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WSPD

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Coordinates: 41°36′03″N 83°32′09″W / 41.600810°N 83.535748°W / 41.600810; -83.535748
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WSPD
Broadcast areaToledo, Ohio
Frequency1370 (kHz)
BrandingNews/Talk 1370 WSPD
Programming
FormatNews/Talk
Ownership
OwnerClear Channel Communications
History
First air date
April 15, 1921
Call sign meaning
W SPeeDy (SPeeDene Oil)
Technical information
ClassB
Power5 k watts
Links
Websitewww.wspd.com

WSPD is a radio station in Toledo, Ohio, which broadcasts at 1370 AM. The station has gone by the slogan "News/Talk 1370" since late 2005. Originally "Speedy 1370," starting in 1983 it was known as "AM Stereo 1370, WSPD," beginning with Kahn AM stereo, later switching to the FCC-approved Motorola C-QUAM AM stereo system. Since the early 1990s, WSPD has had a conservative news-talk format, featuring programs such as The Rush Limbaugh show. While WSPD did away with music programming in the late 1980s, the AM stereo signal continued until it was switched off after Clear Channel acquired the station in the early 1990s from Storer Broadcasting, at which time it became known as "News Radio 1370 WSPD." WSPD broadcasts with a power output of 5,000 watts on 1370 kHz and has a directional signal pattern at night.

The WSPD call letters were once shared with TV channel 13, when both were commonly owned. The TV station's call letters changed to WTVG in 1979 when the radio stations were sold off and the former owners kept control of only the TV station. In addition to a local news staff, WSPD is affiliated with Fox News Radio, which provides live top-of-the-hour newscasts, actualities, and breaking national news coverage. WSPD has been the flagship station of University of Toledo football and basketball since the mid-1960s, and also carries the NASCAR Sprint Cup racing series. The station is also the chief Northwest Ohio affiliate of Cleveland Indians baseball, after sports sister WCWA obtained the flagship rights to Toledo Mud Hens baseball in fall 2007. WSPD carries all Indians games except weekday games and those that conflict with NASCAR or U-T broadcasts.

WSPD's studios, newsroom and offices are located at Superior and Lafayette in downtown Toledo. The station's transmitter is located on Oregon Road near Wales Road in Northwood, OH, and still contains a small DJ booth, reportedly the original broadcast studio. There are three unique free-standing towers at the transmitter site.

WSPD is Toledo's longest running radio station, originally started on-air as WTAL in April 1921. Some on-air alumni of WSPD include: Connie Desmond, Art Barrie, Don Edwards, Chuck Parmelee, Jerry Keil, Jack Mitchell, Jerry Anderson, Larry Weseman, Mike Stanley, Ron Tindle, Paul W. Smith, Doug Bermick, Lee Conklin, Bill Stewart, Buddy Carr, Pat Brogan, Mark Standriff, Ted Dalaku, Jim Donkel, Kent Slocum, Scott Sloan, Bob Frantz and Denny Schaffer. WSPD was also instrumental in the very early show business days of Toledo-native Teresa Brewer, who sang on the radio station as a child in the 1930s.

In 2007, long-time station engineer Bill Rossini brought WSPD into the digital-age with the introduction of (hybrid) digital "HD Radio" (IBOC) broadcasting over WSPD (during daylight hours). On September 14, 2007, WSPD began 24-hour hybrid digital radio broadcasting.

Program Lineup

Bold type indicates a live-and-local program.

Weekdays

Saturdays

(#) - may be preempted due to sports programming

Sundays

(#) - may be preempted due to sports programming

External links

41°36′03″N 83°32′09″W / 41.600810°N 83.535748°W / 41.600810; -83.535748


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