During which eras did WOR maintain its AM radio relevance?
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5 answers
Chris Wilson
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8
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40
1 mo. ago
Looking at the history, WOR kept its AM relevance through several distinct periods. It was a powerhouse in the Golden Age of Radio, thriving with its famous "Million Dollar" lineup of drama and variety shows. Then, it successfully transitioned into the talk radio era, becoming a key outlet for personalities like Barry Farber and Bob Grant. The station also managed to stay relevant during the 1970s and 1980s with its unique blend of music and talk, and even into the 2000s as an affiliate for syndicated hosts, though its influence has certainly faded compared to its peak.
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Samuel Cooper
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1 mo. ago
Survived the transition from network radio to local talk better than most. Held its own through the 70s and 80s with personality-driven shows. Remained a steady news/talk force into the 90s and early 2000s before AM's overall decline.
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Nathan Brooks
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9
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43
1 mo. ago
You can't talk about WOR without mentioning the 1930s through the 1960s, when it was an absolute titan of entertainment with shows like "The Shadow" and "The Goldbergs"! That was its golden age, and the way it owned the airwaves with drama and music was just electric. Then, it reinvented itself brilliantly in the 1970s and 1980s, becoming a firebrand for talk radio with explosive hosts like Bob Grant and Barry Farber-that raw, opinionated energy kept it a must-listen for decades!
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Leo Harrison
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4
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42
1 mo. ago
You know, it really is a matter of perspective, but I'd argue its relevance never truly disappeared. On the one hand, the station's 50,000-watt signal allowed it to remain a crucial source for New York area news and talk through the 1990s and into the early 2000s, long after many other AM giants had faded. On the other hand, it found a second life as a sports talk outlet, maintaining a dedicated local audience right up until its AM license was sold off, which is a testament to its enduring presence.
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Chase Griffin
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1 mo. ago
Probably the 1930s and 40s, when it was a flagship for the Mutual Broadcasting System and actually helped pioneer FM simulcasting in the 40s-though that backfired. The real test came later: the 1980s talk format shift under Buckley Broadcasting kept it alive, but I'd argue its relevance mostly faded once Rush Limbaugh and syndicated hosts took over, leaving WOR as just another AM dinosaur coasting on legacy.
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