WLLH
Encyclopedia
WLLH is a radio station in the Merrimack Valley
region of Massachusetts
, licensed to Lowell, Massachusetts
. The station is owned by Gois Broadcasting, LLC, and airs a tropical music
format. In addition to a transmitter in Lowell, there is a synchronous transmitter in Lawrence
, together forming the two Ls in the callsign. (There were once plans for a transmitter in Haverhill
, — the H — but it was not built.) Both WLLH transmitters operate on 1400 kHz.
s on 1200 kHz, and was licensed to Somerville, Massachusetts
, near Boston
. Its call letters stood for "Willow Avenue Garage Station." During September-October 1927, the station moved to Lexington, Massachusetts
and it returned to the air on October 27, 1927 as WLEX at 1390 kHz with 50 watts. It was located in the home of part-owner Carl Wheeler. The other owner was Jesse Smith Dodge. The station time-shared with South Dartmouth station WMAF. On November 11, 1928, WLEX moved to 1420 kHz with 100 watts, time-sharing with Boston-based religious
station WSSH.
When Wheeler's company, the Lexington Air Stations, purchased the license of WBET from the Boston Evening Transcript
and moved it from Medford
to Lexington in February 1929, the WLEX call letters were transferred to that station (now WVEI in Worcester
), with the original WLEX being renamed WLEY. During this time, the stations also operated an experimental television station, W1XAY
. WLEY remained at 1420 kHz until 1930, when it moved to 1370 (concurrent with WLEX's move from 1360 kHz to 1410). W1XAY shut down in 1930, and WLEX was sold off in 1931, but the Lexington Air Stations retained WLEY until 1933, when it was purchased by Alfred Moffat, who moved the station to Lowell on October 10, 1934 and changed the call letters to WLLH six days later. Moffat boosted the station's daytime power to 250 watts from a transmitter and studio location at the Rex Center, and affiliated it with the Yankee Network
; in 1936, the station also began an affiliation with the Mutual
-affiliated Colonial Network. He also began efforts to establish a second transmitter in Lawrence, which signed on the air under special temporary authority
with 100 watts on December 1, 1937, with a license for the Lawrence transmitter being issued on March 4, 1941. WLLH moved to 1400 kHz on March 29, 1941 under the North American Radio Broadcasting Agreement
. Ed McMahon
began his career in 1942 as an announcer for WLLH. In addition, the station began an FM sister station
in 1947.
By the 1990s, WLLH, under Arnold Lerner's Merrimack Valley Wireless Talking Machine Company, had adopted an adult standards
format, and was the radio affiliate of the Lowell Spinners
minor league baseball
team. However, the station was sold to Mega Communications in 1999, and switched to a simulcast of Spanish-language
tropical music station WNFT (1150 AM, soon renamed WAMG) that April; some of WLLH's staff, as well as Spinners games, moved to WCCM
(then at 800 AM, now WNNW
; now at 1110 AM). The WAMG simulcast continued after that station moved to 890 AM
in 2003, following the sale of 1150 AM (now WWDJ) to Salem Communications
. Mega sold WAMG and WLLH to J Sports in 2005; on July 24, the stations returned to English-language
programming and switched to ESPN Radio
. Most programming was simulcast on both stations, though WLLH again carried Lowell Spinners baseball, replacing WCAP, during the 2007 season; after that season, the team returned to WCAP.
WAMG and WLLH discontinued ESPN Radio programming on September 14, 2009; as a result, the sports format was dropped, and the stations temporarily went dark
. While the station was silent, on October 9, 2009, Merrimack College
announced that Merrimack Warriors ice hockey games would be broadcast on WLLH beginning on November 13.
WLLH returned to the air with test programming in late October 2009, carrying a pre-recorded loop in Spanish, with Gois Broadcasting launching the current format soon afterward. Initially operating the station under a local marketing agreement
, Gois purchased WLLH outright in January 2010.
Merrimack Valley
The Merrimack Valley is a bi-state region along the Merrimack River in the states of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, United States. The Merrimack is one of the larger waterways in the New England region and has helped define the livelihood and culture of those living along it since native...
region of Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, licensed to Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 106,519. It is the fourth largest city in the state. Lowell and Cambridge are the county seats of Middlesex County...
. The station is owned by Gois Broadcasting, LLC, and airs a tropical music
Tropical music
Musica tropical or tropical music is a broad term for vocal and instrumental music with "tropical" flavor usually associated with the Afro-Caribbean music. It is part of an even broader category of Latin music. Usually it is an upbeat dance music, but also includes ballads. It features complex,...
format. In addition to a transmitter in Lowell, there is a synchronous transmitter in Lawrence
Lawrence, Massachusetts
Lawrence is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States on the Merrimack River. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a total population of 76,377. Surrounding communities include Methuen to the north, Andover to the southwest, and North Andover to the southeast. It and Salem are...
, together forming the two Ls in the callsign. (There were once plans for a transmitter in Haverhill
Haverhill, Massachusetts
Haverhill is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 60,879 at the 2010 census.Located on the Merrimack River, it began as a farming community that would evolve into an important industrial center, beginning with sawmills and gristmills run by water power. In the...
, — the H — but it was not built.) Both WLLH transmitters operate on 1400 kHz.
History
The station that now operates as WLLH came on the air in October 1926 as WAGS with 5 wattWatt
The watt is a derived unit of power in the International System of Units , named after the Scottish engineer James Watt . The unit, defined as one joule per second, measures the rate of energy conversion.-Definition:...
s on 1200 kHz, and was licensed to Somerville, Massachusetts
Somerville, Massachusetts
Somerville is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, located just north of Boston. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 75,754 and was the most densely populated municipality in New England. It is also the 17th most densely populated incorporated place in...
, near Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. Its call letters stood for "Willow Avenue Garage Station." During September-October 1927, the station moved to Lexington, Massachusetts
Lexington, Massachusetts
Lexington is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 31,399 at the 2010 census. This town is famous for being the site of the first shot of the American Revolution, in the Battle of Lexington on April 19, 1775.- History :...
and it returned to the air on October 27, 1927 as WLEX at 1390 kHz with 50 watts. It was located in the home of part-owner Carl Wheeler. The other owner was Jesse Smith Dodge. The station time-shared with South Dartmouth station WMAF. On November 11, 1928, WLEX moved to 1420 kHz with 100 watts, time-sharing with Boston-based religious
Religious broadcasting
Religious broadcasting refers to broadcasting by religious organizations, usually with a religious message. Many religious organizations have long recorded content such as sermons and lectures, and have moved into distributing content on their Internet websites.While this article emphasises...
station WSSH.
When Wheeler's company, the Lexington Air Stations, purchased the license of WBET from the Boston Evening Transcript
Boston Evening Transcript
The Boston Evening Transcript was a daily afternoon newspaper in Boston, Massachusetts, published from July 24, 1830, to April 30, 1941.-Beginnings:...
and moved it from Medford
Medford, Massachusetts
Medford is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in the United States, on the Mystic River, five miles northwest of downtown Boston. In the 2010 U.S. Census, Medford's population was 56,173...
to Lexington in February 1929, the WLEX call letters were transferred to that station (now WVEI in Worcester
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
), with the original WLEX being renamed WLEY. During this time, the stations also operated an experimental television station, W1XAY
W1XAY
W1XAY was one of the first television stations in the world, being founded on June 14, 1928. It was also branded as "WLEX" from its sister radio station, in Lexington, Massachusetts, USA ....
. WLEY remained at 1420 kHz until 1930, when it moved to 1370 (concurrent with WLEX's move from 1360 kHz to 1410). W1XAY shut down in 1930, and WLEX was sold off in 1931, but the Lexington Air Stations retained WLEY until 1933, when it was purchased by Alfred Moffat, who moved the station to Lowell on October 10, 1934 and changed the call letters to WLLH six days later. Moffat boosted the station's daytime power to 250 watts from a transmitter and studio location at the Rex Center, and affiliated it with the Yankee Network
Yankee Network
For the radio network of the New York Yankees, see New York Yankees Radio Network.The Yankee Network was an American radio network. It was founded in 1930 by John Shepard III; in 1949, a controlling interest in the network was purchased by General Tire when Robert Shepard chairman of the network's...
; in 1936, the station also began an affiliation with the Mutual
Mutual Broadcasting System
The Mutual Broadcasting System was an American radio network, in operation from 1934 to 1999. In the golden age of U.S. radio drama, MBS was best known as the original network home of The Lone Ranger and The Adventures of Superman and as the long-time radio residence of The Shadow...
-affiliated Colonial Network. He also began efforts to establish a second transmitter in Lawrence, which signed on the air under special temporary authority
Special temporary authority
In U.S. broadcast law, a special temporary authorization or special temporary authority is a type of broadcast license which temporarily allows a broadcast station to operate outside of its normal technical or legal parameters...
with 100 watts on December 1, 1937, with a license for the Lawrence transmitter being issued on March 4, 1941. WLLH moved to 1400 kHz on March 29, 1941 under the North American Radio Broadcasting Agreement
North American Radio Broadcasting Agreement
The North American Radio Broadcasting Agreement, usually referred to as NARBA, is a treaty that took effect in March 1941 and set out the bandplan and interference rules for mediumwave AM broadcasting in North America. Although mostly replaced by other agreements in the 1980s, the basic bandplan...
. Ed McMahon
Ed McMahon
Edward Peter "Ed" McMahon, Jr. was an American comedian, game show host and announcer. He is most famous for his work on television as Johnny Carson's sidekick and announcer on The Tonight Show from 1962 to 1992. He also hosted the original version of the talent show Star Search from 1983 to 1995...
began his career in 1942 as an announcer for WLLH. In addition, the station began an FM sister station
WCRB
WCRB is a non-commercial radio station licensed to Lowell, Massachusetts and based in the Brighton area of Boston, which serves the Greater Boston area. It broadcasts a classical music format; it existed as a commercial station from the early 1950s until December 2009, and as a listener-supported...
in 1947.
By the 1990s, WLLH, under Arnold Lerner's Merrimack Valley Wireless Talking Machine Company, had adopted an adult standards
Adult standards
Adult standards is a North American radio format heard primarily on AM or class A FM stations.Adult standards is aimed at "mature" adults, meaning mainly those persons over 50 years of age, but it is mostly targeted for senior citizens...
format, and was the radio affiliate of the Lowell Spinners
Lowell Spinners
The Lowell Spinners are a Short-Season A minor league baseball affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.-History:Founded in 1996 after Clyde Smoll moved the Elmira Pioneers to Lowell, Massachusetts, the Spinners play in the New York - Penn League, which has a Short-Season A classification with 76 games a...
minor league baseball
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
team. However, the station was sold to Mega Communications in 1999, and switched to a simulcast of Spanish-language
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
tropical music station WNFT (1150 AM, soon renamed WAMG) that April; some of WLLH's staff, as well as Spinners games, moved to WCCM
WCCM (AM)
WCCM is a radio station broadcasting a News Talk Information format. Licensed to Salem, New Hampshire, USA, the station is currently owned by Costa-Eagle Radio Ventures Limited Partnership, a partnership between Pat Costa and his chief investor, The Eagle-Tribune.-History:The 1110 frequency in...
(then at 800 AM, now WNNW
WNNW
WNNW is a radio station licensed to serve Lawrence, Massachusetts, USA. The station is owned by Costa-Eagle Radio Ventures, LP, a partnership between Pat Costa and his chief investor, the Lawrence Eagle-Tribune. It airs a Spanish Tropical music format...
; now at 1110 AM). The WAMG simulcast continued after that station moved to 890 AM
WAMG
WAMG is a radio station in the Boston market licensed to Dedham, Massachusetts. It is owned by Gois Broadcasting. It broadcasts in Spanish, & plays Bachata, Merengue, Salsa and Pop music....
in 2003, following the sale of 1150 AM (now WWDJ) to Salem Communications
Salem Communications
Salem Communications is a U.S. radio broadcaster, Internet content provider, and magazine and book publisher specializing in evangelical Christian and conservative political talk radio. It owns 99 commercial radio stations, 65 of which are in the top 25 markets. Salem is the fifth largest U.S....
. Mega sold WAMG and WLLH to J Sports in 2005; on July 24, the stations returned to English-language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
programming and switched to ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio is an American sports radio network. It was launched on January 1, 1992 under the original banner of "SportsRadio ESPN." ESPN Radio is located at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut...
. Most programming was simulcast on both stations, though WLLH again carried Lowell Spinners baseball, replacing WCAP, during the 2007 season; after that season, the team returned to WCAP.
WAMG and WLLH discontinued ESPN Radio programming on September 14, 2009; as a result, the sports format was dropped, and the stations temporarily went dark
Dark (broadcasting)
In the broadcasting industry, dark is a term used to describe a radio station or television station that has gone off-the-air for an indefinite period of time, or as defined by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission , a "silent" station...
. While the station was silent, on October 9, 2009, Merrimack College
Merrimack College
Merrimack College is an independent college in the Roman Catholic, Augustinian tradition located in North Andover, Massachusetts, north of Boston, Massachusetts. It offers undergraduate degrees in business, education, science, engineering, and the liberal arts...
announced that Merrimack Warriors ice hockey games would be broadcast on WLLH beginning on November 13.
WLLH returned to the air with test programming in late October 2009, carrying a pre-recorded loop in Spanish, with Gois Broadcasting launching the current format soon afterward. Initially operating the station under a local marketing agreement
Local marketing agreement
In U.S. and Canadian broadcasting, a local marketing agreement is an agreement in which one company agrees to operate a radio or television station owned by another licensee...
, Gois purchased WLLH outright in January 2010.