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Coordinates: 35°17′21″N 97°30′08″W / 35.28917°N 97.50222°W / 35.28917; -97.50222
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{{Short description|Sports radio station in Oklahoma City}}
{{Redirect-distinguish2|WWLS (AM)|sister station [[WLS (AM)]] in Chicago, Illinois}}
{{Redirect-distinguish2|WWLS (AM)|sister station [[WLS (AM)]] in Chicago, Illinois}}
{{Infobox radio station
{{Infobox radio station
| name = KWPN
| name = KWPN
| image = KWPN ESPNOKCITY logo.png
| logo = KWPN ESPNOKCITY logo.png
| image_size = 200px
| logo_size = 200px
| city = [[Moore, Oklahoma]]
| city = [[Moore, Oklahoma]]
| area = [[Oklahoma City Metroplex]]
| area = [[Oklahoma City metropolitan area]]
| branding = ''ESPN Radio 640''
| branding = ''ESPN Radio 640''
| frequency = 640 [[kHz]]
| slogan =
| airdate = September 16, [[1922 in radio|1922]] (as WNAD, [[Norman, Oklahoma]])
| frequency = 640 [[kHz]]
| format = [[Sports radio|Sports]]
| airdate = September 16, 1922 (as WNAD)
| power = 5,000 [[watt]]s day<br>1,000 watts night
| format = [[Sports radio|Sports]]
| class = B
| power = 5,000 [[watt]]s day<br>1,000 watts night
| class = B
| facility_id = 22190
| callsign_meaning = "ESPN"
| facility_id = 22190
| former_callsigns = WNAD (September 16, 1922-December 7, 1981)<br>WWLS (1981-April 2, 2012)
| callsign_meaning = '''K W''' ES'''PN'''
| former_frequencies = 1010 kHz (1929–1941)
| former_callsigns = WNAD (September 16, 1922-December 7, 1981)<br>WWLS (1981-April 2, 2012)
| affiliations = [[ESPN Radio]]
| former_frequencies = 1010 kHz (1929-1941)
| affiliations = [[ESPN Radio]]
| owner = [[Cumulus Media]]
| licensee = Radio License Holding CBC, LLC
| owner = [[Cumulus Media]]
| sister_stations = [[KATT-FM]], [[KKWD]], [[KYIS]], [[WKY]], [[WWLS-FM]]
| licensee = Radio License Holding CBC, LLC
| webcast =
| sister_stations = [[KATT]], [[KQOB]], [[KYIS]], [[WWLS-FM]], [[WKY]], [[KKWD]]
| webcast =
| website =
| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
| website =
}}
}}


'''KWPN''' (640 [[Hertz|kHz]], "ESPN Radio 640") is a [[commercial radio|commercial]] [[AM radio|AM]] [[radio station]] [[city of license|licensed]] to [[Moore, Oklahoma]], and serving the [[Oklahoma City metropolitan area]]. It is owned by [[Cumulus Media]] and airs a [[sports radio|sports]] [[radio format|format]]. While Cumulus owns three sports stations in Oklahoma City, [[WWLS-FM]] and [[WKY]] have mostly local shows on weekdays, while KWPN carries mostly [[radio syndication|syndicated]] programming from [[ESPN Radio]]. The [[radio studio|studio]]s and offices are on NW 64th Street in Northwest Oklahoma City.<ref>[https://www.katt.com/station-information/ KATT.com/station-information]</ref>
'''KWPN''' (640 [[AM broadcasting|AM]], "ESPN Radio 640") is a sports talk [[radio station]] based in [[Oklahoma City]] and carries programming from [[ESPN Radio]]. Under ownership of [[Cumulus Media]], its studios are in Northwest Oklahoma City, and the transmitter is in [[Norman, Oklahoma|Norman]].


KWPN's [[transmitter]] is off West Indian Hills Road in [[Norman, Oklahoma|Norman]].<ref>[https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/finder?sr=Y&s=C&call=kwpn&nav= Radio-Locator.com/KWPN]</ref> It broadcasts with a power of 5,000 [[watt]]s by day; because [[AM 640]] is a [[clear-channel station|clear channel frequency]], reserved for [[List of North American broadcast station classes|Class A]] [[KFI]] in [[Los Angeles]], KWPN must reduce power to 1,000 watts at night to avoid interference. A [[directional antenna]] is used at all times.
The original call letters of this station were WNAD, which began broadcasting in 1922 licensed to [[Norman, Oklahoma]]. The call letters became WWLS in 1981.


==History==
==History==
===University of Oklahoma===
On September 26, 1922, the station [[sign-on|signed on]] as '''WNAD''' in [[Norman, Oklahoma|Norman]]. It was owned by the [[University of Oklahoma]], with its studios located in Science Hall.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1935/Stations-by-State-Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201935%20Complete.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1935 page 50]</ref> In the early days of broadcasting, several universities put [[commercial radio|non-commercial]] radio stations on the air as a service to students, faculty and the local community. From 1929 to 1941, WNAD broadcast on 1010 [[kilocycle]]s and was required to go off the air at sunset.

In 1941, when the [[North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement]] (NARBA) was enacted, the station moved to 640&nbsp;kHz. Being lower on the dial gave WNAD a wider coverage area, though the station was still required to be off the air at night, to protect 50,000-watt clear channel KFI in Los Angeles (as AM radio waves travel further at night).

===Ownership changes===
In 1973, after the university put an FM station [[KGOU]] on the air, it decided to sell the AM station. WNAD was acquired by Oklahoma Communications, Inc., and became a [[Mutual Broadcasting System]] [[network affiliate]].<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1980/C%20Radio%20Broadcasting%20Yearbook%201980.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1980 page C-184]</ref>

The station was acquired by Norman Broadcasting in 1981.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1982/C%20Radio%20BC%20YB%201982%20All-4.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1982 page C-192]</ref> It switched its [[call sign]] to '''WWLS''', named after Norman Broadcasting's owner, Larry Steckline. It is unusual for stations in Oklahoma to have call letters beginning with a "W", as nearly all start with a "K." However, since the station traces its history back to 1922, when Oklahoma was in W territory, the station was granted new call letters beginning with a W from the [[Federal Communications Commission]].

===Sports radio===
In 1989, WWLS was acquired by Fox Broadcasting. It was not associated with the [[Fox Television Network]], but owned by local businessman John Fox.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1999/D-Radio-All-BC-YB-1999..pdf Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1999 page D-357]</ref> A [[sports radio]] format was started. The new management changed the station's [[city of license]] with the FCC to [[Moore, Oklahoma|Moore]]. This was coupled with permission to broadcast around the clock at 1,000 watts. A few years later, daytime power was boosted to 5,000 watts.

[[File:WWLS logo.png|thumb|200px|left|Former logo used until 2012, as WWLS-AM]]
[[File:WWLS logo.png|thumb|200px|left|Former logo used until 2012, as WWLS-AM]]
On April 2, 2012 WWLS split from its "Sports Animal" simulcast with [[WWLS-FM]] 98.1 and switched to programming from [[ESPN Radio]] under new call letters, '''KWPN'''.
In 1999, WWLS was acquired by [[Citadel Broadcasting]], the forerunner to today's Cumulus Broadcasting.<ref>[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/2001/D-Radio-All-BC-YB-2001.pdf Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2001 page D-362]</ref> It flipped to a [[sports radio]] format, calling itself "The Sports Animal." It later received an FM simulcast on 98.1, which became WWLS-FM. On April 2, 2012, WWLS AM split from its "Sports Animal" simulcast with WWLS-FM and switched to mostly programming from [[ESPN Radio]] under new call letters '''KWPN'''. WWLS-FM continued with mostly local sports programming on weekdays, and later began simulcasting on co-owned [[WKY]]. On nights and weekends, all three stations often carry the same ESPN Radio programming.

==References==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{AM station data|KWPN}}
{{AM station data|22190|KWPN}}
*[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=65698&.pdf FCC History Cards for KWPN]
*[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=65698&.pdf FCC History Cards for KWPN]


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{{ESPN Oklahoma}}
{{ESPN Oklahoma}}
{{Cumulus Media}}
{{Cumulus Media}}
{{Authority control}}


{{coord|35|17|21|N|97|30|08|W|type:landmark_region:US_source:FCC|display=title}}
{{Coord|35|17|21|N|97|30|08|W|type:landmark_region:US_source:FCC|display=title}}


[[Category:Radio stations in Oklahoma City|WPN]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Oklahoma City|WPN]]
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[[Category:Cumulus Media radio stations]]
[[Category:Cumulus Media radio stations]]
[[Category:Oklahoma City Thunder]]
[[Category:Oklahoma City Thunder]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1922]]

[[Category:1922 establishments in Oklahoma]]

[[Category:ESPN Radio stations]]
{{Oklahoma-radio-station-stub}}

Latest revision as of 08:02, 24 July 2024

KWPN
Broadcast areaOklahoma City metropolitan area
Frequency640 kHz
BrandingESPN Radio 640
Programming
FormatSports
AffiliationsESPN Radio
Ownership
Owner
KATT-FM, KKWD, KYIS, WKY, WWLS-FM
History
First air date
September 16, 1922 (as WNAD, Norman, Oklahoma)
Former call signs
WNAD (September 16, 1922-December 7, 1981)
WWLS (1981-April 2, 2012)
Former frequencies
1010 kHz (1929–1941)
Call sign meaning
"ESPN"
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID22190
ClassB
Power5,000 watts day
1,000 watts night
Links
Public license information

KWPN (640 kHz, "ESPN Radio 640") is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Moore, Oklahoma, and serving the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. It is owned by Cumulus Media and airs a sports format. While Cumulus owns three sports stations in Oklahoma City, WWLS-FM and WKY have mostly local shows on weekdays, while KWPN carries mostly syndicated programming from ESPN Radio. The studios and offices are on NW 64th Street in Northwest Oklahoma City.[2]

KWPN's transmitter is off West Indian Hills Road in Norman.[3] It broadcasts with a power of 5,000 watts by day; because AM 640 is a clear channel frequency, reserved for Class A KFI in Los Angeles, KWPN must reduce power to 1,000 watts at night to avoid interference. A directional antenna is used at all times.

History

[edit]

University of Oklahoma

[edit]

On September 26, 1922, the station signed on as WNAD in Norman. It was owned by the University of Oklahoma, with its studios located in Science Hall.[4] In the early days of broadcasting, several universities put non-commercial radio stations on the air as a service to students, faculty and the local community. From 1929 to 1941, WNAD broadcast on 1010 kilocycles and was required to go off the air at sunset.

In 1941, when the North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement (NARBA) was enacted, the station moved to 640 kHz. Being lower on the dial gave WNAD a wider coverage area, though the station was still required to be off the air at night, to protect 50,000-watt clear channel KFI in Los Angeles (as AM radio waves travel further at night).

Ownership changes

[edit]

In 1973, after the university put an FM station KGOU on the air, it decided to sell the AM station. WNAD was acquired by Oklahoma Communications, Inc., and became a Mutual Broadcasting System network affiliate.[5]

The station was acquired by Norman Broadcasting in 1981.[6] It switched its call sign to WWLS, named after Norman Broadcasting's owner, Larry Steckline. It is unusual for stations in Oklahoma to have call letters beginning with a "W", as nearly all start with a "K." However, since the station traces its history back to 1922, when Oklahoma was in W territory, the station was granted new call letters beginning with a W from the Federal Communications Commission.

Sports radio

[edit]

In 1989, WWLS was acquired by Fox Broadcasting. It was not associated with the Fox Television Network, but owned by local businessman John Fox.[7] A sports radio format was started. The new management changed the station's city of license with the FCC to Moore. This was coupled with permission to broadcast around the clock at 1,000 watts. A few years later, daytime power was boosted to 5,000 watts.

Former logo used until 2012, as WWLS-AM

In 1999, WWLS was acquired by Citadel Broadcasting, the forerunner to today's Cumulus Broadcasting.[8] It flipped to a sports radio format, calling itself "The Sports Animal." It later received an FM simulcast on 98.1, which became WWLS-FM. On April 2, 2012, WWLS AM split from its "Sports Animal" simulcast with WWLS-FM and switched to mostly programming from ESPN Radio under new call letters KWPN. WWLS-FM continued with mostly local sports programming on weekdays, and later began simulcasting on co-owned WKY. On nights and weekends, all three stations often carry the same ESPN Radio programming.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for KWPN". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ KATT.com/station-information
  3. ^ Radio-Locator.com/KWPN
  4. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1935 page 50
  5. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1980 page C-184
  6. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1982 page C-192
  7. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1999 page D-357
  8. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2001 page D-362
[edit]

35°17′21″N 97°30′08″W / 35.28917°N 97.50222°W / 35.28917; -97.50222