Hubbry Logo
WRKOWRKOMain
Open search
WRKO
Community hub
WRKO
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
WRKO
WRKO
WRKO
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

WRKO (680 AM) is a commercial news/talk radio station licensed to Boston, Massachusetts, serving Greater Boston and much of surrounding New England. Owned by iHeartMedia, WRKO is a Class B AM station that provides secondary coverage to portions of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine during the day, but is highly directional at night to protect a number of clear-channel stations on adjacent frequencies. WRKO serves as the Boston affiliate for ABC News Radio, Coast to Coast AM and This Morning, America's First News with Gordon Deal; syndicated personalities Joe Pags, John Batchelor and Bill Cunningham; the flagship station of The Howie Carr Show, and the home of radio personality Jeff Kuhner. The WRKO studios are located in the Boston suburb of Medford, while the station transmitter resides in nearby Burlington. Besides its main analog transmission, WRKO simulcasts over the HD2 subchannel of sister station WZLX,[2] and streams online via iHeartRadio.

Key Information

WRKO is one of three AM stations owned by iHeartMedia in the Boston market that features a spoken word format; WBZ is all news during the day and overnight, with local talk in the evening, while WXKS carries a nationally syndicated conservative talk line up.

The 680 kHz facility went on the air from Lawrence in 1937 as WLAW, the radio station of the Lawrence Daily Eagle and Evening Tribune. The station moved its transmitter from Andover to Burlington in 1947, and began turning its focus to Boston. WLAW was acquired by General Teleradio in 1953 to serve as an upgraded facility for WNAC, replacing 1260 AM; it formally moved from Lawrence to Boston in 1957. The station became WRKO in 1967, in connection to a format change to top 40; after an evolution to adult contemporary music, it would move to a talk format in 1981. Following regulatory issues involving parent company Gencorp, in 1988 RKO General sold WRKO to Steve Dodge's Atlantic Ventures, which became American Radio Systems (ARS) in 1993. After ARS was purchased by the parent company of CBS Radio in 1998, WRKO was spun off to Entercom; when Entercom acquired CBS Radio in 2017, the station was sold to iHeartMedia.

History

[edit]

WLAW (1937–1953)

[edit]
Not to be confused with WLAW or WLAW-FM, two radio stations in Whitehall, Michigan.

The station first went on the air as WLAW on December 19, 1937, at 680 on the AM dial. The station was licensed to Lawrence, Massachusetts, some 25 miles north of Boston; its transmitter was in nearby Andover. It was owned and operated by Hildreth and Rogers, publishers of the Lawrence Daily Eagle and Evening Tribune.[3] Initially a 1,000-watt daytime-only station, WLAW would boost its power to 5,000 watts in 1940; the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) also granted the station authority to operate at night, using a directional antenna to protect the signals of KPO in San Francisco, which had been the dominant station on the clear channel of 680 kHz, and WPTF in Raleigh, North Carolina, which had also been granted nighttime service on the channel.[4]

In 1945, WLAW applied to boost its power to 50,000 watts, and relocate its transmitter to Burlington;[5] the station would make this upgrade in 1947.[6] In conjunction with the move, WLAW opened a Boston studio[7] on Tremont Street in the Theater District;[8] it also maintained a third studio in Lowell.[9] The owners also acquired an FM station: WLAW-FM (93.7 FM) was officially dedicated on November 10, 1947.[10] In mid-1951, WLAW and WLAW-FM moved to new studios at the Hotel Bradford in Boston.[11]

WNAC (1953–1967)

[edit]
For the Boston radio station which identified as WNAC from 1922 to 1953, see WBIX.
Not to be confused with former Boston television station WNAC-TV (Boston) or Providence television station WNAC-TV.

In May 1953, General Teleradio, General Tire's broadcasting division and owner of WNAC (1260 AM), bought WLAW and WLAW-FM from Hildreth and Rogers for $475,000; and concurrently sold WNAC to Vic Diehm and Associates for $125,000.[12][13] WLAW's availability was seen as a way to "upgrade" the signal for WNAC; in 1947, the FCC denied a request to allow WNAC (1260 AM) to move to 1200 kHz and boost its power, using a directional 50,000-watt transmitter.[14][15] On June 17, 1953, General Teleradio changed WLAW's call letters to WNAC, moved the old 1260 AM format to 680 AM, and reassigned on- and off-air personnel. In effect, this new WNAC (680 AM) licensed to Lawrence became the successor to WNAC (1260 AM) licensed to Boston. For this reason, this transaction is seen as WNAC "moving" from 1260 AM to 680 AM.

Vic Diehm and Associates subsequently changed 1260 AM's calls to WVDA and launched a new format on that station using WLAW's former studios.[12][16] WLAW-FM had its license surrendered, as WNAC-FM (98.5 FM) was retained by General Teleradio;[12] a separate station on 93.7 FM also licensed to Lawrence signed on in 1960 as WGHJ; now known as WEEI-FM.[17] While the new WNAC was, for all intents and purposes, a Boston station, its city of license remained in Lawrence until July 25, 1957;[6] at least until 1962, the legal station identification was "WNAC Boston-Lawrence".

For a brief time in 1956 and 1957, WNAC was affiliated with both the Mutual Broadcasting System and the NBC Radio Network after WBZ dropped NBC programming. WNAC remained a Mutual affiliate until the network, of which General Tire (by then doing business as RKO Teleradio Pictures) was a part-owner, was sold in July 1957.[18] WNAC also lost the NBC Radio affiliation to WEZE (1260 AM) (the former WVDA) in 1957. By December 1959, RKO Teleradio adopted the RKO General banner.[6][19]

WNAC-FM changed call letters to WRKO-FM on May 10, 1957,[20] but retained its simulcast of WNAC's programming until 1963, when separate programming was inaugurated for half of the broadcast day.

WNAC, along with WRKO-FM and WNAC-TV (channel 7), were nearly sold by RKO General to NBC as part of a multi-city transaction and station trade between the two companies announced in March 1960.[21][22] This arrangement wound up under review at both the FCC and the U.S. Department of Justice due to issues involving NBC's previous exchange of assets with Westinghouse Broadcasting in Cleveland and Philadelphia. Ultimately, the RKO-NBC transaction never materialized.[23]

Top 40 era

[edit]

On October 12, 1966, WRKO-FM dropped its simulcast of WNAC outside of overnights and morning drive, and introduced an automated top 40 format.[24][25] Owing to WRKO-FM's relative success with that format, RKO General changed WNAC's call sign to WRKO on March 3, 1967, and the format also switched to Top 40;[26][27][28] both stations would still simulcast each other for 11 hours a day.[29][30] With this move, the Yankee Network, of which WNAC and predecessor WNAC (1260 AM) had been the flagship station of since 1929, ceased operations.[31]

The move to a Top 40 format in March 1967 was an enormous success. For the next decade, WRKO was one of Boston's top-rated radio stations, and absolutely dominant among its target audience of listeners in the 18-34 demographic. Known to its listeners as "The Big 68", WRKO was home to such well-known personalities as longtime morning man Dale Dorman, Chuck Knapp, Joel Cash, Johnny Dark, J. J. Wright, J. J. Jeffrey, Harry Nelson (afternoon drive and later PD of WRKO in 1978), Shadoe Stevens, Frank Kingston Smith (who was known as "Bobby Mitchell"), Steve Anthony and many others. Mel Phillips, who replaced Bob Henabery as program director, served in that position from 1967 to 1972 before being replaced by Scotty Brink.

WRKO in 1967 even took a dig at market leader WBZ, a Westinghouse Broadcasting station that played popular music. In advance of WRKO's format change to Top 40, WBZ tried to get in front of WRKO by adopting the slogan "Boss Radio" (used on famous RKO General top 40 station KHJ in Los Angeles). WRKO, in response, was rumored to have had their DJs reading a liner that said "WRKO, putting the Boss in the Restinghouse." WRKO did ultimately drive WBZ out of the top 40 format.

WRKO's other main competitor was WMEX, which was Boston's original Top 40 station, starting the format in 1957. Even though WMEX's city ratings were good, it had a highly directional signal and did not effectively reach many of the suburbs, especially at night. WRKO (and the growing popularity of FM rock stations) eventually drove WMEX to a format change in 1975, with WRKO remaining Boston's sole AM Top 40 station. In May 1975, WRKO's airborne traffic reporter, "The Red Baron" (Rick Blumberg), joined the morning team with Dale Dorman and Bill Rossi. The Red Baron was both the pilot and traffic reporter, flying at 1000 feet over Boston, in a fixed wing aircraft. 1975 and 1976 were the only years that WRKO had an aircraft in the sky.

WRKO was propelled in its success by the introduction of the so-called Drake format originated by radio programmer Bill Drake. In contrast to other Top 40 formats at the time, it featured a limited playlist of only the top hits, with strict minimal talk and a more music approach presented in a straightforward manner. This format was adopted by other stations across the country, including RKO General stations KHJ in Los Angeles, WHBQ in Memphis and WOR-FM in New York. Virtually any station using the Drake sound rose to the top of its market.

By the end of the 1970s, however, rock and Top 40 radio had begun to migrate from AM to FM. In a three-year period from 1978 to 1981, WRKO lost a chunk of its audience. The station tried to compete with the surge in FM listening, first with a short-lived focus on album cuts and later by switching to more of an adult contemporary music format, featuring a morning program with market legend Norm Nathan. A switch to a country music format was also reportedly briefly considered. In 1980, WRKO began running talk programming during evening hours. On September 27, 1981, the station switched to an all-talk format; at 6:00 p.m. on that date, Justin Clark played the last song, "American Pie" by Don McLean.

Talk era

[edit]
former logo

After switching to the talk radio format, Norm Nathan was retained as morning host; the initial lineup also included Dick Syatt in late mornings, Dr. Harry Sobel in middays, Jerry Williams in afternoon drive, and Guy Mainella and David Brudnoy in evenings.[32] As it moved to more issue-oriented talk, some of the most prominent talk radio hosts in the country broadcast on WRKO, such as Gene Burns, the aforementioned Williams, Ted O'Brien, and Paul Parent.

But throughout the 1980s, WRKO's parent company, General Tire and Rubber, later renamed Gencorp, was under multiple federal investigations and ultimately under an FCC investigation due to its "lack of candor" for failing to disclose unlawful operations by General Tire. In the midst of the investigation into its parent company's problems, RKO General found itself under investigation for reciprocal trade practices involving several of its properties, and later for double billing by a radio network it organized, the RKO Radio Network. The FCC license hearings culminated in the loss of the company's license to operate WNAC-TV;[33] RKO General sold the station assets to New England Television Corporation, who was awarded a license for a replacement station.[34][35] WNAC-TV signed off permanently on May 21, 1982, with WNEV-TV (now WHDH-TV) taking its place the next morning.[36][37]

After a long and protracted battle, FCC administrative law judge Edward Kuhlmann ruled on August 11, 1987, that all of RKO General's broadcast licenses, including WRKO's license, be denied renewal;[38][39][40] this excluded WOR-TV, which had its city of license changed from New York to Secaucus, New Jersey, in an attempt to avoid the loss of its license, then was divested to MCA Inc. nine months prior to the ruling.[41] Gencorp initially appealed the ruling,[42] but was advised by the FCC that any appeal would be denied, and that their stations should be divested instead so as to avoid the indignity of additional license stripping without compensation.[43] As part of the settlements worked out in Boston, New York, Memphis, Chicago, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles and San Francisco, WRKO and its FM sister station, WROR (the former WNAC-FM and WRKO-FM; now WBZ-FM), were sold to Atlantic Ventures Corp., operated by cable television executive Steve Dodge, for $28 million in November 1988;[44] Gencorp only received $17.5 million, with the rest being awarded to past applicants that had competed for the licenses.[45]

On December 1, 1992, Atlantic Ventures acquired WHDH (850 AM) from New England Television Corporation, which had put the station up for sale to help pay down debt;[46] the sale put the two talk stations under the same ownership.[47] Atlantic Ventures merged with two other radio groups, Stoner Broadcasting Systems and Multi Market Communications, on June 5, 1993, to form American Radio Systems;[48] the combined company would then purchase the intellectual property of WEEI (590 AM) from Back Bay Broadcasters on August 15, 1994.[49] As part of the deal, WHDH would change its call letters to WEEI, and change format to sports radio; The Rush Limbaugh Show, Howie Carr and the "Skyway Patrol" traffic report branding were all moved from WHDH to WRKO in the transaction, which was consummated on August 29.[49]

Westinghouse Electric Corporation, then-parent company of CBS Radio, announced its acquisition of American Radio Systems in September 1997;[50] the merger was completed in 1998.[44] As the combined company would have controlled 59 percent of advertising revenues in the Boston market, as well as three of the top five radio stations, in April 1998 the Department of Justice ordered CBS to divest WRKO, WEEI, WAAF (now WKVB), and WEGQ (now WEEI-FM), as well as KSD and KLOU in St. Louis and WOCT in Baltimore, as a condition of its approval of the merger.[51] In August 1998, Entercom announced plans to acquire the four Boston-area stations, along with WWTM (now WVEI), from CBS for $140 million.[52]

WRKO was, from 1986 to 1994, the flagship station for the Boston Red Sox. In 2006, Entercom inked a 10-year deal to make WRKO the co-flagship station for the Red Sox Radio Network along with WEEI; WEEI once again became the sole flagship station on August 26, 2009. WRKO also carried Boston Celtics basketball broadcasts from 2005 to 2007, when WEEI assumed the flagship station role.

Howie Carr took over for Jerry Williams in the afternoon drive time slot in 1994; Williams would move first to late mornings,[53] then to weekend afternoons in January 1997,[54] before leaving WRKO altogether in October 1998.[55] The Howie Carr Show eventually was picked up by other talk stations around New England and briefly syndicated by ABC Radio Networks before syndication was taken over by Entercom, and ultimately, by Carr himself.[56] After a lengthy labor dispute between Carr and Entercom in 2007, WRKO dropped the program in November 2014, with Carr signing WMEX as a replacement affiliate for the Boston market.[57] WRKO and Howie Carr reached an agreement to carry the show again on March 16, 2015, but with the station as an affiliate instead of acting as his employer.[58]

On November 16, 2006, all on-air news anchors and traffic reporters were fired.[59] WGBH-TV's Beat the Press reported that the news and traffic reporters were informed individually and received severance pay. WRKO contracted with Metro Networks (now the Total Traffic and Weather Network) to provide hourly news updates, including traffic and weather, during the day. In announcing the decision, WRKO said that the station's local news and issues would be driven by the talk show hosts, instead of the news anchors.

The station itself made news in early November 2006, when late morning host John DePetro was fired following his on-air description of gubernatorial candidate Grace Ross as a "fat lesbian".[60][61] Former Massachusetts House Speaker Tom Finneran was then hired as WRKO's morning-drive host in January 2007, replacing Scott Allen Miller;[62] WRKO host Todd Feinburg was added as a co-host in January 2009. Finneran was dropped from the lineup at the end of May 2012;[63][64] his replacement, Michele McPhee, was paired with Fineburg until October 31, when Jeff Kuhner was moved into the time slot.[65][66]

Massachusetts state trooper Grant Moulison was WRKO's lead traffic reporter from 1985 until retiring from the force in April 2006, with 32 years of service behind him.[67]

WRKO has notably dropped The Rush Limbaugh Show from its schedule two different times: the first time came in March 2010 when Clear Channel Communications (now iHeartMedia, current owners of WRKO) launched a talk station of its own on WXKS (1200 AM), and picked up the affiliation rights to it and other programs syndicated by Premiere Networks; this also included Coast to Coast AM, which WRKO aired in overnights.[68] After WXKS changed formats from talk radio to all-comedy in August 2012, both Rush Limbaugh and Coast to Coast AM returned to WRKO's lineup.[69][70] WRKO dropped Rush Limbaugh again in May 2015, citing the expenses for running Limbaugh had risen too steeply;[71] Kuhner was moved to the midday time slot; the replacement morning show, co-hosted by Kim Carrigan and Doug "VB" Goudie, featured material from Boston.com as part of a content partnership with The Boston Globe.[72]

iHeart era

[edit]

On February 2, 2017, CBS Radio announced it would merge with Entercom;[73] that October 10, CBS and Entercom placed WRKO, along with WKAF, WBZ, WBZ-FM, and WZLX, up for divestiture as part of the process of obtaining regulatory approval of the merger.[74] iHeartMedia acquired WRKO, WBZ, WZLX and WKAF as part of a multi-market station and asset swap between it and Entercom; to meet ownership limits set by the FCC, WKOX was designated to be divested.[75] The merger was approved on November 9, 2017, and consummated on November 17.[76][77] Until WKOX's spinoff into the Ocean Stations Trust was completed, WRKO was operated by the Entercom Divestiture Trust, while the sister stations began being operated by iHeart once the merger closed.[78] iHeart began operating WRKO on December 19, 2017; on that date, it completed its acquisition of WRKO, WZLX, WKAF, and WBZ.[79][80] With the ownership change, WRKO added a simulcast on the HD-2 signal of WZLX.[2]

WRKO's studios moved to iHeartMedia's facilities in Medford in July 2018; the main talk studio is shared with WBZ.[81]

In late November 2018, WRKO moved Jeff Kuhner back to morning drive and Doug Goudie to middays, with Kim Carrigan exiting the station.[82] Two years later, iHeart laid off Goudie,[83] and announced a new show to be hosted by Grace Curley and produced by the Howie Carr Radio Network, which was launched on January 4, 2021.[84]

Programming

[edit]

WRKO has local conservative talk shows on its weekday schedule, including Jeff Kuhner, who hosts the morning drive time program, and The Howie Carr Show, hosted by Howie Carr, airs in late afternoons; Carr's show is regionally syndicated to a number of other talk stations in New England, and an hour of Carr's show is simulcast on the cable network Newsmax TV. Conservative talk shows hosted by Jesse Kelly (syndicated via Premiere Networks); and Joe Pags (syndicated via Compass Media Networks) air during the evening hours. Paranormal/conspiracy theory oriented program Coast to Coast AM with George Noory airs through the overnight hours, via Premiere Networks. This Morning, America's First News with Gordon Deal, also syndicated via Compass Media Networks, airs in the early morning hours.

WRKO airs several weekend talk programs, including: Gun Talk, The Money Pit Home Improvement Radio Show and The Lutheran Hour; syndicated shows hosted by Gil Gross and Bill Cunningham; and assorted brokered programming.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

WRKO

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

WRKO (680 kHz AM) is a commercial news/ station licensed to , , , owned and operated by , broadcasting a format branded as "The Voice of ." The station features syndicated and local talk programs, including The Show, hosted by journalist , and The Kuhner Report, led by Jeffrey Kuhner, alongside shows like Grace Curley and The Financial Exchange. These programs emphasize political commentary, current events, and listener interaction, contributing to WRKO's role as a prominent outlet for conservative-leaning discourse in the . Tracing its origins to WNAC, Boston's third licensed radio station established in the early , WRKO adopted its current call letters in 1967 under ownership, initially programming Top 40 music until shifting to in the early . This transition coincided with high-profile hosts like Jerry Williams, whose campaigns against proposed tax increases in during the drew significant listener engagement and ratings success, influencing public debates on . Ownership changes followed regulatory divestitures, passing from to Atlantic Ventures (later American Radio Systems) in 1988, then to Entercom in 1998, before iHeartMedia's acquisition amid industry consolidations. WRKO has periodically carried Boston Red Sox broadcasts, including a notable 10-year agreement signed in valued at up to $20 million, underscoring its sports programming extensions beyond talk. Despite challenges in the evolving media landscape, including competition from FM outlets and digital platforms, the station maintains a dedicated audience through its AM signal and streaming, reflecting the enduring appeal of live in regional markets.

History

Origins as WLAW (1937–1953)

WLAW signed on the air on December 19, 1937, as a kHz AM station licensed to , approximately 25 miles north of Boston. The station was owned by the publishers of the Lawrence Eagle-Tribune newspaper, specifically the Hildreth and Rogers Company, with studios initially located at 278 Essex Street in Lawrence and a transmitter site in West Andover. Irving Rogers served as station manager and George Luckey as chief engineer at launch. In its early years, WLAW operated as a local outlet providing general programming typical of regional AM stations of the era, including news, music, and community content tied to its newspaper ownership. By the early , the station expanded its reach by opening a studio on in , signaling an initial orientation toward the larger metropolitan market. In 1946–1947, WLAW relocated its transmitter to a new site on Meadow Road in , which enabled a power increase and broader coverage. This move coincided with the sign-on of WLAW-FM in 1947, though the AM facility remained the primary operation. By December 1951, WLAW-AM and its FM counterpart had shifted main studios to the Hotel Bradford in , with the station increasingly identifying as serving both Lawrence and audiences. Operating at 50,000 watts by this period, the station's signal extended effectively into the area, positioning it for urban competition. In 1953, the Hildreth and Rogers Company sold WLAW to (owner of WNAC-AM), marking the end of its independent local era as the callsign and frequency were repurposed for -focused operations.

WNAC era and format shifts (1953–1967)

In June 1953, General Teleradio (predecessor to ) acquired WLAW, the 680 AM station licensed to , to provide a more powerful signal for its existing WNAC operations previously on 1260 AM at 5,000 watts. On June 17, 1953, WNAC relocated its programming to 680 AM, adopting the call letters there while increasing to 50,000 watts via a , enabling broader coverage across . The former 1260 frequency, now divested, adopted new calls as WVDA. As the flagship of the Yankee Network—a regional chain founded by John Shepard III that linked stations for shared programming, including news and entertainment—WNAC maintained a full-service format emphasizing middle-of-the-road music, network affiliations (primarily ), and local talk. This included hourly regional newscasts and personalities such as Gus Saunders, who hosted morning segments with co-hosts like Roy Leonard and Jim Dixon as late as October 1960, blending light entertainment, standards, and community-oriented content. The Yankee Network's operations, originating from WNAC's studios, continued supplying affiliates until its final broadcast in 1967, amid declining viability for such chains post-network era. In 1957, the station's shifted from Lawrence to , aligning with its expanded reach and studios in the city. Concurrently, WNAC-FM (now 98.5 MHz) received the WRKO calls in 1960 while still simulcasting the AM signal, but by 1966, the FM adopted automated transitioning toward rock, foreshadowing format evolution. These changes reflected RKO General's strategy under ownership to modernize amid rising competition from youth-oriented stations. On March 3, 1967, WNAC-AM dropped its calls for WRKO to unify branding with the FM and launched a Top 40 format, emphasizing contemporary hits to capture a younger audience previously served by rivals like WMEX. This shift marked the end of WNAC's traditional full-service identity, though Yankee Network ties lingered briefly.

Top 40 dominance (1967–1981)

In March 1967, WRKO transitioned to a (Top 40) format, drawing inspiration from the high-energy, tightly programmed "Boss Radio" style pioneered by stations like KHJ in . This shift, under ownership, featured a playlist limited to approximately 30 current hits, rapid-paced jingles, and personality-driven announcing to appeal to teenagers and young adults. The station's 50,000-watt clear-channel signal provided broad coverage across , giving it an edge over competitors like WMEX (1510 AM), which operated at lower power (5,000 watts daytime, 1,000 watts nighttime) and struggled with suburban reception. The format change yielded immediate results, with WRKO capturing a 25% share of the Boston radio audience within months and surpassing WMEX as the market's leading Top 40 outlet. By 1968, it achieved nearly 60% of the teen demographic share, reflecting its appeal through energetic air personalities such as J.J. Jeffrey, who handled afternoon drive starting that year. WRKO emphasized a "suburban-oriented" sound with polished production, weekly music surveys distributed at record stores, and promotions like Top 300 countdowns, which reinforced listener loyalty amid evolving hits from acts like and . Throughout the 1970s, WRKO maintained market leadership in the Top 40 category, adapting to and rock crossovers while fending off emerging FM challengers through its AM dominance and consistent ratings edge over WMEX, which faded by mid-decade. Airchecks from hosts like Dale Dorman and Harry Nelson highlight the station's high-production jingles and fast-talking style, which sustained popularity until format fatigue and FM prompted a pivot to on September 27, 1981. The era solidified WRKO's reputation as Boston's premier hit music station, with weekly Top 30 surveys documenting shifts in pop tastes through 1981.

Transition to conservative talk radio (1981–1999)

On September 27, 1981, at 6:00 p.m., WRKO abruptly ended its Top 40 music format, which had dominated since 1967, transitioning to an all-talk lineup branded as "The Voice of Boston." The final song played was "American Pie" by Don McLean, marking the close of an era amid the broader industry shift where AM stations increasingly ceded music audiences to FM competitors. The new format emphasized news, public affairs, and call-in discussions, incorporating local hosts known for provocative, opinion-driven commentary that often aligned with conservative and libertarian perspectives, such as fiscal skepticism and anti-regulatory stances. This change positioned WRKO as a key player in Boston's emerging talk radio landscape, bolstered by the addition of Boston Red Sox baseball broadcasts, which enhanced its sports appeal and listener retention. Central to the station's early talk success was Jerry Williams, a veteran host who joined WRKO in 1981 and anchored the afternoon drive slot until 1998, drawing controversy for his combative style dubbed "the man you love to hate" by station promotions. Williams, a pioneer in interactive call-in radio, focused on local issues like crime, taxes, and government overreach, fostering a format that appealed to audiences seeking unfiltered debate over mainstream media narratives. Complementing him were midday host Gene Burns, known for economic conservatism and caller engagement, and morning pairings like Janet Jeghelian and Ted O'Brien, who covered politics and current events with a right-leaning tilt. By the late 1980s, this lineup of extended four-hour shows drove WRKO's ratings strength in the midday and afternoon blocks, capitalizing on the national rise of syndicated conservative voices post-FCC deregulation in 1987, though WRKO prioritized local talent over early national syndication like Rush Limbaugh. Ownership transitioned in 1988 when , facing federal investigations into billing practices and character qualifications, divested WRKO to Atlantic Ventures for $27.7 million, with proceeds split among RKO and license challengers. Under Atlantic Ventures (later evolving into American Radio Systems), WRKO maintained its talk focus through the , adapting to competitive pressures by refining programming around high-profile local hosts and sports content, while navigating AM's technical challenges in urban markets. The station's conservative-leaning discourse, rooted in host-driven skepticism of institutional authority, solidified its niche amid Boston's politically diverse audience, though ratings fluctuated with host departures and format tweaks. By 1999, WRKO remained a staple for issue-oriented talk, setting the stage for further national syndication integrations in the new millennium.

iHeartMedia era and recent adaptations (2000–present)

In November 2017, as part of divestitures required for Entercom Communications' merger with , acquired WRKO from Entercom in a multi-station exchange that also included Boston's WBZ-AM, WZLX-FM, and WKAF-FM. The transaction, valued undisclosed but part of broader assets swapped for stations in Richmond and Chattanooga, allowed —successor to Clear Channel Communications following its 2014 —to consolidate its cluster, which already included outlets like KISS 108 (). Operations of the acquired stations, including WRKO, transitioned to control in early 2018 after regulatory approvals and divestment trusts were resolved. Under ownership, WRKO maintained its longstanding format, emphasizing local and syndicated programming targeted at a politically conservative audience in and surrounding . Key local hosts included Jeffrey Kuhner with The Kuhner Report in mornings and , a Boston-based columnist and commentator whose eponymous show originated from WRKO since the 1980s and drew ratings through syndicated reach. The station integrated syndicated national shows such as those from (an iHeart subsidiary), including figures aligned with conservative viewpoints, while leveraging iHeart's digital infrastructure for streaming via the app and distribution to expand beyond traditional AM broadcast. In August 2018, iHeartMedia relocated WRKO and its Boston sister stations to consolidated studios in Medford, enhancing production capabilities amid the company's push for multi-platform content delivery. iHeartMedia's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in March 2018, stemming from over $20 billion in debt accumulated via prior leveraged buyouts, introduced financial pressures but did not result in WRKO's sale or format overhaul; the reduced debt by approximately $10 billion through creditor agreements, allowing operational continuity across iHeart's 850+ stations, including WRKO. Post-bankruptcy emergence in , WRKO adapted to industry shifts by amplifying digital metrics, with iHeart reporting station-level audio streams and app engagement as key revenue drivers amid declining traditional radio ad dollars. Recent adaptations have focused on lineup refreshes to boost listenership amid AM radio's competitive landscape. In early 2023, Grace Curley's afternoon show expanded, followed by syndicated additions like The Jesse Kelly Show. By January 2025, WRKO adjusted its weekday schedule: Howie Carr shifted to 2-6 p.m., Jesse Kelly to 6-9 p.m., and Adam Kaufman's sports/gambling program extended to 9 p.m.-midnight, reflecting iHeart's strategy to blend local conservatism with national syndication for broader appeal. These changes coincided with iHeart's emphasis on live, event-driven content, such as election coverage, to sustain WRKO's role as a voice for conservative discourse in a market dominated by progressive media outlets.

Technical and Operational Details

Signal characteristics and coverage

WRKO operates on the AM frequency of 680 kHz with a transmitter power of 50,000 watts during both daytime and nighttime hours, enabling unlimited operation as a clear-channel Class B station under FCC regulations. The station employs a system utilizing three towers, configured in two distinct patterns to manage interference and optimize signal . The transmitter site is located in , at coordinates 42° 29' 25" N, 71° 13' 03" W, adjacent to Meadow Road near the Burlington Mall. Daytime coverage extends across much of , providing reliable groundwave reception from , to , serving the primary market of and surrounding areas with strong signal strength for local news and talk programming. At night, the signal experiences greater limitations due to and interference from other high-power stations on 680 kHz across the , reducing effective coverage primarily to the immediate region while still maintaining listenability within core markets. This directional setup and power level support WRKO's role as a regional powerhouse for , though nighttime listeners beyond 100-150 miles may encounter fading or nulls depending on atmospheric conditions and competing signals.

Ownership transitions and regulatory issues

WRKO was originally licensed as WLAW in 1941 but acquired by General Teleradio (later ) in 1953, marking its entry into the RKO portfolio as part of a broader expansion of holdings. Under 's , the station underwent significant changes, including its rebranding to WRKO in 1967, while operating amid growing scrutiny of RKO's corporate practices. Regulatory challenges peaked in the 1980s when the (FCC) investigated for character qualification failures, including misrepresentations in license renewal applications and ties to parent company GenCorp's defense contract irregularities, leading to the denial of license renewals for multiple RKO properties. These issues, compounded by a involving questionable billing practices and lack of candor toward the FCC, forced RKO to divest assets to retain other licenses; WRKO was sold to Atlantic Ventures in 1988 for compliance with FCC divestiture orders. Atlantic Ventures, led by Steve Dodge, transitioned the station through subsequent mergers, evolving into American Media before selling WRKO to Entercom Communications in August 1998 for $65 million plus two stations. Entercom retained ownership until 2017, when its merger with exceeded FCC ownership caps in the , necessitating divestitures; WRKO was transferred to as part of regulatory-mandated asset swaps to restore compliance. No major FCC enforcement actions have targeted WRKO directly post-1988, though the station has navigated broader industry shifts in content distribution and syndication without noted license revocations. has held WRKO since the 2017 transaction, integrating it into its cluster amid ongoing adaptations to digital and syndicated programming.

Programming

Current news/talk lineup

WRKO's weekday programming emphasizes , featuring local Boston-based hosts alongside syndicated national shows. The lineup, as of October 2025, runs primarily from early morning through evening, with local content dominating mornings and afternoons before transitioning to national syndication.
Time Slot (ET)ProgramHost(s)
6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.The Kuhner ReportJeffrey Kuhner
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.The Financial ExchangeBarry Armstrong and others
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.The Grace Curley ShowGrace Curley
2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.The Howie Carr Show
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.Jesse Kelly
9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.Sports and talk (expanded slot)Adam Kaufman
This schedule reflects adjustments effective January 1, 2025, including the shift of The Howie Carr Show to 2:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. and to 6:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m., followed by local sports-focused programming. Overnight hours feature syndicated content such as , maintaining the station's focus on , , and listener interaction. Weekend lineups differ, incorporating reports, financial shows like Kelly Financial, and repeats or specials, but weekdays anchor the core news/talk format.

Historical program evolution

WRKO's programming began with a Top 40 format upon its relaunch on March 13, 1967, emphasizing high-energy disc jockeys who played the day's most popular hit songs, such as those by and , interspersed with news briefs and contests to engage younger listeners. This music-driven approach dominated through the 1970s, featuring overnight hosts like Jon Powers who maintained the station's rhythmic pace with continuous playlists of current singles. By the late 1970s, amid declining AM music listenership due to FM competition, WRKO evolved toward adult contemporary music during daytime hours, softening its playlist to include easier-listening tracks while experimenting with talk segments in evenings and overnights to retain older demographics. Shows like the laid-back "Morning Magazine" hosted by Norm Nathan and Jordan Rich exemplified this hybrid, blending light music with conversational elements in 1981. The decisive shift to full-time talk radio occurred on September 27, 1981, at 6:00 p.m., abandoning music entirely for call-in discussions on local and national issues, which revitalized the station's ratings. Early lineup staples included Jerry Williams in afternoon drive, known for confrontational debates on politics and social topics, and David Brudnoy in evenings, offering intellectual analysis that drew consistent audiences. Sports programming, such as Boston Red Sox baseball broadcasts starting in the early 1980s, integrated seamlessly, enhancing the talk format's local appeal. Through the and , the schedule expanded with hosts like Gene Burns from 1985 onward, focusing on libertarian-leaning commentary, while incorporating syndicated conservative voices amid the format's national rise. This progression from music-centric entertainment to opinion-driven discourse reflected broader AM radio trends, prioritizing listener interaction over recorded content and solidifying WRKO's role in conservative-leaning public debate.

Notable Personalities

Influential hosts and their roles

Jerry Williams served as a cornerstone host on WRKO from 1981 to 1998, playing a pivotal role in the station's shift from Top 40 music to issue-oriented ; his combative style, often billed as "the man you love to hate," drew high listener engagement and helped establish WRKO as a leading conservative talk outlet in . Williams' programs focused on political debates, caller interactions, and local controversies, influencing the format's emphasis on unfiltered public discourse during a period of national syndication growth for . Gene Burns hosted a prominent evening on WRKO, contributing to the station's reputation for hosting nationally recognized personalities who addressed policy issues and cultural topics with a conservative bent; his tenure underscored WRKO's appeal to audiences seeking alternatives to narratives. has anchored afternoons on WRKO for over 20 years, evolving into a syndicated presence while maintaining a focus on Boston-area politics, corruption exposés, and anti-establishment commentary; inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame, Carr's role has solidified WRKO's identity as a platform for and populist . Jeffrey T. Kuhner hosts the morning drive "Kuhner Report" on WRKO since at least , delivering four hours of nationalist conservative analysis on topics like , , and cultural decline; described as "Liberalism's Worst Nightmare," his program prioritizes breaking political news and family-values advocacy, attracting a dedicated local following. Grace Curley, executive producer of the Howie Carr Show, expanded into her own midday slot on WRKO, where she covers current events, media critique, and conservative perspectives as a columnist; her role bridges generational appeal, emphasizing youth-oriented defenses of traditional values amid shifting media landscapes.

Contributions to conservative discourse

WRKO personalities have advanced conservative discourse by delivering sustained critiques of progressive policies and institutional in a region where such viewpoints face marginalization. Jeffrey T. Kuhner, host of The Kuhner Report weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. since 2010, promotes a nationalist framework prioritizing values, border security, and resistance to . His broadcasts frequently dissect Democratic governance in , including opposition to migrant shelter expansions and fiscal expansions under Maura Healey, as demonstrated by his organization of a May 4, 2024, State House rally where he condemned state policies on and public safety. Kuhner's advocacy for MAGA-aligned extends to intra-party conflicts, such as his February 2024 commentary on efforts by Republican establishment figures to sideline Trump supporters, thereby reinforcing conservative mobilization. Howie Carr, anchoring afternoons on The Howie Carr Show since the , has bolstered conservative arguments through and satirical takedowns of political elites. A columnist, Carr exposes systemic corruption in politics, from ties to one-party dominance, earning recognition as an outspoken interrogator of power structures. His influence permeates national rhetoric; for instance, Carr originated the "Pocahontas" moniker for Senator in 2012 to highlight discrepancies in her Native American heritage claims, a term later adopted by during the 2016 campaign. Carr's emphasis on and law-and-order priorities counters prevailing narratives in Boston's left-leaning media ecosystem. Grace Curley, who assumed middays on January 4, 2021, contributes a millennial conservative lens, dissecting media distortions and cultural issues like campus radicalism and failures. Her programming amplifies youth-oriented defenses of free markets and traditional institutions, complementing WRKO's role in sustaining debate on conservative tenets such as tax reductions and police funding amid urban challenges. Together, these hosts foster empirical scrutiny of policy outcomes, from rising rates linked to reforms to immigration's fiscal burdens, providing listeners with data-driven alternatives to establishment consensus.

Impact and Reception

Achievements in ratings and cultural influence

WRKO has sustained solid performance in ratings within Boston's competitive news/talk landscape, frequently ranking in the top 10 stations overall. In the June 2025 survey period (May 29 to June 25), the station achieved a 4.0 audience share, reflecting growth from prior books. Earlier, during July 2024 (June 20 to July 17), it posted a 3.3 share, securing tenth place among all formats. In March 2022, WRKO ranked eighth in overall popularity, outperforming many peers in a market dominated by sports and all-news outlets. Key programs have driven these results through strong demographic appeal. The , for instance, placed in the top five among men aged 25-54 during a 2017 ratings book and top 10 with adults 35-64, surpassing syndicated shows like in those metrics. The Howie Carr Show similarly excelled, ranking fifth in the 35-54 demographic during a 2010 survey period amid contract negotiations. In terms of cultural influence, WRKO has served as a prominent conservative counterpoint in politically liberal , fostering discourse on , , and criticism of progressive policies through hosts like Jeffrey Kuhner, self-described as "Liberalism's Worst Nightmare." , a longtime fixture, extended local impact nationally by originating the derisive nickname "Pocahontas" for Senator , which former President popularized in rallies and tweets starting in 2017. Former host also garnered recognition, appearing on Talkers Magazine's list of the 100 most influential radio hosts. This programming has cultivated a dedicated audience, amplifying conservative perspectives amid mainstream media's left-leaning tendencies in the region.

Criticisms from media analysts and opponents

Media analysts and opponents have frequently accused WRKO of amplifying inflammatory rhetoric that fosters division, with specific targets including hosts and . Media critic Dan Kennedy, in a 2007 analysis of the station's programming, described Carr as having "devolved into a homophobic race-baiter with a lazy show," arguing that such content contributed to WRKO's declining relevance amid broader shifts in audience preferences away from confrontational . Similarly, a 2016 opinion piece in the Lowell Sun characterized daily broadcasts by Carr and Kuhner as featuring "inflammatory nonsense" that degrades women and ethnic groups, framing the station's conservative commentary as rooted in rather than substantive debate. Left-leaning watchdog group has scrutinized Carr's rhetoric, documenting instances on his WRKO show and related platforms where he deployed what they termed discriminatory language against racial minorities, immigrants, and , particularly during his support for Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign; the organization cited examples such as Carr's mockery of accents and stereotypes as evidence of bigotry enabling broader . These critiques often emanate from sources with avowed progressive orientations, which analysts like Kennedy—himself a journalism professor—have leveraged to argue that WRKO's unfiltered style prioritizes provocation over factual discourse, potentially alienating moderate listeners in a liberal-leaning region like . Opponents within conservative circles have also voiced concerns, as seen in a March 2024 complaint filed by chair Amy Carnevale against Kuhner for on-air remarks labeling party officials as "cowards" and worse during a broadcast on February 23, 2024; Carnevale contended the comments exhibited "gross offensiveness" and undermined party unity, prompting a referral to federal regulators. Such intra-ideological friction highlights accusations that WRKO hosts occasionally prioritize personal vendettas over constructive , though defenders counter that the station's combative format reflects authentic pushback against perceived complacency. Overall, these criticisms portray WRKO as a vector for unchecked partisanship, with detractors claiming it erodes civil discourse in New England media landscapes dominated by left-leaning outlets.

Controversies

RKO General scandal and fallout

In the 1970s, , the owner of WRKO, became embroiled in a major corporate scandal stemming from its parent company, and Rubber (later GenCorp), which admitted to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission involvement in widespread illegal activities, including international of foreign officials and domestic reciprocal trade deals that violated antitrust laws. These disclosures, combined with a specific and scheme in New York where RKO executives allegedly paid kickbacks to city officials to undermine a rival applicant's challenge to WOR-TV's license renewal, raised serious questions about RKO's "character qualifications" under (FCC) standards. The FCC, tasked with ensuring licensees operate in the , initiated protracted comparative renewal hearings across RKO's portfolio, viewing the misconduct as evidence of systemic deceit and lack of candor in financial reporting and regulatory compliance. The scandal's escalation led to initial FCC decisions denying license renewals for RKO's television stations, including WNAC-TV in in 1980, upheld on appeal in 1981, due to the company's "egregious lack of candor" in concealing parent company improprieties. By 1987, an FCC ruled RKO unfit to hold licenses for all 14 of its remaining radio and television stations nationwide, citing the cumulative weight of , inaccurate financial disclosures, and failure to disclose executive involvement in scandals during renewal applications. This marked one of the longest and most contentious licensing disputes in U.S. broadcast history, spanning over two decades and forcing RKO to defend its operations in multiple federal courts. For WRKO specifically, the fallout manifested in regulatory pressure culminating in divestiture rather than outright revocation. To avert total license forfeiture, RKO negotiated settlements involving station sales; on November 3, 1988, the FCC approved the transfer of WRKO-AM (along with co-owned ) in to Atlantic Ventures, a predecessor to later owners, for an undisclosed sum as part of resolving the character qualification challenges. The station's operations continued uninterrupted under new ownership, preserving its format as a outlet, though the scandal effectively ended RKO General's broadcasting presence and highlighted vulnerabilities in FCC oversight of corporate parent influences on licensees. No evidence emerged of direct operational at WRKO itself, but the parent-level scandals underscored broader risks to affiliated stations' stability.

Content disputes and host-related incidents

In 2006, host John DePetro was fired from WRKO after referring to Green-Rainbow Party gubernatorial candidate Grace Ross as a "fat " on air, a remark deemed inflammatory by station management. Earlier that year, DePetro received a two-day suspension for using a homosexual slur to describe Authority chairman Matthew J. Mattarelli during a broadcast criticizing toll hikes. These incidents highlighted tensions over on-air language boundaries at the station, though DePetro continued his career at other outlets, winning an award for in in 2008. On July 10, 2007, longtime host filed a in Suffolk Superior Court against WRKO, alleging that non-compete and renewal clauses in his illegally restricted his ability to join rival station WTKK-FM, which had offered a more lucrative five-year deal for the morning drive slot. Carr's existing WRKO was set to expire in September 2007, but the suit claimed the station had failed to properly exercise a renewal option by the March deadline, rendering the restrictive provisions unenforceable under law; the case sought a court declaration to that effect, along with legal fees. In March 2024, chair Amy Carnevale filed a complaint with federal regulators against WRKO host , citing remarks from his March 1 broadcast as "grossly offensive" and demeaning to women. During the "Kuhner Report," Kuhner quoted a line from the film —"I don’t go to bed with no whore. I don’t wake up with no whore"—while criticizing Carnevale and payments involving the party and Carr's network, prompting accusations of and potential discouragement of female political involvement. Kuhner responded on , dismissing the complaint as a "censorship attempt" and rejecting claims of bias against women. No fines or further regulatory action against WRKO were reported from the filing.

References

  1. https://wrko.iheart.com/
  2. https://www.bostonradio.org/stations/1902
  3. https://www.oldradio.com/archives/stations/bos1.htm
  4. https://fadedsignals.com/post/163709380566/wlaw-went-on-the-air-from-lawrence-massachusetts
  5. https://www.playlistresearch.com/boston-radiohistory.htm
  6. https://www.facebook.com/groups/boss.radio.group/posts/1661075471225316/
  7. https://fadedsignals.com/post/39974056633/businessman-john-shepard-iii-started-wnac-radio-in
  8. https://airchexx.com/gus-saunders-680-wnac-boston-june-16-1961/
  9. https://www.facebook.com/groups/boss.radio.group/posts/1582736019059262/
  10. http://www.backbonehub.com/WRKO-TheLaunch-gnc.pdf
  11. https://www.facebook.com/groups/68wrko/
  12. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/boston-tests-new-music-flunks-out-wmex-and-wrko-battle-for-radio-listeners-39563/
  13. https://www.mab.org/maine-and-national-broadcast-legend-j-j-jeffrey-passes/
  14. https://radioink.com/2017/08/21/greatest-top-40-stations-time/
  15. https://www.ebay.com/itm/336187491044
  16. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyO3BvDeUJY
  17. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uwdaFx0JE0
  18. https://formatchangearchive.com/wrko-flips-to-talk/
  19. https://www.ebay.com/itm/336041691848
  20. https://dankennedy.net/2007/07/10/wrkos-long-painful-decline/
  21. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-11-03-fi-895-story.html
  22. https://radiodiscussions.com/threads/wrko-back-to-the-80s-big-3-concept.493921/post-4359799
  23. https://www.iheartmedia.com/press/iheartmedia-announces-strategic-station-exchange-entercom-communications-seattle-boston
  24. https://radioinsight.com/headlines/120711/entercom-trades-boston-seattle-spin-offs-iheartmedia-richmond-chattanooga-2/
  25. https://www.iheartmedia.com/press/clear-channel-becomes-iheartmedia
  26. https://radioinsight.com/headlines/120779/iheart-sends-three-divestment-trust/
  27. https://www.insideradio.com/free/iheartmedia-unveils-new-studios-for-boston-stations/article_f9ce3ef8-a50c-11e8-a537-33ccc101c8ef.html
  28. https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2018/03/15/iheartmedia-owner-wbz-wrko-files-for-bankruptcy/d5DHspwNIF0YzpGV7vOiuJ/story.html
  29. https://www.iheartmedia.com/press/iheartmedia-reaches-agreement-principle-stakeholders-across-capital-structure
  30. https://www.wsj.com/articles/radio-giant-iheart-faces-costly-reckoning-on-debt-10-years-after-buyout-1517567406
  31. https://radiodiscussions.com/threads/howie-carr-grace-curley-show-schedule-change.774599/
  32. https://ramp247.com/pros-in-motion/wrko-boston-adds-curley-kelly/
  33. https://wrko.iheart.com/featured/the-kuhner-report/content/2025-01-21-1179-the-kuhner-report-a-new-era-begins/
  34. https://radio-locator.com/info/WRKO-AM
  35. https://radiodiscussions.com/threads/six-50-000-watt-am-stations-in-boston.579748/
  36. https://www.fybush.com/sites/2004/site-040611.html
  37. https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F2/670/215/118125/
  38. https://www.bostonherald.com/2017/11/02/shattuck-entercom-cbs-merger-sends-wrko-wbz-to-new-owners/
  39. https://wrko.iheart.com/schedule/monday/
  40. https://wrko.iheart.com/featured/the-howie-carr-show/
  41. https://wrko.iheart.com/schedule/thursday/
  42. https://wrko.iheart.com/schedule/sunday/
  43. https://www.facebook.com/groups/931009353631548/posts/24130443049928184/
  44. https://airchexx.com/frank-kingston-smith-norm-nathan-jordan-rich-morning-magazine-68-wrko-boston-may-281981/
  45. https://www.c-span.org/organization/wrko-radio-boston/16084/
  46. https://wrko.iheart.com/featured/the-kuhner-report/
  47. https://radioink.com/2018/11/19/kuhner-takes-mornings-at-wrko-boston/
  48. https://wrko.iheart.com/featured/the-grace-curley-show/
  49. https://wrko.iheart.com/featured/the-kuhner-report/about/
  50. https://www.bostonherald.com/2024/05/04/conservative-radio-host-blasts-massachusetts-democrats-and-migrant-shelter-policy-at-state-house-rally/
  51. https://wrko.iheart.com/featured/the-kuhner-report/content/2024-02-29-the-massachusetts-republican-civil-war/
  52. https://www.radiohalloffame.com/howie-carr
  53. https://radioink.com/2020/11/19/wrko-adds-grace-curley-in-2021/
  54. https://wrko.iheart.com/featured/the-kuhner-report/content/2025-05-28-a-big-beautiful-winner/
  55. https://www.bostonherald.com/2024/03/02/massgop-chair-amy-carnevale-files-complaint-over-conservative-radio-hosts-comments/
  56. https://radioinsight.com/headlines/304134/june-2025-5-29-6-25-nielsen-audio-ppm-ratings-day-2-its-extra-sunny-in-san-diego/
  57. https://talkers.com/tag/wrko/
  58. https://radiodiscussions.com/threads/boston-radio-ratings-march-2022.748603/
  59. https://radiodiscussions.com/threads/jeff-kuhner-wrko-ratings.701764/
  60. https://www.bostonherald.com/2010/05/20/howie-carr-raises-a-stink-vs-wrko/
  61. https://medium.com/the-culture-corner/the-late-jay-severin-and-the-elusive-world-of-political-talk-radio-a24602ace07
  62. https://www.lowellsun.com/ci_30022620/am-talk-radios-racist-rants-fall-deaf-ears/
  63. https://www.mediamatters.org/donald-trump/bigotry-howie-carr-donald-trumps-friend-and-town-hall-host
  64. https://www.nytimes.com/1980/10/01/archives/fcc-bars-rko-plan-on-stations-denies-proposed-broadcast-unit.html
  65. https://time.com/archive/6710141/turning-off-rkos-licenses/
  66. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1987/08/12/fcc-judge-rules-rko-unfit-to-hold-radio-tv-licences/91f7e785-b1fe-4d14-97b4-56db951621e4/
  67. https://www.nytimes.com/1981/12/05/business/denial-of-rko-license-for-boston-tv-upheld.html
  68. https://www.golocalprov.com/news/depetro-controversy-sparks-first-amendment-debate/
  69. https://pbn.com/wpro-ratings-controversy-rages-on34881/
  70. https://www.bostonherald.com/2008/03/13/fired-wrko-host-wins-award-in-ri/
  71. https://www.bostonherald.com/2007/07/10/carr-files-suit-against-wrko-for-trying-to-stop-new-deal-with-rival/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.