WOON

For people surnamed Woon, see Woon (surname).
WOON
City of license Woonsocket, Rhode Island
Broadcast area Blackstone Valley
Branding O-N 1240
Slogan "The Blackstone Valley's Superstation"
Frequency 1240 kHz
First air date Veterans Day 1946
Format Full Service
Power 1,000 watts
Class C
Facility ID 73676
Transmitter coordinates 42°0′58″N 71°29′30″W / 42.01611°N 71.49167°W
Callsign meaning WOONsocket
Former callsigns WWON (1946-1992)
Affiliations Metro Networks, Boston Celtics Radio Network
Owner O-N Radio, Inc.
(O-N Radio, Inc.)
Website http://www.on1240.com

WOON (1240 AM, "O-N 1240") 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 kW unlimited hours, diplexing off of the WNRI tower. Originally it was licensed at 250W (.25 kW), later upgrading to 1 kW day/250W night before receiving authorization to increase nighttime power to 1 kW 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

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

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

References

External links