WDSM

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WDSM
WDSM 710-98.1 logo.png
CitySuperior, Wisconsin
Broadcast areaDuluth-Superior
Frequency710 kHz
BrandingWDSM
SloganThe Talk of the North
Programming
FormatTalk
AffiliationsPremiere Networks
Westwood One
Fox News Radio
Salem Radio Network
Ownership
OwnerDuey E. Wright
(Midwest Communications, Inc.)
KDAL, KDAL-FM, KDKE, KTCO, WDUL
History
First air date
October 1939; 81 years ago (1939-10)
Call sign meaning
Duluth-Superior Mutual (original network)
Technical information
Facility ID71356
ClassB
Power10,000 watts (day)
5,000 watts (night)
Translator(s)98.1 W251CD (Superior)
Links
Websitewdsm710.com

WDSM (710 kHz) is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Superior, Wisconsin, serving the Duluth-Superior area of Northeastern Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin. WDSM is owned and operated by Midwest Communications and broadcasts a talk radio format. The radio studios and offices for WDSM, KDAL, KDAL-FM, KDKE, WDUL and KTCO are at 11 East Superior Street, Suite 380, in downtown Duluth.

By day, WDSM is powered at 10,000 watts non-directional. But AM 710 is a clear channel frequency reserved for WOR New York City and KIRO Seattle. So at night, to reduce interference, WDSM reduces power to 5,000 watts and uses a directional antenna with a four-tower array.[1] Programming is also heard on 250 watt FM translator W251CD at 98.1 MHz.[2]

Programming[]

Weekdays on WDSM begin with two local shows, "Wake Up Call with Neill Atkins" and "Sound Off with Brad Bennett." The rest of the weekday schedule is largely made up of nationally syndicated shows: Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, Dennis Prager, Hugh Hewitt, Sebastian Gorka and Mike Gallagher.

Weekends feature shows on money, health, religion, technology and the military. Weekend hosts include Kim Komando and Eric Metaxas. Most hours begin with world and national news from Fox News Radio.

History[]

WDSM signed on the air in October 1939; 81 years ago (1939-10). The requested call sign was W Duluth Superior Mutual, referring to the station's network affiliation with the Mutual Broadcasting System (MBS). WDSM provided Mutual programming throughout the Iron Range of Northern Minnesota as well as the Duluth-Superior market. It carried Mutual's dramas, comedies, news and sports during the "Golden Age of Television."

In the early 1940s, WDSM was powered at only 100 watts and broadcast on 1200 kilocycles.[3] The studios were in the Board of Trade Building in Superior. Robert Ridder purchased WDSM in 1948, and became its president.[4][5]

WDSM switched network affiliations with WEBC 560 AM in 1955. WEBC became the Mutual affiliate and WDSM began carrying NBC Radio programming and news. This was a direct result of WDSM's commitment to television and its founding of WDSM Channel 6 on March 1, 1954 as an NBC-TV affiliate (now KDLH-TV). WDSM stayed with NBC Radio until the early 1990s. The station aired a country format during the 1980s, and then sports radio during the 1990s. Around 2000, WDSM switched to a talk radio format. It carried The Rush Limbaugh Show in middays as the cornerstone of its talk programming.


References[]

  1. ^ Radio-Locator.com/WDSM
  2. ^ Radio-Locator.com/W251CD
  3. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1941 page 174
  4. ^ "Media mogul was owner of hockey team". Tribune Democrat. Johnstown, Pennsylvania. June 26, 2000. p. 21.Free to read
  5. ^ "Bob Ridder". Pavek Museum of Broadcasting. Retrieved 2018-10-08.

External links[]

Coordinates: 46°39′13″N 92°08′50″W / 46.65361°N 92.14722°W / 46.65361; -92.14722


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