WOBM (AM)
 | This article has multiple issues. Please help or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
|
 | |
| City | Lakewood Township, New Jersey |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Monmouth–Ocean, New Jersey |
| Frequency | 1160 kHz |
| Branding | Beach Radio |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Format | Oldies |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Townsquare Media (Townsquare License, LLC) |
Sister stations | WADB, WCHR-FM, WJLK, WOBM-FM |
| History | |
First air date | November 20, 1970 |
Former call signs | WHLW (1970–1981) |
Former frequencies | 1170 kHz (1970–1988) |
Call sign meaning | Ocean, Burlington, Monmouth[1] |
| Technical information | |
| Facility ID | 49295 |
| Class | B |
| Power | 5,000 watts day 8,900 watts night |
Transmitter coordinates | 40°8′9.00″N 74°13′48.00″W / 40.1358333°N 74.2300000°W |
| Translator(s) | 104.1 W281CK (Lakewood Township) |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | mybeachradio.com |
WOBM (1160 AM) is a radio station licensed to Lakewood Township, New Jersey and broadcasting an oldies format. The station is owned by Townsquare Media and serves the Monmouth County area.[2]
History[]
The station sign-on was November 20, 1970. and it was originally a daytime-only operation on 1170 kHz, using the call letters WHLW. Early in its existence, it became a Top 40 station calling itself 11-7 Radio, featuring such disc jockeys as John Collure, Paul Irwin, Jack Tracksler, Charlie Roberts, Jay Sorensen, and Joey Reynolds. The station became WOBM in 1981, and in early 1988 moved to the 1160 frequency and became a 24-hour operation. At the time, the station was owned by North Shore Broadcasting Partners, which was affiliated with WOBM-FM's ownership group, Seashore Broadcasting.
During the late 1980s, WOBM was known as "1160 AM Star Country" and featured a country music format and New York Mets baseball games. Local airstaff at the time included general manager Kevin Buckelew, (son of co-owner Joseph Buckelew and known on-air as Kevin Carr), Tom Maciazak, Ava Holly and Kevin Hodge, although most of the programming was satellite-delivered. The station also simulcast Bob Levy's "Topic A" program on Sunday mornings from the sister FM station. Levy had originated the program while general manager of WOBM-AM-FM and continued the program after retiring from the position in the late 1980s. At the time, programming and ad sales operations emanated from WOBM's studios and transmitter site in Howell Township, just off Route 9.
In the 1990s, WOBM adopted an MOR format, and added Bob Levy and his wife Marianne as local morning hosts. Outside of the local morning show, WOBM featured Dial Global's syndicated "Adult Standards" format, known on-air by the handle America's Best Music.
On September 3, 2010, WOBM changed its format and branding to "Good-Time Oldies", and began simulcasting on 1310 WADB.
The WOBM News/Townsquare Media News team includes bureau chief Thomas Mongelli and morning anchor Dianne DeOliveira.
On May 19, 2014 WOBM changed their format from oldies to news/talk.[3]
On January 3, 2017, WOBM changed their format from news/talk to oldies, branded as "Beach Radio".[4]
On March 1, 2018, during WOBM FM's 50th year Bob Levy died at the age of 86.
On December 12, 2019 the station's translator 93.5 signed off and on December 29, 2019, its new translator on 104.1 signed on.
References[]
- ^ Louis, Justin. "Did you know what does WOBM stand for". wobm.com. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
- ^ "WOBM Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
- ^ Venta, Lance. "WOBM/WADB Shifts To Talk". radioinsight.com. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
- ^ Venta, Lance. "WOBM/WADB Go To The Beach". radioinsight.com. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
External links[]
- WOBM in the FCC AM station database
- WOBM on Radio-Locator
- WOBM in Nielsen Audio's AM station database
- Radio stations in New Jersey
- Oldies radio stations in the United States
- Townsquare Media radio stations