What Was Michigan’s First Radio Station?
It’s the Oldest Radio Station in Michigan: WWJ, a/k/a Newsradio 950.
It is referred to as “Detroit’s only 24-hour all-news radio station,” with studios in Southfield and transmitter in Monroe County.
This AM station plays no music – it is solely dedicated to information, news, sports, traffic, and weather.
According to Detroit Historical, WWJ was founded as 8MK, debuting on the air on August 20, 1920. The station originated as an ‘audio outlet’ for the Detroit News, with broadcast facilities on the second floor of the Detroit News building. "8MK” was changed to “WBL” in October 1921; it was finally changed to its permanent call letters, “WWJ” in March 1922.
Not only is WWJ the Oldest Radio Station in Michigan, but also first to air a sporting event, a concert performed by a symphony, and national election returns...and the Detroit News became the first newspaper to have its own radio station. WWJ was even the first to broadcast a Detroit Tigers game. That event took place on April 19, 1927.
On March 29, 1941, the station’s frequency was moved to 950 AM.
Finally, just what do the letters “WWJ” stand for?
It’s not written in stone, but it’s believed that the letters stand for the station owner and his son: William Scripps and his son, William J. Scripps.
Some memories of WWJ’s history can be seen if you scroll to the image gallery below...
WWJ MEMORIES
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