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{{Notability|1=Companies|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox radio station
{{Infobox radio station
| name = WSON
| name = WSON
| image =
| logo = File:WSON 860am-96.5fm logo.png
| city = [[Henderson, Kentucky]]
| city = [[Henderson, Kentucky]]
| area = [[Evansville, Indiana]]
| area = [[Evansville, Indiana]]
| slogan = ''860 WSON''
| branding = ''860-AM & 96.5-FM, WSON''
| frequency = 860 [[kHz]]
| branding = The 500 Watt Purple Blowtorch of Western Kentucky
| translator = {{Radio Relay|96.5|W243CU|[[Sebree, Kentucky|Sebree]]}}<br>{{Radio Relay|107.9|W300ED|Henderson}}
| frequency = 860 [[kHz]] [[C-QUAM]] AM Stereo
| airdate = {{start date and age|1941|12|17}}<ref name="nash">{{Cite book|last=Nash|first=Francis M.|date=1995|title=Towers Over Kentucky: A History of Radio and TV in the Bluegrass State|publisher=HOST Communications|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/BOOKSHELF-ARH/History/Towers-Over-Kentucky-Nash-1995.pdf|via=World Radio History|isbn=9781879688933}}</ref>
| translator = 96.5 W243CU (Henderson)
| airdate = December 17, 1941
| format = [[Classic hits]]
| format = [[Classic hits]]
| power = 500 [[watt]]s
| power = 500 [[watt]]s day and night
| class = B
| class = B
| facility_id = 26946
| coordinates = {{coord|37|51|11|N|87|32|12|W|region:US_type:city}}
| facility_id = 26946
| callsign_meaning = '''W''' Hender'''SON'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oldradio.com/archives/nelson/origins.call-list.html |title=Call Letter Origins |work=Radio History on the Web }}</ref>
| coordinates = {{coord|37|51|11.00|N|87|32|12.00|W|region:US_type:city}}
| former_callsigns =
| callsign_meaning ='''W''' Hender'''SON'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oldradio.com/archives/nelson/origins.call-list.html |title=Call Letter Origins |work=Radio History on the Web }}</ref>
| affiliations = [[NBC News Radio|NBC Radio News]]<br />[[Titans Radio Network|Tennessee Titans Radio Network]]<br />[[Westwood One|Westwood One Sports]]
| former_callsigns =
| owner = Henson Media/Ed Henson
| affiliations = [[ABC News Radio|ABC Radio News]]<br />[[Westwood One (1976–2011)|Westwood One]]
| owner = Henson Media of Henderson County
| licensee = Henson Media of Henderson County
| licensee =
| sister_stations =
| webcast = [http://streamdb3web.securenetsystems.net/v5/WSON Listen Live]
| sister_stations =
| webcast = [http://streamdb3web.securenetsystems.net/v5/WSON Listen Live]
| website = [http://wsonradio.com wsonradio.com]
| licensing_authority= [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
| website = [http://wsonradio.com wsonradio.com]
}}
}}


'''WSON''' (860 [[AM broadcasting|AM]] and 96.5 [[FM broadcasting|FM]]) is a [[radio station]] in [[Henderson, Kentucky]] broadcasting a classic hits format. The station is currently owned by Henson Media and features news, sports, weather and music features programming from [[ABC News Radio|ABC Radio News]] and [[Westwood One (1976–2011)|Westwood One]], as well as locally produced programming.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=WSON |title=WSON Facility Record |work=United States [[Federal Communications Commission]], audio division }}</ref> The station can be heard during daylight hours in neighboring [[Evansville, Indiana]] and [[Owensboro, Kentucky]].
'''WSON''' (860 [[AM broadcasting|AM]]) is a [[radio station]] in [[Henderson, Kentucky]] broadcasting a classic hits format. The station is currently owned by Henson Media and features news, sports, weather and music features programming from [[NBC News Radio|NBC Radio News]] and [[Westwood One (1976–2011)|Westwood One]], as well as locally produced programming.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/amq?call=WSON|title=WSON Facility Record|work=United States [[Federal Communications Commission]], audio division }}</ref> The station can be heard during daylight hours in neighboring [[Evansville, Indiana]] and [[Owensboro, Kentucky]].


==History==
WSON first signed on ten days after the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]], and has been locally owned for its entire history. For most of its first four decades on the air, WSON was a daytime-only station, signing off at sunset in order to protect [[CJBC (AM)|CJBC]] in [[Toronto]]. However, a treaty between the United States and Canada signed in the mid-1980s allowed WSON and other daytimers that went off the air to protect Canadian [[clear-channel station]]s to begin nighttime operations as well. WSON must use a [[directional array|directional antenna]] from sunset to sunrise, with the signal oriented to the southwest.
The station's construction permit was issued by the FCC to Paducah Broadcasters, Inc., the station's first owner, in June 1941.<ref name=gleaner16>{{cite news|last=Boyett|first=Frank|title=WSON Radio celebrating 75 years on the air|work=[[Henderson Gleaner]]|location=Henderson, Kentucky|date=December 14, 2016|url=https://www.thegleaner.com/story/news/columnists/frank-boyett/2016/12/14/boyett-wson-radio-celebrating-75-years-air/95444372/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226074818/https://www.thegleaner.com/story/news/columnists/frank-boyett/2016/12/14/boyett-wson-radio-celebrating-75-years-air/95444372/|archive-date=February 26, 2024|access-date=February 26, 2024}}</ref> On December 17, 1941, ten days after the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]], WSON first signed on the air under direction by Henderson businessman Hecht Lackey, who previously launched and managed [[WPAD]] in [[Paducah]] and [[WHOP (AM)|WHOP]] in [[Hopkinsville]].{{r|nash|pages=36}} The station originally broadcast from studios on Zion Road. For most of its first four decades on the air, WSON was a 250 watt daytime-only station, signing off at sunset in order to protect [[Ici Radio-Canada Première|Radio-Canada]] flagship station [[CJBC (AM)|CJBC]] in [[Toronto, Ontario]], Canada. However, a treaty between the United States and Canada signed in the mid-1980s allowed WSON and other daytimers that went off the air to protect Canadian [[clear-channel station]]s, to begin nighttime operations as well. WSON must use a [[directional array|directional antenna]] from sunset to sunrise, with the signal oriented to the southwest; this protects the [[skywave]] signal of CJBC as [[860 AM]] is a Canadian [[clear-channel]] frequency.


In 1943, the station was sold to Henderson Broadcasting Co., Inc.{{r|gleaner16}} The next year, the station affiliated with the [[Mutual Broadcasting System]] (MBS) and doubled its transmitter power to 500 watts.{{r|nash|page=36}} In 1947, the station's FM companion station was launched as WSON-FM (now [[WKDQ]]); it began simulcasting its AM programming until sometime in 1971,{{r|gleaner16}} at which point the FM station became a separate entity.{{r|nash|page=92}}
==Recent developments==
In July 2010, owner Henry Lackey, the son of station founder Hecht Lackey, announced that he had agreed to sell WSON to Henson Media, which owns [[WUCO|WMSK]]-AM-[[WMSK-FM|FM]] in [[Morganfield, Kentucky|Morganfield]] and [[Sturgis, Kentucky]]. The deal received FCC approval and was consummated soon thereafter.<ref>Stinnett, Chuck. [http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/jul/12/wson-sale/?partner=RSS WSON sale planned to Union County station owner]. [[The Henderson Gleaner]], 2010-07-12.</ref>


The station relocated to new studios on North Main Street in 1955; the station would return to its original facility in 1967. The following year, the station disaffiliated with MBS to become independent once again. The station picked up an affiliation with [[ABC News Radio|ABC Radio]] in 1961, but switched to [[CBS Radio]] two years afterwards.{{r|nash|page=92}}
In September 2011, WSON began simulcasting on an FM translator, W243CU (96.5 FM), which is licensed to [[Sebree, Kentucky]]. W243CU, which has an effective radiated power of 250 watts, can be heard up to 30 miles in any direction from its transmitter site in the Wolf Hills north of Henderson.


WSON would eventually become affiliated with [[NBC Radio]].
W243CU allows listeners in Evansville and surrounding communities to listen to WSON's programming after nightfall, when the AM station has to adjust its coverage.

===Recent developments===
In July 2010, owner Henry Lackey, the son of station founder Hecht Lackey, announced that he had agreed to sell WSON to Ed Henson, which owns [[WUCO|WMSK]]-AM-[[WMSK-FM|FM]] in [[Morganfield, Kentucky|Morganfield]] and [[Sturgis, Kentucky]]. The deal received FCC approval and was consummated soon thereafter.{{r|gleaner16}}<ref>{{cite news|last=Stinnett|first=Chuck|date=July 12, 2010|url=http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/jul/12/wson-sale/?partner=RSS|title=WSON sale planned to Union County station owner|work=Henderson Gleaner|access-date=July 12, 2010}}</ref>

In September 2011, WSON began simulcasting on an FM translator, W243CU (96.5 FM), which is licensed to [[Sebree, Kentucky]]. W243CU, which has an [[effective radiated power]] of 250 watts, can be heard up to 30 miles in any direction from its transmitter site in the Wolf Hills north of Henderson. It allows listeners in Evansville and surrounding communities to listen to WSON's programming after nightfall, when the AM station has to adjust its coverage.


==References==
==References==
Line 39: Line 45:


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=67091 FCC History Cards for WSON]
*[http://twitter.com/860WSON 860 WSON on ''Twitter'']
*[https://twitter.com/860WSON 860 WSON on ''Twitter'']
*{{AM station data|WSON}}
{{AM station data|26946|WSON}}
*{{FMQ|W243CU}}
*{{FCC-LMS-Facility|90883|W243CU}}
*{{FXL|W243CU}}
*{{FXL|W243CU}}
*{{FCC-LMS-Facility|202850|W300ED}}
*{{FXL|W300ED}}


{{Evansville Radio}}
{{Evansville Radio}}
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[[Category:Radio stations in Kentucky|SON]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Kentucky|SON]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1941]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1941]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Evansville, Indiana]]

[[Category:Henderson, Kentucky]]

[[Category:1941 establishments in Kentucky]]
{{kentucky-radio-station-stub}}

Latest revision as of 12:20, 14 July 2024

WSON
Broadcast areaEvansville, Indiana
Frequency860 kHz
Branding860-AM & 96.5-FM, WSON
Programming
FormatClassic hits
AffiliationsNBC Radio News
Tennessee Titans Radio Network
Westwood One Sports
Ownership
Owner
  • Henson Media/Ed Henson
  • (Henson Media of Henderson County)
History
First air date
December 17, 1941; 82 years ago (1941-12-17)[1]
Call sign meaning
W HenderSON[2]
Technical information[3]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID26946
ClassB
Power500 watts
Transmitter coordinates
37°51′11″N 87°32′12″W / 37.85306°N 87.53667°W / 37.85306; -87.53667
Translator(s)96.5 W243CU (Sebree)
107.9 W300ED (Henderson)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen Live
Websitewsonradio.com

WSON (860 AM) is a radio station in Henderson, Kentucky broadcasting a classic hits format. The station is currently owned by Henson Media and features news, sports, weather and music features programming from NBC Radio News and Westwood One, as well as locally produced programming.[4] The station can be heard during daylight hours in neighboring Evansville, Indiana and Owensboro, Kentucky.

History

[edit]

The station's construction permit was issued by the FCC to Paducah Broadcasters, Inc., the station's first owner, in June 1941.[5] On December 17, 1941, ten days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, WSON first signed on the air under direction by Henderson businessman Hecht Lackey, who previously launched and managed WPAD in Paducah and WHOP in Hopkinsville.[1]: 36  The station originally broadcast from studios on Zion Road. For most of its first four decades on the air, WSON was a 250 watt daytime-only station, signing off at sunset in order to protect Radio-Canada flagship station CJBC in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. However, a treaty between the United States and Canada signed in the mid-1980s allowed WSON and other daytimers that went off the air to protect Canadian clear-channel stations, to begin nighttime operations as well. WSON must use a directional antenna from sunset to sunrise, with the signal oriented to the southwest; this protects the skywave signal of CJBC as 860 AM is a Canadian clear-channel frequency.

In 1943, the station was sold to Henderson Broadcasting Co., Inc.[5] The next year, the station affiliated with the Mutual Broadcasting System (MBS) and doubled its transmitter power to 500 watts.[1]: 36  In 1947, the station's FM companion station was launched as WSON-FM (now WKDQ); it began simulcasting its AM programming until sometime in 1971,[5] at which point the FM station became a separate entity.[1]: 92 

The station relocated to new studios on North Main Street in 1955; the station would return to its original facility in 1967. The following year, the station disaffiliated with MBS to become independent once again. The station picked up an affiliation with ABC Radio in 1961, but switched to CBS Radio two years afterwards.[1]: 92 

WSON would eventually become affiliated with NBC Radio.

Recent developments

[edit]

In July 2010, owner Henry Lackey, the son of station founder Hecht Lackey, announced that he had agreed to sell WSON to Ed Henson, which owns WMSK-AM-FM in Morganfield and Sturgis, Kentucky. The deal received FCC approval and was consummated soon thereafter.[5][6]

In September 2011, WSON began simulcasting on an FM translator, W243CU (96.5 FM), which is licensed to Sebree, Kentucky. W243CU, which has an effective radiated power of 250 watts, can be heard up to 30 miles in any direction from its transmitter site in the Wolf Hills north of Henderson. It allows listeners in Evansville and surrounding communities to listen to WSON's programming after nightfall, when the AM station has to adjust its coverage.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Nash, Francis M. (1995). Towers Over Kentucky: A History of Radio and TV in the Bluegrass State (PDF). HOST Communications. ISBN 9781879688933 – via World Radio History.
  2. ^ "Call Letter Origins". Radio History on the Web.
  3. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WSON". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  4. ^ "WSON Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  5. ^ a b c d Boyett, Frank (December 14, 2016). "WSON Radio celebrating 75 years on the air". Henderson Gleaner. Henderson, Kentucky. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved February 26, 2024.
  6. ^ Stinnett, Chuck (July 12, 2010). "WSON sale planned to Union County station owner". Henderson Gleaner. Retrieved July 12, 2010.
[edit]