The History of WONN 1230kc

WONN - New Florida Hotel

In 1949, the Federal Communications Commission granted Coastal Broadcasting Company a license to operate WONN, Lakeland’s second AM radio facility, with unlimited broadcast hours on 1230 kilocycles and a power of 250 watts day and night. The owners of Coastal included Duane McConnell, Ted Covington, and Robert S. Taylor. WONN went on the air as an affiliate of the Mutual Broadcasting System on September 15th of that year from studios in downtown Lakeland’s New Florida Hotel. In 1951, a building was constructed at the transmitter site on Lake Hunter Drive to house new offices and studios.

In 1957, Coastal sold WONN to Noyes Enterprises, Inc. Two years later, original Coastal co-owner, Duane McConnell, bought it back, put in his own news department, and launched a modified Top 40 music format. In 1963, the station increased its daytime power to 1000 watts; however, nighttime power remained at 250 watts.

In 1966, WONN moved into a new plant at 404 West Lime Street, and by 1969, had affiliated with the ABC radio network. McConnell sold the station in 1971 to NBC sports personality Joe Garagiola who continued with the already-established contemporary format, but dropped ABC in favor of NBC in 1972.

WONN - 1967

In December, 1976, the FCC granted approval for the sale of WONN to Leonard H. Marks, a Washington communications attorney, and Herbert S. Stewart. In 1979, the music format was modified to a more middle-of-the-road approach, but, a year later, it eased back toward contemporary once again.

On July 16, 1981, WONN was sold to Hall Communications, who raised the station’s nighttime power to 1000 watts in 1985. WONN underwent various format changes in the 1980’s - adopting the syndicated Drake-Chenault Hit Parade music format in 1981, an oldies format in 1984, and the big band Music Of Your Life in 1985. An adult standards format, featuring hits of the 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s debuted in 1989 and continues today. (www.wonn.com)

WONN added a translator in mid 2015 which enabled it to broadcast its programming on 107.1 FM.