WATA
 | |
| Frequency | 1450 kHz |
|---|---|
| Programming | |
| Format | Local News Talk Information |
| Affiliations | IMG, North Carolina News Network, Westwood One |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Curtis Media Group |
| WWMY, WZJS, WMMY, WECR, WXIT | |
| History | |
First air date | February 2, 1951 |
Call sign meaning | WATAuga County |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 71068 |
| Class | C |
| Power | 1,000 watts unlimited |
Transmitter coordinates | 36°12′59.00″N 81°42′6.00″W / 36.2163889°N 81.7016667°W |
| Translator(s) | W243DH (96.5 MHz, Boone) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Website | http://GoBlueRidge.net |
WATA (1450 AM) is a radio station broadcasting a Local News Talk Information format.[2] Licensed to Boone, North Carolina, United States. The station is currently owned by Curtis Media Group of Raleigh, North Carolina and features predominantly locally produced programming, including Bill Fisher in the Morning, as well as Mike Kelly's Swap Shop, and many others.[3]
History
In September 2003 Highland sold WATA, (along with WZJS 100.7FM) to Aisling Broadcasting (Jonathon Hoffman, managing member) for a price of $2.2 million.[4] This added to Aisling's holdings in the High Country, as they had already purchased WECR, WECR-FM, WXIT (from Rondinaro Broadcasting) for $2.2 million in 2003,[5] and WMMY (from Dale Hendrix) in 2004 for $1.58 million.[6]
Aisling went into receivership and George Reed of Media Services Group was appointed to manage the stations until a buyer is found.[7] Later in the year, Curtis Media Group purchased the stations.[8]
References
- ^ "Facility Technical Data for WATA". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ "WATA Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
- ^ "Station Information Profile". Arbitron.
- ^ "Changing Hands". Broadcasting & Cable. 2003-09-28. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
- ^ "Changing Hands". Broadcasting & Cable. 2003-10-12. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
- ^ "Changing Hands". Broadcasting & Cable. 2004-03-07. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
- ^ Scott Nicholson, "Receivership: Local Stations Seek Buyer," The Watauga Democrat, March 14, 2008.
- ^ "Transactions for October 10, 2008". Radio and Records. Retrieved 2011-10-18.
External links
- Facility details for Facility ID 71068 (WATA) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- WATA in Nielsen Audio's AM station database
- http://www.wataugademocrat.com/2005/placecalledhome/apch_19_bw.pdf A History of Local Media in the Watauga