WBRK
Broadcast areaBerkshire Mountains
Frequency1340 kHz
BrandingThe Peak, K97.1
Programming
FormatClassic hits
Ownership
OwnerWBRK, Inc.
WBRK-FM
History
First air date
February 20, 1938; 86 years ago (1938-02-20)
Call sign meaning
Berkshire
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID71232
ClassC
Power1,000 watts
Transmitter coordinates
42°27′00″N 73°12′55″W / 42.45000°N 73.21528°W / 42.45000; -73.21528
Translator(s)97.1 W246DM (Pittsfield)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen live
Websitewbrk.com

WBRK (1340 AM) is a radio station licensed to serve Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The radio station is owned by WBRK, Inc. It airs a classic hits radio format.[2] The station was assigned the WBRK call letters by the Federal Communications Commission.[3]

WBRK is powered at 1,000 watts non-directional. Programming is also heard on FM translator W246DM at 97.1 MHz.

History

WBRK was the Berkshires' first radio station, signing on the air on February 20, 1938.[4] It used radio studios located on "Bank Row" in downtown Pittsfield. As with many stations of that era, the spacious studios allowed for live performances by the big bands and orchestras of the day. It was also an affiliate of the CBS Radio Network, airing its dramas, comedies, news, sports, soap operas, game shows and big band broadcasts during the "Golden Age of Radio".

On February 5, 1954, the company founded the only commercial television station to call the Berkshires home, with WMGT Channel 19. The television station, with a tower on Mount Greylock, was later sold and eventually evolved into WCDC-TV, a satellite station of WTEN in Albany, New York. It was shut down in 2017.

WBRK had a middle of the road format for much of the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. It transitioned to talk radio in the 1990s formerly carried New York Yankees games, as well as local sports broadcasts.[5] It also airs some CBS Sports Radio programming, including Jim Rome and Doug Gottlieb.

From 1941 to 1960, Dan Healy worked as a sports broadcaster for WBRK.

References

  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WBRK". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ "Station Information Profile". Arbitron.
  3. ^ "Call Sign History". FCC Media Bureau CDBS Public Access Database.
  4. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1999 (PDF). 1999. p. D-212. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  5. ^ "Station Profile". WBRK.com. Archived from the original on April 15, 2008. Retrieved May 13, 2008.

External links

Radio stations in Pittsfield, Massachusetts and the Berkshires
Classic hits radio stations in Massachusetts
Categories