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WTAM

WTAM (1100 AM) is a commercial clear-channel radio station licensed to , , , that broadcasts a news/talk/sports format known as Newsradio WTAM 1100. Owned by , the station operates with a non-directional 50,000-watt transmitter, providing coverage to and much of , with extended nighttime range reaching across the and into parts of Canada. It serves as the flagship station for the of and the of the , airing their games alongside local news, weather, traffic updates, and syndicated talk programs. Established on September 23, 1923, by the Willard Storage Battery Company, WTAM was among Cleveland's earliest radio stations and quickly gained prominence as a high-power broadcaster affiliated with the Red Network after its acquisition by in 1930. The station's call letters were changed to KYW in 1956 following its purchase by , which relocated operations to in 1965 amid regulatory disputes; the Cleveland frequency then operated as until reverting to WTAM in 1997 under Jacor Communications (later part of ). Over its century-long history, WTAM has evolved from general and programming to its current emphasis on and , earning recognition as an award-winning source of local journalism while hosting influential talk personalities and sports announcers like Tom Hamilton. Despite occasional internal controversies, such as the 1989 dismissal of host Gary Dee amid on-air tensions, the station maintains its status as Cleveland's primary newsradio outlet.

History

Founding and initial operations (1923–1928)

WTAM was established in September 1923 by the Willard Storage Battery Company in Cleveland, Ohio, with operations commencing under the leadership of company figures Theodore Willard and S. E. Lawrence. The station initially broadcast at 1,000 watts, powered entirely by storage batteries to demonstrate the reliability of Willard's products. Early transmissions originated from a dedicated site emphasizing battery technology, reflecting the era's experimental approach to commercial broadcasting amid limited infrastructure. During its first years, WTAM focused on typical of nascent radio stations, including , talks, and reports, while building audience through promotional ties to the battery manufacturer. A pivotal milestone occurred in when the station provided the first radio coverage of a national political convention, broadcasting the held in , which underscored radio's emerging potential for real-time event dissemination. Ownership transitioned in the mid-1920s, with the station passing to by 1928, amid financial pressures on the original sponsor. That year, facing threats of shutdown, Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company acquired WTAM, merging it with a frequency-sharing station and upgrading power to 50,000 watts—the first such increase in —via a new tower in Brecksville, significantly extending its signal range. This enhancement positioned WTAM for broader regional dominance as the decade closed.

NBC affiliation and clear-channel expansion (1928–1956)

In the late 1920s, as the reallocated frequencies to reduce interference, WTAM secured clear-channel status on 1070 kHz, enabling operation without co-channel competitors over a vast area from to the and to the . This designation supported power increases to 50,000 watts, making WTAM the first station to achieve such output and establishing its dominance in regional and national coverage. On October 16, 1930, the purchased WTAM from the Electric Illuminating Company and the , positioning the station as a affiliate of the NBC Red Network. Under NBC management, WTAM aired flagship network programming including , , and , alongside local features like Indians broadcasts, which the station had pioneered since 1923. The acquisition enhanced WTAM's technical infrastructure, with studios relocated to the and a new 480-foot transmitter tower constructed in Brecksville, , in to optimize signal propagation. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, WTAM's clear-channel signal facilitated wartime information dissemination and entertainment, reaching audiences beyond during blackouts when visual media was restricted. By 1951, the station originated an NBC Red Network broadcast of the , underscoring its cultural role. maintained WTAM's affiliation until 1956, when the station was sold to amid regulatory shifts favoring diversified ownership. This era solidified WTAM's reputation as a high-fidelity powerhouse, with its non-directional 50 kW nighttime operation ensuring reliable reception over hundreds of miles.

Westinghouse acquisition and KYW rebranding (1956–1965)

In June 1955, Westinghouse Broadcasting Company agreed to exchange its Philadelphia stations KYW-AM and WPTZ-TV with the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) for NBC's Cleveland outlets WTAM-AM/FM and WNBK-TV, along with a $3 million cash payment from NBC to Westinghouse. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the transaction on December 29, 1955, enabling Westinghouse to acquire control of the Cleveland properties. On February 13, 1956, assumed operation of the stations and relocated the KYW call sign from to , rebranding WTAM-AM as KYW (on 1100 kHz), WTAM-FM as KYW-FM, and WNBK-TV as . , in turn, renamed its newly acquired stations WRCV-AM/FM/TV. The transition included a promotional event at 's Hotel Statler on February 10, 1956, attended by over 800 local leaders, marking the introduction of KYW's programming to the market. Under ownership, KYW-AM initially retained select WTAM programs while integrating new disc jockeys, such as in late February 1956 and Joe Mulvihill in July 1956, to emphasize personality-driven content blending Top 40 with middle-of-the-road music. By July 1956, the station shifted further toward localized programming, phasing out network shows and introducing innovations like custom jingles, listener events such as lake cruises from July 26 to August 1, 1956, and use of an computer for real-time election result tabulation later that year. Notable features included Bud Wendell's "Program PM" and the comedy duo Martin & Howard's "Congo Curt," contributing to broad appeal across demographics. KYW-AM quickly achieved market dominance, capturing a 25% audience share by April 1956 and leading competitors by 40% by July 1956, establishing it as a ratings leader through its energetic, format-oriented approach. This period of operation under lasted until June 19, 1965, when U.S. Department of Justice antitrust actions and FCC rulings invalidated the original swap, compelling the reversal of station assignments and KYW's return to .

Return to NBC control as WKYC (1965–1970)

Following a protracted legal battle initiated by NBC, the Federal Communications Commission approved the reversal of the 1956 station swap between NBC and Westinghouse Broadcasting on June 19, 1965, restoring NBC's ownership of its former Cleveland outlets. The AM station, operating on 1100 kHz with 50,000 watts of clear-channel power, transitioned from Westinghouse's KYW callsign at 5:00 a.m. that day, with overnight host Jay Lawrence signing off the final KYW broadcast and introducing the new NBC era. Rather than reverting to the pre-1956 WTAM designation, NBC assigned the unified WKYC call letters across its AM, FM, and television properties in Cleveland, preserving the familiar "KY" syllable from the highly rated KYW branding to maintain listener loyalty. Under ownership, WKYC-AM continued as a full-service outlet emphasizing contemporary , local news, and talk programming, building on the top-40 format's momentum established during the years. Radio surveys from 1965 to 1968 document the station's focus on hit records, with disc jockeys curating playlists of current singles reflective of the era's and pop hits. retained select on-air talent from the KYW staff to ensure programming continuity, fostering a seamless transition that sustained the station's competitive edge in the market against rivals like WIXY and WHK. Throughout the late 1960s, WKYC-AM maintained its high-power signal reaching much of the and at night, serving as an affiliate for national content while prioritizing local coverage. The station's operations centered at the studios in the East Ohio Gas Company Building, with transmitter facilities in Brecksville, , upholding the technical standards of its clear-channel status. NBC's stewardship emphasized reliable service and audience engagement until the divestiture of its radio holdings in 1972, though the period through 1970 marked a stabilization phase post-reversion.

WWWE era: Format shifts and sports emphasis (1970–1996)

In 1972, Cleveland entrepreneur Nick Mileti acquired the station previously known as from , changing the call letters to and branding it as "3WE" while retaining much of the middle-of-the-road (MOR) music format that emphasized and adult contemporary programming. The new ownership quickly integrated extensive sports content, including play-by-play broadcasts of the and —teams owned by Mileti—alongside the , establishing as the flagship for all three major professional sports franchises in the city during much of the era. This emphasis reflected Mileti's business interests and the growing popularity of local , with the station airing over 100 games annually across , , and seasons by the mid-1970s. A pivotal development was the 1972 debut of Pete Franklin's "Sportsline," a nightly call-in airing from 7:00 p.m. to on WWWE, which drew massive audiences through Franklin's combative, unfiltered style that prioritized listener debates on teams' performances and management decisions. Franklin's program, which ran five nights a week except during conflicting game broadcasts, became the station's signature feature, often extending into post-game analysis and attracting up to 20,000 calls per week in peak years, solidifying WWWE's reputation as 's premier sports outlet. In 1979, station management briefly shifted Franklin to a morning drive-time , experimenting with broader appeal, but low ratings prompted his return to "Sportsline" later that year, underscoring the format's dominance. By the 1980s, WWWE's programming increasingly prioritized sports over music, with "Sportsline" influencing a format that included sports updates, team-specific segments, and reduced music blocks to accommodate extended talk and game coverage; the station promoted itself as "3WE" to highlight this sports-centric identity. WWWE held exclusive radio rights for through the 1980s, featuring announcers like Gib Shanley and Jim Graner for play-by-play, while Cavaliers broadcasts under further entrenched the station's role in local fandom. Franklin departed for WFAN in in 1988 amid reported tensions with management over content control, leading to successors like Drennan, who continued the aggressive talk style but with less longevity. Ownership changes, including sales to in 1985 and Malrite Communications in 1987, maintained the sports focus but introduced minor adjustments, such as increased news integration during non-sports hours. Into the early 1990s, WWWE balanced sports broadcasts—totaling around 150 events yearly—with evolving talk segments, though ratings pressures from FM competitors prompted gradual format experimentation, including more syndicated content and reduced MOR elements by 1995. The station's sports emphasis peaked in audience share during championship-contending seasons for the teams, such as the Cavaliers' Eastern Conference Finals run, but faced challenges from declining Browns attendance and franchise relocation threats under owner . This era cemented WWWE's legacy as a sports powerhouse, with "Sportsline" alone credited for pioneering interactive fan discourse in Cleveland radio, influencing national formats despite Franklin's abrasive approach drawing occasional FCC scrutiny for heated exchanges.

WTAM revival and iHeartMedia consolidation (1996–present)

In July 1996, the station, previously operating under the call letters since 1970, reverted to its original WTAM designation to capitalize on its historical prestige as a pioneering clear-channel broadcaster. This change marked a deliberate revival of the WTAM brand, aligning with an emphasis on news, talk, and sports programming to strengthen its market position in . Jacor Communications acquired WTAM and sister station WLTF-FM from Secret Communications LP on April 21, 1997, for $23.9 million in cash plus 750,000 shares of Jacor stock, expanding Jacor's presence in the market. Under Jacor ownership, WTAM solidified its news/talk format, featuring local hosts and syndicated content while retaining sports broadcasts. In 1999, Communications completed its merger with Jacor, subject to divestitures approved by the U.S. Department of Justice to address antitrust concerns, integrating WTAM into 's growing national of over 1,200 stations. Clear Channel's ownership facilitated operational efficiencies, including the consolidation of Cleveland studios into a shared facility in , by 2002, which streamlined production for WTAM and co-owned outlets like and WGAR. In September 2014, Clear Channel rebranded its radio division as , reflecting a shift toward digital integration while maintaining WTAM's AM heritage. iHeartMedia navigated financial challenges, filing for Chapter 11 on March 15, 2018, amid $20 billion in debt from leveraged buyouts and industry shifts, before emerging restructured on May 1, 2019, with debt reduced to $5.75 billion. In March 2021, iHeartMedia announced relocation of its operations—including studios for WTAM and eight other stations—to a new 10-year leased space at 668 Euclid Avenue downtown, completed in August 2022, to enhance visibility with street-level studios and proximity to advertisers. This move underscored ongoing efforts, centralizing sales, programming, and digital assets under iHeart's model of clustered market dominance. As of 2025, iHeartMedia operates WTAM as part of its cluster, generating synergies through shared resources and multi-platform content distribution.

Programming

News and syndicated talk

WTAM operates as Cleveland's primary news radio station, delivering continuous updates alongside syndicated talk programming. The station maintains an award-winning that provides breaking coverage of regional events, reports, and weather forecasts throughout the day. Its weekday schedule centers on "Cleveland's Morning News with Wills and Snyder," airing from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ET, where hosts Bill Wills and Mike Snyder discuss current events, conduct interviews with local officials, and integrate live news segments. From 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., WTAM broadcasts "," a nationally syndicated conservative commentary show hosted by , focusing on political analysis and cultural issues. This is followed by "The Clay Travis and Show" from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., which offers talk on news, sports, and from a right-leaning perspective, succeeding the late Limbaugh's program in 2021. Afternoons feature local talk with "Bloomdaddy," hosted by Drew Garabedian from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., covering Cleveland-specific topics and listener call-ins. Evenings include additional syndicated content, such as FOX Sports Radio's late-night analysis, while weekends air programs like "The Ben Ferguson Show" and "Sunday Nights with Bill Cunningham," emphasizing national news and opinion. The format prioritizes a blend of immediate local and extended talk segments, with breaks interrupting shows for urgent developments, reinforcing WTAM's as a key information hub in .

Sports broadcasting rights and coverage

WTAM holds flagship broadcasting rights for the of , airing all regular-season games along with postseason contests when applicable. The station has maintained this since 1998, following a period of affiliation with other outlets, and renewed agreements including a five-year deal announced in January 2013. Play-by-play coverage features longtime announcer Tom Hamilton, who has called Guardians games since 1990, providing detailed accounts of and key plays. As the co-flagship with for the of the , WTAM broadcasts all regular-season and playoff games through the Cavaliers AudioVerse network. This partnership dates back to at least the 1992-93 season, with veteran broadcaster Mike Snyder serving as the primary play-by-play voice and marking his 2,500th Cavaliers broadcast in December 2021. Simulcasts on both AM and stations enhance accessibility for listeners during the NBA schedule. While WTAM provides extensive news and analysis coverage of the via dedicated segments like "Best Browns Coverage," it does not hold play-by-play rights, which are carried by other local stations such as 92.3 The Fan and 98.5 WNCX. Historically, during its era from 1970 to 1996, the station emphasized sports programming, including talk shows that amplified local team discussions, contributing to its reputation in Cleveland's landscape. WTAM complements live game broadcasts with sports talk programming, including the revived "Sportsline" show, which traces its roots to influential hosts like Pete Franklin and , fostering caller-driven debates on regional teams. The station also airs syndicated content from Radio, featuring national analysis integrated with local perspectives from hosts such as Greg Brinda. This mix supports comprehensive sports coverage tailored to Cleveland's passionate fanbase.

Technical facilities

AM signal characteristics

WTAM transmits on a carrier frequency of 1100 kHz in the band using (AM), with a licensed power output of 50 kilowatts. The station employs a non-directional system comprising a single tower, enabling radiation without the directional arrays common to many other AM facilities to mitigate . This configuration supports unlimited hours of operation, as authorized for Class A stations on designated clear channels. The transmitter site is situated at coordinates 41° 16' 50" N, 81° 37' 21" W near Brecksville, , approximately 15 miles south of , a location selected historically for its favorable ground conductivity to enhance signal propagation. During daytime hours, the groundwave signal dominates, providing reliable coverage over a primary service contour typically exceeding 100 miles in radius under optimal conditions, serving the area and surrounding regions in . At night, propagation via ionospheric reflection extends the effective range significantly, often allowing reception across multiple states in the eastern and , though subject to seasonal variations in solar activity and . As one of the dominant stations on its frequency, WTAM benefits from minimal due to its status, which reserves 1100 kHz primarily for high-power U.S. facilities while restricting secondary stations to lower powers or daytime-only operation. The station's signal maintains a standard AM of approximately 10 kHz, accommodating audio frequencies up to 5 kHz for voice and music transmission, consistent with FCC regulations for full-service AM outlets. Technical parameters, including the ID 7629, are documented in FCC records, with the current license set to expire on October 1, 2028.

FM translator operations

WTAM simulcasts its programming on low-power FM translator W295DE at 106.9 MHz, licensed to , , to provide an FM reception option for listeners in the primary coverage area. The translator rebroadcasts the full from the parent 1100 AM station, enabling access via FM radios that may offer clearer reception amid urban interference or electrical noise affecting AM signals. Operations commenced following the translator's activation, with the signal covering most of Cuyahoga County through a vertical of approximately 146 to 195 watts from an height of around 214 meters. W295DE functions as an analog-only fill-in translator, compliant with FCC regulations limiting such stations to rebroadcasting the primary AM signal without originating content, thereby extending WTAM's news, talk, and sports programming to FM-equipped vehicles and devices in the Cleveland metropolitan region. This setup addresses the limitations of AM in modern environments, where FM translators have become common for heritage AM stations to maintain audience relevance.

Controversies

Talk host disputes and departures

In July 2014, WTAM dismissed veteran nighttime talk show host Bob Frantz after eight years on the station, citing budget constraints by owner Communications (now ). Frantz, who also co-hosted the weekend program The Spew with , described the termination as abrupt and attributed it to corporate financial pressures rather than performance issues, while highlighting continued listener loyalty through backlash. On August 20, 2020, WTAM fired news anchor Kyle Cornell following his on-air reference to then-Democratic vice presidential nominee as the "first colored vice presidential candidate" during a promotional segment the previous evening. The station stated the remark violated its standards on appropriate language, prompting immediate dismissal amid public complaints labeling it racially insensitive; Cornell issued a public apology, asserting no intent to offend. In August 2018, longtime host John Lanigan abruptly announced his retirement during a live broadcast of The Spew, ending his decades-long tenure at WTAM without prior notice to the station. Lanigan, who had co-hosted the Saturday morning sports talk program, cited personal reasons for the sudden exit, leaving WTAM to replace him with the following week; the station issued no official statement on the circumstances. On August 8, 2024, midday talk host Jimmy Malone was terminated by WTAM as part of broader cost-reduction efforts affecting multiple markets. Malone, a self-described unapologetic who had broadcast in for over 30 years, learned of the decision post-show and criticized the lack of opportunity to address listeners, framing it as a corporate efficiency move rather than content-related.

Indecency regulations and fallout

In 1989, the (FCC) launched an investigation into WWWE-AM (), the predecessor station to WTAM, focusing on alleged indecency violations during broadcasts of The Gary Dee Show, a call-in talk hosted by Gary Dee. The probe centered on content from a June 15 episode, which included caller discussions of sexual fantasies, such as explicit references to pursuing romantic or physical interests in specific individuals, deemed patently offensive by FCC standards for broadcast media. An 18-page complaint, supported by audio tapes, prompted the FCC's scrutiny as part of a broader late-1980s enforcement push against obscene, indecent, or profane language under 18 U.S.C. § 1464, which prohibits such content on radio during times when children might be listening. WWWE suspended on August 25, 1989, while continuing to pay his salary pending resolution, amid reports that the action stemmed directly from the indecency complaints. The station ultimately paid an $8,000 fine in 1990 for five excerpts of indecent material from the show, marking one of the FCC's early monetary penalties in its renewed campaign against broadcast indecency, which contrasted with lighter enforcement in prior decades. was fired shortly thereafter, with station management citing the regulatory fallout as a key factor, though publicly contested the decision and demanded reinstatement. The incident highlighted tensions between talk radio's provocative format and FCC oversight, contributing to heightened station caution on adult-oriented content; WWWE acknowledged the violation in a but did not appeal the fine. No similar indecency actions have been recorded against WTAM since its 1996 callsign revival and shift toward sports and syndicated conservative talk, formats less prone to such boundary-pushing discussions.

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