006)
- Left WIP in 2003 to work for 93.3 WMMR and was fired 14 months into a 2 year contract April 2004. He later returned to WIP in July 2005 only to be fired in March 2006 after both physical and verbal altercations with WIP co-workers.
- Sal Paolantonio (1993-1995, Hosted Saturday Morning Sports Page)
- Joe Pellegrino
- John Kincade
- Kris Gamble
[edit] Frequent broadcast locations
- Barnaby's of Aston (Rob Charry, during NFL Sundays. 5501 Pennel Rd., Aston, PA. http://www.barnabysofamerica.com/aston/index.shtml)
- Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa (Morning Show Fridays. One Borgata Way, Atlantic City, NJ 08401. http://www.theborgata.com/)
- Chickie's and Pete's (Midday Show Fridays; Anthony Gargano and Hugh Douglas for Philadelphia Eagles pregames. 1526 Packer Avenue, Philadelphia, PA.) http://www.chickiesandpetes.com/page/page/790062.htm)
- Cingular Pavillion at the Wachovia Center (Morning Show hosts with Eskin for Philadelphia Eagles pregames)
- Landmark Americana Tap and Grill (Unnecessary Roughness with Anthony Gargano and Jeremiah Trotter. 1 East West Street, Glassboro, NJ. http://www.landmarkamericana.com/)
- Lincoln Financial Field
- McDonald's (Midday Show Thursdays, Lansdowne Avenue at State Road, Upper Darby, PA 19082)
- McFadden's (461 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123. http://www.mcfaddensphilly.com/homepage.php)
- McFadden's At The Ballpark (Citizens Bank Park, Steve Martorano and Hugh Douglas for Philadelphia Eagles postgames) Anthony and Steve migrate here in the summer.
- Philadelphia Airport
- RP McMurphy's
- Slack's Hoagie Shack (http://slackshoagies.com/)
- Wachovia Center
- Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel (formerly used for all Morning Show Friday broadcasts)
[edit] Special broadcast locations
- Flyers wives fight for lives carnival
- Philadelphia Auto Show
[edit] Special weekly shows from the past
- "The Terrell Owens show" with Terrell Owens, hosted by Dan LeBatard (Fridays, 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., during the 2005 NFL season. Broadcast live from a 790-AM "The Ticket" in Miami, FL.)
[edit] Miscellaneous information
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This section may contain original research or unattributed claims. Please help Wikipedia by adding references. See the talk page for details. |
- The station can be heard on the Internet at this link (with a 20-30 second delay from the radio): http://bdcast-infinity-wip-am.wm.llnwd.net/bdcast_infinity_wip-am
- Listeners can call into the station at 215-592-0610 (Pennsylvania), 856-963-0610 (New Jersey), *610 (Free call for AT&T and Verizon wireless customers).
- The station is located at 2 Bala Plaza, Suite 700, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004. The station was previously located at 441 N. 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123. The station started broadcasting from Bala Cynwyd on August 14, 2004.
- The station has a 14 second delay as a precaution to filter any possible content that does not comply with FCC standards.
- The station will block numbers of callers whose content does not comply with FCC standards (and is otherwise filtered).
- Hosts believe the station can be heard (on the Radio) as far north as New York City and as far South as Washington. Field tests (by this editor) have found that the radio signal dies out around Exit 13 of the NJ Turnpike, before New York City. A Spanish-language New York station at AM 620 also makes it difficult for New Jersey listeners to WIP at 610. The signal can be heard from high ground as far South as Fredricksburg, VA. In Pennsylvania, the signal fringes to Wilkes-Barre, however at night the signal can be received in State College. The signal experiences some interference towards Atlantic City.
- Line 8 (New Jersey line) at the station constantly drops callers and is never fixed.
- Conversations with Peter Solomon on Sunday mornings is not sports talk related. The host, Peter Solomon, invites lesser-known authors to discuss their new books. It is unknown as to whether the show is hosted at 2 Bala Plaza, but it certainly is not a nationally syndicated show as Peter continues to refer to 610WIP before going to commercial breaks.
- Saturdays from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. is the only time the station is not live, featuring the "Best of Cataldi", which is a variety of clips from The Morning Show from the previous five weekdays.
[edit] External links
- Sportsradio 610 WIP Official Site
- Query the FCC's AM station database for WIP
- History of WIP
- Angelo Cataldi's website
- Garry Cobb's website
- Anthony Gargano's website
- Big Daddy Graham's website
- Steve Trevelise's website
| AM radio stations in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania region (Arbitron #7) | |
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(Arbitron #7) |
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Allentown (FM) (AM) | Altoona | Chambersburg | Erie (FM) (AM) | Harrisburg-Carlisle-Lebanon (FM) (AM) | Johnstown | Lancaster (FM) (AM) | Meadville-Franklin | Philadelphia (FM) (AM) | Pittsburgh (FM) (AM) | Reading | State College | Sunbury-Selinsgrove-Lewisburg | Wilkes Barre-Scranton (FM) (AM) | Waynesboro | Williamsport | York (FM) (AM) Non-Arbitron-Ranked Pennsylvania Radio Markets: Markets that transcend New York and Pennsylvania: |
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See also: Philadelphia (FM) (AM)
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