Beyond the clamor of the city, a voice emerges. 710 WOR cuts through the noise. It has resonated through the lives of New Yorkers for over a century. 710 WOR isn’t just a radio station. It’s a New York institution, a witness to history, a companion through thick and thin. First crackling to life on February 22, 1922, 710 WOR originally broadcast from the top of Bamberger’s Department Store in Newark, New Jersey. Its purpose? To boost radio sales. Little did they know this humble beginning would pave the way for a broadcasting giant. Imagine the first notes of Al Jolson’s “April Showers” filling the air, a harbinger of the countless voices and stories to follow.
Originally sharing airtime on a crowded 360 meters, 710 WOR soon found a more permanent home at 710 kHz. This frequency became its signature, its clear channel connection to millions. The station’s call letters, WOR, randomly assigned, later became a backronym for “World of Radio.” This aptly describes its reach and influence. 710 WOR became a charter member of the CBS Radio Network in 1927. It later helped establish the Mutual Broadcasting System, broadcasting news and entertainment across the nation.
710 WOR transitioned its city of license from Newark to New York City in 1941. It established studios in Manhattan. This move cemented its place in the heart of the city. From its studios at 1440 Broadway, two blocks from Times Square, 710 WOR became synonymous with New York. The voices of Ed and Pegeen Fitzgerald, Arlene Francis, Long John Nebel, and countless others filled the airwaves. Dorothy Kilgallen and her husband, Dick Kollmar, shared their mornings with New York for nearly two decades on “Breakfast With Dorothy and Dick”. The Gambling family became a morning ritual for generations of New Yorkers. Their show, “Rambling with Gambling,” provided comfort, news, and the crucial school closing announcements during winter storms.
710 WOR wasn’t just about entertainment. It was a source of vital news. Its 15-minute news reports, delivered by renowned newscasters, kept New Yorkers informed. 710 WOR even pioneered live helicopter traffic reports. Tragically, this innovation led to the death of pilot-reporter Frank McDermott in 1969 when the WOR helicopter crashed. The station evolved from full-service radio with a mix of music and talk, to the primarily talk format we know today. It adapted with the times, embracing new technologies while staying true to its core mission of informing and engaging New Yorkers. Now owned by iHeartMedia, 710 WOR continues to provide a platform for diverse voices and perspectives. It has become a cornerstone of New York media, broadcasting from studios at 32 Avenue of the Americas. From its initial broadcasts atop a department store to its present-day digital presence, 710 WOR has woven itself into the fabric of New York City.