WATT

For other uses, see Watt (disambiguation).

WATT
Frequency1240 kHz
BrandingNews Talk 1240
Programming
FormatNews-Talk-Sports
AffiliationsMichigan Radio Network
Ownership
OwnerMacDonald Garber Broadcasting
WKAD, WKHQ-FM, WLXT, WLXV, WMKT, WMBN
History
First air date
September 30, 1945 (1945-09-30)
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
65928
ClassC
Power1,000 watts
TranslatorsW291DE (106.1 MHz, Cadillac)
Links
Public license information

WATT (1240 AM, "News Talk 1240") is a radio station broadcasting a news-talk-sports format. Licensed to Cadillac, Michigan, it began broadcasting in 1946.

WATT officially began broadcasting on September 30, 1945, as Cadillac's first radio station[2] on the frequency of 1240 kHz.[3] The station was founded by Les Biederman, a broadcast pioneer who had previously launched WTCM in Traverse City. WATT was a key member of Biederman’s Paul Bunyan Network, a group of small-market stations designed to provide localized news and entertainment to Northern Michigan communities.[4] During its early years, WATT operated with a power of 250 watts and served as an NBC Radio Network affiliate, bringing national programming and block-style variety shows to Wexford County residents.[5]

In the 1970s, Les Biederman sold WATT to Kenneth MacDonald Sr., the founder of MacDonald Broadcasting. MacDonald, a former hall-of-fame broadcaster from Saginaw, purchased the station alongside its FM sister (WLXV) and properties in Petoskey.[6]

In 1998, as part of a corporate reorganization of the family business, the Northern Michigan stations—including WATT—were spun off into a separate entity called MacDonald-Garber Broadcasting, headed by Patricia MacDonald-Garber.[7]

References

  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WATT". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ "Cadillac Gets Station". The Bay City Times. United Press. September 30, 1945. p. 10. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  3. ^ "1240 AM WATT Media Kit" (PDF). MacDonald-Garber Broadcasting. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
  4. ^ "WTCM (AM) History" (PDF). Broadcasting Publications Inc. p. C-104. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
  5. ^ "Michigan Radio History Records" (PDF). World Radio History. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
  6. ^ "MacDonald Broadcasting Hall of Fame". Michigan Association of Broadcasters. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
  7. ^ "Cadillac Chamber of Commerce Member Directory". Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved January 3, 2026.

44°13′27″N 85°24′0″W / 44.22417°N 85.40000°W / 44.22417; -85.40000


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