City Adrian, Michigan Branding NewsTalk 1490 Frequency 1490 kHz | Broadcast area [1] Slogan News, Talk, Sports First air date November 1946 | |
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WABJ (1490 AM, "NewsTalk 1490") is a radio station broadcasting a news/talk radio format. Licensed to Adrian, Michigan, it first began broadcasting in 1946. WABJ is noted as a "springboard station" for some of the most well-known names in broadcasting. It has launched the careers of such notables as Phil Donahue, Jerry Keil, Rich Hoffer, Gary Fullhart, Mickey Morgret-Goldberg, and Joe Elardo.
WABJ has functioned as a full-service station for Adrian and Lenawee County since it signed on. Current owner Friends Communications has owned the station since 1990. Music (adult contemporary or MOR in nature) was phased out in the early 1990s in favor of the station's current talk format.
History
In January 1948, the Federal Communications Commission approved the sale of WABJ by Adrian Broadcasting Company to James Gerity Jr.