By: Annmarie Dean
Last week, I brought you a timeline of WNED’s television technology. This week, I’m proud to present an abridged version of the history of our radio stations, WNED AM 970 and Classical 94.5 WNED.
1975- WNED’s Board of Trustees approves plan to purchase commercial stations WEBR and WREZ-FM.
1976- WEBR Newsradio 970 and all-classical WREZ-FM begin operation with offices at 23 North Street. This is the first time commercial facilities have ever been purchased for non-commercial use. WEBR becomes the only non-commercial all-news station in the country.
1977- WREZ-FM renames itself WNED-FM and becomes the second full-time classical music operation on public radio.
1977-1987- WEBR wins 10 New York State Associated Press Broadcasters Association awards within its first two years of operation.
1978- WNED-FM goes stereo and broadcasts the first simulcast of a live concert with full stereo sound.
1993- WEBR call letters change to WNED-AM.
2010- Radio services are available in Canada on Rogers Communications digital cable radio service. WNED AM 970 joins four other radio stations in Upstate New York as one of seven Local Journalism Centers. The initiative is launched by the Corporation of Public Broadcasting to provide an increase on local reporting, known here as the Innovation Trail.
2011- WNED AM 970 honored with six New York State Associated Press Broadcasters Association awards- including two first place awards and four special mentions. WBFO (University of Buffalo’s NPR station) is slated to become part of the WNED family.
And there you have it!
Nice that you're getting WBFO. I hope that you intend to keep some of the programming that makes them a Buffalo treasure. In particular, the weekend Blues shows.
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