WKNY

WKNY (1490 kHz AM) is a radio station serving the Kingston, New York, area with an adult contemporary format. It broadcasts at a power of 1 KW from a single tower located off of Albany Avenue. It is owned by Townsquare Media.

The WKNY calls were also briefly used for an independent TV station WKNY-TV in Poughkeepsie, New York, operating on Channel 66 in the mid-1950s.

The station was first owned by John McKenna and his family and went through several changes in ownership since then.

History

WKNY went on the air December 16, 1939 at 8:15 PM from the auditorium of Kingston High School before an audience of approximately 100 people. Major C.J. Heiselman was unable to attend WKNY's opening ceremonies but a taped message from him was broadcast over the air. The musical program was rendered by Roger Baer's Orchestra, the Vocal Rhythm Boys of Saugerties and vocal solos by Miss Lynne Clark. Following the musical program in the High School, the program continued with musical selections from the new WKNY studios in the Governor Clinton Hotel. The following morning the services in the Fair Street Reformed Church were broadcast on the air and the station began regular operations.