WMFD (630 kHz) is a commercial AM radio station in Wilmington, North Carolina. It is owned by the Capitol Broadcasting Company and broadcasts a sports format, primarily from ESPN Radio. The radio studios and offices are on North Kerr Avenue in Wilmington.^[1]

By day, WMFD’s power is 800 watts; at night it slightly increases its power to 1,000 watts. A directional antenna with a three-tower array is used at all times to protect other stations on 630 AM from interference. The transmitter is off Sampson Street in Navassa, North Carolina.^[2] Programming is simulcast on 250-watt FM translator W269DF at 101.7 MHz.^[3] WMFD is also heard on the HD Radio digital subchannel of co-owned 99.9 WKXB-HD3.

History

WMFD signed on the air on September 15, 1935; 88 years ago (1935-09-15). It is Wilmington's oldest, though not its first, radio station. It has retained its original call sign throughout its history.^[4]

In 1954, the station launched WMFD-TV Channel 6, Wilmington's first TV station, now WECT.

In May 1996, Community Broadcasting sold radio stations WMFD, WUOY, and WBMS to a new company called Ocean Broadcasting. As a talk station, WMFD added Dr. Laura Schlessinger and The Fabulous Sports Babe, as well as CNN Headline News part of the time.^[5] In 1999, WMFD was airing Don Imus' morning show from New York City.^[6]

In 2000, WMFD changed to sports radio and added the minor-league baseball team Wilmington Waves.^[7]

In July 2004, NextMedia Group purchased WRQR, WAZO, and WMFD from Ocean Broadcasting, and WKXB and WSFM from Sea-Comm Inc.^[8]

In July 2008, Capitol Broadcasting announced its purchase of NextMedia's Wilmington stations.^[9]

Translator

In addition to the main station, WMFD is relayed by FM translator W269DF 101.7 to widen its broadcast area. This station rebroadcast WLTT prior to 2014.