WEED (AM)

WEED (1390 AM) is a radio station broadcasting a gospel music format. Licensed to Rocky Mount, North Carolina, United States, it serves the Rocky Mount/Wilson area. The station is currently owned by Northstar Broadcasting Corporation.

WEED
Broadcast areaRocky Mount-Wilson
Frequency1390 kHz
Branding1390 Jammin' Gospel
Programming
FormatGospel music
Ownership
OwnerNorthstar Broadcasting Corporation
WRSV
History
First air date
1933
Technical information
Facility ID54825
ClassD
Power5,000 watts day
30 watts night
Transmitter coordinates
35°57′43″N 77°49′35″W
Translator(s)105.7 MHz W289BL (Rocky Mount)

History

WEED signed on in Greenville, North Carolina in 1933, owned by the Wynne family. After moving to Rocky Mount, WEED added an FM station which later became WRSV. Bill Wynne took over the stations from his father and ran them until Charles and Sarah Johnson bought WEED in 1988. Sarah Johnson remained as head of Northstar Broadcasting after her husband's death.[1][2]

In 1994, WEED began a four-hour Spanish language program called La Pantera. By 2002, La Pantera had become a 24-hour format. Early that year, WEED began airing a Spanish version of the WRAL-TV 6 P.M. newscast.[3] In June 2003, WEED returned to English, with News/Talk, keeping La Pantera as a part-time show.[4] On June 1, 2005, WEED changed to Spanish Christian radio.[5]

In 2002, following Hurricane Floyd, WEED applied for and received authorization from the FCC reduce night-time power from 2.5 kW using a 3 tower directional antenna to 28 watts non-directional using a single tower for both day and night operation. The FCC application states the middle tower of the 3 tower array was destroyed and the tuning and phasing equipment was damaged or destroyed by the hurricane.

In 2009, when it also aired Rocky Mount High School football, WEED was Old School 1390,[6] "your new home for Old School", with an urban adult contemporary format. Other formats included urban contemporary gospel.

During 2011, WEED aired some North Carolina Central University sports events.[7]

Also in 2011, WEED changed from "1390 the Word" to "1390 Jammin' Gospel", airing Christian programming including 15-minute programs by pastors, and a variety of music including "urban, bluegrass, Christian country, Southern or gospel blues." Freddie Williams was program director and the only DJ.[1] Since then Donnell Bryant has been added as one of the daytime radio announcers on the all new 24hr all gospel format.

References
  1. "Station gives voice to gospel," Rocky Mount Telegram, September 15, 2011.
  2. "Community remembers radio great Bill Wynne," Rocky Mount Telegram, February 11, 2012.
  3. "Spanish Radio Station To Broadcast WRAL News". Capitol Broadcasting Company. 2002-01-29. Retrieved 2012-10-23.
  4. Natalie Jordan, "Latino media connect with N.C. newcomers," Rocky Mount Telegram, September 28, 2004.
  5. Fred Marion, "Local radio stations switch, tweak formats," Rocky Mount Telegram, July 21, 2005, Marquee section.
  6. Charles Alston, "Prep games on radio," The Nashville Graphic, August 18, 2009.
  7. "The shots not to be heard around the Triangle," The Herald-Sun, December 1, 2011, p. B1.
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