WDAD
Encyclopedia
WDAD is a radio station
in Indiana County, Pennsylvania
, serving Indiana, Cambria
, and Westmoreland
counties. It is owned and operated by Renda Broadcasting
. The station broadcasts on AM
1450. Its slogan is "Classic Hits."
had ended. The station has kept its original call letters throughout its history of more than half a century. The WDAD call letters were formerly used by a Nashville radio station (now WMTR), which first signed on the air in 1925.
WDAD's ownership was relatively stable, having only had four owners in its long history. Progressive Publishing of Clearfield, Pennsylvania, purchased the station in 1958 and operated WDAD (and later its FM sister station WQMU
) under the company name Indiana Broadcasters, Inc. Progressive also owned two other radio stations, WCPA-AM/WQYX-FM in Clearfield, and WMAJ-AM/WXLR-FM in State College. Progressive Publishing decided to sell WDAD in 1989 to RMS Media Management, Incorporated; a company headed by its then-general manager, Richard M. Sherry, who had been with the stations since 1967.
WDAD enjoyed a long history of success in its hometown, despite two aggressive competitors, WCCS
in Homer City, and WLCY-FM in Blairsville, south of Indiana. Coincidentally, WCCS co-founder Ray Goss had served as General Manager for WDAD and WQMU for 15 years before leaving to start WCCS in 1981. Both WCCS and WLCY had been separately owned until June 2002, when Anthony F. Renda, by then the President of Renda Broadcasting
Corporation, entered into a local marketing agreement with Longo Media Group that led to the eventual purchase of WLCY-FM. Renda purchased WCCS outright two months later.
Renda, who had begun his broadcasting career at WDAD as a teenager, also had plans to purchase WDAD and WQMU
from RMS Media. RMS Media agreed in 2004 to sell WDAD and WQMU to Renda Broadcasting for $3.25 million.
, WLCY
, WQMU
), Renda Broadcasting acquired the former Gatti Pharmacy building at the corner of 9th and Philadelphia Streets in downtown Indiana, where the four stations and its business operations occupy the first and second floors. Jack Benedict has been with the four Indiana stations under the different owners since 1969, Chuck Clark since 1976, and Bill Otto since 1980.
One hour before kickoff of all football games is the Colonial Tailgate Show, which is simulcast on all four Renda Broadcasting radio stations. Michael Bertig hosts the show. Broadcasters Jack Benedict, Bill Otto, Todd Marino, Mark Hilliard, Ward Hilliard, Mark Bertig, and Chuck Clark serve as panelists live from their broadcast sites.
All nine of the regular season football games are also broadcast on the Internet at www.msasports.net. Jack Benedict and Bill Otto serve as the broadcasting team.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
in Indiana County, Pennsylvania
Indiana County, Pennsylvania
-Government and politics:As of November 2008, there are 58,077 registered voters in Indiana County .* Democratic: 26,653 * Republican: 24,159 * Other Parties: 7,265 -County commissioners:*Rodney Ruddock, Chairman, Republican...
, serving Indiana, Cambria
Cambria County, Pennsylvania
Cambria County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It comprises the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 143,679....
, and Westmoreland
Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 369,993 people, 149,813 households, and 104,569 families residing in the county. The population density was 361 people per square mile . There were 161,058 housing units at an average density of 157 per square mile...
counties. It is owned and operated by Renda Broadcasting
Renda Broadcasting
Renda Broadcasting is a privately held Pittsburgh-based radio broadcasting company founded by chief executive, Tony Renda.Renda Broadcasting operates stations in Pennsylvania, Florida and Oklahoma.-Stations:Pittsburgh*WSHH 99.7 – Adult contemporary...
. The station broadcasts on AM
Amplitude modulation
Amplitude modulation is a technique used in electronic communication, most commonly for transmitting information via a radio carrier wave. AM works by varying the strength of the transmitted signal in relation to the information being sent...
1450. Its slogan is "Classic Hits."
History
WDAD was the first radio station in Indiana County, and was one of the very first radio stations in the nation granted licenses after World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
had ended. The station has kept its original call letters throughout its history of more than half a century. The WDAD call letters were formerly used by a Nashville radio station (now WMTR), which first signed on the air in 1925.
WDAD's ownership was relatively stable, having only had four owners in its long history. Progressive Publishing of Clearfield, Pennsylvania, purchased the station in 1958 and operated WDAD (and later its FM sister station WQMU
WQMU
name = WQMU| image = | area = Indiana, Pennsylvania / Pittsburgh | branding =U-92| slogan = "Today's Best Music"| airdate = August 14, 1968| frequency = 92.5 | format = Adult Contemporary erp = 3,000 watts| class = A| owner = St...
) under the company name Indiana Broadcasters, Inc. Progressive also owned two other radio stations, WCPA-AM/WQYX-FM in Clearfield, and WMAJ-AM/WXLR-FM in State College. Progressive Publishing decided to sell WDAD in 1989 to RMS Media Management, Incorporated; a company headed by its then-general manager, Richard M. Sherry, who had been with the stations since 1967.
WDAD enjoyed a long history of success in its hometown, despite two aggressive competitors, WCCS
WCCS
WCCS is a commercially licensed AM radio station, licensed to Homer City, Pennsylvania, about 50 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, and 25 miles northwest of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. WCCS operates at the federally assigned frequency of 1160 kHz with a maximum daytime power output of 10,000 watts, and...
in Homer City, and WLCY-FM in Blairsville, south of Indiana. Coincidentally, WCCS co-founder Ray Goss had served as General Manager for WDAD and WQMU for 15 years before leaving to start WCCS in 1981. Both WCCS and WLCY had been separately owned until June 2002, when Anthony F. Renda, by then the President of Renda Broadcasting
Renda Broadcasting
Renda Broadcasting is a privately held Pittsburgh-based radio broadcasting company founded by chief executive, Tony Renda.Renda Broadcasting operates stations in Pennsylvania, Florida and Oklahoma.-Stations:Pittsburgh*WSHH 99.7 – Adult contemporary...
Corporation, entered into a local marketing agreement with Longo Media Group that led to the eventual purchase of WLCY-FM. Renda purchased WCCS outright two months later.
Renda, who had begun his broadcasting career at WDAD as a teenager, also had plans to purchase WDAD and WQMU
WQMU
name = WQMU| image = | area = Indiana, Pennsylvania / Pittsburgh | branding =U-92| slogan = "Today's Best Music"| airdate = August 14, 1968| frequency = 92.5 | format = Adult Contemporary erp = 3,000 watts| class = A| owner = St...
from RMS Media. RMS Media agreed in 2004 to sell WDAD and WQMU to Renda Broadcasting for $3.25 million.
WDAD Today
In need of additional studio space to accommodate four radio stations (WDAD, WCCSWCCS
WCCS is a commercially licensed AM radio station, licensed to Homer City, Pennsylvania, about 50 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, and 25 miles northwest of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. WCCS operates at the federally assigned frequency of 1160 kHz with a maximum daytime power output of 10,000 watts, and...
, WLCY
WLCY
WLCY is a country music formatted radio station serving Indiana, Cambria, Jefferson, Armstrong and Westmoreland Counties in Pennsylvania. This station broadcasts in a similar style to rival WFGI-FM with playing throwback country hits and current hits....
, WQMU
WQMU
name = WQMU| image = | area = Indiana, Pennsylvania / Pittsburgh | branding =U-92| slogan = "Today's Best Music"| airdate = August 14, 1968| frequency = 92.5 | format = Adult Contemporary erp = 3,000 watts| class = A| owner = St...
), Renda Broadcasting acquired the former Gatti Pharmacy building at the corner of 9th and Philadelphia Streets in downtown Indiana, where the four stations and its business operations occupy the first and second floors. Jack Benedict has been with the four Indiana stations under the different owners since 1969, Chuck Clark since 1976, and Bill Otto since 1980.
Local Sports
WDAD is the radio affiliate of the Indiana Indians football and basketball teams.One hour before kickoff of all football games is the Colonial Tailgate Show, which is simulcast on all four Renda Broadcasting radio stations. Michael Bertig hosts the show. Broadcasters Jack Benedict, Bill Otto, Todd Marino, Mark Hilliard, Ward Hilliard, Mark Bertig, and Chuck Clark serve as panelists live from their broadcast sites.
All nine of the regular season football games are also broadcast on the Internet at www.msasports.net. Jack Benedict and Bill Otto serve as the broadcasting team.
News Department
- Jack Benedict - Sports Anchor; Sports Director
- Chuck Clark - Noon News Anchor
- Stepanie Turka - Weekend News Anchor; Reporter
- Michael Bertig - Reporter; Fill-In News Anchor
- Averie George - Reporter
- Christina Schmidt - Reporter
Off-Air Management
- Mark Bertig - Vice President and General Manager
- Jason Hill - General Sales Manager
- Jim DeCesare - Operations Manager
- Lori LeBlanc - Business Manager
- Travis Williams - Traffic Director
- Todd Marino - Production Director
- Keith Reiter - Assistant Traffic Director